Whether you're learning a foreign language or new vocabulary in your mother tongue, you may be confused about how to memorize all the vocabulary you need to learn. Try not to feel overwhelmed because there are lots of ways to make vocabulary lessons a lot easier! Depending on your own learning style, you may prefer to learn by context, repetition, or mnemonic tricks. A combination of all these methods can also help.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Learning Based on Context
Step 1. Look for words you don't know
Make sure you fully understand the meaning of all the words you just learned. If you don't understand the meaning, you won't really know the true meaning of the words, which will make it much more difficult for you to remember them.
Step 2. Find some examples
Even if you understand the meaning of a word, you may not really understand how it is used. This is why it is useful to find example sentences containing the word.
- Try doing a simple search for a word on Google. You may find sentences that use the word in different ways. Write down the sentences that most help you to understand how to use the word.
- You can also try searching for the word on YouTube. Maybe you'll find a song that contains the word.
- If you're having trouble understanding the meaning of a word based on its context in a sentence, try doing an image search on Google. You may find that the pictures that appear for the word will help you understand its meaning.
Step 3. Learn about prefixes and suffixes
Both are part of the word that is found both at the beginning and end of the word. Words with common prefixes or suffixes often have similar meanings. If you're learning about prefixes and suffixes, it's sometimes possible to figure out what a word means by it, even if you weren't sure at first. Here are some examples:
- "Dis" means nothing or nothing, as in the words distance, disengaged, or dissolves.
- "Mis" means negative or bad, as in the words misread or misfit.
- "Ous" means full, as in dangerous or fabulous.
- "Less" means less, as in mirthless or guileless.
- Other common prefixes and suffixes include "mal", "mega", "super", "extra", "equi", "sub", "post", "ism", "ness", "ment", and many more..
Step 4. Make up your own sentences
Once you have a good understanding of how other people use a word, try to make a few separate sentences based on that word. The more sentences you can make up, the better.
- Make sure you really understand the meaning of the word in the sentence. If you're not sure, look for more examples.
- Don't just change a word or two in your example sentence. Practice is much more useful if you think of completely different sentences.
- Your sentences should be specific enough that the context will help you remember the meaning of the word. For example, instead of simply writing, " She looked dejected ", write " She looked dejected after her boyfriend broke up with her ". This is even more important when you are dealing with words that may have multiple meanings.
- Try to use the word in as many ways as possible. For example, if the word is a noun, use it in the singular and plural. If the word is a verb, use it in the present and past tense.
Step 5. Use words in real life
The best way to really learn vocabulary is to incorporate it into everyday speech and writing. As you study, try deliberately using these words in place of easier or more common synonyms.
Even if you don't use them in conversation, use them in a way. For example, you could try to use your new vocabulary to describe an article you read in the newspaper or you could try to include it in your next book report
Method 2 of 3: Learning Based on Repetition
Step 1. Read the entire word list over and over again
Start with a list containing your new vocabulary in one column and its meaning or translation in the other. Cover one column and read the rest of the other column verbatim, making best efforts to remember what is written in the covered column. The more often you do it, the more you will remember.
- Reading both lists will be of use to you. Start by reading the word and see if you can remember the meaning. Then read the meaning and see if you can remember the word.
- If you can remember some words easily, consider creating a separate list of only those that are difficult to memorize.
- After studying it for a while, take a break and do something that doesn't involve your new vocabulary. Then go back to the list and make sure you haven't forgotten any words.
Step 2. Write down the words
For many people, writing down vocabulary and its meaning will help retain it in memory. If this applies to you as well, try writing down each term and its meaning several times.
Step 3. Use a flashcard
Flashcards are a quick and easy way to review vocabulary and separate words into categories. You can also review them anywhere, which makes it much easier to find time to study them.
- Reviewing flashcards at the gym is a great way to multitask, and it will take advantage of the stimulation that occurs in the brain during exercise.
- For a more interactive approach, have someone else give you a quiz with your flashcard.
- If you don't want to make flashcards, you can get the same benefits from playing online. Look for games that already contain the words you are learning or games that allow you to enter your own vocabulary.
Step 4. Repeat the words aloud
Saying vocabulary aloud can have the same benefits as writing it down for some people. This is especially helpful if the words are difficult to pronounce. Once you're comfortable saying the words, you're more likely to remember what they mean (and how to spell them).
- It can also be helpful to record yourself saying the vocabulary aloud.
- You can also try explaining the words to other people. If you feel confident enough to teach other people vocabulary, you should understand it pretty well.
Step 5. Try to keep the words learned are visible
If you're really having trouble remembering some of your new vocabulary, consider writing it down on sticky notes and then pasting it in places you'll see it all the time. This will help keep your memory of the words fresh.
- If you are learning a foreign language vocabulary, try labeling things in your home with the new vocabulary.
- If you're studying vocabulary in your native language or more abstract foreign language terms, simply post the list of the most difficult words on the bathroom mirror, refrigerator, or other easily visible place. Try to read the entire list every time you see it.
Method 3 of 3: Using Memory Tricks
Step 1. Draw a picture
If you have a visual memory, a simple picture can really improve your vocabulary list or flashcard. Try drawing something that will remind you of the meaning of the word. For example, you could draw a happy face next to the word "elated".
This can be even more effective if you try to include an image in the word in some way. For example, you could draw a devil's horn on the word "malevolent" to remind yourself that the word means "evil."
Step 2. Replace the words in the song lyrics
If you're having trouble remembering the meaning of a word with a much easier synonym, it might help to train your brain to link the two words together. Think of song lyrics that contain synonyms for that word and say them over and over again using your new vocabulary instead of synonyms. If you do this often enough, it will be very easy for you to remember that both words mean the same thing.
For example, if you need to remember that "jubilant" is the same as "happy", try changing the words in the song "If You're Happy and You Know It" to "If you're jubilant and you know it, clap your hand."
Step 3. Use the mnemonic tool
Mnemonic tools are words or sentences that help you remember something. When you use mnemonic tools to memorize vocabulary, you should try to use the sounds in the word to remind yourself of its meaning.
- For example, if you need to remember the meaning of the word " perilous ", you might conclude that it sounds like " pear is lost ". Use these phrases to create a short background story that you will remember. Stories can be made as silly as you want, as long as they remind you of what the word means. Your story could be something like, "I was jumping over a high beam on one leg holding a pear in each hand. I lost my balance, and the only way to prevent myself from falling was to drop one of my pears." This silly story will help you remember that the word " perilous " (pear is lost) means "dangerous".
- If you can't think of a mnemonic tool yourself, look up mnemonic dictionaries online. This will give you some suggestions on how to remember the meaning of the word.
Step 4. Make the link
Another great trick to help you memorize vocabulary quickly is to associate each word with an object or person. For example, you can paste various vocabulary words on each piece of furniture in your living room based on how it looks. You can also do this with other people, for example by giving each friend a word on Facebook based on their personality. As long as there is a reason for the connection, even if it sounds silly, it will help you quickly memorize the meaning of each word.
Tips
- Stay relaxed on test or quiz day and get a good night's sleep the night before.
- If you are dealing with a word that contains a homonym, make sure you understand which meaning you have to understand.
- Everyone learns in a different way and at their own pace. Try different learning methods to find out which one works best for you.
- Find a comfortable and quiet place to study without distractions around you. Don't watch TV, listen to music, or talk on the phone while studying.
