As to professional terms, they usually do not represent special difficulties, as in most cases these is international lexicon which simply enough to learn.
When you already know about 1500 words, it is possible to start reading on enough decent level. With passive knowledge of 3000-4000 words you will freely read the literature on the specialty, at least in those areas where you are confidently guided.
According to the calculations made by the linguists on a material of some languages, the average educated European actively uses in his native language about 20.000 words (and half of them —rare enough). The passive lexicon makes at least 50.000.
Starting language studying, it will be reasonable to use shorter lists. Here are three levels which in practice are defined as giving a good reference point to a beginner:
— Level A («a base lexicon»): 400-500 words. It is enough to cover approximately 90 % of all word usage in daily oral dialogue or about 70 % of the written text;
— Level B («the minimum lexicon», “mini level”): 800-1000 words. It is enough to cover approximately 95 % of word usage in oral dialogue or 80-85 % of the text;
— Level In B («an average lexicon», “medium-level”): 1500-2000 words. It is enough to cover 95-100 % of word usage in oral dialogue or about 90 % of the text.
Choice of proper words –is half of the success
Undertaking the language studying, it is necessary to choose at once the words which should be known. It will inexpressibly save your time and efforts.
Correctly define those words which should be learnt first of all,- is the first step to success at language studying. The structure of the basic dictionary fund is not too strongly differs from language to language and from country to country. Even the languages which are not belonging to Indo European family – such as Finnish or Hungarian, – now became typically European in the structure of the basic lexicon though the external shape of words and word-combinations can seem absolutely unfamiliar for us.
It seems to be more correct to recommend at the initial stage to be limited to the list in length of about 400 words. During the further learning it is necessary to expand gradually it to “mini level” (800-1000 words), then to reach a threshold of 2000 words and so on.
All attention — to the “central” words!
When starting to learn a new language, we direct all our attention to the most frequency words, which should come to mind and «to fly from the tongue» automatically. We name such words “central”. The approximate alphabetic list of the “central” words of English language begins with the following words: air, almost, already, always, and, bad, beautiful, because, become, begin, big, book, bread, brother, but….etc.
Synonyms are not necessary
It is better to learn one word well, than some words badly. Especially if these words with close meaning and one of them is used much more often, than the others. Proceeding from purely practical reasons, at the initial stage it is not necessary to waste time on studying the synonyms. Such studying becomes necessary at the level of free possession of written speech, however it is too early at the lowest levels. It is necessary to include in the base list as few words as it is possible, it is better —one word for each notion. The principle of economy of memory should be observed strictly.
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