How to learn vocabulary in a foreign language
Vocabulary is an essential part of language learning, and if your memory is not particularly good, then you might struggle with it. In this post I’m going to offer some advice on how you can learn new vocabulary in a foreign language!
First, I’m going to talk about where you should get your vocabulary from.
When you are a beginner, there are three sources I think you should get vocabulary from. First, a textbook or online course, or various learners materials. Second, an app of some sort (like Duolingo, Lingodeer and Memrise). Thirdly, I would suggest gaining vocabulary from immersion. Do NOT memorise every word you come across, only the ones that you need to know. I also would not suggest using a frequency list to choose words to know. It is much better to learn vocabulary through context. Try writing down all the new words you discover in a notebook.
When you are an intermediate learner, I would suggest focusing on extensive reading and listening (i.e. reading or listening to lots of content without looking up words you don’t know) rather than intensive reading and listening (i.e. reading and listening to content, and looking up every word you don’t understand). You could learn the vocabulary from a textbook, specification, immersion or various vocabulary lists from the internet. An upper intermediate learner might want to focus on intensive reading and listening, instead.
An advanced learner might just absorb new vocabulary from advanced native material and conversations (e.g. textbooks made for native speakers, talking about politics, historical texts and dramas). At this stage, it would be handy to use a dictionary in the target language, instead of translating it. You can also look up synonyms of the word.
Use flashcards! Maybe create paper ones, or use apps like Quizlet, Anki and Memrise.
Create your own example sentences! It is important that you actually know how to use the word or phrase in a sentence, so try and write down or say a few sentences with the word in it. Make sure you get corrections!
Say it out loud! When you come across it, check the pronunciation with an application like Forvo, and repeat after it. Say it again and again, until you feel comfortable, and then test yourself on it.
Actually use it! When your speaking and writing, try and use as diverse a vocabulary as you can. Try and sneak in a recently learnt word into conversation, and don’t be embarrassed if you use it wrong.
Don’t use transliterations! They do not help with pronunciation at all. Memorise at least some approximation of the script, along with the pronunciation of each sound in the language, and learn the word using that instead of transliteration.
Test yourself both to and from the target language! This is important as you want to be able to both produce and understand the word.
Maybe use images instead of translations! It could help stop you from translating in your head.
Memorise set phrases! When you hear or read something which sounds good, then learn it. This will really enrich your vocabulary when you speak or write.
Sound it out to memorise spelling! Remember reading when you were a kid, and take on that kind of mindset. Try to over pronounce each syllable as you read it, and say it multiple times.
Look up words as you go! When you don’t know a particular word or phrase when speaking or writing, then look it up. Same when you’re reading and listening (this is how we learn words in our native language after all).
Write it multiple times! This also helps with spelling!
Read and listen a lot! Input. Is. Everything. So read and listen to as much diverse content as you can. It doesn’t matter if you don’t remember it the first time you see it, you’ll get it eventually. Imitate what you see yourself. Remember, more often than not we get our own speech patterns and vocabulary from input - think of how people who read more tend to have a broader vocabulary, even in their native language.
Regularly review! When you memorise a word, write it down, and later on test yourself on it. Try going through your vocabulary notebook once a month, or if that’s too much, then set up a system, like with flashcards and spaced repetition. Maybe write the next date you will review a particular list of vocabulary on the top of the page?
Thank you for reading this post! I hope it was useful to you!