How to Memorize Foreign Language Vocabulary

What is a language without words? You need a large foreign-language vocabulary to speak the language well. Build it up by reviewing often.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Foreign Language Phrase Books
• Foreign Language Tape
• Two-way Foreign Language Dictionaries
• Index Cards
• Notebooks
• Foreign Language Software
• Notebooks

1. Make a two-column list of new words for each new lesson.

2. Include words that aren't in the textbook lesson: words you may pick up from your teacher or from native speakers.

3. Study vocabulary by covering one column as you move down the other.

4. Cover the other column and go through the list again. Repeat.

5. Review older vocabulary every few days.

6. Review again and often! Without review, your newly acquired vocab will fast become your newly forgotten vocab and, later, your long-forgotten vocab.

7. Integrate review into your daily routine so that it no longer seems like a burden.

8. Find a native speaker to talk with or, better yet, visit a place where the language is spoken. Vocabulary won't truly stick until you're forced to speak the language a lot.

Tips & Warnings

• Use index cards instead of a notebook, if you prefer. Write the native-language terms on one side, and the foreign-language terms on the other side.
• If you're working with a language that uses a non-phonetic writing system, make three columns: one for the native language, one for the foreign-language writing and one for the phonetic transcription.
• Watch movies and TV programs in the new language. Read newspapers and sing songs in the new language.
• Don't rely on the vocabulary lists in your textbook. It's important to be active in the process, so it's crucial to write words down in a format that works for you.

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[sualfaris]

on 6/22/2009 It's a little bit silly comment but its work efficiently, (9) if you are a boy, try to have a girlfriend and vise versa.
So, I totally agree with DaughterNature and my number (9).
However, people will say it the same, NO! speaken with diffrent people everyday will confuse you somehow. speaking with one native speaker everyday will help you learn the language smoothly.

[DaughterNature]

on 12/14/2008 Step 8 is key! That is how I learned English!

[wildy]

on 5/13/2008 Wildy future diplomate United Naions

[sceva1]

on 3/16/2008 I found that using picture flashcards was very effective and fun when increasing my vocabulary. I have posted several different languages and blank flashcards at www.foreignlanguageflashcards.com. Everything is free, take a look and at me know if you have any suggestions.

on 8/21/2006 Learn with a friend. You can practice questions and answers more effectively and it will be a lot more fun. Translate simple songs into another language. Poems or anything else you can remember easily work too.

Don't think "Gato means cat". Think "The gato is my pet". Try to use words in context with English or words you already know. Find a fun language. Stick with it. After 5 and a half years of Spanish, French is a bit confusing. But if you like it, stay with it. Don't keep switching back and forth.

The earlier you learn something, the better it'll stick. I learned Chinese at a tender age. However, it's a lot harder to pick things up now.