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If you can memorize new vocabulary faster, you can learn a language faster too! So, how do you memorize vocabulary faster and more effectively? Here are 10 proven memory hacks you should use!

How long it takes to learn a language? Well, that largely depends on your memory. What techniques should you use to help you to remember words in a foreign language? Simple. Use memory hacks!

But first, let me dispel a common myth that you’re probably thinking. You don’t, I repeat, you DON’T have a bad memory. Just because you haven’t learned a language as quickly as you’d like or you forgot where you left your keys, that doesn’t mean you have a bad memory. You just didn’t make it a priority to remember.

Maybe you were multitasking and didn’t pay attention to where you put your keys or you have had something else on your mind. It happens. It’s totally normal and happens to all of us.

Our memory is a muscle. To build a good memory we just need to use simple techniques and methods for it to reach its full potential. Think of it like following a curated fitness programme with daily workout videos that help you build a strong and healthy body. Your memory is the same. It works best when it has been “trained” when it has a framework to work with.

The same can be said when it comes to remembering new words in a foreign language. Just because you see a word once, twice or even a hundred times, it doesn’t mean you’ll automatically remember it and so you can use it in a conversation.

We often talk about people with great memories as though it were some sort of an innate gift, but that is not the case. Great memories are learned. — Joshua Foer, Author of Moonwalking with Einstein

Memory can be trained just like any muscle, and you know what else? Learning a foreign language is actually an excellent way to improve your memory and your overall cognitive abilities. The more you learn, the easier it becomes to memorize new information.

So, trust me when I say, you’re NOT missing the so-called “language learning gene”. The only thing you ARE missing are these top 10 proven techniques that will 10x your memory so you can remember more and learn languages faster! I’ve used each of these memory techniques and continue to use many of them to learn Italian, Norwegian, French and Afrikaans.

But first, it’s important to understand…

How does our Memory Work?

Oxford Languages defines memory as ‘the faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information’. Seems clear enough. But how does it actually work? Well, there are three main processes involved: encoding, storage, and recall.

The process of memory begins with encoding: acquiring or learning new information. Simply put, to remember something you need to learn it first. We take in information through different channels, but as we take it in we also analyze it and adapt it so it can be stored in our brain.

This new information is usually encoded in one of the four ways: acoustically (how something sounds); visually (the way something looks); semantically (what something means); or in a tactile or elaborative way (how something feels and connects to other things).

For example, if you’ve just met someone at a party and you want to remember their name you can repeat their name out loud, associate it with the way the person looks, place the name in a specific context or setting (like the exact place where you’ve met), or rely on the connections you can make with this name or person (maybe you know someone else with the same name).

After the information has been encoded, it goes to storage so that we can recall, or use it later. This is what most people think about when they talk about memory.

The effect between short-term and long-term memory

There are two types of storage. When you first encounter something new, first, this information goes to your short-term memory. From here, it is either forgotten or, if needed and stored correctly, goes to your long-term memory.

Short-term memory is very brief (hence the name!), lasting 15-30 seconds and can hold between 5 and 9 (the average number is 7) items of information. Your short-term memory is at work when you do something like read a list of words and then immediately repeat them. It helps you to quickly obtain the information you need at the moment, while you are performing a task, but it’s highly likely you will forget this information afterwards.

Our long-term memory has a much longer time span (from a few minutes to a lifetime) with practically unlimited capacity. For information to be transferred from your short-term memory into your long term memory, you need to repeat it or interact with it at least a few times.

The final step of the process is retrieval. This is where you access information stored in your memory. There are two different types of retrieval: recall and recognition. When you recognize something, you have some form of a clue that helps you retrieve information. You can often quite easily recognize new vocabulary when you are reading a text. But recalling it without any cues when you need to produce it in a conversation can be much harder.

Here’s a fun video to help bring the process of memory to life.

Why do we forget?

One of the main reasons for forgetting is actually failing to retrieve information. So, the information may still be somewhere there in your brain, but, you just can’t access it.

In 1885, a German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus conducted an experiment in which he tested how well he remembered a list of nonsense syllables over increasingly longer periods of time. Using the results of his experiment, he created what is now known as the ‘Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve’.

He found out that the forgetting curve is exponential in nature. After you have just learned something, memory retention is 100%. However, it drops rapidly to 40% within just a few days. After that, the declination of memory retention slows down again.

He also found out that if you repeat or practice something a lot, the information is stored more strongly and the forgetting curve becomes much more shallow. Basically, you are faced with a use-it-or-lose-it situation, and the first few days are absolutely essential.

Here’s a little explainer video to show The Forgetting Curve process.

So, what can you do to improve your memory?

With the following 10 super effective memory hacks, you’ll learn how to memorize vocabulary, store it in your memory longer, and retrieve it easier.

Let’s dive in!

10 Proven Memory Hacks: How to Memorize New Vocabulary Faster

1. Use spaced-repetition

As we’ve seen above, repetition is key to storing information in long-term memory. Spaced repetition is a popular method with polyglots and the language learning community in general.

Spaced repetition works by presenting you with information right before you forget it to make sure that it stays fresh in your mind. You don’t mindlessly repeat information over and over again; you repeat it across increasing intervals of time.

For example, say you’ve learned some Italian greetings and other useful Italian phrases before your trip to Italy. You repeat them a few minutes later, then a few hours, then a day, then a few days, then a week…You get the idea!

Spaced repetition is designed to ‘fight’ the forgetting curve and trains your brain by ‘lifting heavier and heavier weights’ so you can recall information at longer intervals.

One of the first spaced-repetition algorithms was the Leitner flashcard system. The system was based on paper flashcards (does anyone still make those?) that in the process of learning were divided into different levels and placed into different boxes. Flashcards of different levels were repeated with a different frequency. For instance, Level 1 cards every day, Level 2 cards every two days, Level 3 cards every four days, Level 4 cards every eight days, and so on.

The Leitner system can be quite cumbersome and laborious: not only do you need to make vocabulary cards, but to find some boxes to store them in, as well as to remember to move cards from level to level as you learn the words and phrases. Fortunately, nowadays you don’t have to do this. Various websites and language learning apps were created with the use of spaced repetition to help you memorize vocabulary more effectively.

Here are a few examples: Memrise, Anki, Quizlet, TinyCards, Memorion, Traverse. These apps may differ from each other slightly, but the main idea of spaced repetition is there. Most of them are free or have a free version – try them out for yourself and see which one you like better.

Related: Memrise vs Duolingo: Which Language App is Best For You?

2. Convert new words to pictures

We are visual creatures. About 80-90% of the information we absorb is visual. A large percentage of us (65-80%) are visual learners. We recall information supported by images much more effectively. So, why not use images and visual learning to memorize vocabulary?

Related: What type of language learner are you?

Here’s one of the ways you can do it. Look at the word you want to remember. Does it remind you of something? Do the characters look like or resemble a similar word in your native language or another language you know?

Some languages have done part of the job for you. If you are learning Chinese or Japanese, there are some characters that are based on real objects and actually look like them. Here is the Japanese character that means tree: 木. It may not be the way you would draw a tree, but it is pretty easy to convert this character into a memorable mental image.

Let’s take a look at another example. The Spanish word for ‘bench’ is ‘banco’, which is very similar to the word ‘bank’. The solution is simple: draw a mental picture of a bench near a bank, and you’ll have no problem remembering this word. The Spanish word for ‘cat’ is ‘gato’ and it is quite similar to its English equivalent – you can also imagine the letter ‘g’ being the curled tail of this furry pet.

To sum it up, the main idea behind this technique is to draw a mental picture based on the word’s shape, meaning, and/or sound. Creating this additional association with the word will help you store it in your memory longer and recall it easier.

3. Create your own ‘Memory Palace’

Memory palace – sounds fancy, doesn’t it? Well, it is also a powerful way to memorize vocabulary.

The technique was developed by ancient Greeks, but it doesn’t make it any less effective. Many people use it today to remember all sorts of information such as cards in a game of poker, names at a party, formulas needed for an exam, grocery lists, and, of course, vocabulary.

A memory palace is a place you visualise in your mind where you can store mnemonic images and other information. It doesn’t have to be an actual palace – in fact, it works much more effectively if you imagine a place that you know well, like your home or office.

Creating a memory palace works by creating a strong association of the word with an image and, in this case, a physical location.

Here’s how you build a memory palace:

Imagine a place you know well in your mind, like your home or office.
Map your way through it: entering the front door, walking along the corridor, entering rooms, etc. Imagine the furniture you see on your way and other objects.
Take a list of what you need to memorize – say, some new vocabulary – and place the items or words along your way.
To make it even more memorable, make the objects and words you remember interact with the location and create other associations if possible. For instance, ‘el gato’ (the cat) can meet you at the gate scratching at the gate-post.

Try it out! I’m sure the memory palace you build will be like no other – and that it will help you memorize vocabulary really well.

Watch this video by Joshua Foer to learn how to create your own memory palace.

Also worth checking out is his popular TED talk

4. ‘Stack’ your words with the Stacking Method.

A stack is a neatly arranged pile of objects put one on top of the other. You probably have at least one stack in your home: a stack of plates, books, DVDs, papers. But what does it have to do with memorizing vocabulary?

You can also ‘stack’ information items to remember them better. Stacking works great with memorizing lists, like a grocery list, but it is also great for memorizing vocabulary, especially vocabulary on the same topic or united by some context.

This method also relies on vivid visualization, but in this case, you don’t just create a vivid image for each vocabulary unit – you literally stack them one on top of the other.

Let us say you need to learn the names of some kitchen utensils in Italian. Start with a ‘tazza’, or ‘cup’. Imagine it vividly in your mind, the way it looks, the kind of shape it has. Then put a ‘piatto’ (plate) on top of the ‘taza’. What’s next? Maybe, a ‘forchetta’ (fork)? ‘Put’ it on the ‘piatto’ vertically and then try to balance something on it.

It may sound just a tiny bit absurd, but it works! Creating a vivid image of a stack of ‘piatti’ (dishes) in your mind will help you remember the words better through a strong association. The more absurd the image, the better, as it’ll be more memorable to you.

The only drawback to this technique is that it puts the vocabulary units in a particular order, and retrieving them in any other order will be a bit harder.

5. Create fun mnemonics

Mnemonic devices or mnemonics are various techniques that help you store information in long-term memory and retrieve it more effectively. Mnemonics are based on creating meaningful associations with the information by using things such as images, memorable phrases, short poems, or even kinesthetic forms.

Mnemonics work by building connections with the word. It becomes not just a word from a foreign language, but a concept connected to an image, a joke, a song, or something else. The stronger this image and this connection are, the better mnemonic devices work.

There are different kinds of mnemonics that you can use to memorize vocabulary:

Acronyms or Expression Mnemonics – Take the first letters from the words that you need to remember and build a word or an acronym with them. For example, you can remember the points of the compass – North, East, West, and South – with the acronym ‘NEWS’. You can also take other words that begin with the same first letters and make a whole phrase with them. For instance, you can use the phrase ‘PLEASE EXCUSE MY DEAR AUNT SALLY’ to remember the names of mathematical operations: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiply, Divide, Add, and Subtract.
Music Mnemonics – Remembering lyrics to a song is much easier than just remembering a text. The rhyming and the melody makes it easier to remember and also more fun. I can bet you still remember some nursery rhymes from your childhood. Do you remember the ‘ABC song’? This is an example of a music mnemonic.
Rhyming Mnemonics – Things that rhyme are easier and more fun to remember as well. Here is an example of a rhyming mnemonic you can use to remember the number of days in each month of the year:30 days hath September, April, June, and November.
All the rest have 31
Except February my dear son.
It has 28 and that is fine
But in Leap Year it has 29.

