The Best Ways to Memorize Vocabulary in a Foreign Language
When it comes to language learning, vocabulary is a different kind of monster. Instead of jumping out to scare you (like grammar), it hides until you figure out the right trick to help you learn. The most frustrating part is that what works for someone else might not work as well for you.
But if that’s the case, what can you do to find a method that truly helps you memorize new vocabulary in a foreign language? In this article, I’m sharing my best language learning tips and ideas…plus a brand new FREEBIE so click through to find out more.
Do any of these describe your relationship with vocabulary?
* I keep forgetting new words.
* I don’t like using lists, flashcards, etc.
* I feel like I’m not making progress because I don’t know enough words.
When it comes to language learning, vocabulary is a different kind of monster. Instead of jumping out to scare you (like grammar), it hides until you figure out the right trick to help you learn. The most frustrating part is that what works for someone else might not work as well for you.
But if that’s the case, what can you do to find a method that truly helps you learn new vocabulary?
Why are you learning?
All language learners have a reason for why they’re learning a language in the first place, usually requirement and/or enjoyment.
But what’s your motivation for learning a particular set of vocabulary words?
Maybe you’re still working on the basics or using a list of words to learn from a textbook or an app. Either way, it’s not the most exciting material. In some cases, it might not even seem useful.
One of the benefits of learning as an adult is that you can choose exactly what you want to learn next. You can focus on vocab for more interesting topics or ignore words you’ll probably never use. Even if you’re having trouble learning essentials like numbers or directions, you can put them in a context that’s important to you.
Give Your Vocab Meaning Any Way You Can
You might not care about a list of numbers in a textbook. But you do want to know how to say dates and times, and knowing numbers can also save you money.
A snapshot from my old life, representing my university on the road in Kazan.
Back when I was a regular business traveller, I spent a good amount of time in Kazakhstan and Russia. These are not places where a regular taxi will give you the best deal. Most people just stand at the side of the road, flag down a car, and haggle for the cost of a ride.
I’m a people person and ever curious about everyone’s cars, so for me this sounded like heaven! The only problem was that I spoke no Russian at all.
After several half-bungled negotiations ("Holiday Inn...Ulitsa Shevchenko! Hundred Tenge??") and some support from local colleagues, I picked up the expression “tri sti” for 300.
From then on, every single ride in Kazakhstan AND Russia had to cost me 300 of whatever their local currency was. I simply couldn’t agree on a different amount! 😄In Kazakhstan this may have been driving a bargain...in Russia I was more like their best paying customer, every single time.
After a few months of this, I did start picking up Russian and the motivation to learn numbers was top of my list.
What’s your motivation to learn these words?
How can you see yourself using them? Most textbooks will at least give some sample dialogues, but it’s just WAY cooler to say your own birthday in your new language.
In addition to making note of your motivation, it helps to understand learning vocabulary as a process or a system that includes three stages:
1. Growing vocabulary (figuring out what words you need or want to learn, selecting your sources, and taking good notes)
1. Memorizing vocabulary (strategies to make your words stickier so you don’t forget them easily)
1. Revising or reviewing vocabulary (using new words or testing yourself regularly so that they become anchored in your long-term memory)
Not sure what you should learn?
Before you even start trying to memorize new words, you have to figure out which ones you should try to learn. Once you’ve covered basics like greetings, colors, directions, etc., it’s easy to feel a little unsure about where to go next.
There are a few different options you can choose to start feeling more in-control of your vocabulary learning:
Download My Topic List for Beginners
Using a list that is already created can save you quite a bit of time when you're busy. It's perfect for you right at the start of learning a new language.
My vocabulary checklist for beginners is different from most lists because it gives you topics and skills. This is more useful than just a list of words, and it will help you create a solid foundation without getting bored.
Create your own list of words
What do you want to talk about in your target language?
Consider your interests and hobbies as well as things you’d usually talk to your friends or coworkers about. Consider both individual words and expressions.
