I believe vocabulary is the most comprehensive and most difficult aspect of English for foreign learners to master thoroughly. They should concentrate first on learning the most frequently used and therefore most important English vocabulary for their practical real life needs.
Multiple sense English words and synonyms (words with a similar meaning) present special difficulty for foreign learners. Other difficulties with learning and using English vocabulary include fixed word collocations, phrasal verbs, idioms, proverbs and regional differences in vocabulary usage. There are differences in English usage in English-speaking countries in terms of spelling, pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar. I know some specialised books dealing with British and American English differences.
English usage can also be formal and informal. Formal English is the language of the mass media, education, business, economy, commerce, technology, science, etc. Informal English includes colloquial, slang and dialect usage. It is harder for foreign learners to master informal than formal English vocabulary.
Thematic general English dictionaries combined with English synonym dictionaries are a valuable tool for mastering English vocabulary logically, comprehensively and intensively for real life needs of learners. Extensive reading on a variety of topics is another effective method for expanding English vocabulary knowledge by learners of English.
The most difficult aspect to master is not ‘vocabulary’ but changing your habits.
By the way, the phrase you use for the title of your thread does not exist in English. You probably invented it yourself. That’s one of the habits you need to get rid of if you want to learn ‘proper English’.[YSaerTTEW443543]
TOEIC listening, question-response: Who’s not available to come in on Saturday?[YSaerTTEW443543]
Torsten, a learning coach, claims that the phrase “Difficulties of vocabulary acquisition” does not exist in English and that I invented it myself. Yet he failed to explain why he thinks so and where he got that knowledge. He also blames me for having some unspecified habits that I allegedly have to get rid of to learn “proper” English. It is Torsten who really has to get rid of his habits of speaking vaguely and making hasty conclusions in this case. The authoritative Longman Language Activator, compiled by over 70 real English language experts, uses the collocation “vocabulary acquisition” as well as some English websites do. Torsten obviously believes that he is a higher authority on proper English usage than those 70 English experts. I never claimed that my English is impeccable, as he seems to believe about himself.
I’d like to know if Torsten denies that there are difficulties for learners of English in learning English vocabulary. The wording Torsten uses against me indicates that he has the habit of trying to hurt people for a trifle or no reason which he also has to get rid of. And I’m not easily hurt.
Hello Competent, would you agree that the collocation ‘vocabulary acquisition’ and the phrase ‘difficulties of vocabulary acquisition’ are two different items? I ask this question because you say that you found the phrase ‘vocabulary acquisition’ in the Longman Language Activator. Does this book also contain the phrase ‘difficulties of vocabulary acquisition’? My point is that the phrase ‘difficulties in learning vocabulary’ sounds much more natural than ‘difficulties of vocabulary acquisition’.
TOEIC listening, question-response: Do you know where the meeting will be held?