4 Language study skills

Have a look at the Skills for OU Study website for information on mind mapping.

Read through the information on the website, which will explain what mind maps are, and how to create them. Mind mapping is a tool that is used in all areas of study, not only languages.

Put together a mind map focusing on useful vocabulary related to a main central topic.

The first thing you need to consider is the language you want to work with. Then choose one of the topics from the list below:

• accommodation

• house and home

• self

• careers

• free time

• food and drink

• health

• shopping

• school

• transport

• holidays.

Imagine that you need to put together some information for a presentation on useful vocabulary in the topic you've chosen. Use language books, dictionaries or online information to gather your information. Put your ideas together for your chosen topic in a mind map. This will help you to learn how to structure the information you find in the most effective way.