How to Remember Words | Memorizing New Vocabulary Tips

If you’re looking for some solid advice on how to remember words, then you’re certainly in the right place. We have the top 10 tips for memorizing new vocabulary words so keep on reading.

How to Remember Vocabulary Words: Top 10 Tips

Let’s get into the tricks for learning new words more easily.

#1: Use a Vocabulary Notebook

One of the best ways to remember words is to use a dedicated notebook. Write down any new words that you learn and if possible, an example sentence. It’s also helpful to include information on what kind of word it is (noun, verb, adjective, etc.) for future reference.

#2: Aim for 8-10 New Words/Day

When trying to remember new vocabulary words, aim high but not too high. Trying to remember too many words at once is an easy way to get them mixed up and not learn anything!

Instead, aim for around 8-10 new words a day. This is an achievable goal for most people but if you’re struggling with that, go for 5.

#3: Make Some Flashcards

One of the best tools for remembering words is to use flashcards. It’s easy to make your own with notecards, a hole punch and a shower ring. Carry them with you wherever you go and pull them out for a few minutes of studying whenever you have time.

Remember to study both your first language to English and then vice-versa. Also, mix up the order of the cards so as not to memorize them in any certain order. Take out the very easy ones for a period of time to focus on the ones you find more difficult as well.

#4: Extensive Reading

When my students ask me how to remember vocabulary, I always tell them about extensive reading. Basically, this is reading someone for fun at a slightly lower level. The key is to read lots of material, quickly and without having to pull out a dictionary every few seconds.

A nice place to start is children’s fiction or newspapers that are designed especially for English learners.

#5 How to Remember New Words: Learn How to Use a Dictionary

A dictionary has a ton of useful stuff besides just the definition of the word. Learn how to use one to unlock all the handy learning tools.

#6: Use a Phone App

There are lots of phone apps out there and they are one of the best ways to remember words. Try out a few of them and see which one works for you or ask your friends for recommendations. The best ones incorporate scientific principles of language acquisition in terms of repetition.

#7: Study a Little Bit, Every Day

When trying to remember vocabulary, it’s best to study a little bit each day instead of hours in one single day. I recommend that my students spend 10-15 minutes every single day if they’re serious about learning new words.

#8 How to Remember Words: Extensive Listening

Like extensive reading, extensive listening is a very helpful tool for remembering new words. Think about those vocabulary words that you’re trying to learn. Now imagine hearing them when you’re listening to a podcast or a TV show? And then hearing them again the next one. That would make them pretty memorable, right?

So find something to listen to, a podcast, TV show, movie, radio program, etc. The key is that it’s not too difficult and you’re able to understand at least 90% of it quite easily. Then listen every single day for at least 15 minutes.

#9: Challenge a Friend

Things are usually more fun with friends! Memorizing vocabulary is no exception! Get together with a friend and decide on a set of vocabulary you want to learn. Then, study and be sure to give each other tests.

#10: Learn Language in Chunks

In English, there are things like ESL collocations, compound words and phrases that are often seen together. Consider the following:

• How are you?
• Open your book.
• Lunchbreak
• Goodnight
• Heavy smoker
• Light rain

It’s ideal to learn these words as a unit instead of just individually. This helps make them more memorable and accessible when you need to use them.

Did you like these Tricks for Memorizing Vocabulary?

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Have you Say about How to Remember Words

Do you have any tips or tricks for memorizing vocabulary words? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We’d love to hear from you.

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Last update on 2021-05-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API