How to study vocab words

How to memorize new vocabulary faster: 9 tips ‹ GO Blog

No matter how good your grammar is, if you don’t know any words that you can use it with, you (literally) won’t get very far with your language skills: Vocabulary opens up doors to new worlds and makes learning fun and satisfying.

But expanding the range of word you know is like a diet: You have to put in some effort and there’s neither a magic trick nor a secret or one-approach-fits-all way to do it. Everyone has to find what works for them; but being patient, setting realistic goals, and rewarding yourself if you reach them are a good strategy that can be complemented with any of the following points.

A popular way to memorize vocabulary is the use of mnemonics, which are mental shortcuts that help you remember more complex concepts or words. For example, you can create associations between words: If you don’t know how to spell the words accommodation, just remember that it has two cots that need two mattresses. Or you come up with an acronym: Like, when you need to go to the STORE to buy Spaghetti, Tomatoes, Olives, Rice, Eggs. The problem is, of course, that you still have to memorize the acronym, song, or association, but with a little bit of practice, you’ll get good at coming up with creative and useful connections. And: The longer you think about acronyms or associations, the better will you remember the words that come with it.

When you’re studying abroad, you will hear and read the language everywhere and learn much faster through immersion. But you don’t have to go abroad to slowly increase the number of words you know – you can create an inspiring and study-friendly environment wherever you are: Buy magazines or books in the new language, watch movies, and cook (or just eat) the local food.

A good idea to learn more words faster is to put them in context: Instead of writing lists of random words, try to put them in sentences. That way, you know how the word is used in real life. Plus, if you come up with funny sentences, it will be easier to memorize. Depending on how you learn, you can also make drawings or find images that will complement the sentences and put the words into their natural habitat.

Speaking of context: Movies, TV shows, books, podcasts or songs are not only a great source for the most common words, they can also help you memorize the vocabulary because they always come associated with a scene, a person, or a (real-life) event. So, try to read books or watch movies in the original language (with subtitles) and figure out what the words mean. If you see or hear a phrase or sentence that you don’t understand, write it down, look it up and start memorizing it.

If you want to take language learning to the next level, leave enough space for mind maps with associated words, synonyms or antonyms. If you want to get the most out of your learning process, try not to translate the word into your native language, but instead, explain and describe it in the language you’re trying to learn.

Everyone learns differently, so if you don’t already know what works for you, try as many different ways – or a combination thereof – as possible: Flashcards, apps, lists, games, or post-its, are great ways to memorize vocabulary. The same goes for finding the right time: Some people want to set apart a specific time, others learn more spontaneously. No matter which approach you choose, be sure to get into some kind of rhythm – practice makes perfect, after all.

Just like you have to find the right tools that work for you, it’s also important to make the learning experience as encompassing as possible: Don’t just read the words from cards or lists – hear them pronounced, say them out loud yourself and write or type them. The more you make your encounter with the words an experience for all senses, the better. (Why not eat ice cream while learning what the different flavors are called?)

If you want to expand your vocabulary because you want to work at a marketing firm abroad, you probably don’t have to read Shakespeare’s novels or focus on words that pertain to the Middle Ages. The more practical and popular the words are for your career, hobbies and real-life conversations, the easier they are to learn – and you will be able to use them more often. (This can be like a game: You can reward yourself every time you used a certain word in a real-life conversation.)

Remember to not just repeat current words, but also the “old stuff” that you think you’ve memorized already. You don’t have to look at the stored words as often as the new vocabulary, but the more you use the words, the better you’ll remember and recall them.

7 strategies for studying vocabulary

By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed.

You will need to learn and study vocabulary words no matter what grade you’re in or what class you take. Sure, you will probably have more vocab quizzes in English or Spanish class, but you will also need strategies for studying vocabulary words in biology ( mitosis, meiosis), history (diaspora, humanism), psychology (cognitive dissonance, cerebellum), etc.

Vocabulary is essentially the common denominator of all your classes and there’s no escaping it. That means that having solid strategies for studying vocabulary is one of the best ways to improve across all your classes through all of school.

I know that sounds cheesy and dramatic, but here we are.

Below, I’m sharing 7 vocabulary study methods that, if used properly, really do work. You don’t have to use them all at once, but I suggest trying each one and settling on a few that you like the best. Many of the strategies I’ve written about on my blog before, and so I link to those tutorials where appropriate.

