Having a large vocabulary is a good thing to have, no matter what kind of job you are doing – it will come in handy one way or another. The key is to have a business-oriented vocabulary, and that’s just not obtainable everywhere, as people do different things and chances are you won’t come in contact with it all the time. So here are five great ways to improve your business vocabulary.
1. Know your priorities
The best way to learn something new is to have a plan for how you’ll achieve it. Being well organized while trying to learn something is a must; writing notes is a great way actually to remember those things. So, try to do the methods that work best for your learning habits, make notes, and regularly brush up on the knowledge.
2. Take classes
If you are more serious about cementing the knowledge, the best way you will expand your vocabulary and communications skills are if a professional is teaching you. That’s why taking English courses, especially business ones, is a great option to learn how to use it fast. You want to be able to use the learned knowledge as fast as possible, and a rich business vocabulary will take you far.
3. Read books
To expand your vocabulary, it-s not enough to just know that those words and phrases exist – you need to know how and where to use them. Reading different books and articles about the business will help you grasp the meaning of those words better. Not to mention that you subconsciously remember those same words, and you’ll know exactly how to use them correctly. The internet is filled with all sorts and kinds of PDF files and texts about whatever business you are interested in – so take that to your advantage.
4. Listen and talk to other people
Probably one of the best ways to pick up new words is to talk to other people who use them. While some people tend to avoid speaking to their colleagues more than they have to, take it from a different perspective. When you hear certain words and phrases repeatedly, it will eventually seep into your brain. Make sure you spark conversations with anyone from the business field, see what kind of wording they regularly use, try to memorize them, and later use them by yourself.
5. Avoid using slang
If you want to have a formal and serious approach in your speaking, it’s best to avoid using slang, especially when talking to fellow business people and colleagues. Obviously, there isn’t a specific set of rules of the business vocabulary itself. Some words are better to use than others in that type of speak. But this shouldn’t limit you only to use big and complex words and phrases, have a good balance, and try to use the appropriate wording.
At the end of the day, you’ll expand your vocabulary one way or another, and it will come to you naturally once you start working. But already knowing common business phrases and words will help you out when you start!