Vocabulary Learning Strategies II

In my last post about vocabulary learning strategies I provided information about how to look up, store and memorize new words and phrases effectively. I also outlined five characteristics which, according to me, define a successful language learner. In this post I am going to tell you about some further ideas I have taken from other students' posts which seem to be very helpful. Combining the information from this post with the information from my previous post about vocabulary learning strategies should allow you to improve and expand your vocabulary the most effective way possible. So, if you are still not sure how to tackle the numerous Porter words, keep on reading and you won't have to worry about passing the vocabulary part of PC2 anymore! :)

By looking at numerous vocab blog posts by other students, I have come to realize that learning vocabulary is a very personal matter and is linked to one's preferred learning style. That is to say, whereas some students stick Post-it notes on places where they pass by regularly (for instance, on a door or on the bathroom mirror) to memorize vocabulary they have a hard time remembering, others prefer to learn self-written glossaries providing additional information, such as synonyms, antonyms, frequent collocations and example sentences, and going through them until they memorize every single word. Whereas some students are thrilled about flash cards, either hand-written or digital (Anki, gFlahs+) ones, others prefer vocabulary.com, which basically provides all the information necessary to learn a new word or phrase, from definitions and synonyms to frequent collocations and numerous up-to-date example sentences. Whereas some students imagine the most absurd scenario to make the information memorable, others read newspaper articles actively with paper and pencil to hand and make note of academic words and phrases that seem to be particularly useful and try and learn them. As you can see, numerous vocabulary learning strategies exist and everyone has his or her own preferences. In order to improve and expand your vocabulary the most efficient way possible, all you need to do is find the vocabulary learning strategy that suits you best!

The best ideas I have taken from other vocab blog posts are the following ones:

• Vocabulary game: One student has created her own vocabulary game in order to improve and expand her vocabulary in a more fun way. Every now and then she invites some friends over. They then ask each other vocabulary questions. That is to say, they ask for a definition, for common phrases or collocations, etc. Whoever knows the answer is rewarded with a cookie or some chocolate. I think this is just a great idea. I have never thought of this before, but I am pretty sure I will try out this vocabulary game some time before PC2!

• Digital flashcards: Creating vocabulary lists using a flashcard program, such as Anki or gFlash+, is a time-saving way of studying new words and phrases. Most importantly, you can study your vocabulary lists wherever and whenever you want. 

 

 I have also been taking a closer look at the website http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/al/globalpad/openhouse/academicenglishskills/vocabulary/academic_words/. It provides information about how to learn vocabulary quickly and focuses on how to improve one's use of academic vocabulary. The website reminded me of some aspects of learning vocabulary that I completely forgot to mention in my previous post. For instance, when I study vocabulary I usually walk around as I am trying to remember new words. It seems to me that I memorize new words and phrases more easily when I move than when I sit at my desk. Moreover, I usually write new words and phrases I just cannot seem to remember in different colours. That is to say, I highlight the words and phrases I can't remember which tells me that I have to look at those words and phrases more often than at all the other unmarked words and phrases. I strongly recommend you to check out the website as well. :)

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