Foreign languages: how do you remember new vocab?

As somebody suggested, it is a good idea to write new words down in two columns, learn, then cover one column and revise it. You have to learn by heart though, a bit of effort but you will see results quickly.

It is good to organise words in groups, for example all animals together, all foods, adjectives, etc - this way you will be able to distinguish between two in the same group rather than, saying it is something to eat...

After that, it is good to use flashcards - write down meaning of the word in one language on one side and in second language on the other. It prevents learning by heart in order (what learning from columns sometimes causes, and you cannot pick the work from the middle of the list).

Then revise it all, but make sure you practise, and practise. Do it every day, even if it was only to look at vocabulary once. At the end of the week test yourself. Then get back to new words after few weeks, to make sure you have them all in long term memory.

Another way: watch lots of movies, read lots of books (if possible) and WRITE DOWN all the vocabulary that you don't understand. Then check the meaning in dictionary, and try to write your own sentence with it. And revise it.

It is a hard work, but fruitfull, when done :-)

So GOOD LUCK!

Hi i learnt Hindi , Tamil when i was young but my vocab was not exellent so what i did was i used to watch news more frequently .. its the only time where people try to speak completely pure native language with no addups or mixings as modernised ..

I improved this was and by making friends online and in real who can speak these languages i meant whose native language was hindi and tamil .. i used to ask these people about the words i come through in news and i dont get ...

So .. u too try gtting friend around whose native language is what language u wanna learn and improve vocab and keep watching news and drama serials ( these serials gets more realistic .. real life communication)...

Best of Luck

Just by learning, learning and going through new words all the time, read books, take a course, watch films in the languages you are studying with English subtitles, have your dictionaries in those languages near you and so on. If you can afford it, go to those countries, where the languages that interest you, are spoken. There are many ways, if you just try hard enough, and it does not have to be expensive. Good luck! Go for it.

I'm taking about three languages at the same time. With French and Spanish, it won't be as difficult since they're similar. I've taken Spanish first, for the past 3 years. I do well only in class, though. I can't remember when I'm not in school since I don't concentrate on it every single day. If you still try to use the language frequently while studying another one, then you shouldn't have a problem. ^^

First, you should choose, seperate words for active use, the so called active vocabulary on the issues which you think are most important for you. Then learn the words . This is mechanical learning , but it works. Then , sure, reading and again choosing the words and phrases , which you think can be very necessary for you to know. Listening to audio records , watching special video programs to learn vocabulary. Communication with the person , whose language skills are much better , so that they would explain every unknown word to you. This should be the most effective method to increase your vocabulary. Flash cards, etc..

In the beginning, I write a lot in notebooks. I learn the words by covering first the left columns and then the right column. I read the words aloud and rewrite them.

After some time, start reading children's books, newspapers, magazines and novels. Listening to the radio and watching TV can be helpful too.

Have a nice day.

By using the words over and over after encountering. When I was stationed in Arabia, I learned some words by reading store fronts; if every store carrying a sign "mfrushat" sells furniture, it's a good bet that the word means furniture, and if you see on an apartment "shaqaq mfrushat", it's a furnished apartment.

learn a word a day from the dictionary

chose reading material thats apt for your level

listen to the language you are learniing

daily

and keep testing your self on your past words by keeeping a log onthe computer or in a book

I used to read a lot, watching television programs in those languages and the must do if you can is traveling and experience the culture, to meet people your age who would teach you about things you don't read in books.

Sematic field. Learn words in associated groups. When you learn a new word try to learn lots of words associated eg the opposite, words related and then also use pictures so you associate the word to reality.