How to learn English words: hard and easy ways. How easy it is to memorize new words

Today, self-development in the form of learning languages ​​and going to the gym is literally a trend that everyone wants to keep up with.

From everywhere you can only hear “Don’t give up!”, “Be better than yesterday!”, “Work on yourself!”. If your figure is not perfect, everything is clear here - you need to observe proper nutrition and pump muscles. However, is it really that simple in learning English? Let's see.

If you have gaps in English, it is worth pulling up grammar and expanding your vocabulary. What to do if a bad memory, and all these words do not fit in the head? Is it possible to upgrade memory? The answer will pleasantly surprise you - you can.

Of course, someone will be able to quickly learn a number of new English words just by looking at them, and someone will have to make an effort. Everything depends on your desire.

In order to understand how you can pump memory, it is worth considering a few of your own features - everything is individual. As you know, there are two types of memory - someone perceives new things by ear, and someone - visually. There is one secret trick, which we intuitively know at school, but eventually forget.

Remember how at a break, repeating a verse, you went from corner to corner with a textbook. Indeed, the movement contributes to the memorization of the new. And of course, memorization is significantly affected not only by speed, but also by the quality of memorization or the level of attention. It is important to focus on what you are learning here and now, and not fly in the clouds.

Understanding what memory is, it becomes obvious that by working on yourself, adding more self-discipline, you can develop memory, and easily memorize the required number of new memorizations of English words. All the excuses you've been using so far aside, it's time to get together and take a leap in learning English.

How to quickly learn English words

1. Learn words from context.

It is quite difficult to learn words if they are written as a list in a dictionary. This method can only be used if you are studying with a teacher who will help you use these words in context, build a dialogue with you using these new words and translate the list of new words from your passive vocabulary to active.

If you are at the stage of independent study of English, then it is best to memorize words in the context of topics that interest you.

In this way of learning new words, two types of memory work - visual and auditory. Subtitles are important because they will help you be 100% sure what the word just sounded and how it is spelled. Agree, it is difficult to remember what you are not sure enough about.

If you study English with a teacher, then he will definitely include podcasts in your classes, which are also a magic wand for expanding your vocabulary.

3. Don't grab onto every new word.

When learning words, you should not grab each new word and run to write it out in a dictionary. If only because the number of words in the English language is incredible!

To begin with, it is best to memorize the base of words that you need, depending on your age and lifestyle. Of course, an experienced English teacher will be able to point you in the right direction and tell you what to focus on.

However, you can try and determine for yourself what to focus on and what words can be omitted.

4. Read.

You may be surprised, but now we are not even talking about reading in English, but about reading in mother tongue. It doesn't matter if it's fiction or quality articles.

Reading helps to make your thinking more flexible and develops your memory, thereby improving the memorization of new words in English language.

5. Learn words in combination with grammar.

Many people think that the main base of English is words, and you don’t have to work much on grammar. Perhaps sometime in a parallel universe this myth will be dispelled, however, now it still exists.

Just imagine, if you know the conjugation of verbs, how many new words you will immediately learn. For example, if you do not perceive that all these new words in the text are just the first or second form of an irregular verb, they all seem new to you and confusion arises.

6. Learn English with modern technology, no more old-fashioned flashcards!

Fortunately the world modern technologies and encourages learning new words. For example, on our site there is a dictionary in a completely free format that will help you learn new words by memorizing them by ear and visually. The study takes place rather in a playful way, which helps to make the process of memorizing new words much more enjoyable.

In order to remember the English word faster, you can draw a certain parallel with it in your mind. It doesn't matter if it makes sense to someone else, the main thing is that it carries a certain message for you and, remembering this association, you could remember a new word.

For example, the word "sing" is somewhat similar to the word Singapore. You can draw a parallel with the phrase "singing in Singapore." In this method, only your imagination and imagination are important, add creativity.

8. Pay attention to words of common origin.

Words of common origin in various languages, cognates, seem to have been created in order to instill confidence that learning a new language is not as unattainable as it might seem at first glance. When learning new words, you will see for yourself that many English words are similar to Russian ones.

