8 techniques that will help to learn foreign words
Forming / / December 19, 2019
Tatiana Istomina
Polyglot, the creator of an innovative online language school Polyglott.
Why are we under each new year guessing "tighten foreign language until the summer?" Why buy books and for a course? In order then to leave squeeze out only «London is the capital of Great Britain»?
At 21, he arrived in Germany, after 5 years, I have worked in the court a sworn translator, having German at the level of a native speaker. Sometimes I had to translate for those who have lived in this country for over 20 years. They spoke German, but at the level of preschool age children. How so?
Why I was so easy to learn new words, and some neither time nor cramming brought no good? I want to share with you a simple but working methods that have helped me become a polyglot.
1. visual dictionaries
What it is
Visual dictionaries contain images and words in them are organized by themes such as family, sports, animals. From each picture arrow leads to the words in Russian and foreign languages. Usually the words of small print and contains minimal grammatical information, such kind words.
These dictionaries for different languages are very common. I have even Quinquelingual visual vocabulary by PONS.
dignity
Grammatical information provided in these dictionaries is enough to work with that word in the future. Can you write a word in a dictionary and notebook, repeating in his spare time.
disadvantages
- Topics such standard vocabularies, and not all words will you need or interest. To create new topics, and add words that need a lot of time searching for images on the Internet and with the translation of words. Of course, if you artistThen you are more fortunate: it is possible to produce a unique visual vocabulary.
- There is no information on the pronunciation of the word. You must first learn the reading and pronunciation rules.
suitable for
Very well this type of dictionary fits visuals. These people remember the words with images, through pictures.
In addition, parents will appreciate these dictionaries appreciated - it is possible to learn the language with their children.
How to use
- First look at the pictures and describe them in another language, using new words. For example: "I see the house."
- If you learn the language of the whole family, wrote a small story in a foreign language and tell them. For example: "In the house on the second floor of a cat sitting under the bed."
- Play with words. Add the interesting question: for example, "What is the house of your dreams?", "How do you think who you were in a past life?". So you will spend the evening is not only interesting, but also useful. Remembered the words quickly and permanently.
life hacking
Keep a smartphone electronic dictionarySuch Leo.org. So you can listen to the sound of the word from the speakers and save it directly to a personal virtual dictionary. But more on that later.
2. Tablets with words
What it is
Tablets contain words with two columns. In the left column are written in foreign words, while the right - their translation into Russian. Spreadsheets lexical minimum can be found on the Internet, if you search for materials preparation for language exams. Also, such lists are usually there in the books, such as "2000 most important words in Spanish." Of course, you can create your own labels, in a notebook by hand or in an electronic format, such as Excel or «Google Sheets."
dignity
Electronic signs - the most convenient format for storing words. All words can be sorted and to teach either in alphabetical order or by subject. You can also make additional columns for information on grammar and pronunciation.
disadvantages
Fly in the ointment in the ointment - to teach on plate boring as memorizing process takes place mechanically, without the creative element. I usually have to deflate the fourth word.
suitable for
Busiest and all those who are friendly with tables.
How to use
We learn words in three sets, as in sports. One approach - one day. After each set mark with a pencil or colored pen, remember the word or not.
- Read a foreign word for the first time, look at his translation, without closing the bars.
- Read a foreign word for the second time, already closing the column with the Russian language, to remember the meaning of the word.
- Look at the Russian word, closing the entire column with foreign words and calling translation into a foreign language.
life hacking
In order not to miss, I choose 10 words per day with different pages, to allocate them in a book or table bright color, so you do not confuse them. And makes of them a story, one that reflects my day. I usually do not just write it in a notebook, but tell someone. Stories like these:
Zebra comes to his psychoanalyst.
- Doctor, I talk in my sleep.
- And you see a striped dreams? It is treated.
- No, doctor. I talk in my sleep. And me already laughing the whole office.
Very fun, try it yourself.
3. paper cards
What it is
This method to my rushed life in Germany, when I learned how to deal with the university students. In all subjects they normally do mini- or maxi-cards, as we do cribs and abstracts. They can be purchased as ready-made, with written words and empty.
