5 Science-Based Tips to Memorize New Vocabulary More Effectively

By Daniel Borsody

Memorizing new vocabulary for a short-term period, for example, the length of a language lesson on Italki, can be easy. Remembering it the following week, month, and year, and, just as important, being able to use it actively (in speaking and writing) instead of just passively (listening and reading) is more of a challenge. Here are five science-based tips for memorizing new vocabulary words for the long-term and bringing them from your passive to active memory.

Learn how your brain works

Our brain uses specific methods to memorize new information. The brain uses associations between what we already know and the thing we are trying to memorize. Therefore, try to create associations with new vocab. One great way to do this is by making sentences with new vocab (more on this later). Any way you can make associations between new vocab and information you already know can help you learn a new word. It can be associations between new vocab and a specific memory, emotion, image, sound, or rhyme. Try to experiment and see what works best for you. Mnemonics is a method that helps you find special tricks to make associations with new information, and it can be very helpful too. These are some of the main tricks our brain uses to memorize stuff.  Get to know more about how your brain works and learn about these types of tricks.

Try to understand vocabulary in the context of a full sentence

Remember that the key to understanding and using new vocabulary, especially expressions, is to know the proper collocations (the proper combination of words; for example make money NOT do money, take a photo, NOT do a photo). This can be done by paying careful attention to how words and expressions are used in written and spoken contexts.

      Make sentences with the word or phrase

      If you can memorize one simple sentence with the new vocabulary, it may help you recall the word later. Sentences that use common collocations or are personally meaningful to you are especially good.

For example, if you’re learning the phrasal verb to keep up, you might try to memorize a sentence like I keep up with the news by reading the New York Times (or your own favorite news source). Or if you’re learning the word to sniff, and you have a dog named Snoopy, you might think of something like Snoopy loves to sniff (this sentence is especially good because it has alliteration. Another useful memory trick).

This method helps you actively use the word, which helps you remember it as well. Of course, if you can be more creative and make different sentences, that is useful too (see ‘make it a game’ below). However, be careful. It can be difficult to make sentences with proper collocations (especially with expressions), so before you decide on a favorite sentence to memorize, confirm that it is correct with a language teacher or educated native speaker.

      Make it a game!

 Play is an important business and a key ingredient for optimal learning. Try to think of different ways you can make learning new vocabulary fun and interesting. For example, try to use a vocab word at least five times a day or try to write a story, song or poem with new vocab. The value of learning through play is often increased if it’s social, so language games and play that include other people are a great idea too.

       Use it or lose it

      This is one of the most obvious but important rules. The more you actively use new vocabulary by speaking and writing, the more it will reinforce the new connections in your brains and help your brain learn that this is important information that shouldn’t be forgotten. As the Russian proverb goes, repetition is the mother of learning. In order to keep new vocab in your memory, you must regularly use it. The frequency of repetition can usually decrease with time. For example, for the first few weeks, you may find it important to review new vocab every day, but after some time, you may need to review less frequently, as the new vocab becomes part of your long-term memory. Remember frequency of practice beats intensity although some intense periods of practice are useful to do as well.

      These five tips are some of the most useful ways to memorize new vocab words and to transfer them from your passive to active memory. If you incorporate them into your study and practice of any language, you’ll be well on your way towards more effectively increasing your vocabulary. 

      Which of these tips did you find most useful?  Which methods of memorizing new vocab work best for you? Feel free to share your comments in the comment section.

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