The New Language Leader (NLL) series is a widelyused resource for learners of English who are progressing from beginner to intermediate level. The preintermediate (or A2B1) book contains a carefullysequenced wordlist that supports the thematic units of the textbook. This page presents a chronological guide to that wordlist, showing how vocabulary is introduced, reinforced and expanded throughout the course.
Teaching vocabulary in a predictable order helps learners build confidence and retain new words. The NLL preintermediate wordlist follows a logical progression:
Each units wordlist is divided into three sections:
| Unit | Theme | Key Core Words (10) | Typical Extension |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introducing Yourself | name, age, country, live, work, hobby, like, favourite, family, student | nationality, occupation, hobby (v.), as well as, in my free time |
| 2 | Daily Routines | wake, get up, breakfast, go, school, work, after, evening, night, sleep | usually, often, on weekdays, at the moment, routine |
| 3 | Food & Drink | eat, drink, breakfast, lunch, dinner, restaurant, menu, order, tasty, hungry | delicious, could I have, serve, reservation, recommend |
| 4 | Shopping | buy, price, cheap, expensive, shop, market, size, colour, try, money | discount, receipt, change, bargain, fit |
| 5 | Travel & Transport | travel, train, bus, ticket, station, airport, flight, suitcase, arrive, depart | schedule, delay, boarding pass, luggage, reservation |
| 6 | Accommodation | hotel, room, key, reception, guest, reservation, checkin, checkout, comfortable, noisy | booking, single/double, suite, amenities, front desk |
| 7 | Health & Wellbeing | feel, sick, doctor, medicine, appointment, pain, headache, cough, healthy, exercise | prescription, symptoms, recover, clinic, diet |
| 8 | Leisure & Hobbies | play, sport, music, movie, read, watch, favourite, hobby, concert, game | ticket, performance, audience, practice, team |
| 9 | Nature & Environment | nature, tree, river, mountain, park, climate, weather, sun, rain, wind | conservation, pollution, recycle, wildlife, ecosystem |
| 10 | Technology | computer, internet, email, phone, app, download, screen, device, click, message | software, updates, storage, password, wireless |
| 11 | Education | school, class, teacher, lesson, study, exam, subject, homework, graduate, university | curriculum, tuition, scholarship, campus, semester |
| 12 | Workplace | company, job, colleague, meeting, project, deadline, manager, office, salary, resume | promotion, interview, contract, parttime, fulltime |
| 13 | Culture & Traditions | tradition, festival, celebrate, costume, food, music, dance, history, country, local | custom, heritage, ceremony, parade, folklore |
| 14 | Media & Communication | news, article, television, radio, interview, report, advertisement, program, channel, audience | broadcast, headline, journalist, viewer, subscriber |
| 15 | Future Plans | plan, hope, want, will, future, maybe, likely, dream, goal, ambition | might, could, would like to, intention, possibility |
From Unit4 onward, the wordlist adds a Review column that pulls highfrequency items from earlier units. For example:
This spiral technique reinforces longterm memory and encourages learners to use words in varied contexts.
Several online tools complement the NLL wordlist:
The New Language Leader preintermediate wordlist is more than a random collection of words; it is a carefully sequenced pathway that mirrors everyday communication needs. By following the chronological structure presented above, teachers can deliver systematic, meaningful vocabulary instruction, while learners gain the confidence to use English in realworld situations.
For further details, refer to the official New Language Leader PreIntermediate teachers guide or contact your course provider.