The Rhyming Peg System – The Peg system uses visual imagery to create a ‘hook’ or ‘peg’ from which to ‘hang’, or associate, your memories. It works like linking words that sound alike to create new associations. When they rhyme they tend to be more effective, but it’s not essential.. (11) See if you can remember this short list of words (say the numbers out loud):

1. Bun
2. Shoe
3. Tree
4. Door
5. Hive
6. Sticks
7. Heaven
8. Gate
9. Vine
10. Hen

These are just a few examples. There are many more varieties of mnemonics and you can even mix and match them to create your own personal associations.

Mnemonics can be used to learn the alphabet, vocabulary, grammar, and other aspects of the language.

For example, many French students mix up these two common French prepositions – ‘au dessus’ (above), and ‘au dessous’ (below). Since they are similar in spelling, how can you remember them? By using a mnemonic, of course!

A phrase you can use to help you remember the difference is: ‘If in the air you see a bus, it must be ‘au dessus’. If on the ground you see a mouse, it must be ‘au dessous’.’

Sound bizarre? That’s exactly why you’ll never mix up these two prepositions again!

This video perfectly explains how mnemonics work.

6. Share and Teach Others with The Protégé Effect

There’s an old Latin proverb that the best way to learn something, is to teach it to someone else. “By teaching, we learn,” – Roman philosopher Seneca the Younger (c. 4 BC – 65 AD). This is also known as The Protégé Effect.

Does this really work and, if so, how? If we refer back to how our memory works, recalling information is one of the key processes involved in memorizing something. The more you use and interact with the information, the more effectively you’ll remember it. So, by teaching others and sharing your knowledge in a meaningful way, you’re actually helping to solidify your knowledge into your long-term memory.

Share with someone you know what you’ve learned. Let them ask you questions about it. This will help you identify not only practice what you’ve learned but also to make sure you’ve understood it yourself. No one home? Explain it to your “gato” (cat)!

This works even if you’re a beginner. When you share your knowledge with other beginners, you’re not only consolidating for yourself what you’ve learned, but are building friendships and also more opportunities to recall this new information. Not only that, but learning together is fun too!

7. Always write it down

Very few people write things down nowadays. Let’s be honest, most of our lives are documented in an electronic format, either on our phones or laptops. There’s nothing wrong with this, but when it comes to actually remembering things, it’s much more effective to write things down. That’s right, using a pen and paper will actually help you remember more. Why is this?

The Association for Psychological Science states that, “there is something about typing that leads to mindless processing. And there is something about ink and paper that prompts students to go beyond merely hearing and recording new information…”.

One of the reasons why writing things down is so effective is because it requires more in-depth processing. We often summarize things into our own words too, which only adds to our interaction with the information. But it doesn’t stop there. The way we choose to organize information on the page, such as which parts to highlight to make them more visible also requires additional processing.

Making good notes quite often means you don’t even need to refer to them later because you’ve already processed the material when you wrote them!

Try it out! The next time you sit down to study, close Google docs, and physically write down what you’re learning. I guarantee you’ll retain more.

8. Memorise with little effort using The Goldlist Method

The Goldlist Method is another technique that is based on writing things down and popular with polyglots. The Goldlist Method works by writing down lists of expressions you want to learn in a notebook. Then, at least two weeks later, you copy them again, sorting out the expressions that you remember from those you don’t. As if by magic, you’ll see that you’ve remembered 30% of the expressions from each list without ever having studied them! No bad, right?!

How to use the The Goldlist Method:

Divide a page into 4 sections, A, B, C, and D. In section A, write down a list of 20 vocabulary units you want to memorize. Read every phrase and its translation out loud. Put this list aside and “forget” about it, for now.
Over the next 13 days, create new lists with 4 new sections.
On day 15, go back to the 1st list (Step 1) and test yourself by covering up the translation of the items into your native language. You will see that you remember about 30% – about 6 words/phrases from it. Copy the remaining 14 words into section B.

You probably see where this is going. You repeat the process with all the other lists, then go back to the first one and do it all again. According to David James, the creator of the method, as long as you are relaxed and enjoying the process, you will naturally pick up a few items into your long-term memory each time. For the items you don’t remember, you simply learn on the next round.

Watch this fantastci video by Lýdia Machová who explains how to use The Goldlist Method.

9. Focus makes progress!

So many things distract us throughout the day and that can keep us from really focusing learning languages. Do your best to cut out as many distractions as possible whenever you want to dedicate some time to learning your target language. If you’re at home, explain to members of your household that you need this time to study. If you are somewhere in public, try noise-canceling headphones or listening to relaxing ambient music to help you drown out the noises. Put your phone away or, if you are using a mobile app to learn, turn off all notifications quickly by switching to night mode.

When you are focused and engaged, when you pay attention to what you are learning, you will retain much more from the learning session compared to when you are constantly distracted.

10. Combine words with images with Dual Coding

Dual coding is where you combine both visual and verbal information. Developed by Allan Paivio of the University of Western Ontario in 1971, Paivio based his method on the idea that the formation of mental images aids learning. For example, you store the concept of a ‘cat’ in your mind as both the word and an image of a cat, and you can retrieve them together, or separately.

Here are some examples of using dual coding in language learning:

Drawing out a historical timeline of events
Using comics or storyboards to remember stories and texts
Visual note-taking with part of the information presented as images
Flashcards that include images
Visual cues used during quizzes

As you’ve seen in the previously mentioned memory tips in, creating visual associations are a really powerful tool which is why dual coding is so effective.

Have you ever used a visual dictionary with high-quality images illustrating each word? That’s dual coding!

Need help improving your memory?

If you’re lost in the weeds when it comes to effectively learning new words, check out the Your Solid Vocab Memory. This online was developed by my friend Kerstin Cable, an experienced language learner and teacher who really knows her stuff. I always follow Kerstin’s tips, and this course is excellent. If you feel the need to stop chasing your tail and remember any word easily, take a look at Your Solid Vocab Memory.

This course has been one of my favourite resources of the year because it teaches you how to learn and remember vocab in 3 simple steps:

GROW your word list with strategic goal setting and a solid system for taking notes in seconds
MEMORIZE any word, even the ones you forget all the time, in less than a minute
REVIEW with fun and easy methods, not overwhelming lists and card decks

Check out Your Solid Vocab Memory here – I know you’ll love it!

Want to know more about learning languages? Start here!

22 Top Language Learning Resources You Should Use
How to Learn Languages Like Crazy, Even If You Have a Crazy Life [3-Step Method]
How long does it REALLY take to learn a language? [A Practical Guide]
How to Get Fluent: 9 Reasons You’re Not Fluent…YET! [& What To Do Instead]
18 Unexpected Advantages & Health Benefits of Learning A Foreign Language
23 Cool Gift for Language Learners They Will Actually Use and Love
Memrise vs Duolingo: Which Language App is Best For You?
Mondly Review: 10 Ways Mondly Drastically Improved My Language Learning
203 Most Beautiful Untranslatable Words [The Ultimate List: A-Z]
6 Language Learning Tips: How to Learn a Language from Home
What Type of Language Learner Are You? Your 4-Step Personalised Learning Plan
44 Best Movies on Disney Plus for Learning Languages
13 Ways to Seamlessly Integrate Language Learning into Your Daily Life
10 Pro Tips: How to Learn a Language with a Full-Time Job
7 Reasons Why You Should Go on a Language Holiday
Essential Travel Phrases: How to be Travel Fluent in 10 Simple Steps
How to Learn Your First Foreign Language in 8 Simple Steps: A Beginner’s Guide
11 Life-Changing Reasons Why You Should Learn a Language
42 beautiful Inspirational Quotes for Language Learners
Language learning tips: 11 Polyglots Reveal The Secrets of Their Success
Top 10 Best Ways to Learn a Language Better and Faster
How Many Languages are there in the World?
78 FREE Dictionaries to Learn a Language Fast [Free eBook Download]
22 KEY Travel Phrases That Will Transform Your Travels [Free Guide]

Like it? Pin it for later!

Over to you!

Which one of these memory tips and hacks will you try first? What is your current method for learning languages. Let me know using the comments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation. Remember, if you haven’t already done so, find out what type of language learner you are here.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post.

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Источник

How to learn English words: fast and easy, forever and without cramming

How to learn English words by reading texts, books or articles. My proven method.

Hello dear readers of my blog. In this article, I will tell you how to learn English words correctly and effectively. I have been using this method for several years now, because it helps me learn expressions quickly and easily. It really works with me, allows me to read a lot and learn by reading in English. Most importantly, I have tested this method on my students.

Entry

When we learn a foreign language, we all the time think of this process as «learning», that is, as something that makes us tense. I propose to diversify this process a bit by using reading books, news or topics so that you read what you are interested in. Then it will be perceived as a rest, it will help to memorize English words forever and without cramming.

How does reading help you learn English words?

Reading texts, books, articles helps to repeat and practice already learned phrases. Thus, you fix them in your memory, learn according to the context correctly, for memorization. And this helps them not only to begin to understand, but to use them in their speech.

Most importantly, it expands your vocabulary and improves your pronunciation of words when read aloud. Additionally, while reading books, you also repeat grammar, develop the skill of understanding the text in English without translating it in your mind. This skill is called Reading Comprehesion.

What Reading Comprehension?

compensation comes from the verb «comprehend / ˌkɑːmprɪˈhend / to comprehend». The definition in the Oxford Dictionary is: comprehesion / ˌkɑːmprɪˈhenʃn /

Source: https://irasenglish.com/lexis/kak-uchit-slova-chitaya-teksty.html

How to Memorize English Words Quickly and Easily — SpaceDeer AntiSchool Tips

ANTON LAZORENKO / 14.08.2019

Doctor English

Conducts weekly consultations

He teaches English at the AntiSchool. Believes that every teacher should be a psychologist.

Nikita

A person who wants to learn English

Learns English all his life. The same number of people forgets and remembers English words.

So many videos have already been shot about how to memorize English words. And we still don’t remember them. Maybe because Dr. English hasn’t talked about it yet?

The most effective way to memorize

Doctor English

We all want the most effective tool to do something important to us. But the most effective means suitable for absolutely everyone. And we are all different. There is no most effective way to lose weight that will work for everyone. Or quit smoking. Or become rich. The same is with memorizing foreign words. How to memorize English words?

I would be glad to tell you — take this application and your problem is solved, but I am your doctor, and I cannot deceive.

And yet, what methods work?

Nikita

For example, I post stickers at home on different things, with their names in English.

What is wrong, are you going to scold me?

Doctor English

I never scold students, and for that I will even praise you. This is how the context is established with the appearance of the things that surround you every day, and with the place where they lie. When you need to remember a word, you can imagine the room in the house and the place where the object is. It works great with nouns. What about other parts of speech or abstract concepts like happiness, coincidence, liberty?

Nikita

Well, here I use a dictionary application, different words on cards pop up to me, and I study them, honestly, a few words every day. But where do they go then? How to quickly memorize English words?

Doctor English

There is no context in the application if you see only the word and the translation — therefore, there is very little chance of remembering. Let’s expand on your sticky method to memorize any words. A similar method is used by the hero of Benedict Cumberbatch in the TV series Sherlock. It is called the Palace of Memory or Halls of Mind, and does not even require the use of stickers. This is a completely scientific method of memorization based on visualization.

You imagine a well-known place — a long street, building, or store, and for each item or location you assign a piece of information that you want to remember. In our case, this is some kind of English word.

