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How to Learn Vocabulary in a Foreign Language
Learning vocabulary doesn't have to be painful! Breeze through
foreign language
vocabulary tests and know words for life. This lesson includes a
method of memorising that
uses spreadsheets, an alternative to cumbersome flashcards. ey
strategies are repeated self
testing, making meaningful connections, and using words in
conte"t.
Method 1 of 3: Finding New Vocabulary
#
A) $ind an interesting book or magazine in your target language.
%f possible, buy the
magazine or book rather than borrow. This way, you will be able
to write in the book as
you read.
B) &lso have a reliable dictionary and thesaurus available
in the target language.
C) %f you want, you can do this with a newspaper article, T
show, or movie instead.
(
A) Begin reading. &ny words that you don't know should be
highlighted. %f you are
borrowing the book or magazine and can't highlight, try to
circle or underline the word
with pencil so that you can erase later.
)
A) *ote new words. &fter each chapter or article, write
words you do not understand on a
piece of paper. The words will be easy to find because you have
them highlighted or
underlined.
+
A) Look up meanings. Before starting the ne"t chapter or
article, look up each word in your
inventory with the dictionary. ighlight the word in the
dictionary. Then, write down the
definition ne"t to the word.
-
A) $ind synonyms. &fter you have defined and highlighted
each word from the dictionary,
get out the thesaurus or synonym book. Look up each word and
note its synonyms and
antonyms. This will enrich your vocabulary, allowing you to
e"press one word in manyways. rite the most relevant synonyms ne"t
to the entry in your notebook.
/
A) 0epeat with each chapter in your book. %f it's a magazine, do
this with each article. %f it's a
short book, try to separate it into every #1 pages or so.
2
A) 3tudy your inde" in the notebook everyday. eep doing this
until you have master the
vocabulary. 4ou will be surprised by how many new words become
highlighted in yourdictionary by the end of 5ust one book!
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Method 2 of 3: Memorizing a Vocabulary List with Flash ards
#
A) 6et out your list of vocabulary and definitions. 7arefully
copy down each word onto one
side of a flashcard.
(
A) rite the definitions. 8n the blank sides of the cards, write
the definitions and9or english
translations of your vocabulary.
)
A) :uiz yourself! Look at the word on each flashcard and try to
remember the definition
and9or translation. 8nce you can do that comfortably, look at
the english
translations9definitions and try to remember the word!
+
A) 7ontinue until you are comfortable with all the words. Then,
try and work them into your
everyday conversations as much as possible to ensure you don't
forget them.
;dit$oreign ord,> >;nglish
Translation,> and >Test>
(
A) ;nter the foreign words. Type your list of foreign words into
the #st column, with one
word per cell.
)
A) ;nter the ;nglish words. Type the ;nglish translation of the
word into the (nd column.
+
A) Test yourself as you write in the ;nglish words.
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!dit "i#s
A) sing the words in spoken conversation is the best practice as
it is active and
spontaneous.
B) 6roup your vocabulary in categories.
C) se the most difficult words the most often.D) Aon't 5ust
learn vocabulary in set lists, but also identify words unknown to
you in
reading and listening tasks.
E) %f relevant, include the preposition that goes with the
verb.
F) se is >caro>. To remember this
word, you could manage a huge e"pensive car parked in the middle
of your street
stuffed full of money.
G) Learn phrases and idioms as a wholeJ put them in a single
cell. eg. >5'en ai marre> ?>%'ve
had enough> in $rench@
H) $or gendered nouns, imagine the ob5ect in blue, pink or grey
for masculine, feminineand neuter. eg. >le chien> ?$rench@
The dog.
