What does knowing a new word mean?

• It is no enough just to know the meaning of a word. You also need to know:
  a) what words it is usually associated wit; b) whether it has any particular grammatical characteristics; c) how it is pronounced
• Try to learn new words not in isolation but in phrases.
• Write down adjectives together with nouns they are often associated with and vice versa, e.g. royal family; rich vocabulary.
• Write down verbs with the structure and nouns associated woth them, e.g. to add to our knowledge of the subject; to express an oppinion.
• Write down nouns in phrases, e.g. in contact with; a train set; shades of oppinion.
• Write down words woth their propositions, e.g. at a high level; thanks to your help.
• Note any grammatical characteristics of the words you are studying. For example, note when a verb is reggular and when a noun is uncountable or is only used in plural.
• Make a note of any special pronounciation problems with the words you're learning.