9. Communicate with native speakers.

It's no secret that a language is easiest to learn in an environment where it is spoken. However, it is not necessary to go to another country for this. You can find a pen pal or call him on Skype. Communication with a native speaker will be very helpful when learning new words.

There are even many sites where people from different countries offer to brush up on your English for free, in exchange for learning something from your native language. However, this technique is best used when you already have a fairly confident English. On initial stage better to contact professional teacher to point you in the right direction.

10. Use the S.M.A.R.T.

Set goals when learning new English words and you will see progress. It is much more pleasant to study English, noticing your progress. S.M.A.R.T. stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-Bound - i.e. specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time bound.

Make a promise to yourself that over the next month you will learn 70 new words that are most in demand in the English language.

11. Speak and think like a native speaker.

When learning new words, pay attention to the accent and intonation with which it is customary to pronounce a given word. Try to imitate these elements at the very beginning of learning the language. In the future, this will greatly help you overcome the barrier of communication with native speakers.

12. Don't be afraid to make a mistake.

In order to speak correctly, it is not necessary to remember all the words that exist in English. It is enough, for starters, to master the basic base of words, of which there are about 300. Having studied the base, you will be able to express an idea without even knowing any word using the paraphrase technique.

Learning a language no longer seems so out of reach. Is not it?

By the way! We advise you to read our article how to learn English quickly. Not everything is so clear :)

How to help your child memorize English words easily

What can you do to help your child learn new words?

There are many memory poems that will greatly simplify the process of learning English for children. Can adults use methods for memorizing new words designed for children?

Yes! Both children and adults can learn a language through nursery rhymes.

For example:

We were given red tomatoes for lunch!(Red - red)
And a lemon, when it's ripe, has a yellow skin!(Yellow - yellow)
I like to run around the city in blue jeans!(Blue - blue)
Orange means orange, the color is the same, we will eat.(Orange - orange)
Let's call the gray mouse, he will be the gray mouse.(Grey color - gray)
Black is our black master, as always he came alone.(Black - black)
green- green grass She grew up on her own.(Green - green)
Brown is the new chocolate, I'm happy with brown.(Brown - brown)
White color - white and snow.(White - white)

You can help children learn new words by studying the rhyme and demonstrating items that in question in a poem. This technique will come in handy when working out the following rhymes:

This is a bear, this is a hare
This is a dog and this is a frog.
This is a car, this is a star
This is a ball and this is a doll.

One, two, three, four, five,
Once I caught a fish alive
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten,
Then I let it go again.
Why did you let it go?
Because it bit my finger so.
Which finger did it bite?
The little finger on the right.

With the help of poems, you can learn not only new words, but also remember temporary constructions. For example:

To have
I have a father
I have a mother
I have a sister
I have a brother.
Father, mother, sister, brother -
Hand in hand with one another.

With the help of this rhyme, you can work out the construction of the question:

How to learn English words for business

Do not be afraid, everything is the same here as in the study of general English. The main thing is to choose the necessary sources of study. It is worth focusing on a video on a topic that is relevant to you.

When choosing a textbook, it is also worth considering the business area that you need. Studying business English with a teacher, he will help you to place all the accents correctly and focus on the topics that you need, whether it is business, aviation or agriculture.

Do you need a mentor? Of course no one can say, for example, how to learn English words in 5 minutes;) But m We will select the best teacher who will lead you to the result. Set goals and achieve them! There is nothing unattainable, the main thing is to correctly prioritize and understand what to work on.

Good luck on your way to perfection!

Big and friendly family EnglishDom

What are you like a non-native?!

It is this principle that gives rise to problems that arise for everyone who is not a carrier of one or another foreign language and to study which he begins. It is often difficult for us to learn our native language, so what can we say about English! In general, it is difficult to learn languages ​​belonging to a group that is very distant from the "Slavic" one, in which the Russian language is located. The "Germanic" group with English is one of them. What prevents us from easily and quickly learning English words?

Difficulties cover the main aspects - pronunciation, spelling and lexical meaning. Firstly, in English there are many sounds (phonemes) that are absent in the Russian language, which means that our speech apparatus it is difficult to adjust to a different articulation scheme.