The scaling technique (also called a semantic gradient) makes you connect a new word in varying degrees to words you already know. Remember, the only way to learn new information is by connecting it to what we already know. There are 3 steps to using the scaling technique, which I explain thoroughly and with examples here, but generally speaking, the steps are: 

1. Choose a word from your vocabulary list, and then think of a word that is opposite. 
2. Place the original word and its opposite word on separate ends of a vertical line. This is the framework for your scale. (See image.) 
3. To complete your scale, fill in the space between each word with several new words of varying degrees of meaning. Think of your scale as a continuum. 

The scaling technique only works for words that have antonyms (opposites), and so it does not work for all vocabulary.

The Frayer Model has been around forever – and that’s because it works. Basically, the Frayer Model is a graphic organizer that contains 4 boxes (a 2×2 grid) with the vocabulary word in the middle. You fill in each of the four boxes with one of the following: definition, facts/characteristics, examples, and non-examples. Here is my FREE Frayer Model Template (it’s a pdf so you can print it or use it digitally.) This strategy works because it gets you thinking about a vocabulary word from different angles, which must happen if we want to really learn the word. Here’s exactly how to use the Frayer Model. 

Another great strategy for studying vocabulary is to study the words in both directions: forward and backward. This is a simple study tip, but it works. For example, if you’re learning the word amino acid, you should be able to generate the definition by looking at the word, and also be able to generate the word by looking at the definition. Here’s a more detailed explanation of how to study in both directions.

According to Brain Matters by neuroscientist Dr. Patricia Wolf, “The eyes contain nearly 70% of the body’s sensory receptors,” which means that we “take in more information visually than through any of the other senses.”  If I said the word cactus, you would likely envision a prickly green plant, rather than recite its DNA sequence. We think in pictures and we learn with pictures. 

Use this learning theory to your advantage and incorporate images as much as possible when you’re studying vocabulary. For example, you can use this visual learning strategy, or use Google Images (my favorite strategy) when learning new words. (So, instead of doing a regular Google web search for something you’re learning, filter by Google Images to get a variety of visual results including visual presentations, pictures, infographics, charts, etc. )

Wait – don’t go! You might think it’s a weird strategy, but it’s for real. If you study a word by just looking at its definition (even if you do this repetitively), you are only accessing that word from ONE angle. You only see and understand ONE side of the word. You only give yourself ONE handle by which to grab on to the word and remember it. Uncool and ineffective.

So, you have to think about the word. Work with it. Talk about it. Picture it. Draw it. Explain it. Connect it to something else you know. Get uncomfortable and weird. Think.

When you really think about a word, you come at it from different angles, which increases your understanding of the word as well as your ability to remember it over time. Here’s how to use this vocab strategy – step by step.

Of course, one of the most familiar strategies for studying vocabulary is using flashcards. Flashcards work so well because they use active recall, which is the ultimate way to learn anything, not just vocab. So, you know how to use flashcards, but do you know about the 3-pile method?

So many people try to memorize vocab terms, sometimes even memorizing the dictionary definition word-for-word. First of all, you should always study your own wording and not someone else’s (your brain will have an easier time storing it). Second, you have to understand something before memorizing it. Maybe read that sentence again. There is a sequence to the learning process, and understanding comes first, well before memorization. Memorization is not learning, and I explain that important difference here. (You should read that.) 

Word learning happens in four stages. To really learn vocabulary words long-term, you need to get to the fourth stage. To get to the fourth stage – full word knowledge – you need to be deliberate about the strategies you use for studying vocabulary, and you need to let go of the idea that you can rely on memorization, “looking over” vocab lists, and other passive forms of review. 

Below are the four stages of word acquisition, which can help you assess where you’re currently at and how far you need to go.

1. Unknown word: You don’t recognize the term
2. Initial recognition: You’ve seen or heard the term before, you might be able to pronounce it, but you don’t know the definition
3. Partial word knowledge: You know one common definition of the word and can use it in a simple sentence
4. Full word knowledge: You know more than one definition of the word and can use the word in various contexts

How to learn English words: the best tricks ‹ Ingleks

Want to learn how to learn English words quickly and easily? We will tell you how many words you need to know, where to get them from, what tools to use and how to learn all this in general. Use at least a few tips and you can expand your vocabulary.

Content:

• 1. How many English words do you need to know
• 2. Where to get new English words
• 3. Tools for learning new words
• 4. Useful tips on how to learn English words effectively

All students are interested in the question: "How to learn English words?" The more vocabulary we know, the better we understand what the heroes of our favorite English films are talking about, what is written on the Tate Modern museum plaques, and how favorable the terms of the deal are offered by our partners from the USA. Today we will give some recommendations that will help you learn new vocabulary effectively.

