Learning vocabulary words is critical part of learning to speak a foreign language, next to grammar. If you can say any words, how can you speak the language? Learning vocabulary words isn’t always easy. In a perfect world, we would be able to look at a word and never remember it. This way, we could learn hundreds of words a day. Unfortunately, this doesn’t usually happen. For some, remembering the words is simple. For others, it is very difficult. If you practice some simple steps, hopefully you will be able to learn in a short period of time.
The key to studying a new vocabulary word is using it and seeing it over and over. If you can use a language program that has this quality built in, you are in luck. If not, there are ways to simulate it.
Put together a list of words you want to study in the first day. You might pick 10 completely unrelated words. Start by writing down the list with the target language first then English. Read through them a few times. Next, pick your first term. Read through both translations 10 times out loud. Now look at the target language word. Does it remind you of anything that be used to help you remember what it means?
For example, the Spanish word for paper is papel. This one is simple because the the beginning of the word looks just like paper. Now, every time you need to know the word for paper in Spanish, try to remember that papel looks like paper.
Now, you should repeatedly use the word. Try to write three to five sentences using the word in different ways. When you finish it with each word, write them down on an index card so that you can use them on flashcards later on. Carry them with you when you know you’ll have some free time to use them. This way, you can constantly be looking at them and reviewing them. When you are finished with vocabulary each day, don’t just move on to the next set of words and forget the rest. Always keep them all in mind.
Also when you have free time, try to construct sentences as you think using your vocabulary words. You don’t want to just remember the word when you see it, you want to have it mastered so that whenever you need it, you don’t have to think first, it just comes out. For example, you might always know that papel means paper, but will you always know how to say paper in Spanish? Papel needs to just pop in your head.
This is how you will become fluent. You need to know each word inside and out. Try to think in your language. It’s a great way to use your language whenever you want even if you don’t have any study materials. Also, you won’t look weird speaking in another language because you are only thinking it. The key to learning any language is by practicing. As they say, “practice makes perfect!”