One great way to go about this is to choose a topic and do a mind map or create a quick list of every word or expression you can think of that relates to your topic. Then, edit your list and translate the words into your target language.
If you want to add on more vocab to your list, try searching social media with your translated words as well.
Learn more vocabulary from what you enjoy
You can also choose to create a list based on the things you watch, read, and listen to in your target language.
Here are a two great apps that help you understand and find resources in your target language:
Lingq for books, articles, videos, and podcasts with transcripts
Yabla for native videos designed to work for language learners
Learn more about Yabla with this full review
Pay attention when you listen or read something in your target language. Is there a word that keeps coming up when you listen to songs or watch your favourite tv series? Put it on your list. Do you have a book you’d like to read in your target language? Go through and write down all the words you don’t know to start learning them.
Most importantly, remember that you should always have a solid system for compiling new words and expressions.
Switch up your language learning methods
Even if you’ve got a great list of words to learn, it doesn’t help if you can’t remember them. This is especially true for abstract vocabulary. You can’t see the word for "brave", so how are you supposed to remember it in another language?
Luckily, there are 4 different methods that can help you learn both the simple words and the more difficult ones.
The Post-it Method
For words like "coffee" and “door”, it’s easy to write the word in your target language onto a post-it note and stick it on the actual object.
But what do you do for those abstract words?
You can still write them on post-its, but you’ll have to get a little creative on where you place them. Think of quirky places that have some sort of connection to the idea. For instance, you might decide to put a post-it with the translation for "awake" on your coffee cup.
As a bonus, the added creativity involved in connecting the abstract concept to the object will help you remember even more as you have to spend time contemplating the word.
The Language Play Method
In addition to associating abstract words with an object, you can also use the linguistic characteristics of the word you’re trying to remember. Link the word you’re trying to learn with similar sounds or spellings or take the time to look into where it came from.
Quick tip: Google the word you’re learning and "etymology" together, and you’ll find out more about its history.
You can use rhyme or look at the cognates of a word, or the parts of a word that borrow or share origins with another language you already know.
Chunks of Language
In this method, also called "chunking", the idea is to study chunks of language rather than individual words. That might mean choosing to learn short sentences or phrases, such as “I’m so hungry” or “Where is the bathroom?”
This can be even more helpful if you’re trying to learn abstract words because you can connect those words to a sentence you might actually use or remember.
Examples of the concept in music and art
Have you ever learned a new word only to suddenly see or hear it everywhere you go? If so, it probably made you more likely to remember the word later on.
Seeking out examples in music, movies, or even advertisements can help reinforce words that might otherwise slip your mind.
Final Tips to Keep in Mind
Don’t beat yourself up for forgetting something.
The leading scientific theory is that humans tend to halve their memory of newly learned knowledge in a matter of days or weeks unless they consciously review the learned material. This is known as the forgetting curve.
In other words, you simply can’t expect to remember everything all the time. Even native speakers forget words in their native language from time to time.
By the way, if you're interested in my best tips for learning grammar (and why memorizing is NOT among them), don't miss this blog article full of grammar boosts.
Remember to continue reviewing and revising your vocab list.
You might find that some words still give you trouble, so you need to make use of a few different methods if you want to learn them. If there are words that you find difficult to remember, it is okay to also decide that some of the words on your list might not be as important as you thought.
True fact: If a word is important enough, it will make sure that you remember it!
Make sure to apply what you’re learning.
You should always make a conscious effort to use a few new words outside of dedicated study sessions. This might mean actively using new words in conversation, using your vocabulary list to search social media or find new hashtags to follow, or looking for news articles about related topics.
Above all, don’t worry about your level when you’re trying to learn vocab. As long as you’ve got a handle on the basics using new words in sentences and questions, you can learn any vocabulary words you want. After all, you never stop learning new words.
How To Create The Best Vocabulary Learning Technique In Any Language
How can you make sure that your memory is always sharp - even when you're learning important vocabulary?