Before that, we advise you to watch the webinar of our methodologist Yulia on the topic “How to learn English words”. nine0003

How many English words do you need to know? It will show your approximate vocabulary which you can compare with the average scores of native speakers and English learners.

However, we want to warn you: do not rely solely on the results of the test. It can only give a rough estimate of your vocabulary. nine0003

Our English Level Chart has a Vocabulary column that tells you how many words you need to know at each level.

And now let's find out what English words you need to learn:

• Basic vocabulary needed to understand foreign speech. There are eternal topics like "Greeting", "Family", "Food" - every person needs to know them.
• The words you need. If you need English for work, learn general business terminology or more specific industry terminology, such as for IT professionals. If you want to travel more, learn travel phrasebooks. nine0010
• Mastering all the lexical sets is impossible and pointless. Why do you need medical topics if you are not a practicing doctor? Except for watching "Doctor House" :-) Consult with an experienced English teacher, he will tell you exactly what to study.

Where to get new English words

1. Favorite movies, series, songs, podcasts, books

This method is good because words are remembered in a context that is not boring for you. If you already watch films in English, you should take vocabulary from there. We advise you to use the resource ororo.tv. It is paid, but worth the money: you can watch new movies and TV shows in good quality with Russian and English subtitles. As soon as you come across an unfamiliar word, click on it and it will automatically go into your personal dictionary of new words. nine0003

The texts of most English-language songs can be found on the Amalgam resource. Or use the search bar in the browser: enter the name of the song and add the word lyrics. We also recommend a selection of podcasts, audio series and radio shows, as well as resources for downloading books online.

2. Special textbooks

Vocabulary books will help you learn new words and set expressions in which they are used. The benefits of manuals are that they provide lists of words along with examples of their use, so words are learned in context. We have presented a detailed review of textbooks for learning English vocabulary, be guided by it to choose the best manual. nine0003

3. Lists or dictionaries of high-frequency words

How do you know if it is worth memorizing the next new English word that you meet? It may have fallen into disuse or is rarely used. You can refer to lists of words that are most commonly used by native speakers. We recommend you lists from the Oxford Dictionary - The Oxford 3000 British Dictionary and The Oxford 3000 American Dictionary. These are the 3,000 most important words any English learner should know. They have been carefully selected by linguists and experienced teachers. You can recognize these words in the Oxford dictionary itself by the key icon. nine0003

Tools for learning new words

1. Word cards

This technique may seem old-fashioned, but it is still effective. All students at least once in their lives started cards and tried to learn new vocabulary from them. It is convenient and affordable: no need to spend money, because you write them yourself, and you can take the cards with you anywhere.

Before making cards, you need to choose a good dictionary that will help:

• pick up translation;
• get acquainted with typical phrases in which the word is used;
• study examples.

Then you should decide whether you will make paper or electronic vocabulary cards.

Paper cards

Color blocks are recommended (one color = one theme). Beginners can choose one of the following options:

• On one side of the piece of paper we write the word in English, on the other - in Russian. We test our knowledge: we translate a word from Russian into English and vice versa. nine0002

• On the one hand, we write the word in English and paste the picture, on the other hand, the translation into Russian. This method is well suited for people with associative thinking. In your mind, you associate a new English concept with the subject it denotes.

• On the one hand, we write a word in English with a Russian context, on the other hand, a word in Russian without a context. When repeating vocabulary, try to translate the concept from Russian into English. And with the translation in the opposite direction, the second side of the card with the Russian context will help you. nine0002

• More experienced students are advised to use English-English dictionaries, such as the Macmillan Dictionary. On one side we write the word in English, on the other - its definition in English. You can also write synonyms and antonyms of the concept under study.

• And how to learn vocabulary? Remembering English words is best in context. Therefore, you can write on the card not just a word, but a sentence in which it is used. Examples of sentences can be found in electronic dictionaries, such as ABBYY Lingvo. nine0002

E-cards

If it's hard to get away from your computer, use your affection for good: create virtual stickers with words on your desktop and in a few days you will remember them well.

To create electronic vocabulary cards, we recommend the Quizlet service, which allows you to memorize words in different ways: choose the correct translation from four offered, fill in gaps in sentences and play games with words. Here you can also track your progress: which words are harder for you than others, how quickly you learn new vocabulary. There is an app for Android and iOS. An alternative resource is Memrise. Its free version has limited functionality, but it will be enough for compiling flashcards. nine0003

You need to constantly work with cards: review and repeat the learned vocabulary. Periodically change the cards to new ones, and after 1-2 weeks return the old ones again to repeat the words.

