How many words do English speakers use?

There are different opinions on this question. Lederer has suggested that a typical English speaker has a vocabulary of between 10,000 and 20,000 words. Steven Pinker talks of 60,000 ‘by high school’.

There is, of course, a difference between our passive and active language. Passive language is the language we know but perhaps do not use.

There are many words we recognise but perhaps do not say or write. Active language is those word we use.

Evolution of English * Activities/Exercises * Glossary

What is eslreading.org?

An independent website providing free resources for English language teachers and students. These include reading and listening materials for use in the classroom or online.

ESL Reading is edited by Kieran McGovern, described as 'amongst the best writers of language learner materials in English'. It has links with Extensive Reading, the British Council and many other organisations promoting English language learning through reading.