When you need to remember a word again, it’s like you go for a walk around this place, and you find an object that you associated with the word. How well to memorize English words? It is the Halls of Mind that are used by the participants of the competitions from memory.

This way you can memorize large amounts of information.

Doctor English

You can use the Leitner system. You write a list of words you want to memorize, each word on a separate sheet, with a translation on the back. Then you work with it in a convenient way — you learn by heart, stick stickers, take an application or go to the palaces of the mind. You check your memorization in the following way — you take sheets with words, read the version in your native language and translate.

If it works, you send the word into a separate pile, which you will use in 4 days. If it didn’t work out, the word remains in the same pile, and tomorrow you will work with it again, as you do every day. When the fourth day comes, you take both shots and repeat the procedure. And you continue to work on the same system further, moving words from pile to pile.

Remember — if you forget even one word, you start repeating it again every day. There is even a special application for this — Anki Flashcards.

Leitner system

The method consists in repeating foreign words at different intervals depending on the result of the reproduction of the word from memory.

AntiSchool of English Space Deer

In the classroom, we talk for 90 minutes, instead of 10. And we do interactive homework online, because it’s more interesting.

I remember. How to use it?

Doctor English

Remember and use are two different things. To use, in addition to the name of the word, you need to understand its context and place in the sentence. To successfully learn and use a word, you need the following:

Learn the name of a word
Write it. Not typing, but writing with your own hand is also a very effective memorization method.
Read and recognize it in the text
Be able to hear a word in a song or video
Write a few sentences with him
Use it spoken several times. This does not have to be done in a live conversation, although it would be ideal for memorization. You can imagine with whom and how you could use this word, simulate a phrase and pronounce it.

Nikita

So why didn’t you say about this instruction on how to memorize English words in 5 minutes before? Now everything is clear, with every word I just do these six steps. I ran, goodbye!

Doctor English

Wait, Nikita. These 6 steps cannot be done right away, during one lesson or day. I meant that if these actions occur with a word, then we can assume that you have memorized it and can use it in speech.

Nikita

Dr. English, how easy is it to memorize new English words? Is it possible to learn at least something in English in an easy way?

Doctor English

Oh Nikita, it looks like we still have a lot of sessions

How do you like the article?

Source: https://www.spacedeer.com.ua/blog/kak-zapominat-anglijskie-slova/

How to Memorize 100 English Words a Day Easily: Resources to Test and Practice English Words

It would seem like a simple math problem from the fourth grade: if you learn 30-35 English words a day every day, how many words of English can you learn in a month and a year?

Of course, you easily calculated: you can learn about a thousand English words in a month and, accordingly, 12000 words in a year. I wonder what experience and practice say?

As vocabulary shrinks, the number of feelings that you can express, the number of events that you can describe, the number of objects that you can name decreases. Not only understanding is limited, but also experience. A person grows thanks to language. Whenever he limits the language, he decays.

~ Sheri S. Tepper

As practice shows, you can learn something, but you will not be able to keep it in an active reserve and regularly use it in speech. Words without practice and associative connections are quickly forgotten, which the creators of intensive English courses keep silent about.

True, you always have a chance memorize a large number of English words — it all depends on the peculiarities of memory and techniques for memorizing English words, which we will talk about today.

How to learn a lot of English words quickly

Learning English words is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. Signing the names of unfamiliar words is one of the most effective methods for memorizing.

Want to learn a lot of English words in a short time? The German scientist Ebinghaus found that with mechanical memorization, that is, when a person does not understand the meaning of the material and does not use mnemonics, after an hour only 44% of the information remains in memory, and after a week less than 25%. Fortunately, with conscious memorization, information is forgotten much more slowly.

First of all, you need to determine how it is easier for you to assimilate new information: by ear, to see it, or to write it down?

It will not take much time, but it will greatly facilitate the training and selection of effective techniques for you in the future. One of the tests that will help you determine how it is easier for you to remember new information is presented on this site. By answering 30 questions, you will be able to know exactly what type you are.

In short, we recall that visuals easily memorize new words after seeing or reading, audials — by ear, and kinesthetics need to be in motion, for example, to write information on paper.

In the modern world, most people are dominated by the visual type of perception of new information. Remember how long annoying commercials seen on TV or posters and banners that dot the streets of the city are kept in our memory.

You also need to know that 100% visuals or audials don’t exist. But some channel is still dominant, and it is this channel that should be used if your goal is learn a lot of English words quickly.

Visual method of memorizing English words

Characteristics and scheme of information perception by visuals.

If you have read the novel «Martin Eden» by Jack London, then most likely remember that the main character learned a huge number of academic words, pasting sheets of paper with new words at home.

Visual method for memorizing English words — this is pasting all the objects that surround you with stickers with new words. How does the visual method work? You constantly stumble upon an abundance of English words, read, memorize and, of course, use English words.

Purchase from the store or make your own cards with new words, translation, transcription, and even an example of use. It is convenient to take such cards with you if you take a long time to get to work or constantly disappear in queues. They can be classically done on paper or downloaded to your phone.

If you are just starting to learn English, you will be interested in the article «How to start learning English: learning secrets»

On the Internet, you can find and download applications for mobile phones that use a visual way to expand vocabulary. The most popular are Words, Easy Ten and Duolingo: Learn Languages Free.

Vivid pictures with captions, memory simulators, verification tests that use these mobile applications will help you learn a lot of English words in a short time … And most importantly, they are always at hand!

If your level is not initial (Pre-Intermediate and higher), you can watch films, programs and videos with and without subtitles, writing out not only new words, but also useful colloquial phrases.

English audio tutorials and podcasts

Characteristics and scheme of information perception by auditors.

If you belong to a rare category of people (about 10%) who love and remember with their ears, then this is the method for you.

The main condition for expanding vocabulary is to constantly listen to English speech, whether at home in the kitchen or in the car in traffic. New words and expressions can be written down and repeated periodically.

With this method, you will not be afraid to perceive speech by ear and your listening skills will improve.

Start with simple, short audio podcasts, possibly with translation. Then go to speech of the carriers. You can also listen and translate songs, watch movies in English and TV shows in the original.

TPR method for expanding vocabulary

Characteristics and scheme of information perception by kinesthetics.

The third type of information perception, which includes kinesthetics, prefers movement to static learning. If you are a kinesthetic, remember to write down new words on paper. It is better if you have a diary dictionary that you can refer to from time to time.

In teaching children, it is often used TPR (Total Physical Response) method … But, believe me, if you are a kinesthetic, this method is also for you: with its help you can easily learn English words and phrases.

The essence of the method consists in memorizing new words, phrases and lexical constructions using gestures, command execution, pantomime and games. For example, on the word ball (ball), you need to perform an action associated with this object, for example, a ball game.

For more information on the TPR method, read the article “TPR or Actively Learn English”.

Mnemonics and memorization of English words

An illustrative example of how mnemonics works.

One of the most effective ways to memorize English, and indeed foreign words, is mnemonics. The method of mnemonics (or mnemonics) is based on creating images in your mind. You take information that needs to be remembered and turn it into an image through association.

First you need to understand that the brain does not remember the images that appear in the head, but the connections between several images. This is very important to remember, because immediately during memorization, it is necessary to focus on this.

Mnemonics actively develops memory and thinking. the task is to create images that are connected in the imagination in various ways. Images should be colored, large and detailed.

Learning English words with mnemonics is incredibly easy! We select the most consonant word (or a few words) from the native language for a foreign word.

How mnemonics works when memorizing English words, let’s look at an example:

Source: https://ienglish.ru/blog/interesno-ob-angliiskom/kak-viuchit-angliiskiy-bistro-samomu/kak-bistro-vyuchit-mnogo-angliskikh-slov-tekhniki-zapominania

Memorizing words — fast and easy

Memorizing words Is a very important and most voluminous part of language learning. The more you know the words, the better you will understand what you hear and read, the easier it will be for you to convey your thought to the foreign interlocutor.

3000 words is the minimum required to at least somehow communicate with at least some foreigner. 3000 words is 800 hours of boring cramming. By the way, it takes less time to study higher mathematics in universities. Therefore, nothing saves you time and energy as correct method of memorizing words.

How easy is it to memorize English words? What are the ways to memorize English words? How to memorize English words forever? You will find the answers in this article.

I will tell you about the most effective techniques for memorizing words, which will allow you to spend only 2-3 minutes on deep memorization of one word. It is based on two time-tested techniques for memorizing words — mnemonics and the method of cards. But before you start, you need to prepare material for memorization. I will tell you in steps how to do it.

Selection of words to memorize

Not all words are created equal. Obviously, you shouldn’t memorize words that you will never use. Here are some ideas for where to find the words you really need:

Learn the basic vocabulary needed to understand foreign speech. There are eternal topics like «Greetings», «Family», «Food», everyone needs to know them.
Do you read a lot in English? Learn English by the Ilya Frank Method? Then take the vocabulary from the texts you read. You will involuntarily notice unfamiliar words that are more common than others.
Are you a schoolboy or a student? Surely you are being asked to take home lessons. This is also good vocabulary building material.
Are you going to work for a large company? Learn Business English. Do you work as a programmer? Learn terms in your specialty.

These tips will help you build an impressive list of memorized words. The list will contain a lot of useful vocabulary, but also a lot of unnecessary ones. Extra words need to be filtered out:

The first (main) filter is a frequency dictionary. You can see the frequency of use of words in English here. If your English is at an elementary level, you are only interested in the first 2000 positions of the frequency dictionary, if the intermediate level, then the first 4000 positions. Cross the rest of the words off the list.
Filter the second (optional) to come up with a situation in which you could apply the memorized word. If the situation seems unlikely, then cross the word off the list.

Translation preparation

Almost every English word has a variety of translation options. You shouldn’t even try to memorize them all. The most comfortable situation for your memory is one translation for each memorized word. How to choose one of the many options?

Try to generalize, find a translation that will be synonymous with all other translation options. A translation that will be correct in most situations of using the memorized word.

For example, a word walk has about 20 translation options, including walking, walking and even marching. I would translate it as walk… Because if you translate

«I walk down the street» instead «I’m walking down the street»

«Soldiers Walking on Red Square» instead «Soldiers Marching on Red Square»,

then the meaning of the sentence will be clear anyway.

Preparing cards.

With the flashcard method, generations of translators have been increasing their vocabulary in record time. Flashcards for memorizing English words are prepared as follows. Buy a 10 x 10 cm stack of paper cards from a stationery store. Fold each card in half, write the memorized word with transcription on one side, and the translation on the other. In the middle (in the place of the fold) we will take notes that will make it easier for us to memorize words.

We make one card for each memorized word. We collect cards by topic in piles of 20-30 cards. Transport in one pile, business words in another, travel in a third. Cards grouped by topic are easier to remember.

Memorizing words

So, we have done some serious preparatory work. It’s time to start directly memorizing English words. We will memorize words in two ways and in two stages:

Stage one. We memorize words using mnemonics. This method ensures that after some effort the word stays in your memory for at least a few weeks. It is much more effective than cramming, since it allows you to immediately throw information into long-term memory, bypassing short-term memory (read the detailed description of the method here).
Stage two. Repetition using the flashcards method will provide an even stronger memorization of words — you can confidently translate the vocabulary learned after many months or even years.

A few facts that are mentioned in any book on mnemonics:

the method was used by the outstanding ancient Greek orator Cicero;
mnemonics is an order of magnitude more effective than cramming, because it uses the hidden reserves of the human brain;
there are unique people, such as the Guinness record holder Samvel Gharibyan, who, using this method, memorized 1000 words per hour.

