5 ways to memorize foreign words more effectively

Struggling to remember new words is a common challenge for foreign language learners. Often, words are remembered for a few days at best and then seem to slip from our memory. Before exploring strategies for more effective memorization, let's delve into the memory process when we learn new information. There are three stages of memory.

Memory has three stages: encoding, storage and reproduction.

Encoding new words into our memory can occur through images, sounds, or the word's meaning. Storage involves holding information in memory for a short or long time (short-term and long-term memory). When learning a foreign language, we are, of course, particularly interested in long-term memory.

The final step, reproduction, is of paramount importance. It's not enough to simply store a word in our memory; we must be able to retrieve it when needed. Understanding that long-term memory is based on associations and the role of context in recall is a key insight that can enhance our language learning journey.

Now let's move on to practice

1. Schedule a daily practice

Just as a musician perfects a sketch day after day, a language learner needs constant practice and repetition. It's crucial to commit to a daily practice, even if it's just half an hour, to review words and work with them. Remember to repeat new words out loud several times, so that encoding occurs not only through the visual image, but also through the sound.

2. Group new words

When learning new words, try to get lists of words that share the same theme or category (for example, types of food, verbs for physical actions, words related to health and illness, etc.)

As we said above, creating such associations and thematic groupings of words will help to properly consolidate them in long-term memory.

3. Use flashcards to review new words

Flashcards make it easy to review newly learned words daily in just a fraction of the time. You will need small pieces of paper and a pen or markers to create these cards. Write a word or phrase in English on one side and the translation on the back. You can write the word and translate it in different colours. After introducing new words, use these cards for review daily, saying the word out loud. After you have repeated the words for a few days and you think you have them memorized, take a break and return to them after a week and then after a month.

Using digital devices can make flashcard training even more productive. Our Vocabulary builder provides all the necessary automatic tools to create flashcards and practice.

4. Learn new words taken from authentic texts

At this point we return again to the importance of associations and context in the formation of long-term memory. Of course, it is easier to remember words when it is not a random set of vocabulary, but when it is taken from an authentic text, where all this vocabulary was used harmoniously, correctly and united by a single context. Such texts can be books in the original, news articles on news agency websites, publications on the Internet, videos, and songs. The variety of options empowers you to choose the one that is most convenient for you.

5. Use new words

Try not just to memorize words and then repeat them every day with the help of flashcards, but to use them. This way they will be used in context and therefore better remembered, and you will feel more confident, as you will see the benefits of learning these words, you will see that you are learning them for a reason and can apply your knowledge in practice.

After you've done your daily flashcard review, try making sentences with these words or even writing a short text or letter. Try to say something about yourself using this new vocabulary if your level allows. To make it easier to figure out what to talk about, you can create a plan of questions on the topic you will answer. Try to include as many new words as possible in your story! You can record your speech on a voice recorder so that you can then listen to yourself and perhaps note points in pronunciation or grammar that you need to work on.

Communication with native speakers

Another great way to use new words in context is to interact directly with native speakers. Set the topic of conversation you want and try to include words you have recently learned. In the previous article about the difficulties of learning languages, we provided links to services with which you can communicate with native speakers online.

Memorizing new words is challenging, but it can be overcome with regular practice. Allocate 10-15 minutes daily to practice and remember to use the words in real speech, spoken or written. This practical application of your learning is key to reinforcing your memory.