{"id":3280,"date":"2019-05-18T11:39:55","date_gmt":"2019-05-18T07:39:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.cudoo.com\/?p=3280"},"modified":"2019-11-07T18:04:29","modified_gmt":"2019-11-07T14:04:29","slug":"how-to-memorize-vocabulary-in-a-foreign-language-with-these-10-insanely-effective-techniques","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cudoo.com\/blog\/how-to-memorize-vocabulary-in-a-foreign-language-with-these-10-insanely-effective-techniques\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Memorize Vocabulary in a Foreign Language with These 10 Insanely Effective Techniques"},"content":{"rendered":"

The process of learning a new language consists of several different phases or aspects. Memorizing as many words as you can sometimes be challenging, but dedicating time to expanding your vocabulary will be very beneficial for you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Imagine having a conversation with a native speaker and not having to pause every now and then just because you can\u2019t recall the word you want to use. Sounds terrific, but what can you do to accomplish that effectively? Here are the top 10 techniques that will help you memorize words and expand your vocabulary quickly and permanently.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Set a learning schedule and follow it<\/span><\/h2>\n

Whenever you can, try to <\/span>establish the same time of day<\/span> you\u2019ll dedicate to language learning. A part of that time should be devoted to learning new words alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Choosing the time that suits you best will help you create a relaxing atmosphere, so it will always be pleasant to practice. If you manage to keep a similar time frame every day, you will benefit from making this regular habit. Your body and your mind will be in sync, and memorizing and understanding words will slowly become easier and easier.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Never disregard all meanings of the word<\/span><\/h2>\n

Not all words have <\/span>multiple meanings that depend on the context<\/span>. However, the ones that actually do will require some additional attention from you.<\/span><\/p>\n

You might have found yourself in a situation like this before: You practiced writing and speaking, and you got stuck as you couldn\u2019t remember a word. You opened a dictionary to find it, but instead of reading the whole paragraph dedicated to the word, you simply memorized just one of its meanings (the one that you needed for the specific context).<\/span><\/p>\n

Remembering and understanding the potential and possibilities words provide must begin by exploring them to the fullest.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Listen to podcasts and audiobooks<\/span><\/h2>\n

Sometimes you\u2019re simply too tired or unable to concentrate on reading and repeating words. Although you can\u2019t skip this step for good, sometimes it\u2019s better to change your approach than to try forcing something that doesn\u2019t seem to work.<\/span><\/p>\n

When it becomes hard to read, switch to listening. There are numerous excellent audiobooks, podcasts, and shows out there that you can listen to even outside your \u201cofficial\u201d practice hours. Choose the ones concentrating on topics you are interested in, and let the words fly.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Get used to taking notes<\/span><\/h2>\n

Whether you\u2019re practicing speaking, listening to an audiobook, or reading a novel, keep your notebook near you. Human brains can do a lot, but don\u2019t expect too much from one sitting alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Writing down new words and their meanings as we hear them leaves a paper trail we can return to later. You can even turn this notebook into a little dictionary of your own, and using colors and illustrations can help you memorize the words you have trouble remembering.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Group words thematically<\/span><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s a common language learning mistake to look for and memorize only the new words we need at a specific moment. What we should do instead is taking note of the word we were looking for, and taking a minute to think of as many words as we can that are thematically associated with the one we just learned.<\/span><\/p>\n

Learning new words by association<\/span> is one of the best techniques to efficiently expand your vocabulary.<\/span>\u00a0If you\u2019ve just learned the word \u201ccat\u201d in Spanish, don\u2019t stop there. Find, write, and remember the words such as \u201cdog\u201d, \u201cmouse\u201d, \u201ckitten\u201d, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Learn passively on the Internet<\/span><\/h2>\n

Once upon a time, people had only each other and books to learn from. Then the radio and TV came, and things became more diverse. These days, however, when you can find anything you might ever need online, missing out on an opportunity like that in the language learning process would indeed be a shame.<\/span><\/p>\n

Just like listening to audiobooks and podcasts helps you learn new words, reading, listening, and watching all sorts of online content related to the language you\u2019re learning can make a significant difference as well. Find the type of videos, stories, or blogs you like that come in your target language, and let the fun learning begin.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Try telling a story<\/span><\/h2>\n

Here are one more fun and playful way to learn new words: Try telling a story. The topic can be something familiar or something you\u2019re fond of, and the story doesn\u2019t have to be several pages long.<\/span><\/p>\n

Try to tell or write it in the language you\u2019re learning, rather than translating it from your native tongue. Whenever you find yourself struggling to find the right word, look it up, take note of all its meanings, create word associations, and write it all down.<\/span><\/p>\n

8. Create your own flashcards<\/span><\/h2>\n

Making your own flashcards<\/span> will be of great help for learning and memorizing new words, especially if you choose vibrant colors and interesting visual representations to go along with them.<\/span><\/p>\n

9. Revisit the words you have trouble remembering<\/span><\/h2>\n

Depending on many different factors, we can remember some words easily, while others seem to refuse to get stuck in our heads. Don\u2019t worry about it, though. It is completely normal and happens even to the best.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mark the words that you\u2019re having trouble within your handbook, and revisit them from time to time. Rome wasn\u2019t built in a day!<\/span><\/p>\n

10. Don\u2019t abandon practicing<\/span><\/h2>\n

Practicing can be fun and engaging, but sometimes we may feel inclined to look for excuses rather than to commit to it. Don\u2019t make this mistake, as it might cost you a lot of hard work you put into mastering a new language you dedicated yourself to. Rather than skipping practice altogether, make it fun, and let your friends support you along the way.<\/span><\/p>\n

Conclusion:<\/span><\/h3>\n

Learning languages gives us a fantastic opportunity to explore new cultures, meet great people, and experience thinking about everyday subjects in a whole new way. Listen, read, write, speak, and repeat. Practice won\u2019t make perfect right away, but it will make progress.<\/span><\/p>\n

To improve your understanding and retention of new words in your target language, make sure to check out and follow the 10 tips given above. If you prefer company when you\u2019re practicing your language skills, you can even implement these when you work with your friends. With time, the process of memorizing new words will become easier and easier!<\/span><\/p>\n

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