The method of mnemonics is worthy of a separate article (you can read it here) and even a whole book (here), I highly recommend reading it. But for those in a hurry, I will try to summarize the essence so that you can start using this most effective technique for memorizing English words.

The essence of the method is to invent a connection between a word and its translation. This relationship is called a mnemonic association. Let me explain with an example how to quickly memorize English words. Let’s try to remember

Eagle [needle] — eagle

Eagle is consonant with the Russian «igla». We need to come up with a connection between an eagle and a needle. And according to the rules of mnemonics, this connection should be unexpected, as absurd as possible. Our brains are designed in such a way that illogical connections are better remembered.

Imagine an eagle with medical needles instead of claws — this will be our association.

You need to come up with a reinforcement — a sentence describing the association. This will help you memorize the word faster and deeper. Like association, reinforcement should be flamboyant and unexpected. For our memorized word, I propose this version of reinforcement — «The claws of an eagle are ten hellish needles.»

We write reinforcement on the card — in the middle of the card. We folded the cards in half just so we could record the reinforcement at the fold. In the future, if you cannot translate some kind of card, then open it, look at the reinforcement and remember the association.

I am sure that the word eagle is already firmly embedded in your memory, but memorization can be made even more solid. Do the following:

Turn on your imagination and try to represent the association as vividly as possible. Try to use all your senses — sight, hearing (like an eagle screams), touch (like an eagle digs into your hand with sharp needles).
Make some English sentences with a memorable word.

I hope the essence of the method is clear. Use mnemonic techniques to learn all the flashcards in the stack you have prepared.

Method of cards. Memorizing words through repetition

The card method is very simple. You already have everything you need. The memorized vocabulary must be repeated after a week, then after a month, then after three months, then after a year. To repeat, take a stack of cards and do the following with each card:

look at the card and try to remember the translation;
turn the card over and check what you remember with what is written;
if you made a mistake in the translation, open the card, look at the reinforcement, remember the association;
put the card at the end of the pile.

Try translating flashcards in both directions — from English to Russian and from Russian to English. When translating from Russian into English, try to remember both the spelling of the word and its pronunciation (transcription).

Thus, you need to go through all the cards in the pile 5-10 times, until you transfer all the cards without errors. After each repetition, the cards in the pile must be shuffled. Sometimes there are flashcards that cause special difficulties that you cannot translate with confidence even after 10 repetitions. These cards should be put in a separate pile; this pile should be repeated more carefully.

Always carry several stacks of cards with you, then you won’t have to spend your free time on repetition at all. You will repeat the stack, standing in line or in transport on the way to work — you can use every minute of waiting to your advantage.

There is a detailed description of the card method here. The frequency and number of repetitions, everything is described in detail.

Language practice is the best way to memorize words

Mnemonics and flashcards are great techniques for memorizing words. They will teach you to memorize words quickly and for a long time. But remember that without use, any knowledge is quickly forgotten and the best way to keep your English at a high level is constant language practice. To improve your vocabulary, the best way to practice is reading in English.

Of course, not many people can just pick up and start reading fiction in English. This requires memorizing a lot of words. Good grammar knowledge is also required. But there are specially selected and prepared adapted texts in English. These are texts written using a limited set of commonly used vocabulary.

It is enough to memorize 2000 words that are used most often, and you can already read the text in English. Memorizing words through reading it is much faster and another advantage of this method is that it is interesting to read. Much more interesting than just memorizing words. And this interest gives you additional motivation to learn the language.

Ilya Frank’s reading method should be noted separately. These are parallel texts, parallel text means that a translation is written next to each sentence in brackets.

It is easy to read such texts, because if something is not clear, you can immediately look into the translation. Memorization of words happens by itself, in addition, while reading, you will notice the words that occur most often.

It is also worth remembering these words. You need to write them down on cards and memorize them as described above.

There is a whole encyclopedia of Wikipedia simple English in adapted English, and there is a radio station Voice of America broadcasting in simplified English. So, everyone can find materials of interest, the reading of which will ensure the memorization of words.

Source: http://pcards.hreminder.com/15-strategii/8-words-main.html

5 ways to learn English words and not forget them

Learning English words is much easier than it sounds. If you disagree with this, then, apparently, because at school you were forced to cram the columns of words that were remembered with difficulty, but were forgotten the next day. Fortunately, learning words is now a pleasure using simple techniques, tutorials, and readily available English materials.

Learning English words and learning a language are not the same thing.

First of all, we note that language learning is not limited to memorizing words. Yes, you cannot erase words from the language, but their interaction in speech occurs according to the rules of grammar. In addition, vocabulary and grammar will not be «animated» without practice in reading, listening, speaking and writing. Some of the techniques listed below involve memorizing words in the context of live speech.

Cards with words

Ordinary cards made of cardboard are a powerful tool for memorizing words. Cut out cards of a convenient size from thick cardboard, write on one side English words or phrases, on the other — Russian and repeat.

To be more effective, take sets of 15-30 flashcards and learn words in two directions — English-Russian and Russian-English — in four steps:

Acquaintance with words. Skim the cards as you speak the words aloud, trying to imagine the objects, actions, and even abstractions they represent. Don’t try to memorize words thoroughly, just get to know them, hook them on the memory hook. Some of the words will be remembered already at this stage, but not reliably.
Repetition of English — Russian. Looking at the English side, remember the Russian translation. Go through the deck until you can guess all the words (usually 2-4 runs). Be sure to shuffle the cards! Memorizing words with a list is ineffective largely due to the fact that words are memorized in a certain order. The cards do not have this drawback.
Repetition Russian — English. The same, but from Russian to English. This task is a little more difficult, but 2–4 rounds will be enough.
Fastening. At this point, time the time with a stopwatch. Run the deck as quickly as possible, achieving instant recognition of the word without hesitation. Do 2-4 rounds, trying to keep the stopwatch at a shorter time each round. Don’t forget to shuffle the cards. Words can be run in both directions or optionally in one (better in Russian-English, as it is more difficult). At this stage, you will achieve instant, without translation in your mind, recognition of the word.

It is not necessary to make cards out of cardboard; there are convenient programs for creating electronic cards, for example, Quizlet. With the help of this service, you can make voiced cards, add pictures to them, teach in different modes, including games.

Price: Free

Spaced repetition method

The method consists of repeating words using flashcards, but at intervals. It is believed that, following a certain repetition algorithm, a student fixes information in long-term memory. If the information is not repeated, it will be forgotten as unnecessary.

The most popular spaced-repetition word memorization program is Anki. Create a deck of words, and the application itself will select the half-forgotten material and offer to repeat it at regular intervals.

Convenience is that you only need to load the words, and the program itself will tell you when and what to repeat. But sometimes the interval method is simply not necessary. If you are learning a selection of such common words as days of the week and months, verbs of movement, vehicles, then there is no need to repeat them according to a special algorithm: they will already be encountered very often in the textbook, when reading, in speech.

Memorizing words while reading in English

It makes sense to learn words with flashcards when the vocabulary is still insufficient even to understand the simplest texts. If you do not yet know such basic vocabulary as days of the week, colors, motion verbs, politeness formulas, then it is convenient to lay the foundation of your vocabulary by memorizing words from flashcards. According to linguists, the minimum vocabulary for understanding simple texts and speech is about 2-3 thousand words.

But, if you can already read in English, try to write words out of the text as you read. It will not be just vocabulary taken from a dictionary, but living words, surrounded by context, associatively tied to the plot, the content of the text.

Don’t write out every unfamiliar word in a row. Write out useful words and phrases, as well as words, without understanding which it is impossible to understand even the basic meaning. Write just a few words per page to reduce distraction from your reading. After reading an article or chapter of a book, words can be quickly repeated.

By the way, if you just read in English without writing anything out, the vocabulary will also grow, but much more slowly and only if you read a lot and regularly, for example, every day for half an hour or an hour.

Learning programs can greatly simplify and speed up the memorization of words. For example, when reading texts online, you can save words with a single click and then repeat them using the Leo-Translator browser extension.

Memorizing words from video and audio recordings

While it is easy to underline or write out a word while reading, it is more difficult with a film or audio recording. But listening (listening) for vocabulary learning is no less interesting than books. In live speech of native speakers, there are fewer bookish, uncommon words and more popular colloquial expressions. In addition, listening develops not only vocabulary, but also the skill of listening comprehension.

The easiest way to learn English from films and audio recordings is to just watch or listen without being distracted by spelling out words. This is the easiest approach, but this way you are unlikely to learn something new, just fix the already familiar words well (which is also important).

If you write out and then repeat new words, then you will not only enjoy the movie, but also replenish your vocabulary. Of course, while watching, it is very inconvenient to be distracted by pause and writing down words, but you can take short notes, and then return to them and analyze the material in more detail. As with reading, you do not need to write out all the incomprehensible words in a row.

It is much easier to study audio and video using dedicated sites. Most of all, the popular online services LinguaLeo and Puzzle English are suitable for this, which use a special interface for easy viewing of videos with the ability to quickly (click on a word in subtitles) translate and save words.

Memorizing words while writing and speaking

Reading and listening is passive speech activity, speech perception. Speaking and writing is an active use of language. When you write or speak, vocabulary develops in a different way: you have to practice using already familiar words, translating them from passive (at the level of comprehension) to active vocabulary.

While writing, whether it be an essay or informal chatting, you have to constantly select words and try to understand, more accurately express the idea. A situation often arises when you want to say something, but do not know the right word or expression. It is not difficult to find it with the help of a dictionary, but do not let this valuable find be immediately forgotten — write down such small discoveries and repeat in your free time. Practice in vigorous speech activity is great for identifying such gaps.

Of course, you won’t be able to look into the dictionary during an oral conversation, but speaking practice forces you to work out already familiar words and constructions. You have to strain your memory, remember everything that is stored even in its most distant corners in order to express a thought. Conversational practice for learning a language is like training for the body: you strengthen, develop your «language form», transferring words from passive to active stock.

Conclusion

The first two methods — flashcards and spaced repetition — are suitable for memorizing collections of words, such as “In the city,” “Clothes,” and so on. Methods three through five are designed to memorize words during speech practice.

If you want the words to be not only remembered but also not forgotten, regularly practice reading and listening. Having met a familiar word several times in a living context, you will remember it forever. If you want not only to have a passive vocabulary, but also to freely express thoughts — communicate in the language. This will help you transform dry knowledge into confident skills. After all, we do not learn languages in order to know them, but in order to use them.

Source: https://lifehacker.ru/english-words/

How to memorize English words without doing anything. Especially for the lazy — Cynical English

Hello!

The topic of today’s post is extremely straightforward. How to memorize English wordswithout resorting to any special techniques. Let’s say you are incredibly lazy, you have enough enhanced brain activity at work and there is not the slightest desire to delve into the intricacies of memorization when using the tabbed method, look for a good illustrated dictionary or construct associations to memorize words.

And is there such a way? There is, as without it. It is quite possible, quickly and easily to memorize English words without doing anything special. Although no, I’m lying. You still have to do something. For example breathe

How to memorize English words. A guide for the laziest

First, a few numbers. It is believed (and I am ready to subscribe to each number based on my own experience) that in order to memorize a particular English word qualitatively, it is necessary to hear it (or read it) at least 20 times, of course in different contexts. But this is only for those who are doing well with their memory.

If you are honest with yourself and are ready to admit that your memory is so-so, average, the required number of repetitions rises to 30-35 times.

And finally, if the head is in real trouble (like mine), you need to hear or see an unfamiliar word in English, about 50 times to remember it completely. I don’t know how the definitions “fast” and “easy” are applicable here, but nevertheless.