Here are a few important points that will help you set up your language learning routine. The concept always remains the same: You need to acquire, memorize and review your words until they go in
How can you make sure that your memory is always sharp - even when you're learning important vocabulary?
Here are a few important points that will help you set up your language learning routine. The concept always remains the same: You need to acquire, memorize and review your words until they go in.
Follow The Vocab Flow: Acquire, Memorize, Review
There are three steps that I want to take you through about vocabulary. These steps don't make up a method, but they will teach you how to think about vocabulary.
1) You Can Learn a Language Without Frequent Word Lists
The first step is growing (or acquiring) your vocabulary, and this one is about organization. You need to know where to find the words. Some learners use frequency lists for this, but in reality your new vocabulary is all around you.
It's more helpful to you if you think about which words matter the most to you and what you will want to talk about. For example, in Welsh I learnt the word for "self-employed" really early because a lot of new friends at the Eisteddfod asked me what I do. That is not a word you'll find in frequent word lists, but it's definitely one I need.
2) How to Memorize Vocabulary With Ease
There are lots of methods for memorizing vocabulary. For me, two core steps work best: First of all, I examine my vocab lists and start looking for patterns. Words are made up of different components, and many of those components repeat in language.
My background in having learnt Latin and many other languages comes in very handy here. For example, look out for prefixes, for example I started seeing more words that started in cefn in Welsh, so I looked up the meaning of cefn by itself and started to see a pattern in how all those words connect.
Related Blog Article: What Gets Easier When You Study More Languages?
If you're a German learner, check out this interesting explanation of how the prefixes work and what many of them mean.
If you don't want to observe your words themselves, you can also check out word association and even Memory Palaces. Connect your words to something that is meaningful and vibrant for you - this works with phone numbers and grammar rules too. Pretty much anything. In The Vocab Cookbook, I described some of these methods step-by-step so you can practice memorization immediately.
3) You Can Train Yourself to Remember Vocabulary
No matter how well you memorize a word, your brain might forget it at some point. This isn't a failure - in fact, it's normal.
All language learners recognise that forgetting is part of this learning process. The forgetting curve isn't so easy to control, either. Sometimes a word can stay in your mind for a week or two, just to disappear after another week. This is why good systems work on the spaced repetition system (SRS), meaning you will need to revisit words many times over...but you also get a break in between.
Great online systems that are built on SRS abound, and you will find that most flashcard apps are built on it. My personal system is first based on handwriting and working away from screens. But for the stubborn words, I also add in a Memrise course in which I curate the words to be the most efficient use of my time.
But every now and then, I trail off and just study everything. Make it your own and "do you" -- it's one of my favourite rules!
What's Your Best Vocabulary Learning System?
You don't have to follow every single step and become a slave to my method.
Instead, experiment through finding a style that you can set once and use for ANY language you'll ever want to learn.
Guest Post: How to Learn French as a Food Lover (plus a French vocabulary freebie)
Today I'm very happy to introduce a guest post from the megacute Shannon Kennedy who blogs about her love of languages and music over at Eurolinguiste. She speaks French and English fluently and is currently working towards fluency in Mandarin and Croatian. Find Shannon on Facebook, Instagram or Youtube.
Shannon has also created a huge vocabulary list for all Fluent readers who are ready to get to the next level of their food vocabulary. Read to the last paragraph to find out how you can get your hands on it.
nom nom nom
Must Know French Words for Food Lovers
When I ask you to think of France, what are a few of the images that come to mind?
For me, my first thoughts might lead to an impromptu picnic along the Seine. Perhaps, a sophisticated and romantic dinner [in the heart of Paris][0]. Or maybe even sitting down to enjoy an afternoon of people-watching with un café and un croissant at one of the Hexagon's many sidewalk cafés.
As you may have noticed, the above images all have one thing in common.
Food.
