Have you ever started a brand new job, only to find yourself up against a steep learning curve? Beginning a new role or transitioning into a new industry can be overwhelming, especially if your new job has an industry vocabulary all its own. In some ways, building a strong professional vocabulary is similar to learning a new language– and that is no small task!
Finding the right tools to help you learn new words can make it not only easier, but fun. Word games are one of the most effective tools for anyone trying to boost their professional vocabulary, from learning industry-specific words to technical vocabulary and everything in between. Word games allow you to practice on your own or with others, and over time you will be amazed at how much you learn while having fun at the same time.
Table of Contents
Strengthening Industry-Specific Vocabulary with Word Games
While it’s true that industry-specific vocabulary can be intimidating, the good news is that learning even the most targeted terminology for specialized fields can be as easy as playing everyday word games. Let’s say you’re studying in the medical field. You can use the classic board game, Scrabble, as a tool for practicing your ever-increasing vocabulary. If you want to take it a step further, host a “Medical Scrabble” game night and invite other students, peers, and colleagues. If you play with people who share the same professional vocabulary, all of those specialized words are fair game!
Another great example of a word game that can help you practice professional vocabulary is Last Letter First. Last Letter First is a free word game that you can play on your own or with a group of your peers. The rules of the game are simple: first, one player enters a word, and then the following player must play a word that begins with the last letter of the previous player’s word. If you play a misspelled word or a word that has already been played, you earn a strike. The game ends when all players have earned three strikes, and the player with the highest score wins.
Building Familiarity with Technical Terms and Jargon
Just like developing fluency in a foreign language requires practice and repetition, the same is true when building familiarity with technical vocabulary and industry-specific jargon. While you can certainly use traditional study methods, like note taking and flashcards, to build your professional vocabulary, it might not actually be the most effective strategy. Word games are considered one of the best and fastest ways to learn new words because they keep you excited and engaged, meaning you are more likely to stay consistent and practice daily.
Studies have shown that there is a link between playing word games and improved memory. The consistency required to learn new words helps strengthen the connections in the brain responsible for memorization. So, the more you play word games and practice technical terms, the easier it will be to remember them and use them properly within your field. Even though the words you’re learning are incredibly specific, the same principles to learning any new language or vocabulary words still apply.
Expanding Synonym Knowledge for More Effective Communication
When it comes to communication, especially in a professional setting, words are among the most powerful tools we can use to express ourselves. Words are the building blocks of written and verbal communication, so the greater your vocabulary, including synonyms and antonyms, the more accurately and clearly you’ll be able to share your thoughts, emotions, and ideas with your peers and colleagues.
Synonyms and antonyms are key elements of descriptive and effective communication. Synonyms are words that share a similar meaning while antonyms are words that have opposing meanings. For example, delighted is a synonym for happy, while miserable is an antonym for happy. These types of descriptive words allow you to be as specific as possible when sharing ideas or explaining complex concepts to a colleague or peer. Understanding a wide range of descriptive words, synonyms, and antonyms will also ensure you are well-equipped to learn from your leaders and peers in a professional setting.
Playing word games also helps you learn words within different contexts. You may understand the meaning of a word when you read it in a book, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you would feel confident using it in a sentence. Playing word games prompts you to read, write, speak, and properly pronounce new words as well as their synonyms, helping you master them for effective communication in and out of the workplace.
In Summary
No matter your age, skill set, or industry, playing word games, like Last Letter First, is the best way to build your professional vocabulary. Setting aside time each to practice is the key to seeing progress, and word games make it easy to stay consistent and engaged. Word games are often more effective than traditional methods of studying, and it won’t be long before you start to see the results of all of your hard work and dedication. Best of all, having a robust professional vocabulary will ensure you feel confident and prepared when you start work each day.
Last Letter First is a free, easy-to-play word game that can help you improve professional vocabulary, learn technical terms and jargon, and master industry-specific words. You can play independently or with up to nine of your friends, for points or just for fun, and the possibilities for gameplay are endless, so you’ll never play the same game twice. With each round, you’ll learn new words, improve your spelling, and take steps towards leveling up not only in the game, but in your professional setting.
Download Last Letter First or play it directly in your web browser today!