Let’s consider the last case, as the most difficult, in more detail.

You can try to “pull” from a dictionary, for example Longman’s, ten 2 examples with the use of an unfamiliar English word, look for sentences with an unfamiliar word on English-language news resources, thus dial the desired number 50 and read the resulting “vinaigrette”.

But it’s like going to Moscow from St. Petersburg by electric trains, with three transfers. There are comfortable long-distance trains

Today, teacher Luke from London will act as such a «train», and I will modestly assist. Don’t you know this? Check out Luke’s website.

Now I will not dwell on the achievements of this absolutely amazing person, I will only say that he and the smiling American AJ Hoge, in my opinion, are real revolutionaries in the field of teaching English, especially independent, such Che Guevaras of the spirit who challenged the established system, consisting of both from school education, and a variety of English courses.

True, Comandante Che was shot by Bolivian militarists, and AJ Hoge and Luke are in good health, which inspires some hopes for a successful outcome.

Try it yourself how easy it is to remember the English word stammer

You can see for yourself the effectiveness of this approach to memorizing English words. What did Luke do? He recorded almost an hour-long audio, with a fairly detailed analysis of the British film “King’s speech”, we know it as “The King Speaks”.

Very briefly, the content is as follows, a peasant needs to sit on the throne, and he stammer — stutters and, therefore, is not quite suitable for public speaking, which were necessary in the era of the absence of television and the Internet.

But the character, brilliantly embodied on the screen by Colin Firth, turned out to be a guy made of flint and steel, and with the help of a loser actor who cleverly masqueraded as a speech therapist, he managed to turn himself around, conquered the illness and became the national leader of Britain during the Second World War.

“Nails would be made of these people, everyone in Russia would have more fun.”

However, let’s all the same, closer to 50 repetitions of the word stammer, since it is it that acts as a guinea pig, experiments on which teacher Luke is conducting. Luke’s ranting monologue is fascinating, replete with unexpected excursions into the history of the treatment of stammer — stuttering, in Britain, or the sudden appearance of a person who suffered from a similar disorder and now talks about it in detail and frankly.

Personally, you DO NOT DO ANYTHING! You just listen, sometimes with a smile, but nevertheless with interest. Luke plays the word stammer over and over again in all sorts of variations.

Source: http://sinenglish.ru/kak-zapominat-anglijskie-slova/kak-zapominat-anglijskie-slova-nichego-ne-delaya-tolko-dlya-lenivyx.html

How to quickly learn English words: a detailed description of the methods | Articles in English on Study.ru

About memory work
How to understand what needs to be taught and what not
Common mistakes in learning new vocabulary
Repeat, repeat, repeat
Word groups
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I have a memory like a fish: I just can’t remember English words! How can you ever learn so many new words? I devote a lot of time to increasing my vocabulary, but when it comes time to show off fresh knowledge, I can’t remember the right word! I want my vocabulary to be like an Oxford dictionary, but I keep forgetting what I already learned! vocabulary is really an important aspect. I would even say — one of the most important. Little schoolchildren come to their first English lesson, and where do you think their learning begins? With grammar? From the alphabet? No. Acquaintance with the language always begins with new words and expressions.

Therefore, today we will talk about how learn to teach new words, how to make sure that they do not fly in transit over your head, but remain in your memory and appear in the right place and at the right time.

Now there will be a small excursion into psychology. Let’s remember that our memory is divided into two types:

Long-term.
Short-term. It is also called operational.

All information coming from the outside to the brain is first stored in short-term memory. If we constantly use it, if we introduce it into our daily life more and more often, then it smoothly turns into a long-term one and remains there forever. You won’t be able to press the delete button here, even if these are “Pythagorean pants are equal in all directions”, about which you want to forget forever.

Also, our brain has a wonderful quality: it does not like boredom. Everything that he considers boring, uninteresting and irrelevant, he erases mercilessly. Therefore, it is here that it is worth noting a very important point:

Don’t even try to learn long sheets of new words 100 at a time. Nothing good will come of it. The main thing: there is no point in learning words that you will never use anywhere!

How to understand what needs to be taught and what not

Earlier we talked about how many words you need to know in order to speak fluently and understand English. Now our main question is — which words should be included in the 3000 units you need specifically?

Someone before us has deduced a golden formula, thanks to which you can easily calculate the required vocabulary: base + your personal dictionary, where Base is the most frequently used words by native speakers in a given period of time (they are also called high-frequency words), and Personal dictionary — this is already what is your personal interest.

Therefore, it is important to develop your vocabulary in the direction that is close to you, and where knowledge of the necessary vocabulary will definitely come in handy for you:

being just a student of a foreign university;
on work trips and interviews;

Source: https://www.study.ru/article/sovety/kak-bystro-vyuchit-angliyskie-slova

We memorize English words easily. Six strategies for effective learning

Learning a foreign language (especially new words) is hard painstaking work, impossible without tedious hours of cramming, isn’t it? Not really. “If you use the power of your brain correctly, learning can become a much faster and more exciting process,” says Inna Maksimenko, founder of the author’s English language courses.

Why do small children mastering their native language, as well as polyglots who easily master several languages at once, do not experience any particular difficulties? Inna told us about effective learning strategies that these people use. Take advantage of their secrets, and you will also learn to memorize words much easier and faster.

Strategy 1. Harness the Power of Emotions

What comes to your mind when you mention the word honey? Only an English textbook or an English-Russian dictionary? But people who memorize English words most quickly and easily know how to associate them with something important to themselves.

For example, the same word honey can conjure up the image of a beloved girl (after all, this is how Americans call those they love). And if you come across a new word in an interesting story, then it will connect with the emotions that you experience while reading the story. An interesting conversation in English will also help you quickly memorize a new word.

Why it works: Any positive emotion activates our ability to learn. After all, they signal that a given word refers to something meaningful to us.

Recommended: Learn English with the help of texts, films, books that interest you. Chat with interesting people. Then the very experience of such learning will become a positive emotional factor that will help you remember the words.

Strategy 2. «Embed» a new word in your experience

“When young children learn their native language,” says Inna Maksimenko, they begin to notice a new word in a variety of situations, environments, and contexts. ” For example, hearing the word «white» for the first time, a small child begins to repeat it when he sees white snow, white paper, white sugar.

And this is what helps him remember the word quickly and easily.

Why it works: Thus, the brain forms associations with different parts of the previous experience, the new word is associated with what the child already knows well, becomes more familiar and familiar. And to reproduce it in memory, you no longer need to strain, it is enough just to remember about sugar or snow.

Recommended: Use the new word more often in different situations — try to use it by retelling the text, doing your homework, practicing English with fellow students, with native speakers.

Strategy 3. Believe in your capabilities

Tell me, do you have a good memory? Is it easy for you to memorize English words? Whatever your opinion about your own abilities, sooner or later it will turn into reality. People who successfully learned English believed in their ability to do so.

Why it works: Self-beliefs often turn into self-fulfilling prophecies. By mentally repeating that languages are difficult for you, you are programming your brain to resist learning. «Why memorize these words — your unconscious is sure, — after all, nothing will work out anyway.»

Recommended: If you feel like learning languages isn’t good for you, try to understand where this belief came from. “It is confirmed by past experience,” you say, “so at school I grabbed a C for the language, and I passed the exam twice at the institute”.

In fact, these events have nothing to do with your abilities. The reason for the failure could be poor health, lack of time to prepare, or the fact that you did not need to know the language at that time.

Learn to share isolated failures and your abilities in general, and believe in yourself.

Strategy 4. Remember forever

«How long will the knowledge of English remain after your courses?» — many listeners ask. “If I don’t use the language, will I forget it a year after graduation?” The answer to this question also largely depends on the beliefs and motivation of the person himself. People who are successful in learning languages usually believe in their ability to quickly regain knowledge. “When I have such a need, I will quickly remember everything I need,” they say.

Why it works: Our beliefs shape not only the ability to perceive information, but also the ability to store it. We can believe that we have a good, in principle, memory — only a little short. “It will fly into one ear and fly out into the other,” we say in such cases, and reality, as always, confirms our expectations.

We recommend: Form in your mind an image of a quick recovery of lost skills. Determine the period of time during which your skills will recover. For example: «A week of working on the language will be enough for me to remember everything.» “Two hours of communication with a foreigner is enough for me to start speaking fluently and confidently again.”

Strategy 5. Remember the goal

Studies have shown that people with a good reason to learn a language are able to learn it much faster than others. For example, one of the Moscow doctors was able to master English in just a month — knowing that this would allow him to go on a foreign internship. Students who are told that certain words will be required in the next lesson are statistically better remembered than those who are not told about it.

Why it works: Any undertaking is impossible without a good reason, desire, motivation. Motivation gives strength. People who start learning English because it is fashionable often drop out halfway through. And if you have a goal, then your chances of successfully mastering the language are much greater.

Recommended: Remember why you are learning English. Perhaps you are dreaming of going to study in the USA, or watching the famous musical «Cats» in the original version, you want to get a promotion, or you dream of giving lectures in English. When memorizing words, choose, first of all, those that you actively use in Russian.

Strategy 6. Learning unconsciously

A small child easily masters his native language in the process of playing, communicating, learning about the world. A person who finds himself in the country of the language being studied quickly «absorbs» dozens and hundreds of new words along with the peculiarities of pronunciation and grammar. But they do not sit over textbooks and do not memorize words on purpose!

Why it works: It’s no secret that the average person uses only a tiny fraction of the potential of their own brain. But people who successfully master any languages were able to use the hidden capabilities of their unconscious.

It is known that the unconscious learns several times faster than the consciousness. This happens in those moments when the consciousness is «loaded» with other activities. For example, while you are watching a movie or chatting with a friend, you focus on the topic of the conversation.

And at this time, your unconscious is memorizing new words.

Recommended: Practice English vocabulary. For example, read an interesting story, watch movies, listen to audio materials, news, and often communicate with people in English. Then your consciousness will be occupied with the plot, and the unconscious will be able to easily assimilate new words and expressions. “In our courses,” says Inna Maksimenko, “we don’t learn words on purpose. And yet they are easy to remember. «

I hope I have convinced you that it is easy to memorize foreign words — quite possible. You just need to set a goal, believe in yourself and start working on the English language. And then, one day, the ability to easily communicate or lecture in the language will become a reality for you.

Natalia Eremeeva, englishmax.ru

Source: https://www.native-english.ru/articles/simple

How to quickly learn English words: techniques, tips for choosing vocabulary

Learn English: memorize a large number of words forever. How to increase vocabulary in the shortest possible time?

Words are the basis of the language and without them no knowledge of the rules helps. But as most people say, the hardest part of learning English is learning the required number of words.

Yes, as soon as you learn the words, you will not become a polyglot, but you will be able to understand speech without difficulty, express yourself somehow and convey your thoughts, but the most important thing is probably to watch movies, listen to music and read in English.

In this article, we will go over the basic principles of learning a large number of English words.

Learning English words simply: memorization technique

Standard cramming of English words is considered the least effective, because it is boring in the first place, and everything that is boring our brain is intuitively repulsive. On average, pupils learn no more than 1.5 thousand words for their studies at school, half of which are simply forgotten. We propose to abandon such a system and learn English words with fun and pleasure.

Mobile apps and games are a great way to learn English words

So, let’s take a look at the main problems of learning English words:

As soon as you stop repeating words, they are instantly forgotten;
Learning a large number of words at a time is not very easy, and sometimes impossible;
Not entirely correct understanding of the process of effectively learning words in general;
Short-term memory is a dangerous thing, because as soon as words get there, they are forgotten immediately after repetition.