2. Vocabulary notebook

This method is good for those who constantly lose something: the cards are unlikely to last long :-)

You can structure the notebook in any way you like. We present our version. Each page must correspond to a specific day. At the top, write the dates of the repetition of the words. In order for the studied vocabulary to be well fixed in memory, do not forget to train it. To do this, use the techniques described by us in the article "How to repeat so as not to forget anything." nine0124 cheese cheese

3. Mind map

You can easily learn English words of the same subject if you draw a mind map. Such a scheme clearly shows which topic the words belong to. In the meantime, you draw it, the vocabulary will be deposited in memory. A mind map might look like this:

We recommend using Coggle to create these mind maps. You can share the result with other people, as well as download mind maps in pdf or png. nine0003

4. Learning Websites and Apps

Study on learning resources, we recommend englishteststore.net, and in the article "5 websites to learn English words" you will find even more great learning resources.

On your way to work on the subway or in line at the clinic, use every free moment to learn new words. Useful programs for your gadget can be found in the article "28 best apps for learning English on Android and iPhone". nine0003

It is enough to practice 10-20 minutes daily to feel progress.

Useful tips on how to learn English words effectively

1. Combine words by topic

How easy is it to remember English words? Groups of words related to the same topic are usually well remembered. Therefore, try to break the words into groups of 5-10 pieces and learn them.

There is the so-called Restorff effect, according to which the human brain best remembers the most prominent from a group of objects. Use this effect to your advantage: in a group of words of one subject “introduce a stranger” - enter a word from a completely different subject. For example, when studying words on the topic “Fruits”, add one word from the topic “Transport” to them, in this way your studies will become even more effective. nine0003

2. Use associations and personalization

Many students like this method: to learn a word, you need to come up with an association in Russian. For example, you need to remember the word obstinacy (stubbornness). Break it down into three syllables: ob-stin-acy, you get "stubborn as a donkey against a wall." The word shoot (to shoot) can be remembered as "the jester shoots." You can make convenient associations yourself, the main thing is that they are clear to you and easy to remember. This will make it easier for you to increase your English vocabulary. nine0003

Learning will be effective if you not only make a word association, but also visualize it: while saying the word shoot, imagine this shooting jester, let the image turn out to be as funny and memorable as possible. Even better, a dynamic picture with your personal presence: you imagine how the jester next to you shoots someone (with a water pistol to make the spectacle comedic, not tragic). The more alive the picture, the easier it will be to remember the word.

3. Use learned vocabulary in speech

How to learn English words correctly and not forget them? Are you familiar with the use it or lose it principle? In order for knowledge to remain in memory, you need to actively “use” it. It is good practice to make short stories using new words. The best remembered vocabulary is set out in a short funny text, which is written about oneself, beloved or dear to the heart of things.

If you take a course or have an English teacher, try to put new words into the conversation as often as possible: the more times you say a word, the better you will remember it. Do not forget about spelling: try to use new words in writing. nine0003

Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.

Tell me and I will forget. Teach me and I will remember. Make me do it and I'll learn.

Learn new words and apply them immediately with the Conversation Course.

4. Regularly test your knowledge

It is useful to take various tests to determine the level of vocabulary from time to time. For example, great picture quizzes (a joy for visuals and kids) are on the Vocabulary for learners of English page. After passing such a test, you will immediately see what is deposited in your memory, and which topics or words need to be repeated. nine0003

5. Follow your daily plan

We have already told you how many words to learn per day. Recall that for the average person, it is best to learn 5-10 words a day. Be sure to follow your plan for learning new vocabulary to see progress.

6. Use entertaining learning methods

At engvid.com, native speakers explain complex information in a light, entertaining way, thanks to which new material is well remembered. On newsinlevels.com, every piece of news is adapted for different levels of English proficiency, and explanations are given for all difficult words. nine0003

You can expand your English vocabulary through fun activities such as crossword puzzles, gallows games, etc. A lot of fun is provided on the Have Fun Learning English and Vocabulary exercises pages.

7. Improve your memory

It is impossible to remember anything if you do not have a good memory. Learning a language in itself is a good exercise for our brain and improves memory. But to make it easier to remember, you can use the tips from our article “How to improve memory. Best Advice for English Learners. nine0003

8. Consider your type of perception of information

Not all methods are equally good for you. Don't try to apply everything at once. Try text, video, or audio formats and choose the ones that help you pick up new words faster. So you will come to your author's mix of techniques.

You can understand whether you are auditory, visual or kinesthetic by reading our article "Learn English according to the type of information perception."