Of course, we can and themselves - to cut a piece of paper for a few (2-10) flat rectangular cards. The size depends on the number of words you want to write on a card. All my cards the size of 7.5 to 5 centimeters. On one side write the foreign word, and on the back - his Russian translation.
dignity
Cards are inexpensive. Even if all the words they have learned to do more with their own hands - quickly and easily.
disadvantages
As in the previous method, storage takes place mechanically, learning becomes dull more than 10 words effectively remember complicated.
suitable for
Those who never remembered anything, and visuals.
How to use
Usually do best in three sets.
- Look at the word, peeping its meaning in Russian. Be sure to pronounce a foreign word aloud.
- Repeat without spying his Russian translation.
- Look at the back of the card, on the Russian word, call a foreign word, but no peeping.
- All the words that were remembered after three approaches, put in a separate envelope to the end of the week to repeat with the other words.
- Those words, which were named with errors or rusty, gather in a different envelope. They repeat the next day and within a week more active, until you remember it.
life hacking
Make cards colorful, sharing color on topics such as travelWork, study and so on. If you bought a ready-made cards, arrange them on the topics themselves: manufacturers usually consider this option and say the theme at the top of the card. Now repeat all the right words for the journey to a new country takes me only one hour, and sooner for it to spend the whole day.
4. electronic cards
What it is
You even can not imagine my joy when a dusty paper dictionaries, I switched to electronic. Read the article in German - Ctrl + C, Ctrl + V, and all found translation. Together with the electronic dictionary will and the ability to create their electronic cards.
Pushes a foreign word to your vocabulary, add to it the translation and teaching. ABBYY Lingvo Live, PONS and other language materials leading players in the market for several years already offer this service. On Web sites of online dictionaries you can make a card index and to learn words in any amount and at any time.
dignity
learning words even on the phone is very convenient, for example, in the subway or traffic, only 5 minutes a day. Words appear on the screen in random order, and this facilitates their memorization.
disadvantages
It is difficult to track progress in training and see what topics have been learned, and what - no. While such dictionaries lacks many useful functions, such as sorting by date or alphabetically.
suitable for
Those who live in a non-stop, is a long time away from home or office, or just does not want to carry a card with envelopes or heavy dictionaries.
How to use
- Record the online card index of the most difficult-to-remember words or words of one subject that you find when you read a book, article on the news.
- Add the word translation of the online dictionary.
- Open an online filing cabinet when you have 5 minutes of free time.
- Repeat the words aloud. For each word has an audio recording with the correct pronunciation, so you can learn not only visually, but also at the hearing.
- Once remember the word, mark it as a learned, that it no longer appears when you replay.
life hacking
Use the "Create Group" and add a new group that topic cards only, which is really important to you. I copy in an online filing cabinet and the words of my electronic tablets, when the table is already boring to teach them.
5. Audiokartochki
What it is
Audiokartochki - an audio analogue of the usual paper cards. At first it sounds a foreign word, and after a short pause - its translation. Audiokartochki usually written on the themes: for example, the 30 words on the topic of travel.
dignity
Cards save time - it is possible to combine the study of words or favorite things household chores.
disadvantages
Audiokartochki yet rarely makes and sells. Usually, their own record those students that are easier to memorize by ear.
suitable for
- Those who are more receptive to information at the hearing.
- For those who love the radio, music and "remembers ears."
- Those who live in non-stop mode.
- Those who often do several things at the same time, listening to music while driving or while jogging.
How to use
Learn words better in several approaches.
- First, just listen to the words with translation and repeat them aloud for the speaker.
- Then try to translate words in pauses until you hear the translation.
- Listen and repeat the card as long as you get bored or do not remember all the words.
life hacking
Create audiokartochki quite simply yourself.
- The fastest way - to tell a word on the recorder or the phone, making sure after each foreign word a small pause for future workouts. After a pause, say the Russian translation.
- Use professional software for recording. I use AudacityIt is absolutely free. Take a good microphone, put on a cheerful background music and write down all the words with slight pauses.
