| When it comes to learning a foreign language, one | | | | word is if you're the one doing the speaking. Many |
| of the most difficult aspects is retaining | | | | people don't spend enough time with these words |
| vocabulary words. After all, it isn't as simple as | | | | because they figure they "already know them", |
| just seeing the word only once. A little repetition | | | | so they run into problems when they are trying |
| along with other methods will help you actually | | | | to do the speaking and they can't recall these |
| retain the word you are seeing. Here are 5 tips | | | | words. |
| to help you make the most out of your time | | | | #3 – Use a Picture Dictionary to supplement |
| spent trying to learn new vocabulary words. | | | | your vocabulary learning. |
| #1 – Make two different piles for your | | | | Many people are visual learners. Therefore, seeing |
| flashcards. | | | | a picture of the vocabulary term you are trying |
| Using flashcards to learn vocabulary is very | | | | to learn can help you more easily recall the word |
| effective because it allows you to focus on | | | | later. There are many books and websites that |
| words you are having trouble retaining. They are | | | | have pictures right by the vocabulary terms. |
| also easy to make. All you have to do is go | | | | #4 – Repeat the word out loud a few times. |
| through your flashcards, and make two different | | | | If you are looking through a vocabulary list, try |
| piles: one pile for the words you can easily recall, | | | | pronouncing each of the words a few times. This |
| and another pile for those words you cannot. | | | | is very important because it helps reinforce your |
| That way, you can keep going back to the words | | | | familiarity with the word. It is especially helpful if |
| you are having trouble with and review them. | | | | you use the word in a sentence as well. |
| Also, it never hurts to re-shuffle your flashcards | | | | #5 – Learn vocabulary terms in themes. |
| and review all your words again just to be sure | | | | Instead of trying to learn and retain a random |
| you are retaining those words you know better | | | | grouping of words, try learning vocabulary |
| as well as the more difficult ones. | | | | according to themes. For example, learn all of the |
| #2 – Go from both English to Spanish as well | | | | colors at the same time, or all of the fruits at the |
| as Spanish to English with your flashcards. | | | | same time. This will help you retain the terms. |
| This tip is especially true with words that are | | | | See for free vocabulary lists sorted by theme. |
| cognates. Of course you're going to recognize | | | | Learning new vocabulary can be a time consuming |
| what the word means when you see it in Spanish | | | | process but these tips will help you retain words |
| if it looks very similar to English, but you need to | | | | better so that you are making the most of your |
| also be able to recall what the exact Spanish | | | | time! |