Yes. When I think of France, along with its language, rich history, renowned art, ground-breaking fashion, and striking architecture, I have images of pastries and fresh-baked baguettes from the local boulangerie floating through my head. I am surely a gourmande, and learning the words to communicate my love of food has been an enjoyable part of my language learning process.
While there is so much more to French culture beyond food, France is certainly celebrated for its fare. It is the country with the most Michelin star restaurants (aside from Japan), as well as the home of fine wines, more than 400 types of cheese, an endless supply of delicious, buttery treats, and exotic-sounding delicacies such as frogs’ legs and escargot.
With food as such a big part of France’s culture, why not make French cuisine a part of your language learning experience?
An Introduction to French Cuisine
There is a wealth of information available regarding French cuisine (and I’ve included a few resources at the end of this post), but I’d like to do a quick introduction.
A typical French meal consists of three courses. These are often a starter (l’entrée), the main dish (le plat), and either a cheese, fruit, sorbet, or yogurt for dessert (le dessert).
Meal times can last for hours. They are as much about the food as they are about the experience and the conversation. In 2010, French cuisine even made it on to the UNESCO World Heritage List, defined as "a festive meal bringing people together for an occasion to enjoy the art of good eating and drinking.”
There are several branches of French cuisine, namely haute cuisine and nouvelle cuisine. France is also well-known for its regional cuisines. Each region of France has its own distinct style. Take for example Lorraine Quiche, Crème Chantilly, Dijon Mustard, or Salade Lyonnaise. Each of these is named for the region from which it originates.
Many of these regional dishes have since been re-appropriated into the country’s national cuisine. Just to name a few, crepes were originally from Brittany, flammekueche from Alsace, and bouillabaisse from Marseille. Regardless of how these various items found their way into the heart of France’s national cuisine, there are no doubts that France has a rich food culture and history, and thus, vocabulary.
Are you ready to become a French Vocab Chef? We have a few tips for you below. Even if you're not madly in love with learning French, think about how you can apply these steps to your own target language. I'm thinking Pad Thai, Spätzle and Nigerian Pepper Soup.
Steps to Becoming a Vocab Chef
Step 1: Learn more about France and French Cuisine
For an interesting article on the “withering” state of French cuisine by The New York Times.
Want to learn more about France and what it’s well-known for beyond food?
More information on apéritifs and digestifs.
More on tipping etiquette in France.
Step 2: Expand your food vocabulary with words for sauces, more popular dishes, and cooking utensils
Schaum’s French Vocabulary is hands down the most thorough vocabulary book I’ve ever owned - particularly for food vocabulary. They have just about every sauce and cooking style imaginable included.
Try out a Memrise course on French food
Step 3: Try your hand at French cooking
I’ve posted a few quick and easy French recipes over at Eurolinguiste
French Guy Cooking has a great collection of recipes and videos on Youtube
The Little Paris Kitchen Series on Youtube with Rachel Khoo
For those who speak French, Meilleur du Chef is a great Youtube channel, as well
Hervé Cuisine is another great French language cooking channel
A collection of recipes from Fraise & Basilic on Pinterest
Emilie & Lea’s Secrets is another great French cooking blog
Step 4: Share your experience as a French Vocab Chef in the comments below!
Download a Free Vocabulary List
Ready to boost your own French vocabulary? Then you should check out Shannon's fabulous list of French food vocabulary - it's several pages of expressions to help you order, eat and cook in French.
Simply click here and select the "Français" option to receive your copy by email along with an invitation to the Fluent Cool Kids Club full of free language surprises.
Kerstin's 3 Steps for Learning Topical Vocabulary
Topical vocabulary means the words and expressions that all relate to one topic, for example cookery, education or firefighting. Today's article introduces a foolproof 3-Step Method, plus get involved by posting your next vocab topic in the comments, and we'll feature you in a blog article next year.
Why is this useful?
If you make it your goal to learn all the words in a language, you'll never know when you're done. Setting a goal like "500 words" is also though, because who counts all the new words they're learning?! So bring on the topical approach. You can get into a topic you're interested in and feel like you're really getting somewhere.
