Many people are intimidated by the idea of learning new vocabulary because they believe it is just a matter of mechanical memorization. Fortunately, the reality is quite different; whether you are learning a new foreign language or want to improve your native language, you have several tools at your disposal to internalize new terms and not just learn them by heart. Use all the techniques you can and practice often.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Creating Associations
Step 1. Make up word associations
Regardless of whether you want to broaden the lexicon of your native language or learn a foreign one, mental associations allow you to memorize new terms. The absurd, picturesque or ridiculous ones are probably the most effective for internalizing a new vocabulary.
- If you are studying a foreign language, associate the new words with those of your native language. If there are any similarities with a term you already know, create a mental picture that connects the new word to that of your native speaker. For example, the Spanish word "vinagre", which means vinegar, is reminiscent of the Italian words "acrid wine", which help you imagine a wine that is now undrinkable, hence vinegar!
- Word associations are also useful for learning new words in the source language. For example, the term "concave", an adjective that indicates the presence of a recess or a depression, can be associated with "con cava", that is, something with a cavity, a recess, precisely "concave". You can then create the association with a surface with a hole, to remember the term in question.
- When you invent associations, make sure you see the image clearly and try to bring it to mind several times a day, so that it sticks in your memory.
Step 2. Use mnemonic techniques
They are a variation on the similar word association method and use mental patterns to help you remember.
- For example, the English term "abrogate", which means to reject or cancel, can be divided into a series of letters that make it up. You can then treat "abrogated" as "a" + "bro" + "gate" and display a (a) bro (brother - friend / brother) in front of your gate while you "refuse" access.
- Just like associations, mnemonic techniques are also more effective when they relate new concepts to others that are already known.
Step 3. Try to be as creative as possible
It is often easier to remember bizarre or weird things than trivial ones, so don't hold back your imagination.
For example, the word "trivial" means "obvious or lacking in originality"; to help you remember the definition, you can imagine banana peels (because "trivial" has some similarity with "bananas") floating in the canal (because "canal" rhymes with trivial "). This image is strong enough to favor the memorization process, but at the same time brings to mind something "insignificant", allowing you to go back to the meaning
Part 2 of 3: Creating an Interactive Learning Environment
Step 1. Integrate the new words into your environment
Put post-its with notes or hang large sheets of white paper in the rooms you frequent most, such as the bathroom or kitchen. Write new terms and their definitions on the slips as you come across them. This way, you will have many opportunities to re-read your notes throughout the day.
- If you have trouble remembering it, write the definition of the word as well.
- On the side, you can also draw a small image that represents the meaning of the word, in order to consolidate the association.
- When studying foreign words, try to write on the post-its those related to common objects, such as "mirror" (mirror) or "table" (table). Stick the notes on the corresponding elements, to reinforce the mental correlation.
Step 2. Make the new terms a part of your life
Using them to form sentences that refer to your daily life allows you to build close and important bonds.
For example, if you want to learn how to use the adjective "celestial", which indicates a gradation of the color blue, write it in several sentences related to your current situation and environment: "The bottle of my new shampoo is an impressive celestial color", "The water of this lagoon is heavenly"
Step 3. Turn learning into a game
The more time you spend studying new vocabulary, the more likely you are to stick to commitment and learn.
- There are many online games dedicated to this very topic. You can do some research and also find applications for smartphones or tablets. On this page (in English) you can find a list of sites dedicated to Anglo-Saxon word games. If you prefer instead to consult different software for the study of words, you can rely on this site (in English).
- If you want offline games, you can look for some crossword or puzzle generators.
Step 4. Keep track of your work
This technique is very useful if you tend to learn visually.
- Another useful tool for learning new terms is the Quizlet site! Although it is in English, it is easy to use.
- Create a diary or word book, noting new terms and their definitions. Write them often, according to your needs, to fix them in your memory.
- Make up stories with new words. You can write simple short stories that incorporate the terms, or take a bigger challenge and compose a text that includes only the new terms you are learning.
- Draw the drawings that represent the meaning of the words and that accompany the definitions. Make a storyboard if you prefer to express yourself in an artistic way.
Part 3 of 3: Practicing the Techniques
Step 1. Find the methods that are most effective for you
You may need to try a variety of learning techniques before you find the best one for your needs.
Step 2. Use flashcards
It is one of the most time-rooted methods and is the simplest and most useful tool for studying vocabulary.
- Write each word you learn on the front of a postcard or piece of paper and the definition on the back.
- Use the flashcards several times a day, trying to remember the definition of the term, before checking it on the back side.
- There are several applications for smartphones and tablets dedicated to flashcards and which represent a more accessible and transportable solution. To do this, you can do some research online or directly on your mobile device's application store.
Step 3. Make sure you come across new words often
Read texts that use the vocabulary you would like to acquire in the language you have chosen. Reading, jotting down and writing new terms is an effective exercise for expanding your vocabulary and practicing.
- If you are looking to improve the language property of your native language, for example at a university level, read articles in academic journals, scientific publications and the most reputable newspapers.
- If you are learning a new language, read articles and texts suitable for your current level. If you are a beginner, read children's books to strengthen the basics. If you have intermediate skills, try children's books and so on.
- Reading a book that you already know and that has been translated into your native language with a vocabulary that you understand is a fun and effective way to practice skills and expand your vocabulary.
Step 4. Test yourself
By taking tests often, you can improve and engage with more difficult terms.
There are several websites that offer language quizzes and help you study. Do not neglect those of puzzles and crosswords, since they are based on words and their definitions. In some cases, you can set a difficulty level and increase it as the number of words you know increases. You can also customize them by providing a list of vocabulary that will be used in quizzes
Step 5. Use the new words as often as possible
Try to include them in your daily conversations, in written texts, and whenever you have the opportunity.
The more you use the terms, the better you will be able to understand and remember their nuances of meaning
Advice
- Be aware of your limitations. Don't try to learn more than ten new words every day; 3 or 4 terms are ideal for remembering them effectively.
- Pay attention to prefixes and suffixes. If you learn these common elements of words, you can learn and even deduce the meaning of other terms that use the same suffix and / or prefix.
- Study sentences instead of single words. If you are learning a new language, learning whole sentences is a good way not only to familiarize yourself with the composition of sentences, but also to remember useful words in everyday life. This way, when you have to say something, you have a series of ready-made sentences instead of single terms.
- It is extremely important to keep repeating. In order to learn more and more terms, continuous exposure to new words is essential, thanks to post-its scattered around the house or through frequent tests.
- Use Quizlet. It is an English website designed specifically to help you study; in practice, it is an online collection of flashcards, thanks to which you can constantly test your knowledge.
