Vocabulary is the most important aspect of language when starting out on your learning journey. Having sufficient vocabulary helps you communicate your meaning, even if your grammar skills are lacking or entirely absent. But how much vocabulary is enough when learning a foreign language?

The answer depends on your current language ability level and your proficiency goals. The vocabulary required for shopping and day to day life is a lot less than would be required for discussing serious issues and more intellectually demanding subjects.

The ability to communicate on a basic level is the first aim in any language learner’s journey. So how much vocabulary is necessary when learning a new language, when do you have ‘enough’ vocabulary and when should you start to focus on depth of vocabulary, grammar and other areas? Continue reading →