Learning topical vocabulary is not difficult - here are 3 steps to success:
1. How much do you know about this in English or your native language?
The key here is to set your goal posts right, so that you'll know the detail of what your topic is all about. Plus, remember that language is never isolated from what it talks about. In other words, the success in remembering vocab is based on knowing what you're talking about. If you want to write like an expert about history, better know the facts before the words.
For example, I once worked at the fabulous Panaz, who make all kinds of flameproof fabrics. I was their Export Sales Administrator, on the phone all day taking and confirming orders in French. I could have learnt all the words for fabric and upholstery I wanted, but these customers wanted someone who first knew her stuff, and then knew all the words for it.
So here is Step 1: Be sure you know what you're talking about, and then you'll know which words and expressions you need.
2. Note it down, then relax-repeat-remember
Forget talent - repetition is the heart of success. Many people recommend "SRS", which means a spaced repetition system. In other words, you will have to go over words again even if you remembered them today. The repetition of running through those lists is what makes it go in, so it's got to be a routine for a week or two. Remember Fluency MC? It's relax - repeat - remember.
For more ideas on getting that vocabulary to stick, check out 6 Techniques for Learning Vocabulary.
Step 2: Follow the 3 R's: Relax, repeat, remember.
3. Test yourself twice
It's easy to check how many words you know, so make your first test an article in the paper and a TV show about your topic. With libraries, the internet, YouTube and Facebook at your service, I challenge you to find something you couldn't read a lot about in almost any language. How about searching for the #tag on Twitter (see below)?
Now for the second test, maybe a little bit more daunting but this is going to be more fun too: Have a conversation, chat about the topic, go listen to someone and say what you think! Of course it should be possible to bring most conversations around to your chosen topic (and an amusing challenge, too!) eventually, and then throw in the new words, ask questions and feel the power. You've just become an expert!
Step 3: Test yourself once by consuming, and twice by producing language.
Twitter search result for "Flameproof" in German - there really is media for anything
Favourite topics?
As always, I want you guys to get involved and think about how this article will serve you best, so you are invited to write a comment below and tell me what your vocabulary topics are. How about Christmas, cookery or knitting? Or look at the cool Sally Holmwood, who's currently studying personal banking words for her part-time job in an international bank.
Don't miss out on the launch of the Fluent Guide to Vocabulary Learning for Self-Directed Language Learners.
Thanks for reading this article on Fluent - The Language Learning Blog. Don't forget - if you sign up to our newsletter, you will receive a free Guide to the Best Language Learning Resources!
Linguistic Gift Ideas 2013
Hello blog readers, this Friday we are entering the final few weeks before Christmas! Yes, Hanukkah is over and so are the modern inventions Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and I helpfully dozed all the way through them. Well, here I am, better late than never, in bringing you this year's Linguistic Gift Ideas.
The Gift Ideas Board
On my updated Pinterest board, I have lots of good stuff from cute French t-shirts to funny language guides and travel books. Please have a good peruse and root around the board, and let me know what you're giving for Christmas this year!
Awesome FlashSticks landed in the Shop
Sticky word notes, they're my number one. In all honesty, these are a learning tool that always works.
If you want to give some as a gift or it's too much effort to make your own, someone has now invented FlashSticks: pre-printed Post-It notes in four languages and designed for your chosen learning level. I am genuinely excited to be offering packs of FlashSticks through the online shop on my website! They are pre-printed, colour-coded and really fun. SO recommended.
Order by 19 December for Christmas delivery in the UK, and by 14 December for delivery within Europe (all posting dates are on the Royal Mail site).
Amazon Link
And just in case you're buying something on Amazon for Christmas this year, please consider going through this link here for US/this one for UK and supporting my blog. It doesn't cost you anything extra, and I get a little commission from them. These links land on my book Fluency Made Achievable, but will work no matter where on Amazon you go from there. Thanks guys!
