Lesson 12: Build vocabulary networks
Make words usable through forms, grammar, collocations, contrasts, register, and retrieval.
~60 MINUTES · LEXICAL DEPTH
One word is several learnings
English Profile treats vocabulary knowledge by meaning and phrase at CEFR levels, not simply by headword.[1] Issue as topic, problem, edition, or act of supplying are different learnings.
Build seven-field cards
Use the vocabulary builder: headword, core meaning, word family, grammar, collocation, register, personal example. Add pronunciation and near-synonym contrast when either causes errors.
Choose depth over rarity
solve a problem · address an issue · overcome an obstacle · fix a fault
Words overlap but take different verbs and frame different situations. “Advanced” vocabulary used with wrong collocation or register communicates less precisely than common vocabulary used deeply.
Controlled practice
- Build word family for decide.
- Supply 3 collocations for decision.
- Contrast problem, issue, fault, obstacle.
- Give neutral and formal alternatives to help.
- Find verb, noun, adjective, adverb forms of rely.
- Correct collocation: “do a decision.”
- Correct register: “The results are super bad” in a report.
- Create a personal example for mitigate risk.
Check controlled answers
- Decide, decision, decisive, decisively, indecisive.
- Make, reach, reverse, announce, justify a decision.
- See near-synonym grid in vocabulary builder.
- Help, assist, facilitate differ in register and grammar.
- Rely, reliance, reliable/unreliable, reliably.
- Make/reach a decision.
- The results are poor/unsatisfactory.
- Any personally true sentence with correct frame.
Shortcut that works
Before adding new word, test 5 things for old one: meaning, form, partner, contrast, personal use. Depth often removes need for rare synonym.
Production lab
Retrieval practice
Your win: 10 deep vocabulary cards and one paragraph using at least six naturally.
Primary source
Choose one British Council B1-B2 vocabulary topic; promote only words needed or repeatedly encountered.