Secondly, the difference in the literal composition of the English and Russian languages. It is clear that English words written in "Latin" cannot be learned quickly and easily. And, thirdly, the problem is to compare the outer shell of the word (moreover, let's say again, written in unfamiliar characters) with its content, that is, the meaning.

It becomes no less difficult to memorize and retain new words in long-term memory for successful operation with them in the future. With how best to memorize English words, we will introduce our readers in this article.

How to learn more new English words? You need to put them in a certain associative array. Take for example - honey (honey). It will be easy to fix in memory if imagined in the mouth. sweet taste this delicacy and remember its fragrant aroma. There is another option (for those who do not like honey or have not tried it yet) - to associate the word honey with a person dear to the heart. Indeed, in colloquial speech, this lexical unit is already translated as "cute (s), beloved (s)."

Using this method, you will always be able to quickly find a word in your stock - it is enough to find yourself in a situation that suggests that you have the same emotional associations that were used when memorizing it.

Seen from the context

Often a new word that you first encountered in English has a lot of lexical meanings. And here it is important to isolate from all this variety one that is used in the speech situation where it met you. Do not strive to learn the entire set of translation variations, being afraid that in a different context you will not understand this word. Most of the meanings of English words are motivated, so knowing the first of them, you can quite easily and quickly guess about the others.

Difficulties can be for you are only homonyms - words similar in spelling and sound to those already known to you. Their set of meanings may differ due to their belonging to a different semantic group. It's better to be careful with them.

Name is the same action, only a noun

A curious method to easily memorize English words is to try to learn as many verbs as possible, denoting the most common actions of a person, animals, as well as various mechanisms, aggregates and other complex inanimate structures.

The advantage of this method of memorization is that even if you do not remember the word that serves to name the object, but remember exactly the word that denotes the action performed by this thing, you will still describe this object. You only need two basic turns of speech - "the thing that / which ..." (what ...) and "the person that / who ..." (the person who ...).

For example, “the person who cuts hair” (a person who cuts hair). The word hair and the verb cut are a little easier to remember than the word “hairdresser” (hairdresser) due to its complexity. Or “the thing that keeps food fresh” (what keeps food fresh), that is, “refrigerator”, which in English is equal to the word “refrigerator”, and with little experience of language proficiency, it is not always possible to memorize it right away.

Replenishment of vocabulary with cards

What if you need to learn a lot of English words? - Seek help from trusted resources. The "cards" method is recognized by most experts as the most effective and best suited for self-learning a language. Let us briefly highlight the "recipe" of such a method.

To successfully learn English words, you will need:

• writing object - 1 pc. (pencil or pen - to taste)
• small sheets of paper, you can even take small sheets of paper, “under the phone” - according to the number of memorized words, it is better to take a lot for the first time; be sure to leave both sides of the sheet clean;
• patience, perseverance and free time- to the maximum.

On one side of the sheet you write down the English word and pronunciation notes, on the other side - its translation. If the situation requires it, you can write several basic values. After that, you put the cards with the Russian equivalents up.

After choosing any term, you say it out loud, then turn over the card and check yourself. If you remember correctly, put the card in one pile, if not, in another. You need to repeat the procedure until the cards with unlearned words are completely moved to the opposite pile.

The disadvantage of this approach may lie in the individual characteristics of memory. Having memorized many words at once, you may not be able to quickly isolate the desired term without repeating the entire group of learned words, because often we remember information in aggregate.

How to check if this method will help you learn English words easily and quickly? It's very simple - if you can start telling a poem, for example, immediately from the fifth line - this method is for you.

Summing up

If you want to learn new English words as quickly as possible, follow this algorithm:

1. Group the words so that adjacent lexical units from different spheres begin with different letters;
2. It is better to memorize an English word in only one meaning, suitable for a specific context;
3. You need to memorize the words in the sequence, “translation - pronunciation - writing”, which will allow you to easily reproduce them in oral speech and in writing.

There are a lot of memorization techniques. Not all of them are universal and not suitable for everyone. Each technique must be tested individually and choose the one that brings the maximum effect for you personally. Good luck.