After that, scientists once again conducted a series of studies that showed a certain result. First, we learn words, the second is repetition in a certain order:

20-30 minutes break and again you need to repeat the English words;
After 1-2 hours, go through the same program again;
Repeat the next day;
After 7 days, repeat again;
After 14 days, another repeat;
After 60 days, repeat again.

This combination of traditional repetition and spaced learning is the perfect way to learn a large number of words forever, rather than for a short period of time.

Memorizing English words: tips

In this section, we offer several options for learning English words according to the above scheme. Which one is more effective depends entirely on the person. Try all the methods and then through trial and error you will surely find your ideal option.

We learn English words in order — take a dictionary and start learning along the way. On the one hand, it is boring, on the other hand, words of different complexity are memorized by many easier. The downside is that you don’t know the context in which this or that word is used, but on the other hand, it’s a great option for the base.

Thematic version of the study of words — take a notebook dictionary and write down words on the topic, for example «Home». Thus, you not only learn words, but also organize them. For example: a house, a private house, an apartment building, a skyscraper, a shopping center, a cinema, a country house, etc.

These schemes are one of the most effective ways to memorize words forever, but drawing on your own is very laborious, albeit interesting.

Learn words by flashcards.

This option previously assumed the production or purchase of cards, on which on the one hand an English word is written, on the other — its translation.

Today there are many mobile applications with such a system, supplemented with transcription and sound transmission of the word.

Learning words in context… Suitable for those who have already passed to the second and higher level. You watch a video in English, and when you encounter an unfamiliar word, you write down and learn the whole sentence in order to understand not only the word, but also its binders.

Now, having chosen the technique, let’s move on to the very system of memorizing English words. If you decide to learn words on your own, and not according to a ready-made program, remember this formula.

80% repetitions, 20% new words. At the same time, it is necessary to repeat both yesterday’s words and the words of two months ago. Thus, it will be easiest to remember new words, and not to forget already learned material.

You can learn words in different ways, but as soon as your stock goes beyond 1000 words, connect associations. Without them, it will be much more difficult to memorize the rest of the words.

How to quickly learn words in English?

In this part, we propose to study words in Mnemonics. This system is rapidly gaining momentum and becoming one of the most popular in the world. A word is a set of letters and a meaning. So, this technique suggests constructing associations between words and meanings in such a way that at the sight of a given set of letters, you recreate the necessary association and response in the brain.

Mnemonics is an effective way to learn words

Why Mnemonics works:

After years of research, scientists have proven that the brain is best for creating visual connections;
The technique appeared a long time ago and was actively used in Ancient Rome and Greece. Socrates was especially fond of her;
Mnemonics is given to everyone in different ways, but after learning 1000 words using this technique, almost all supporters of the technique say that they can memorize about 100 words per hour! That speaks about its high efficiency.

Four reasons to choose mnemonics:

The visual lobes in the human brain are the most powerful and contain the highest percentage of neurons, and, accordingly, they can assimilate the largest amount of information in a certain time, in comparison with other lobes;
The brain does not store sets of letters; the brain stores a picture with meaning (word) and sound. That is, regardless of whether we see the letters «dog», we hear the word dog, we still represent a dog;
Associations, like feelings, they take us to the place where we first got acquainted with something new, or in the period when emotions were at the highest level. The melody started playing, and you feel a gust of wind, goosebumps and before your eyes that time when this melody was special? This means that this direction is well developed for you, and you can memorize many words without any problems from the very first lessons. If not, then after a few weeks you will reach the desired level and can easily memorize a large number of words in one lesson;
90% of those who started using this technique reported that after the first week of classes they memorize about 100-300 words (the indicator is individual and largely depends on the initial skills).

How to study Mnemonics:

The visuals are good, but they are not suitable for this direction. Turn on the image and draw a picture in the head. For example, we learn the word sun. We close our eyes (if it doesn’t work with open eyes) and imagine a bright sun on a clear day. Not the street, but the sun, we «look» at it repeating the word and reading the letters;
If the first rule isn’t working hard, try the second. Association with absurdity. We are looking for a suitable word in Russian, for example, for English fist so Russian begs pistachio… Now imagine a pistachio in a fist and say the word fist. Now it will definitely pop up in consciousness as the most vivid memory from a sound or a set of letters fist. But here it is important not to confuse that the word fist is a fist, not a pistachio;
The plot associated with the picture. Another bright direction of abstraction. Introducing a giant crane lifting a giant fish and repeating fish;
It is important to put your eyes correctly. For each word, you repeat 4-5 times and set your eyes in this way: slightly lifting and pointing at the bridge of the nose. According to scientists, in this position of the eyes, the neutrons of the visual part of the brain are most active;
Learn to remember with open eyes, this is important, since memories come depending on whether you kept your eyes initially closed or open (to remember, you need to return your eyes to the same position);
Repetition is the mother of learning. Do not forget the associations well, but without repeating the scheme given in the first section, the associations will disappear.

The main mistakes in quickly memorizing English words

No matter how hard you try to learn English words, you can make mistakes, so we propose to analyze the most basic ones, and ways to solve them.

«Today I will learn everything. « Do you know how muscles ache after the first workout? And then how does the body not want to train again, so as not to suffer in the end? So in studies, moderation is good, otherwise the lesson will quickly get bored and it will be very difficult to return to it.
«I’ll memorize the most difficult, and leave the easy for later.» Of course, the initiative is good, but then you simply have a «mess», because each level has its own vocabulary. English teachers recommend starting with simple words, especially verbs, and only after a month, try to move to a more difficult level.

Great association for learning the word «mistake»

«Today I will learn something new, and next week I will repeat it.» And again, deception, it is necessary to repeat it according to the compiled schedule, as well as 80% of the repetition and only 20% of the new, only in this way you can effectively remember everything and forever.
We teach without understanding the context. Do you know that the same object, the action is called differently depending on the situation? So, you need to memorize the word in context, and not separately, in order to minimize the «bloopers».
Learning words with incorrect pronunciation. Even if you don’t speak out loud, you are thinking with one pronunciation or another. We strongly recommend that you think several times and only then pronounce. This is very important, as retraining is 10 times more difficult than learning.

How to learn and memorize English words forever? Five tips

Source: https://crownenglishclub.ru/uprazhneniya/kak-bystro-vyuchit-anglijskie-slova-metodiki-sovety-po-vyboru-leksiki.html

Knowledge of the English year has always been in demand. It is the international language of business, culture, tourism, cinema and other important spheres of life, spoken by hundreds of millions of people around the world.

Recently, learning English has become extremely popular — moreover, fashionable. They strive to teach children from an early age, so that in the future it will become a good help for them in the professional field. Knowledge of the English language is highly valued by employers — because it emphasizes the professionalism of the employee and helps to solve complex problems.

However, learning English, like any other foreign language, is not easy. Learning is based primarily on memorizing unfamiliar words to form the student’s vocabulary. Without it, communication in a foreign language will be impossible, because it is through vocabulary that communication is carried out — both oral and written.

English for different groups of people

How can you speed up the learning process? For this, there are a number of effective methods that will help to firmly consolidate the vocabulary in the head and apply it in various communicative situations.

To choose the most effective method or several of them, it is worth first distinguishing three main groups of people according to the method of memorization:

Visuals. About a third of the population has a predominantly visual memory. For these learners, the emphasis should be on eye contact with new vocabulary.
Audials. New information in such people is better perceived and remembered through sounds. In this case, listening to audio and video recordings, frequent pronouncing of new words is suitable.
Kinesthetics. New knowledge is fixed in the memory of such people through emotions, sensations, feelings. In this case, the use of pens, pencils, a computer keyboard for accelerated memorization of foreign vocabulary will be effective.

How to quickly memorize English words

Method of marking surrounding objects. For the speedy memorization of English words, it is worth sticking stickers with the names of objects, written with a marker, on all objects at home or in the office. Both kinesthetic memory (working with a marker) and visual (constant eye contact with stickers) work here. Constantly having English words in sight, the brain firmly fixes them in memory.
To memorize English words quickly and easily, you need to write flashcards with difficult vocabulary and carry them with you. In any free time, you can take them out and repeat — this reliable method will help to firmly fix the material.

Source: http://cool-english.com/kak-bystro-zapomnit-anglijskie-slova/

How easy it is to memorize English words

All learners want to memorize English words quickly and easily. But, of course, there is no such universal way that allows you to learn 100 English words in 5 minutes and not forget any of them. However, it is quite possible to learn to quickly memorize vocabulary and be able to retain it in memory for a long time. To do this, you just need to be able to choose the right technique. In this section, we will introduce you to the best of them.

Mnemonics

The question of how to quickly learn many English words has been considered by many linguists and scientists. Thanks to their searches and efforts, a unique method of memorizing foreign words was invented, based on the peculiarities of memory.

The standard approach to the study of vocabulary is carried out according to the following scheme: English spelling — transcription — translation. With this method, the memorized word is recognized primarily by its spelling, i.e. clearly. Therefore, we read and translate texts well, and in a conversation we often get lost and cannot remember a suitable expression.

The mnemonic method offers the opposite scheme: meaning — sound — spelling. At the same time, work with translation and pronunciation is carried out with the help of associations of the native language.

For example, let’s take the word monkey. The student’s task is to present a vivid image of a monkey and associate it with a phrase that is consonant with an English word. For example, the MONKEY ate a plate of MANKEY, or simply the MONKEY ate a MONKEY. And we imagine how a monkey eats semolina. A bright and consonant image 100% will settle in memory for a long time, and when you need to talk about monkeys in English, the word «decoys» will automatically be remembered.

Mnemonics is the most popular method of memorizing new information. If you urgently need to learn English words for a dictation or an exam, this technique will not be equal in effectiveness. But, if associative thinking is not at all your strong point, then it is better to find another easy and quick way to memorize English words.

, video, writing, logic circuits and maps

This is not really a technique, but rather a tip: if you want to learn words in English as quickly as possible, include your individual qualities in the work.

Do you hear information better? Listen to special audio recordings or record your own audio lessons.
Prefer visual design? Watch videos with popular vocabulary, study words with pictures, independently compose images for the studied expressions.
Are you accustomed to trusting feelings more? Learn vocabulary in writing or on the move. Manually rewrite thematic collections of words, animate words with gestures and movements, tap out the rhythm of syllables.

Source: https://vk.com/@abclanguage-kak-legko-zapominat-angliiskie-slova

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Do you keep forgetting the English words you learn?

Are you tried of looking up the same words in the dictionary repeatedly?

If so, you’ve come to the right place.

This guide will teach you the top 3 techniques to remember vocabulary better.

Here are the techniques:

Process words deeply
Associate words with mental images
Review words at spaced intervals

Let’s dive into each method in detail.

Technique #1: Process Words Deeply

This method is based on the Levels of Processing effect, which states that words that are “processed” more deeply are remembered better.

Most people don’t make an effort to remember words. When looking up a word in the dictionary, they simply read the definition once and move on. This is “shallow” processing and it’s a bad way to remember anything.

So how you can learn a word more deeply?

Well, the first thing you can do is read all the definitions (if it has multiple meanings), as well as the usage examples.

But this is still shallow and doesn’t involve much mental effort.

You can go even deeper.

For example, think about the general meaning of the word. Ask yourself whether the meaning is good, bad, or neutral.

Suppose you’re learning the word effort (a vigorous or determined attempt, physical or mental exertion), how would you categorize this word?

For me, the general meaning of effort gives me a picture of someone trying hard to achieve something, so I categorize it as good.

But for someone else, the word might make them think about someone trying to finish a lot of boring tasks, so they will categorize it as bad.

