It is known that having about 3,000 English words in the vocabulary, one can understand up to 90% of the information from everyday communication, news, books and so on. But how to memorize such a big number of words or at least reach the minimum level sufficient for effective communication, especially if you are only at the beginning of the path?
Drawing on their experience, proficient English learners from all over the world recommend the following effective techniques for remembering English words:
Flashсards – are great for learners who like to plug in the visual memory. You can either make cards combining an image with a word in English language, or just write the words in source and English language on both sides. Or as a variant, you can use ready-made flashcards in some online app. Besides, flash cards are comfortable to carry around and you need only 15 minutes a day to repeat the words.
Mind Maps is a highly effective technique, especially if you need to learn words by topics. A learner can create such map by himself. Mind Map is a schematic diagram presenting keywords, phrases and pictures. The educating aspect of the map is to present these groups of words to be learnt in a systematic way, so it is easier for our brain to perceive the words and memorize them.
Learning words in the context is a technique that allows to learn words while watching a film or reading a book in English language. The point is that when you hear or see a new word, you have to guess its meaning from the context and only after that to check the word in a dictionary. For better memorizing it is good to write down the word together with the sentence in which it is used. This technique is especially effective in learning polysemantic words, since their meanings are revealed in the context.
The method of visual associations – according to which memorizing occurs through the creation of visual associations between an English word and its translation. For this purpose, you need to imagine a picture, with which the word is associated. The brighter and more comical the association is, the better you remember it and quicker recollect the word afterwards.
Memorizing opposites and synonyms – thanks to this technique you can effectively boost your vocabulary with antonyms and synonyms. The procedure is following: you take the word that you suppose to learn and try to memorize it together with its antonym (e.g. cold-hot) or synonym which you already know (e.g. cold-chilly). This technique is effective as far as our brain better memorizes words that related logically or associatively.
At conclusion, when learning new words, remember that in order to consolidate them in the long-term memory you have to repeat them regularly and practice them in your everyday spoken language.
Are you already familiar with these techniques of memorizing English words? Which of them stood you in a good stead?