Why memorize English words?

Learning English has become a necessity for many people. For schoolchildren, it is dictated by the requirement to pass exams. For traveling people, this is an opportunity to communicate with representatives of other nations. Learning a language involves mastering several skills. The basis on which these skills are based is the study of words. Having studied several times and having practiced a couple of weeks in their use, you can already express yourself quite clearly. But then another difficulty arises, the study of words. If you approach this, at first glance, tedious process creatively, you can speed it up many times. You can even learn to enjoy it. Let's look at a few well-known ways to learn English words.

1. Write words in a notebook

This is the easiest way to accumulate new words. It is usually offered in schools. Maria Ivanovna gives the task to write out all the new words in a notebook and learn them by heart.Then she asks for their translation from Russian into English and from English into Russian. This method of memorizing words is not bad, but it has its drawbacks. The position of the words in the list is remembered. Difficulty concentrating on words that are hard to remember. In the future, words learned in this way are poorly recognized.

2. Write words on cards

This method is much more efficient than the previous one. You write words on cards on both sides. An English word and its transcription are written on one side. On the other side are written synonyms (if they are), example words in a sentence and translation into Russian. Such memorization of words allows you to divide words into " I know», « Don't know"And then focus on words that are difficult to learn, that is -" Don't know". Here is a more detailed description of the process of learning English words from flashcards. You can make the cards themselves from cardboard or thick paper, or you can purchase ready-made ones in the online store.

3. We select synonyms and antonyms

If possible, it is necessary to think and find synonyms and antonyms for the word being studied. In this form, words are remembered faster. For example, do you know the word fast - fast. Then you met the wordswift - fast, but you don’t know this word yet. You associate it with the word fast, swift = fast. So it will be remembered much faster. And if you still find the antonym slow for it - slow, then the connection will be stronger.

4. Surprised by the new

If possible, create some unrealistic association in your mind. For example, remembering the word fast – fast you along with fast food represent the title slow food . Such associations usually cause a smile. They are unusual - so they are remembered much faster. This ability to change, design and wonder is very important. You are not just assigning one value to another, but looking at it from different sides, from different angles. You wonder, admire and laugh at what you made up. Any information undergoing such processing will be kept in memory much longer.

5. Looking for associations

Sometimes it is difficult to remember a new English word. Well, it is not remembered and that's it! In this case, it is necessary to find associations to it. For example, the words are often confused blackberry - blackberry, bilberry - blueberries and strawberries - strawberry. If we break them down into components, for example, black - black, berry - berry. Bill similar to bill - account and straw - straw. It is quite easy to remember these words.blackberry remembered as "black berry". And if you also remember the once very popular phone, then remember the meaning of the word even better.

Blueberries are remembered as "the berry that lies on the bill."

Strawberries are remembered as "a straw that is stuck in strawberries."

For associations, it is better to use words that can be easily imagined, that can be seen, endowed with taste, color, touch, etc.

The more words you know, the easier it will be for you to find associations to new words. Therefore, many are surprised how 80-year-old professors sometimes remember words or other information better than teenagers. The secret lies in the right habit of remembering and a huge vocabulary.

6. Remember words in context

Unprepared students memorize words as "word" = "translation". In this form, they are remembered very poorly. Too loose connections. Our memory works with images, emotions, rhythms, and therefore information should be presented to it in this form. Don't forget to look at how a particular word is used. We have a tendency to use words that we use in Russian in English without specifying the context. For example, when we ask in a cafe “whether a chair is occupied or not”, in Russian, we use the word busy -busy . Unfortunately, we cannot say Is this chair busy ? Is this chair occupied? It would be correct to say " Is this chair occupied? Is this chair occupied? Word busy implies the absence of time, which cannot be applied to an inanimate object, in our case, a chair. Therefore, check the context of each word according to the examples given in dictionaries.

7. Learn to Express Emotions with Synonyms

We have already written that it is very desirable to find synonyms with antonyms for the words you want to remember. New words connect more easily with words you already know. Another aspect of such memorization is finding words to express certain emotions. We live in a world of emotions and logic. Depending on the temperament of a person, one or another component predominates in it. Therefore, it is good to have ready-made blanks in stock. For example, let's take joy. How can we admire this or that event? Let's find a few words that make it possible to do this.