It doesn’t really matter whether you think a word is good, bad, or neutral. What matters is that this process forces you to think about the word meaning more deeply.

Categorizing words is just one way to memorize words deeply. Another thing you can do is try to think of the word’s synonyms and antonyms (words with similar and opposite meanings).

Or you may create a mental image or a story that signifies the word meaning. For example, if you want to memorize the word forfeit (to lose something as a penalty for wrongdoing), perhaps you can imagine yourself losing a lot of money because you’ve done something against the laws.

The key is to perform some kind of mental exercise that forces you think about the word meaning on a deeper level.

My Thoughts on The Technique

This technique is probably the easiest to do since it can be performed quickly without using anything special like vocabulary software.

The drawback is that it’s probably the least effective method of the three.

The nature of new memories is that they fade quickly if you don’t make an effort to recall them afterwards.

So, even if you try to memorize words deeply, there’s still a chance of forgetting.

That being said, if you want to remember vocabulary a little better and don’t want to use methods that are too complicated or hard to do, this technique is pretty good.

Technique #2: Associate Words with Mental Images

Aha!

Ever heard of World Memory Championships?

These are competitions in which participants compete by memorizing as much information as possible within a given period of time.

In such events, it’s not difficult to find someone who can memorize the order of 50 random cards within three minutes.

These people are not super humans; they’re able to do what they do through practice and a number of memorization techniques.

Let’s look at one of those techniques: the Association technique.

How to Do The Technique

First, you need to know the pronunciation of the word you’re trying to memorize. Sometimes, you can guess it based on the spelling. If you’re not sure, listen to the pronunciation on a dictionary (or on YouTube).

After that, say or listen to the word over and over. Does it sound like another word (or words) you know? Does it sound like the name of a person? An animal?

The word(s) you think of can be English words or words in your native language. But they should refer to things you can visualize: objects, animals, people, or places.

Let’s say I want to memorize these words:

Adroit: clever or skillful in using the hands or mind.
Effort: a vigorous or determined attempt, physical or mental exertion.
Forfeit: lose something as a penalty for wrongdoing.

Here’s how each of them sound like to me:

Adroit sounds like android (a human-like robot).
Effort sounds like F (letter) and Ford (A car manufacturer)
Forfeit sounds like four (number) and Fed (Fed can refer to either FedEx delivery or Roger Federer).

Once you’ve come up with the substitute word(s), visualize those words in your mind and try to “associate” (link) that mental image to the word meaning.

How do you link the image of an android (our substitute word for adroit) to the meaning “clever or skillful in using the hands or mind?”

Maybe you can imagine the android doing something that requires complex hand movements. Perhaps visualize it playing a guitar solo on stage.

Rock never dies!

Put some effort into it. Add some details to that mental image. Perhaps imagine the android using a few advanced guitar techniques such as speed picking, sweeping, and tapping.

And that’s it. The next time you see or hear the word adroit, it will remind you of an android, then you’ll think about that silly mental image, and you’ll remember the word meaning!

Let’s do one more example: forfeit (sounds like four and Fed).

How do you associate four and Fed with the meaning “lose something as a penalty for wrongdoing?”

Perhaps we can imagine that Roger Federer has three siblings (so there are “four Feds”). They love each others very much. Then one day during a tennis match Roger Federer misses the ball completely. He gets so mad at himself for making such a stupid mistake and throws his racket on the ground.

Because of this inappropriate action, the tennis association decides to put his three siblings in prison. So Roger Federer loses the three people he loves because of his wrongdoing.

Now, put a real effort into visualizing this story.

Concentrate….really…really…hard.

It won’t work if you just do it casually.

And you’re done! The next time you encounter the word forfeit, you’ll think of four Feds, you’ll think of this silly story, and you’ll remember the meaning.

My Thoughts on The Technique

With some practice, this technique can be powerful.

If the association you create is strong enough, it’s possible to remember a word forever, without any repetition.

It works because of various reasons:

We tend to remember images and stories better than words and meanings.
It makes you pay attention to the pronunciation and meaning.
Information is better remembered if it’s created by yourself (the generation effect).

A minor issue I have with this technique is that you have to know the pronunciation.

Although there are plenty of online dictionaries with audio pronunciations, it can be annoying in some situations like when you’re in a library or classroom and don’t have earbuds.

And as you can see, it take some effort, time, and creativity to come up with substitute words and mental images. (But this will gets easier with practice.)

Overall, this is a very effective technique. It’s fun to do and doesn’t require any special tool. (Personally, I like this one the best.)

By the way, do you want to improve your spoken English?
If so, enter your email address to join my English speaking course:

Technique #3: Review Words at Spaced Intervals

In 1885, a German psychologist did a number of experiments on memory.

The experiments involved memorizing lists of nonsense syllables such as DAX, BOK, and YAT.

In one experiment, he memorize two lists in two different ways:

He repeated the first list 36 times in a single day.
He repeated the second list 12 times a day for three days (so the total number of repetitions is 12 X 3 = 36, the same as the first list).

Later he recalled the two lists and found that recall of the second list was substantially better.

What does this mean?

It means you remember better when repetitions are “spaced out.”

So instead of memorizing a particular word many times within the same day, you may do it over a span of days or weeks like this:

First repetition: 1 day
Second repetition: 7 days
Third repetition: 16 days
Fourth repetition: 35 days

This spaced repetition strategy allows you to remember better, with fewer repetitions.

The reason why this works is a highly debated discussion among researchers. Some theorized that when you recall information this way, it signals your brain that the information is important and should be stored long term.

Practical Application

How do you apply spaced repetition to your vocabulary learning?

It’s relatively simple. Many vocabulary/memory apps have spaced repetition integrated into their software, so you don’t have to figure out when to repeat certain words, the app will take care of that for you.

A popular spaced repetition app is Anki. When you want to memorize a word, you create a flashcard (it’s a card with the target word on one side and the meaning on the other).

After you’ve entered a good number of words into Anki, you can start reviewing them. If you get a word wrong, the app will show the same word again soon. If you get a word right, you won’t see the word for a while.

You can watch this video to see how it works:

My Thoughts on The Technique

Generally speaking, the more complex a memory technique, the more costly it is to use.

Although this spaced repetition technique is effective, it comes with a price.

The price is that you have to keep adding new words into the app. And you have to spend time reviewing them. This can be a hassle for some people (myself included).

However, if you want to remember every word without fail and don’t mind a little bit of complexity, this is the technique for you.

If you’re not sure, you can give it a try. If it turns out to be too much for you, you can resort to the first two techniques.

Final Thoughts: How to Remember English Vocabulary

You have learned three best methods for remembering words in English (or any other language).

Now is the time for you to pick a method (or methods) to use.

All these methods have been scientifically proven and tested. You can use one, two, or even all three depending on how sophisticated you want your approach to be:

A more sophisticated approach is more effective but less convenient and more time consuming.
A simpler approach is less effective but easy to do (an extreme example is not trying to remember vocabulary at all)

Whatever approach you come up with, please be reminded that English vocabulary is only one aspect of your English competency. Don’t be obsessed with it too much and forget to improve other things like grammar, comprehension, speaking and writing skills.

So if you want to focus on the big picture as well, check out my guide on how to learn English.

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Many people dread the prospect of learning new vocabulary because they assume it can only involve rote memorization. Fortunately, that’s far from the case—whether you’re learning a new language or improving your current one, there are a variety of tools you can use to help you really absorb, not just memorize, new words. Take advantage of the many tools available to you and practice with them often!

1
Create word associations. Whether you’re learning vocabulary in your native language or a foreign language, associations can help you memorize new words.^[1] Absurd, vivid, or ridiculous associations are the most likely to help you retain your new vocabulary.
- If you’re learning a foreign language, associate new words with words in your native language. If a new word resembles a word in your native tongue, create a mental image association between the native word and the new word. For example, the French word “vin,” or wine, sounds similar to the English word “van,” so you might make a visual association of a van full of wine to help you remember.
- Word associations are also helpful if you’re learning a new word in your own language. For example, the beginning of the word “curtail,” which means to cut short, resembles the beginning of the word “curtain,” so you can make a mental association of curtains cut too short to help you remember “curtail.”
- When creating word associations, be sure to visualize the image vividly and to review it in your head several times a day so the association will become hardwired into your memory.^[2]
2
Use mnemonics. A variation on the “similar word association” technique, mnemonic devices use patterns to assist your memory.^[3]
- For example, the word “abrogate,” which means to deny or cancel, can be broken down into a pattern of images based on the series of letters that make up the word. So, you might break “abrogate” down into “a”+”bro”+”gate” and then visualize a bro standing at your gate while you «deny» him entrance.
- For example, «PEMDAS» is a popular math mnemonic, while «FANBOY» is a popular English grammar mnemonic.^[4]
- Like word associations, mnemonic techniques work best when they relate new concepts to concepts already in your knowledge base.
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3
Be as creative as possible. It’s often easier to remember unusual or bizarre things rather than banal ones, so get creative with your associations.^[5]
- For example, the term “banal” means “boring or everyday,” so to help you remember its definition, you might picture a banana peel (because the beginning of “banal” resembles the beginning of “banana”) floating in a canal (because “canal” rhymes with “banal”). A banana peel floating in a canal is a vivid enough image to remember, but it also captures an image of something banal, allowing you to associate “banal” with the definition “boring or uninteresting.”

1
Integrate the new words into your environment. Post sticky notes or hang large blank pieces of paper in places you frequent, like the bathroom or kitchen. Add new words and their definitions to the hanging paper as you encounter them. That way you’ll find yourself frequently encountering them as you go about your day.^[6]
- Include a written definition of the word if you’re struggling to remember it.
- You can also draw a small picture depicting the meaning of the word beside it to help you build the association.
- For foreign vocabulary, try writing words for everyday objects like «mirror» and «table» on sticky notes. Attach the sticky notes to the objects the words refer to to strengthen the association between the word and the object in your mind.
2
Make the new words part of your life. Writing new words into sentences that are relevant to your own life can help you build strong and relevant associations.^[7]
- For example, if you want to learn to use the word “azure,” a term for a deep blue color, write it into several sentences that relate to your current situation or surroundings: “My new shampoo bottle is a striking azure color” or “the sky this summer has been a particularly vivid azure.”
3
Turn learning into a game. The more fun you can make your vocabulary learning time, the more likely you are to do it and to learn from it.^[8]
- There are a number of vocabulary-learning games accessible online. For a listing of web-browser based games, go here. For a review of various vocabulary-learning software options, go here.
- If you prefer a game you can play offline, see EdHelper’s Board Game Generator.
4
Make a visual record of your work. This technique will be particularly helpful to you if you’re a visual learner.
- Another tool that is great for learning vocabulary words is Quizlet!
- Create a vocabulary journal or notebook and write out new words and their definitions. Write them as often as you need in order to set them in your memory.
- Create stories using your new words. You can write stories that simply incorporate the new words into a narrative, or you can challenge yourself to write a story using only your vocabulary words.
- Draw pictures depicting the meaning of your vocabulary words to accompany their definitions. Create a visual storyboard if you like to express yourself artistically.