The main thing - do not forget to move from theory to practice. Not only read useful tips on how to memorize English words quickly and easily, but also actively use them in everyday life, then you will not have to puzzle over how to improve your level of knowledge. nine0003

Do you count cards and notebooks with the words “yesterday”? Then try to learn words according to the current British textbooks in the online English courses at our school. Our students learn words and phrases in context, use them in a lively dialogue with the teacher, memorize new vocabulary easily and quickly. Try to learn English words in a new way!

© 2023 englex.ru, copying of materials is possible only with a direct active link to the source.

5 sites for learning English words ‹ Ingleks

Let's talk about free resources, thanks to which you can easily memorize unfamiliar words.

How to learn English words without cramming and boring exercises? To memorize new vocabulary, we offer several interesting sites where you can expand your vocabulary for free and even help those in need without spending a penny from your personal funds. How to do it? Read below.

1. Quizlet

Let's start with our favorite, quizlet.com. We choose it for effective word memorization methods, as well as a modern and concise design. And Quizlet is suitable for both beginners and those who speak English at the Advanced level. nine0003

In Quizlet, you can not only choose pre-made learning modules, but also create your own. To do this, you need to make a list of unfamiliar words and find a translation for them. The resource will automatically offer you translation options, and if they do not suit you, you can enter your own. After saving the learning module, go to the "Cards" section - here you can view the words and listen to the pronunciation. In the next section - "Memorization" - you will select the translation for the words. If you make a mistake, then you will meet the word again, and then again, and so on until you remember it. In the Writing and Spelling sections, you will memorize how a word is spelled. And at the end, you can take a test that will check your knowledge of the entire vocabulary of the training module. nine0003

If you want to learn words in a playful way, the sections "Selection" will suit you - you need to connect the word with the translation and "Gravity" - you need to enter the word before the asteroid hit the Earth.

2. Learn English

Check out learnenglish.de for electronic flash cards. The creators of the site offer three stages of learning new words:

1. First, you look through the words and try to remember them with the help of association with the picture.
2. Then they show you a picture for a while, and you try to remember the word.
3. At the third stage, you test your knowledge: write a word in English next to the picture.

The exercise is quite simple, but for beginners this is exactly what you need.

On the same site, in the Mistakes section, you can work on exercises with English words that are often confused, for example, any and some, borrow and lend, etc. On the Word Games page, you will find a variety of games to expand and develop vocabulary: crosswords, unusual sea battle, etc.

Despite the somewhat outdated design, the resource remains useful for those who are just starting to learn English.

3. Freerice

Freerice.com is the most unusual resource of all. Let's say right away that it will not work for beginners, but from the Pre-Intermediate level you can try to practice on it. Here it is necessary to select meanings for English words.

What is the “feature” of this game? All the salt lies in the so-called "reward". For each correct answer, you "earn" 10 grains of rice. At the end of the game, the sponsors of the site convert the amount of grains earned into cash and transfer this amount of funds to the account of the World Food Program, the largest organization providing humanitarian assistance to the hungry. The motto of the site is Play and feed hungry people (Play and feed hungry people). nine0003

Let's reveal all the cards at once: according to the calculations of foreign experts, in 10 minutes of the game you can "earn" only 3 cents. Yes a little. What if millions of people play?

4. Memrise

The Memrise service was founded by Princeton University neuroscientist Greg Detre and eminent mnemonicist Ed Cook. The resource is incredibly popular - about 40 million users from 189 countries of the world are registered on the site.

Memrise is a modern platform that uses interactive flashcards as a learning tool. Thanks to a thoughtful design, the site is easy to use on an intuitive level. The service focuses on visualization, which can be presented as a picture, a meme or a short video recorded by a native speaker. However, Russian-speaking users of Memorise may find it inconvenient, because the translation of many words will have to be entered independently. In addition, the pronunciation of words can only be listened to in ready-made courses, but if you create your own list of words, you will have to voice them yourself. nine0003

The site offers a paid subscription, but the free version is sufficient for most users.

5. Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary.com is a great service for those who know English at a more advanced level. Here you will match words with their meanings in English.

In the Dictionary section you will find definitions of unfamiliar vocabulary, you can create your own mini-dictionary and learn only the words you need. In addition, Vocabulary.com offers ready-made lists of words. nine0003

This resource may seem simple, but it is based on complex algorithms that will help you learn more than 15,000 words efficiently. In the Play the Challenge section, you can test your vocabulary: as you play, the service remembers which words you have not yet memorized and focuses on them.

You can expand your vocabulary in daily classes with a teacher in the Skills club - in conversational practice, new vocabulary is remembered faster.

We will continue to share useful resources with you in future articles. However, words can be learned not only online, but also offline.

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