It's cool!

It's wonderful!

It's beautiful!

It's amazing!

It's thrilling!

It's exiting!

It's breathtaking!

It's far out!

By forming words into groups according to their purpose, it will be easier for you to use them.

8. Ridiculous stories

We have already written that words similar to each other are remembered worse, so you should not learn words alphabetically. If the word is clothed in history, but rather in ridiculous story, the effect will be even stronger. For example, you need to remember the wordceiling - ceiling. You imagine that you have entered your room, and there the entire ceiling is made of silicone. It may be difficult for some to imagine silicone. Silicone is a material with elastic properties. The story is ridiculous, because ceilings are not made of silicone, so your memory will remember this image much better.

9. Chat with friends

In every difficult case, a person needs helpers. It is necessary to maintain your enthusiasm and one of the most effective methods is communication.Try to find friends with whom you will communicate in English. Now there are many different applications that allow you to find friends of interest from English-speaking countries and discuss some interesting topics for you in the language of your interest. There are apps where you can exchange help with those who are learning your native language, in exchange for getting advice on the language you're interested in. In this case, the language ceases to be an end, but becomes a means. This is well described in the book Passed By.

10. Watching movies in English

Watching movies is one of the most powerful ways to learn languages. You immerse yourself in the situation and struggle to understand what is at stake. In this state of “special interest,” you remember words much better. We recommend that you do screenshots(screenshots) with the words you want to learn if you are a beginner and watch movies on your computer. After taking a screenshot and looking up the word in the dictionary, leave it without writing down the translation. This will force your memory to be active. If you are watching a movie in a company and it is inconvenient to constantly stop it, then you can read the script in advance and learn all the unfamiliar words. In this case, it will look much more productive.

11. Repetition is the mother of learning

In this old proverb lies the key to success in the study of any subject. Memory cuts off unnecessary information, and its necessity or uselessness is determined by the frequency of its occurrence in your memory, and the relationship to it. We must really remember it. Having hung all the rooms, the bathroom and the toilet with stickers with English words, we will not force our memory to remember them. She will find a way to let them pass.

It is necessary to develop the habit of repeating the material covered in each next lesson. Move on to the study of new material only with a good mastery of the old. Proverb " to bounce off teeth” will help to understand the meaning of what was said. Unfortunately, this principle is not taken into account in many training programs. Such large intervals are made between repetitions that when the time comes to the test on the material covered, the student looks at the material already studied once as if it were completely new. Therefore, do not forget to bring what you have learned to perfection.

And how often do you need to repeat the learned words so as not to forget them?

There are many tips and tables showing memory cycles and effective repetition rates. It should be noted that they are designed for the average student or adult, while memorization performance in a very highly dependent on individual abilities, which, in turn, develop rapidly with regular training.

Start learning words proven 3 by 3 memorization technique with an interval between sets 2 hours and then see how it works for you. At good result you can increase the time interval between repetitions. If bad, it should be reduced.

12. We plan our training

Write down on a piece of paper the skills you are working on and the skills you want to develop in the future. Put them in a table, setting the tasks and the time allotted to them. Track your progress by working on these tasks every day. You don't have to be able to work on every skill every day. In our case over speaking, by reading, by letter And listening. Just systematically devote time to them, recording the results. If you don’t have the time or desire to practice a skill, then it doesn’t matter. Fixing your inability to do it now, sooner or later you will have a desire to do it. Well, you do not want to read something now. Okay, watch movies. Well, you do not want to write an essay today. Okay - chat with John about music.Use your mood for more effective learning. Learning should be fun, not torture. And most importantly, focus on your accomplishments, not on what you haven't done yet. You need to feel progress and planning with accountability will help you with this. You can register and study words on-line, then in personal account see how many words you have already learned, and how much you have learned them over time.

Vocabulary is the alpha and omega of the English language, and learning new words is the fastest and most effective method improve my English.Is it difficult to remember English words?

