A Tool for Language Learning
The acquisition of a good basic vocabulary is the key to success in language learning. By paying extra attention to the most frequent words and word forms it is possible to make faster progress.
List of Words was compiled in order to facilitate the study of these important and in some cases grammatically complex words.
The Most Important Words
List of Words' vocabulary is based on word frequencies and examples extracted from large collections (corpora) of text and transcribed conversation. It contains the most important words on three different levels: 250, 900 and 3000 words.
Semantic Grouping
Semantic grouping (the words are categorized by meaning) and many authentic examples make memorizing easier.
In contrast to most listings of this kind, List of Words uses semantic grouping consistently. Every word is categorized semantically.
Alphabetical List with Links
An alphabetical index with translations is linked to the semantic categories and can serve as a reference on beginning-level.
Grammar through Vocabulary
Words with similar meaning are often connected with other words in a similar way, i.e. they often have a similar syntax. Therefore, by combining consistent semantic grouping with authentic examples of use, List of Words can - to some extent - substitute a conventional grammar.
While a grammar still is needed (for morphology etc.), many students may find it easier to study syntactic structures when example sentences are grouped semantically. Less knowledge of grammatic terminology is required.
Use it YOUR way
List of Words can be used in many different ways depending on your objective and personal taste: As a mere check list of what you already (should) know, or in a much more active way, as a tool for fast, systematic language acquisiton.
Ambitious students may want to use it as a starting point, translating List of Words into their own favourite language.
Last but not least: List of Words' category structure is a snapshot of linguistic machinery. It shows in a simple yet effective way how humans use language. List of Words is therefore ideal for theoretical purposes, such as semantic discussions, artificial language construction etc.