Research in English language teaching and learning has often underestimated the vocabulary resources of the language; therefore, the size of learners’ vocabulary and the rate of growth would not typically be thought of as general vocabulary which is essential to understand a text or verbal communication. General vocabulary includes proper names, words with multiple meanings, idioms, and compounds and derivatives, etc. whose meanings are not fully predictable from the meanings of their parts. The present paper suggests various strategies for vocabulary development with a practical approach. It is observed that the learners who are exposed to new words while reading have an average rate of vocabulary growth. In fact, growth is possible only when a learner learns a large number of words incidentally or contextually. By adopting the suggested strategies to learn and improve more number of words every day, a learner can improve receptive and productive vocabulary and make successful attempts to chuck out the vocabulary conundrum.

English language learners who experience slow vocabulary development are less capable of understanding a text while reading, and understanding the speaker while listening. Such learners are likely to perform poorly on assessment in listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. In this paper, an attempt has been made to review the techniques adopted for vocabulary development. The review suggests several strategies which are especially useful to break the hard nut of the vocabulary conundrum.

Vocabulary is the single most important area of language competence and is of concern to all four language skills (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing). If we do not have reasonable vocabulary competence, which may include our stock of perceptive vocabulary as well as productive vocabulary, we cannot listen or speak confidently or read and write effectively. Vocabulary development is a process in which an individual of a target language puts in effort to increase working vocabulary with new words more or less on a regular basis. Vocabulary can be improved by exposure to new information in the target language. Exposure through writing is especially effective, as it offers a greater context by which new words can be understood and be used in the course of communication. Unless the intended message is conveyed properly with suitable expressions and appropriate vocabulary, no communication can take place.

Soft Skills Journal, Research in English language, teaching and learning, vocabulary resources, language; therefore, the size of learners’ vocabulary, rate of growth, general vocabulary, understand a text, verbal communication.