How do you read a dictionary? is there like ways to do so? .

For what it's worth, I only read dictionaries when I'm looking up a particular word and get drawn into other definitions. It's kind of random, but way more interesting than reading cover to cover.

Reading it won't help much without commiting it to memory.

I used to select a random list of words a day, write them down and then read them a few times during that day.

Then I'd make an effort to get the words into my active vocabulary for the week. Getting it in active vocabulary is the key, passive vocabulary is a given if you can get the words in the active vocabulary.

It didn't take much effort. The key is frequency and not duration. Reading the list took 15 seconds, doing it 5 times a day was more effective than if i'd spend half an hour on it at once.

Doing that taught me a rich vocabulary in Portuguese in a short time. Try it, it works very quickly.

ok definitely will so basically get a word write it down and use it in your speech?

No no, get 10 random words (more if it's still effprtless) and write down the word and the definition in your own words.

Carry the list and make a point of reading over it and constructing a sentence for each word at least 5 times in the day.

It only takes a few seconds, I used to remember to do it while in the elevators. Or you can put it on your bathroom mirror.

Do this each day while also making a point of using the words you learned during the week.

You'll retain a lot of them with almost no effort. All you have to do is make the habit of looking at the list a few times a day.

Interesting technique Craven, thanks. I'm going to try that with Spanish.

hmmm yea very interesting never heard of that before ima try that out any others people please?

I have found these two sights quite helpful.
http://www.quia.com/
http://www.worldlingo.com

I remember these weekly spelling bees we had in grade 7 English class. We were paired off and each pair got together to compile a list of 10 words to learn. They couldn't be simple, but we had to understand the meaning of the words we chose. I recall getting together with my classmate and choosing 10 of the most unusual words we could find and then memorizing their meanings. (We had to be able to use each word in a sentence.) Our teacher (whom I'm sure was gay! Not that there's anything wrong with that! ) was SUCH a priss and we were such brats. We wanted to choose words we were certain even he wouldn't know. Sure enough, there were several times we would see him looking up the words in a dictionary. *L* It was fun at the time. He always seemed to get into a snit when he'd demand a definition from us and we were able to provide one. *heh*

When I was in the 6th grade, I had the first teacher that I really thought was wonderful. I would look in the dictionary, find some obscure words, and then use it in my compositions. Drove her nuts, but I think that she appreciated what I was trying to do!

hahaha def nice ima try it and thanks all for this really helps me grow..