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.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

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

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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