Improving your vocabulary and spelling

In IELTS Reading, Listening and Writing, you are required to use the correct noun, verb or adjective, and of course, correct spelling. In Writing and Speaking, vocabulary is worth 25% of your score! 

There are lots of ways to increase your range of English words and spelling accuracy. You just need a dictionary and a notebook or even your smartphone! Here are some tips:

Create your own vocabulary notebook. Every time you read, listen to or watch something, write down the words you don’t know, then look them up in your dictionary and write down their meanings in your vocabulary notebook. Go back and look over your new words at least once a week. Try using your new words as much as you can when you speak and write in English. This will help you remember the vocabulary you have learnt. 

If you prefer to learn from a list of words, look at Michael West’s 2,000 most important words in English at New General Service List. You can also check our 50 most commonly mispronounced words.

Choose a few words from this list and then write them down in your vocabulary notebook. If you are preparing for IELTS Academic, look at Avril Coxhead’s Academic word List and follow the same instructions. 

Don’t forget that when you’re using new words, look at the different forms of the word, such as the noun and verb form. Learn how to use them correctly and practice using different forms in conversation and writing. 

For example: I am contemplating (verb); the book is contemplative (adjective); Contemplation is important for study (noun).

Once you have a good foundation of words, you can progress to studying collocations and phrasal verbs to increase your range and expand how you use vocabulary in English conversation and writing.

Improve your English skills with IELTS

Access our IELTS practice materials and get prepared with our wide range of practice tests.

Additionally, don't forget to download your free IELTS Preparation Guide and get tips from our IELTS Experts by registering for an IELTS Masterclass.

Want to practice and improve your English skills?

Download the IELTS by IDP App to get access to IELTS preparation materials, including an app-exclusive free trial to IELTS Preparation Course developed by the Macquarie University experts and an IELTS Short Course by E2 Language. The app also gives you access to the IELTS Prepare by IDP vodcast -- a 10-episode video podcast guiding you through the IELTS test structure, how to prepare, what to expect on test day and more.

You can also book your test, register for events, take quizzes, and check your results on the go, all in one app!