Record of 10 words in each audiokartochke to the brain is not "overheat".
6. Mind map, or smart cards
What it is
This is one of the most modern and fun way to learn words. On a sheet of paper or in a program like MindMeister spell the keyword, such as sports. From it are arrows - words with which it is associated, and their translation into a foreign language. If the topic - sports, we can write sports and under each of them - the appropriate verbs of motion, objects and characteristics associated with the sport.
dignity
Mapping - creative process, many of the words are memorized already during its creation, with a long time. Repeat the words of smart card you can quickly and easily.
disadvantages
The process of creating a single card rather long and laborious. Smart cards are rare, usually make their own.
suitable for
Those who analyze their lives and trying to make it as effective as possible, as well as visuals.
How to use
- Select important issues to remember. If you plan on traveling, it's all the words that are associated with it and you may find helpful: transport, beach holidays, restaurants and so on.
- Create a smart card with pictures, links to interesting articles, and books.
- Repeat the word at least once a day, noting those that are not remembered.
life hacking
Unspoken rule - the right words, the faster you will remember them. Are you interested in cooking, knitting or sports? Make a smart card for your hobby. You do not even have time to realize when you've memorized all the words. I create a separate map for each trip. She quickly cluttered with links to interesting events, holidays, attractions. Learning new words turns into an exciting adventure!
7. Stickers
What it is
Bright sticky leaves can be used for training. On stickers to write the names of items in a foreign language, with or without translation. After that stickers attached to those objects which they represent. For example, the German word Kühlschrank, «refrigerator», we paste on the refrigerator.
dignity
Words are remembered very quickly, even without conscious repetition, because they are constantly flashing before his eyes.
disadvantages
Not all members of the family will appreciate your attempts to beautify the house of stickers. In addition, the abstract concepts ( "happiness", "justice", and so on) is difficult to learn this way.
suitable for
- For those who just want to start learning a foreign language after reading this article.
- Those who want to quickly learn the basic vocabulary of a new language.
How to use
Option 1Traditional: every time you see the sticker on the subject, say aloud a foreign word. Learned the word - remove the sticker.
option 2, "All at once": paste a list of 10 words, where very often. For example, at the computer, on the refrigerator, or even in the toilet. I learned the word - cross out of it. We learned all the words - replace the sticker with a new one with the other words.
life hacking
For all the difficult words I create electronic stickers in Sticky Notes. You can copy the words with a translation that does not stored in tables or other methods. Place them on your screen. We learned - erased. Learn and repeat when the pause in work.
Price: 0
8. The author's method of "Message to the Future"
What it is
Born this method under extreme conditions. After a serious illness, I was looking for ways to get out depression. And it is not found. Then I created it myself. He wrote in a paper calendar for the whole year in advance, for each day of each month, the most kind and positive words in a foreign language, quotes from favorite books, affirmations. That is, the words "future self" would very much like to hear or read.
dignity
Words are remembered very quickly, because they are linked with your emotions and written by you for you. In addition, a positive charge for the whole day you provided!
disadvantages
Calendaring takes time, like any creative process. It is better to prepare in advance: to collect words and phrases on a topic that I want to learn.
suitable for
- Those who have lost faith in themselves and their strength, even if only briefly.
- For those who just want to feel that he is able to learn a foreign language.
- Those who want to try after reading an article once all methods.
How to use
Every day open a new page of the calendar, and read aloud the words or phrases that you have prepared in advance for themselves. Repeat them all day until they remember.
life hacking
I simplified his task and instead use a paper calendar «Google Calendar" app. Copy phrases, sentences, and words so it turns faster. In addition, store and review them so much easier too.
Even if you do not have time and want to burst between the cases, even if you think you do not have abilities - from these simple, but effective methods you can choose the one that suits you fits. You can combine these methods and customize them for yourself.
I believe that these tips will help you remember a few times more words than you remembered before. I believe in the success of each one of you!
see also
- How easily and effectively memorize foreign words →
- 8 best dictionaries and translators for Android and iOS →
- 3 people's habits, which is easily given to learning foreign languages →