1

Find the methods that work best for you. You may need to try out a number of different learning techniques before you find those that work best for you.^[9]
2
Practice with flashcards. One of the most time-honored techniques, flashcards remain a simple but powerful tool for vocabulary practice.
- Write down each new word you learn on the front of a small note card or piece of paper, then write its definition on the back.
- Run through the flashcards several times each day, trying to remember the word’s definition before checking on the back.
- There are a variety of flashcard apps available for Android and Apple devices that can make using flashcards even more portable and accessible. Do some research and find which one would work best for you.
3
Expose yourself to new words. Read texts at your desired vocabulary level in the target language. Reading and looking up—and writing down!—new words while doing so is an excellent way of building and practicing vocabulary.^[10]
- If you’re trying to elevate your vocabulary in your native language to, for example, the university level, read academic journal articles, The New Yorker, The New York Times, etc.
- If you’re trying to learn a new language, read texts at your current skill level or just slightly above it. So if you’re just beginning to learn, reading books for young children may help you establish the fundamentals. If you’re at an intermediate level, you can read books for young adults. You may try to find simplified or summarized versions of longer stories that you already know. Also, look for subjects which you are interested in. You may even recognize a few words that are similar to your native language and that will boost your confidence.
- Reading a book you’re familiar with in your native language that has been translated into your target language can be a fun and effective way to practice your vocabulary and language skills.
4
Test yourself. Giving yourself frequent vocabulary tests will help you work on words that pose a particular challenge.
- A number of websites offer online vocabulary quizzes to help you practice. There are some that allow you to select your level, desired quiz length, and vocabulary word category, and others like this that allow you to create custom quizzes using the specific list of words you provide.
5
Use your new words as often as possible. Use new vocabulary words in your daily conversation, in your writing, and at any other opportunity you have.^[11]
- The more you use the new words, the more completely you’ll understand and remember them.

References

Add New Question

Question

Where can I find a website that explains the meaning a word in a clearer way? How can I learn new words, if the definitions of those words contain larger words?

Websites and apps of dictionaries are best, such as Oxford Learner’s Dictionary and the like.
Question

What should I do if I am always forgetting new words too quickly?

Practice the new words for 3-5 minutes each day. If you do this consistently, you won’t forget them.
Question

I know I’m supposed to do «what works for me,» but how do I know what works for me?

Try the different methods out. Do flashcards one day, write the words out the next day, draw pictures the next day, etc. See which method helps you retain the information for longer.

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Know your limits. Limit yourself to a maximum of 10 new words each day; 3-4 is optimal for retention.
Pay attention to prefixes and suffixes. If you learn these common components, it will help you remember or even deduce the meaning of other words that use the same prefix and/or suffix.
Study phrases rather than single words. If you’re learning a new language, learning common phrases is a good way not only to familiarize yourself with common constructions, but also to remember everyday useful phrases. That way when you want to say something, you’ll have a pool of common phrases, rather than just single words, at the ready.

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If you need to memorize vocabulary, write the word and its definition on a piece of paper and put it on the wall somewhere that you will see it often, like above your desk or in the kitchen. If you need to, draw a small picture that will help you visualize the meaning of the word. Playing games designed to increase your vocabulary can help you learn new words while still having fun at the same time. Keep reading to learn how word associations can help you memorize your vocabulary words!

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Syed Ahmad Tajuddin Bin Syed Alwi

Feb 11, 2019

«It helped me to get a better understanding of ways to remember new words and to use it in my daily conversation. I…» more

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Do you have problems remembering English vocabulary or expressions? Do you find it difficult to memorize idiomatic expressions or slang? Do you struggle to understand grammar concepts?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you’re not alone: most language learners have these problems.

Even native speakers of English have a hard time remembering spelling for some words because often there is no direct correlation between English spelling and pronunciation.

The secret to remembering new words and spellings – for both native and non-native speakers – is to develop a good memory. If you are one of those people who think that they have a poor memory, read on.

This article will explain some techniques that will help you remember vocabulary and grammar much more easily.

First, we need to understand how memory works.

So how does our memory work?

Our memory stores information. The first time we see, hear, smell, taste, or touch something our memory places that information in a certain area.

In some cases, however, when the time comes to retrieve that information, we can’t find it. Sometimes, even when we try hard to memorize something, the piece of information just won’t cooperate and stay in the appropriate slot in our memory.

Can I improve my memory?

Yes! You can use memory aids: mnemonics.

Mnemonics are images, sounds, rhymes, or acronyms that establish a link to a word, expression, or spelling that is difficult for you to remember. This link connects the two items in your memory, so if you remember one of them, you will easily remember the other.

Imagine this: a stormy sea with bits and pieces of a shipwrecked boat, seaweed and other debris floating around aimlessly on the surface.

This is what happens to a poorly organized memory. It is difficult to find something you need in that huge mass of unrelated bits of information.

Now, imagine a port or harbor where every boat is anchored or docked in the right place. Everything is organized and in its place.

The image is a bit unrealistic, but hopefully it will help you imagine what well organized memory is like. Following this analogy, a mnemonic would be an anchor keeping a piece of information in place and not allowing it to float away.

Let’s take a look at a few different ways we can use these “memory anchors” to learn a language.

Using mnemonics to remember spelling

Spelling mnemonics are used by both native speakers and language learners because English spelling can be very confusing! If you cannot remember the spelling for certain words, create a mental connection to something that will help you remember.

Here is a great example: many people are not sure how to spell the word “vacuum”. There is a double letter in the middle, but which one, “c” or “u”? This video has a great mnemonic to help:

Hear, here! How to remember homophones

Weather or whether? Hear or here? There, their, or they’re?

It is particularly difficult to remember the spelling of words that sound alike but have different meanings. Once again, mnemonics to the rescue!

I used to confuse two words: compliment and complement. Then I came across a mnemonic that helped me remember the difference and I’ve never had trouble with these two words ever since. I’ll share the mnemonic trick with you.

A compliment is an expression of admiration, praise.

He told her he admired her music, and she returned the compliment by saying that she was a fan of his poetry.

A complement, on the other hand, is something that enhances or completes something.

The necklace was a perfect complement for her dress.

Both words can be verbs as well as nouns, and both can have other meanings depending on the context, but these are the most important meanings.

The difference between the spelling of the words compliment and complement is that one has the letter i in the middle and the other has the letter e. So how do we remember which one is which?

Here is a mnemonic: The opposite of a compliment is an insult. Insult starts with the letter I, therefore compliment is spelled with the letter i in the middle.

When one thing complements another, it usually enhances it in some way. It makes the other thing even better. You know that enhance starts with an e, so just remember that if one thing enhances another, it complements it – and it is spelled with the letter e in the middle.

You can read more about homophones and mnemonics here.

Another great way to remember words that have similar spelling or pronunciation is to make a mnemonic sentence that includes all the words you’re trying to remember.

The sentence needs to make some sense and should be easy to visualize and remember. For example: A barefoot bear drank beer.

The sentence needs to make sense, but the image doesn’t!

Idiomatic expressions and slang

A picture depicting a literal interpretation of an idiom can be an excellent mnemonic.

For example, to remember the meaning of the idiom “to be all ears”, imagine a person with huge, elephant-like ears pointed in your direction. This image will help you remember the meaning and the central idea of this idiom:

What do people use to listen and to hear? Ears, of course. So if a person has huge ears, that means he is listening intently and paying attention to what you have to say.

For more idioms with mnemonics you can check out this site.

And what about grammar?

If English has a different grammar structure from your native tongue, it can be difficult to understand the logic behind “alien” grammar concepts.

It may take a long time and several attempts to learn a grammar rule before we really “own” the concept.

By owning I mean that you feel absolutely confident about it and you use it correctly 100% of the time.

Take a look at the 4 steps I follow when internalizing an “alien” grammar concept. Let’s see if they remind you of your own experiences:

I read the rules and I read/see/hear some examples of how it is used. I understand the meaning (or at least I think I do). The rule makes sense. More or less…
I start doing exercises, and now I realize that I don’t completely understand it. I need to see/hear/read some more examples before I start using it myself.
OK, so I think I understand the concept now, but there are so many exceptions! And I hear native speakers using the concept “incorrectly”! Are they making mistakes, or is there something that my grammar book and my teacher haven’t told me yet?
I now know (hopefully) how to use this piece of grammar. I can use it correctly, and I know the various contexts where I need to use it. I own the concept now.

Here is the $64,000 question (an idiom which means “a very important question”): is there a way to skip a step or two in this process?

The answer is: Yes. It is difficult, but possible.

How to use mnemonics for grammar

It’s important to visualize (imagine) the new concept; the mental image will help you understand and remember it.

Here is an example. In Slavic languages there are no auxiliary verbs for the perfect tense (I have read the book) or the continuous tense (I am reading the book).

In Russian there is no difference between, for example, “I read” and “I am reading” – Russian speakers understand the time aspect from the context, but there is no distinction between the two verb forms.

To help Russian speakers conceptualize the difference between the Present Simple and Present Continuous in English, I would ask them to try to imagine two pictures.

For repetitive actions (ie the Present Simple: “I read every day”), imagine a kangaroo jumping up and down on the calendar: I read on Monday (jump), Tuesday (jump), Wednesday (jump), etc.

For actions happening right now (ie the Present Continuous: “I am reading”), I would ask them to imagine a river in front of them that was filled with words and phrases. I would say, “You’re sitting on the bank of the river, and the text is flowing past you, from left to right to illustrate that process of reading right now.”

At first the difference between the two actions can be quite confusing – one is repetitive and general, and the other is developing right now, in front of you. But the images certainly help to visualize the difference, and eventually to internalize it as well.

And another grammar example

Let’s consider another example of a difficult grammar concept: stative verbs.

These are the verbs that are not normally used in the continuous form, even when we are talking about temporary situations or states. Have you ever been confused about the logic of stative verbs? How can the same verb denote a state and an action in the same situation?

Example: “The girl is smelling the rose” compared to “The rose smells good”.

How do we know if it is an action verb (and so we can use the Present Continuous), or a stative verb (and so we can’t use the Present Continuous)? Visualizing will help you again.

Imagine you are that girl performing this action.

Imagine every little step of the process: you take the flower in your hand, then bring it to your nose, and gently inhale the air through your nostrils to experience the delicate smell of the rose. Is there an action in this?

Hopefully you SEE the action and you UNDERSTAND that there is in fact an action associated with this.

Now, imagine you are the rose.

What are you doing? What is your action? If you think about this for a few seconds, it will become clear that there is no action on the part of the flower.

Let’s consider other examples:

The cook is tasting the soup. The soup tastes good.

I’m feeling your forehead. Your forehead feels really hot. Are you sick?

Can you visualize yourself being the cook, and being the soup? Can you picture yourself as a forehead?!

How to create mnemonics

Not all words and expressions are equally important. Because of that, not all difficult vocabulary items “deserve” to have a mnemonic. Identify the words and expressions that are really important to you professionally or socially, and create mnemonics for them first. Don’t worry about esoteric or very rare words that you can’t remember.
Create word mnemonics in English, not your native tongue. If your mnemonic is an image, try to think of it only in English.
Do not overdo it: try not to create too many mnemonics. If you do, you could overwhelm yourself and spend too much time trying to remember mnemonics instead of reading, writing, or speaking in English. We all have a limit to how much we can remember, so explore yours.
Not every mnemonic will make sense to other people. Personally, I divide my mnemonics into two groups: public and private. Public are the ones that will be easily understood by other people. Private, on the other hand, will make sense only to you. Private mnemonics are very difficult to explain to other people, but don’t worry about that: the only thing that matters is your own ability to quickly retrieve the word or concept from your memory.

And now it’s your turn

Creating mnemonics is a skill that you can learn and practice. The more you practice, the easier it will get. What is more, it can be fun to create and share your memory tricks with other learners.

How do YOU remember confusing spelling, deceptive homophones, tricky expressions, or slippery grammar concepts? Have you created any mnemonics?

Please share your examples and suggestions below in the comments. Your experience and ideas will help other learners. Thank you for reading.

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