info@linguaaddict.com

+48 667 240 227

Agata Sobieraj

Agata Sobieraj

Language Tutor/Translator

Foreign languages have always been my true passion which I devote myslef to every single day. Professionally, I work as a translator and interpreter, English language tutor and an author of language blog. Personally, I pursue my passions through travelling, reading and learning other foreign languages (Italian ♥)

How to learn vocabulary more effectively?

I've heard that question from my students hundreds of times.

Unfortunately, many of them are still disappointed by the fact that they need to find time to learn and repeat new vocabulary.

Regular reruns.

It's pretty easy in class. You read the text, so the words are put in context and sometimes you can easily guess what is the meaning of the word. Then we talk about the topic and you can use these "fresh" words.

The problem begins when you don't revise the newly learned vocabulary after class. Remember that working on your own learning progress is as important as taking a foreign language class. Try to find time each day to learn and repeat words, but ... set realistic goals! Memorizing eight or ten words a day will bring more benefits than memorizing the entire list of new words that appeared in class. The next day, repeat the words you learned the day before, and then complete your glossary with a few new ones, and so every day. At the end of the week, don't learn new words, just repeat the ones you've already known. Thus, by dedicating 15 or 20 minutes a day to studying, you will be expanding your vocabulary effectively.

But how to memorize these words?!

While the system of repeating previously learned words applies to everyone who wants to be fluent in a foreign language, the technique of memorizing the words itself may differ depending on your preferences. Fortunately, there are many different ways to learn vocabulary. Take a look at the list below:

• keep an organized vocabulary notebook → in this way it will be easy for you to come back to the words that appeared in class. You can also highlight the words that are more difficult for you to remember.

• flashcards → it's a very good way for people who are always on the run and learn the language quite spontaneously. Word cards are handy, light and easy to carry. You can check them on the bus, subway or in the queue to the check out ;) whenever you have free time, without loading your backpack or purse with heavy books.

• mind maps → especially important for learning specific vocabulary categories. You can expand the word map in any way by adding words that you associate with a given topic, their antonyms and entire phrases.

• learning vocab in context → when remembering some words is more difficult for you, create an example sentence, but not a completely random one. Make an effort and come up with a sentence that you can use later in a real situation.

• read, read, read → it also has to do with learning vocabulary in context. The more often you see new words, the easier it is to finally remember them!

• repeat → I've mentioned it already, but well, it's crucial to the learning process. Whenever you are to memorize a new batch of words, start with repeating the previous one. Repeat new words the day after, then after a week, and then come back to them a month later!

Choose the method that is most convenient for you, learn systematically and... repeat :). Thanks to that, you will be able to use the new vocabulary in conversation, what will not only make you satisfied but also ensure progress in your language skills.