| Teachers in school often recommend using flash | | | | you permit yourself to see them. Once you have |
| cards to study vocabulary. Often, however, we | | | | finished your study session, throw away your |
| lose our motivation after the large amount of | | | | scrap paper, but hold on to the list of vocabulary |
| time it takes to even just create these cards. If | | | | you initially compiled. That way, whenever you |
| you want to learn an extensive amount of | | | | compile a new list, you can add it to a binder with |
| vocabulary fast, throw your flashcards away and | | | | all your other lists. We forget vocabulary fast if |
| embrace this method of simple memorization. | | | | we don't study or use it on a regular basis, so |
| Once you have compiled a list of vocabulary you | | | | make sure to occasionally repeat material from |
| want to memorize, you can start the | | | | old lists. |
| memorization process. This list can stem from a | | | | The reason this method is much more efficient |
| language class at school, a compilation of unknown | | | | than using note cards is that it trains both your |
| words from a book you read in the foreign | | | | visual and your written memory. You will have a |
| language, or from a DVD you watched with | | | | better command over the spelling of a word and |
| subtitles while writing down unknown words. You | | | | therefore make less mistakes when using it. Also, |
| can even study words in your own language | | | | by writing down words during a study session, |
| through this method, for example when | | | | you remain more awake than when you just sit |
| memorizing words for the ACT, SAT, or GRE. | | | | and stare at a list. Therefore, the length of your |
| Take out the list of words you want to learn and | | | | study sessions will be increased. |
| sit down at a table. Use a comfortable chair and | | | | The final step for learning how to use a new |
| bring some water to make sure you are | | | | word correctly is to use it in conversation. Maybe, |
| prepared to study for a while. Also bring a pile of | | | | at first, you will find that the way you thought |
| scratch paper and a pen. Cover every word on | | | | the word was used does not work. Don't be shy |
| your list with a sheet of paper except the first | | | | to ask native speakers how exactly the word is |
| five. Spend a few minutes memorizing these five | | | | used. You will find that this is one of the best |
| words and then cover the side you want to | | | | ways to retain a word in your permanent |
| memorize with paper. Begin writing down the | | | | memory because you attach a human interaction |
| correct translation for each word until you feel | | | | to the memory of learning it. If you have no |
| confident that you know these five words. | | | | access to a native speaker, watch out for the |
| Continue in the same way with the next five | | | | word in literature or movies/TV programs you |
| words. | | | | consume in the foreign language. This will help you |
| Once you have memorized the entire list, you | | | | familiarize yourself with the daily use of the |
| should go back and review the entire list again. | | | | language you are trying to learn. |
| Write down the translations for each word before | | | | |