Struggling to figure out the most effective way to study vocabulary for you?
Every learner, teacher, blogger, and language expert seems to have their own theory about what works best when it comes to learning new vocabulary.
But what works for one person may not work well for another.
So, how can you know which method is the right method for you?
Keep reading to find out for yourself.
Reflect on Your Past Experiences
Before you jump the gun and get stuck into studying, take a moment to think back to your previous learning experiences. You might be new to the language but surely you’re not new to learning. Don’t worry if it’s been a while since you’ve studied in a formal setting.
Ask yourself the following questions… What subjects did you have to learn a lot of content or specific terminology for? How did you use to study for those subjects? Can you think of an exam you aced or one you bombed out on? What study techniques did you use back then? What worked for you and what failed spectacularly?
Do Some Research
Still feel like you could be memorizing new language more efficiently? Inform yourself about the most popular and effective ways to learn vocabulary.
Ask your friends or family what has worked for them. Do a Google search and see what you find. Read blogs about learning languages.
This epic blog post from the Smart Language Learner is a compilation of recommendations from language learning experts and it’s all about learning vocabulary. Or check out some of our previous posts here on Reji.
Road Test
Once you’ve got a better idea of your options, the next step is to put a few of them to the test. Trial and error is the only way to really work out what method will work best for you personally. Ideally, you’d combine a few different study techniques to really cement your new knowledge. And of course, don’t forget to test your knowledge with a quiz or flashcards.