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    Learning A Foreign Language PDF

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    AdolfoRamosOrtegs
    This document provides methods for learning vocabulary in a foreign language. It recommends finding words from books, magazines or other materials in the target language and writing them down along with definitions looked up in a dictionary. Flashcards can also be used to quiz yourself on words and translations. Alternatively, an Excel spreadsheet allows entering words in one column and translations in another to test recall. Repeated practice of these methods with words used in context helps commit them to long-term memory.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Learning A Foreign Language PDF

    Uploaded by

    AdolfoRamosOrtegs
    65 views4 pages
    This document provides methods for learning vocabulary in a foreign language. It recommends finding words from books, magazines or other materials in the target language and writing them down along with definitions looked up in a dictionary. Flashcards can also be used to quiz yourself on words and translations. Alternatively, an Excel spreadsheet allows entering words in one column and translations in another to test recall. Repeated practice of these methods with words used in context helps commit them to long-term memory.

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    This document provides methods for learning vocabulary in a foreign language. It recommends finding words from books, magazines or other materials in the target language and writing them down along with definitions looked up in a dictionary. Flashcards can also be used to quiz yourself on words and translations. Alternatively, an Excel spreadsheet allows entering words in one column and translations in another to test recall. Repeated practice of these methods with words used in context helps commit them to long-term memory.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    65 views4 pages

    Learning A Foreign Language PDF

    Uploaded by

    AdolfoRamosOrtegs
    This document provides methods for learning vocabulary in a foreign language. It recommends finding words from books, magazines or other materials in the target language and writing them down along with definitions looked up in a dictionary. Flashcards can also be used to quiz yourself on words and translations. Alternatively, an Excel spreadsheet allows entering words in one column and translations in another to test recall. Repeated practice of these methods with words used in context helps commit them to long-term memory.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 4

    How to Learn Vocabulary in a Foreign Language

    Learning vocabulary doesn't have to be painful! Breeze through foreign language


    vocabulary tests and know words for life. This lesson includes a method of memorising that
    uses spreadsheets, an alternative to cumbersome flashcards. ey strategies are repeated self!
    testing, making meaningful connections, and using words in conte"t.
    Method 1 of 3: Finding New Vocabulary
    #
    A) $ind an interesting book or magazine in your target language. %f possible, buy the
    magazine or book rather than borrow. This way, you will be able to write in the book as
    you read.
    B) &lso have a reliable dictionary and thesaurus available in the target language.
    C) %f you want, you can do this with a newspaper article, T' show, or movie instead.
    (
    A) Begin reading. &ny words that you don't know should be highlighted. %f you are
    borrowing the book or magazine and can't highlight, try to circle or underline the word
    with pencil so that you can erase later.
    )
    A) *ote new words. &fter each chapter or article, write words you do not understand on a
    piece of paper. The words will be easy to find because you have them highlighted or
    underlined.
    +
    A) Look up meanings. Before starting the ne"t chapter or article, look up each word in your
    inventory with the dictionary. ,ighlight the word in the dictionary. Then, write down the
    definition ne"t to the word.
    -
    A) $ind synonyms. &fter you have defined and highlighted each word from the dictionary,
    get out the thesaurus or synonym book. Look up each word and note its synonyms and
    antonyms. This will enrich your vocabulary, allowing you to e"press one word in many
    ways. .rite the most relevant synonyms ne"t to the entry in your notebook.
    /
    A) 0epeat with each chapter in your book. %f it's a magazine, do this with each article. %f it's a
    short book, try to separate it into every #1 pages or so.
    2
    A) 3tudy your inde" in the notebook everyday. eep doing this until you have master the
    vocabulary. 4ou will be surprised by how many new words become highlighted in your
    dictionary by the end of 5ust one book!
    Method 2 of 3: Memorizing a Vocabulary List with Flash ards
    #
    A) 6et out your list of vocabulary and definitions. 7arefully copy down each word onto one
    side of a flashcard.
    (
    A) .rite the definitions. 8n the blank sides of the cards, write the definitions and9or english
    translations of your vocabulary.
    )
    A) :uiz yourself! Look at the word on each flashcard and try to remember the definition
    and9or translation. 8nce you can do that comfortably, look at the english
    translations9definitions and try to remember the word!
    +
    A) 7ontinue until you are comfortable with all the words. Then, try and work them into your
    everyday conversations as much as possible to ensure you don't forget them.
    ;dit<ethod ) of )= <emorizing & 'ocabulary List with ;"cel
    #
    A) 7reate a new spreadsheet in ;"cel. 4ou can also use a different spreadsheet program if
    desired. 4ou will be using three columns. Label them >$oreign .ord,> >;nglish
    Translation,> and >Test>
    (
    A) ;nter the foreign words. Type your list of foreign words into the #st column, with one
    word per cell.
    )
    A) ;nter the ;nglish words. Type the ;nglish translation of the word into the (nd column.
    +
    A) Test yourself as you write in the ;nglish words. <ake connections between the ;nglish
    word and the foreign word. The connections you make can be=
    by sound eg. imagine a <;33 on the <;3& ?>table> in 3panish@ or
    by meaning eg. A8<estic things have to do with one's home ?>A8<B3> in Latin, CDE in
    0ussian@
    -
    A) <ake the foreign word invisible. 3elect the te"t in the #st column containing the foreign
    word and convert the te"t colour to white so you can no longer see the list.
    /
    A) Test yourself. Look at each word in the second column. %n the )rd column, write down the
    foreign word without referring to your notes.
    2
    A) 7heck your answers. 0econvert the colour of the #st ?foreign@ column to black. 7heck
    your answers in the )rd column against the original list in the #st column.
    B) %f there are errors, highlight the corresponding ;nglish translation of the word in red.
    F
    A) 0epeat steps - to G again, going through the whole list once more.
    G
    A) Bnhighlight as you go. %f you start to be able to consistently get a word right, unhighlight
    it.
    #1
    A) 0epeat until there is no red left. 4ou can stop Huizzing yourself on the words you know
    you can get right and 5ust focus on the hard ones.
    ##
    A) Test yourself once more when you know all the words. This time, imagine the word in a
    foreign sentence and imagine the scene. eg. >le chat est sur la chaise> ?>the cat is on the
    chair> in $rench@
    #(
    A) Irint the vocabulary list and incorporate the new words into your writing and speaking
    tasks.
    #)
    A) 3ay the foreign word in your mind or aloud when you see the ob5ect or read about it in
    ;nglish.
    #+
    A) 0evise your lists regularly.
    !dit "i#s
    A) Bsing the words in spoken conversation is the best practice as it is active and
    spontaneous.
    B) 6roup your vocabulary in categories.
    C) Bse the most difficult words the most often.
    D) Aon't 5ust learn vocabulary in set lists, but also identify words unknown to you in
    reading and listening tasks.
    E) %f relevant, include the preposition that goes with the verb.
    F) Bse <nemonics ?memory aids@ to help you learn vocabulary, that might otherwise be
    difficult to remember. Learning by association makes vocabulary retention significantly
    easier. $or e"ample, in 3panish, the word for >e"pensive> is >caro>. To remember this
    word, you could manage a huge e"pensive car parked in the middle of your street
    stuffed full of money.
    G) Learn phrases and idioms as a wholeJ put them in a single cell. eg. >5'en ai marre> ?>%'ve
    had enough> in $rench@
    H) $or gendered nouns, imagine the ob5ect in blue, pink or grey for masculine, feminine
    and neuter. eg. >le chien> ?$rench@ ! The dog.

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