English language resources

Improving English vocabulary can help you as a student, especially if English is not your first language.

As a student, improving your vocabulary and understanding of advanced English expression is a key skill for success. A strong vocabulary can help you to:

• Understand lectures and readings more easily. University lectures and readings are often complex and challenging, and they often use a wide range of specialised vocabulary. A strong vocabulary will help to understand the concepts and ideas that are being presented, even if some words are unfamiliar.
• Write more clearly and effectively. Writing skills are critical for success at university, and are required to write essays, reports, and other assignments on a variety of topics. A strong vocabulary, will help to write more clearly and effectively, and to communicate ideas more persuasively, even if English is not your native language.
• Participate in class discussions more confidently. Class discussions are an important part of the university learning experience, and they allow students to ask questions, share your ideas, and learn from classmates. A strong vocabulary and understanding of English techniques, supports confident and effective participation in class discussions and group collaborative work.

In addition to these specific benefits, improving English vocabulary can also help to:

• Develop critical thinking skills. A strong vocabulary allows deeper thinking about the concepts and ideas. It also helps better understanding and evaluation of the arguments and perspectives of others, even if they are expressed in complex or nuanced language.
• Expand your knowledge base. When learning new words,  the concepts or ideas that are represented are also addressed. This can help to develop a wider knowledge base and to become a more well-rounded thinker in English.

The following resources focus on aspects of advanced English language and vocabulary.