The Pearson Test of English (PTE) is a language proficiency exam that assesses a person’s communication ability in English. It’s mandatory for professionals who want to study or work in an English-speaking environment, such as teachers, engineers, and nurses.
Particularly for nursing professionals, achieving a high score in the PTE is crucial because it reflects the quality of service they can provide. One of the key components of the PTE exam is the vocabulary section, which is often a struggling area for students.
But since it evaluates a candidate’s command of English, knowing diverse words and phrases is something you cannot take lightly. So, in this blog, we delve into 7 effective vocabulary-building techniques tailored for nursing professionals.
1. Contextual Learning
Vocabulary is best learned when it is encountered in context. For nursing professionals, this means focusing on medical terminology, patient care scenarios, and healthcare communication.
First, read nursing journals, case studies, and textbooks to expose yourself to relevant vocabulary in real-world situations. While reading, you will naturally spot the words and phrases that you don’t know; highlight them. Now, learn the meaning of each of those and practice using it in a sentence or a dialog.
This approach enhances your vocabulary and reinforces your understanding of how these words are used in practice.
2. Flashcards and Mnemonics
Creating flashcards with the English word on one side and its meaning, pronunciation, and usage on the other can be a highly effective technique. It aids in regular practice as well as better memory retention.
Additionally, using mnemonic devices, such as associations or visualizations, can also help you remember medical terms and their meanings more easily. Essentially, it simplifies complex information.
Alternatively, you can also combine these two different methods and make an even more powerful strategy that further boosts your learning and retention.
3. Learn Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots
Understanding the building blocks of medical terms can significantly boost your vocabulary. Prefixes are attached at the beginning of a word, suffixes are at the end, and the roots are the core elements of words. This basic understanding of these components helps you deduce the meanings of complex words or at least make an educated guess.
For instance, understanding that “cardio-” refers to the heart and “itis” indicates inflammation helps you decipher words like “cardiologist” and “myocarditis.”
4. Use Vocabulary Apps and Online Resources
Today, we are lucky to have numerous vocabulary-building apps and websites in both free and premium versions at our disposal. They come in a wide variety of themes, from word quizzes and interactive exercises to contextual usage examples.
Apps like Quizlet, Duolingo, and Anki can be incredibly helpful in expanding your vocabulary in an engaging way. More importantly, these digital tools offer flexibility and allow you to learn at your own pace and on various devices.
So, consistent use of these resources is an excellent and wise strategy to include in your study plan.
5. Practice Writing and Speaking
To solidify your grasp of new vocabulary, practice using important words in your writing and speaking. For instance, you can write essays or short paragraphs using medical terminology and nursing-related vocabulary. Whereas in a spoken context, you can engage in conversations, either with a study partner or by recording yourself.
However, your practice must be consistent to see noticeable differences in your vocabulary improvement.
6. Review and Revise Regularly
Consistent reviewing and revising is a crucial element in every endeavor to succeed. It’s equally, if not more, helpful in building your vocabulary. It helps your long-term retention of the learned vocabulary.
So, set aside time each day to review the vocabulary you have learned. Regularly revisiting words ensures they become a natural part of your vocabulary.
7. Simulate PTE Environment
Lastly, familiarize yourself with the PTE exam environment by taking practice tests. Through this, you can understand the types of vocabulary questions that might appear and get a sense of the time constraints.
So, incorporate the vocabulary you have learned into these practice sessions. Whether writing or speaking, make sure to use diverse vocabulary wherever possible. In a way, it deepens your knowledge of vocabulary and reduces the risk of drawing blanks on test day.
Looking for More Guidance?
You may feel you have everything under control, but an experienced PTE trainer will give you more insightful guidance. With additional resources, thorough practice, and a foolproof study plan, an expert can fasten your overall preparation tremendously.
EnglishWise is the leading institute for PTE coaching. With the highest success rate in Australia for PTE, we have trained more than 30,000 students. So, this is totally our cup of tea!
Contact us for further details about our programs, timetable, and resources. We’ll help you out to the best of our ability.
Good luck!
