Dispelling the misconception of "having to use Big Words in IELTS to be good" when studying IELTS vocabulary

Hello Preppies, in our ongoing Sharing Series, Ms. Ha Trang returns with a topic that is quite familiar: vocabulary. Vocabulary holds significant weight in the IELTS examination, making it crucial to address. Therefore, let's accompany Teacher Ha Trang in debunking the misconception that "using Big Words in IELTS is essential for proficiency" when independently studying IELTS vocabulary.

I. Using Big Words in IELTS/less common vocabulary when self-studying IELTS vocabulary helps increase band score?

Surely you are no stranger to websites that claim to help you "increase your band score quickly." They provide lists of vocabulary that may seem overwhelming. You then download them to your device and memorize them while self-studying IELTS vocabulary. The simple logic is "the more difficult words you use = the more native-like you sound = the higher your band score." This is a common misconception that many students, particularly those in the 6-6.5 band range, often fall into.

The reason is that the words you learn are often studied in isolation, or "out of context," without being placed in specific contexts. And sometimes, those difficult words are not commonly used in everyday language by native speakers. There have been numerous instances where I have come across words that can only be found in highly formal texts. For example, words like "decry," "auspicious," "bellicose,"... in students' Speaking section!

The hard truth

The hard truth is that in the Lexical resources criterion of IELTS Speaking/Writing, both Band 6 and Band 7 candidates have a common requirement to "use less common vocabulary." The difference between Band 7 and Band 6 lies in "having some awareness of style and collocation," whereas Band 6 stops at knowing the "unfamiliar" words but with some inaccuracies.

This means that if you focus solely on memorizing big words without knowing how to use them correctly, not only will it waste your time and effort, but it will also prevent you from increasing your band score and make your expression seem "strange" to native speakers.

To make a breakthrough in your IELTS band score, it is not enough to simply memorize "unfamiliar" words. What is more important is knowing how to use them in specific contexts and understanding the accompanying collocations. Please apply this approach when self-studying IELTS vocabulary at home.

II. Does achieving a band score of 7.0+ mean only using vocabulary at the 7.0+ level?

Another common misconception among some self-studying IELTS vocabulary is that if they want to achieve 7.0+, they must use vocabulary exclusively from the 7.0+ band level. I have noticed that many students choose words from C1 or C2 levels when using a dictionary. While using a dictionary for language learning is encouraged, relying solely on higher-level vocabulary may not be a wise strategy to achieve high scores in the IELTS exam.

For more information, please refer to the following article: 7.5 IELTS – Hành trình chinh phục điểm số trong vòng một năm

1. The hard truth

You don't necessarily have to use "dense" words from the C1-C2 level to achieve a band score of 7.0+. Someone who knows how to use language fluently can still use "easier" words from the A1-A2 band. However, they should still understand words from higher band levels. The important thing here is how flexible you are in using vocabulary from different levels. Words at a level that is CORRECT and SUFFICIENT to express appropriate thoughts and ideas.

2. What is the suitable learning method for self-studying IELTS vocabulary?

I completely understand that for those of you who are self-studying IELTS vocabulary at home, it can be difficult to apply the vocabulary in the RIGHT CONTEXT and appropriate COLLOCATIONS. However, there are still many effective ways to solve this problem. In the past, when I self-studied IELTS vocabulary, whenever I encountered new words, I didn't just look up their meanings. I also searched for word forms, collocations, and idioms that contained them.

Expanding the "territory" when learning new words like this has helped me a lot in using words correctly and not sounding "odd" to native speakers. However, I did encounter a problem back then. Sometimes, I didn't know a whole phrase or collocation when it appeared in a paragraph or how valuable it would be in a speaking task, so learning was sometimes challenging.

Later, when I experienced courses at PREP, the teachers came up with a more optimized learning method, which is CONTEXT-BASED LEARNING. Using this method, you will self-study IELTS vocabulary related to specific topics along with common word forms and collocations, without having to put in too much effort searching like I did in the past.

In addition, after each lesson, there will be a reading/speaking passage in two different versions: the original version (using words from a lower band) and the upgraded version after the vocabulary has been paraphrased at a higher level. With this learning method, you not only learn vocabulary and corresponding collocations and word forms, but you also witness firsthand how those words can be applied in your own essays. All in one, isn't it great?

Do you have any other effective methods for self-studying IELTS vocabulary besides using Big Words in IELTS? Or do you encounter difficulties in any specific skills? Please comment below or contact PREP directly for support!