We know that each person has their own preferred system for receiving and storinginformation: visual (visual), auditory (auditory) or kinesthetic (tactile). It is called the leading representational system. (R. Bandler and D. Grinder "Introductory course NLP training") Depending on which of the systems is leading, people are conditionally divided into visuals, auditory and kinesthetics. These types are rarely found in their pure form, more often they are mixed: visual-kinesthetic or visual-auditory, etc. However, knowing what type you are, you can choose the most effective way for you to memorize new words.

Visuals (35% of the population)These people have great

visual memory. For successful memorization, they need to see new vocabulary as much as possible.

Audials (25% of the population)

These people perceive the world through sounds. It is desirable for an auditory person to listen to audio and video recordings more often. It is better for them to say out loud what they read or write.

Kinesthetics (40% of the population)

These people perceive information through feelings, emotions, instinctive sensations, touches. It is very good to write down new words by hand or type on a computer - in order to feel the memorized vocabulary through the movements and texture of tools (notebooks, pens, markers).

So, let's reveal some secrets of memorizing English words:

1. Sign all objects around you.

Do you know the names of the simplest things in your home? They are the most used vocabulary! Take bright green pieces of paper and a thick marker. Stick bright pieces of paper with English words on everything in the apartment: from a socket to a chest of drawers. After a week, you will memorize the names of the signed items.If you are not new to learning a language, then the task can be complicated. For example, on a folding chair ("a chair"), stick a hint sticker "to fold a chair", on a drawer - "to pull", on a book - "to leaf through", on the scales - "to watch one's weight". Unlimited field for creativity! Visuals, this is the way for you.

2. Make cards.
For kinesthetics, it is important not to see or hear the word, but to “hold it in your hands”, to feel it.Buy a block of leaflets for notes, write a word on one side, and a translation and an example with this word on the other. Carry the cards with you, and when you have a free minute, look through (in transport, in line, etc.). Look at the word and remember its meaning. If you can't remember, turn over the card and read the translation and the example again. This method is also suitable for visuals.Draw pictures for words and expressions that don't want to be remembered. Are you not an artist? Don't worry, this is the picture for you.

3. Make mind maps.

Another way for visuals is mind maps (Mind Maps) (Tony Buzan "The Mind Map Book"). These are flowcharts that help you learn words by topic. We take big leaf paper, write a topic in the center, for example, “Journey”. From this word we draw arrows - smaller topics - transport, hotel, excursions. The next layer is even more concrete: the plane, the breakfast, the monument. You can make a fourth and even a fifth layer. As a result, we get a logical and detailed scheme. You will memorize some of the words already in the process of drawing the diagram. The rest - reproducing it from memory several times.

4. Use mnemonic tricks to remember.(from the Greek "mnemonikon" - the art of memorization)One such technique is the method of direct associations. You associate a new word with some image - funny, bright or unexpected. Mnemonics suggests finding words in the native language that sound similar to English. For example, the word "puddle" is a puddle. To memorize this word, you can use the mnemonic phrase: “I kept falling and falling into a puddle” (from Wikipedia). Or another example: the word "garden" - a garden. The mnemophrase will help here: "All sorts of reptiles are found in this garden." "In this garden...". The main thing is to find a good association.
English-Russian rhyming is another great mnemonic device for children and adults:

"The treasure was looking for one eccentric

A whole month dig-dug-dug

Find-found-found at last

Metal casket»

(A.A. Pyltsyn "English in the family circle")

Or:

“The claw is sharp as glass, the claw in English is claw.”

Mnemonic tricks are suitable for any type. Visuals draw a picture before their eyes, audials remember by sound associations (garden-bads), and kinesthetics will be able to feel the words, emotionally passing through one or another meaning.

5. Humming new words.

Yes Yes! Choose your favorite tune and sing the words you want to learn to it. You will be surprised. Words will be remembered much faster. Are you not a professional singer? The presence of voice and hearing is not required. You just want to remember the words. This method is good for auditory.

6. Make an accordion.

Take a sheet of paper and write in a column 10 English words that you want to remember (in the singular, verbs in the infinitive), draw a line and write the Russian translation. Then fold the sheet so that English version was not visible and write these words in English from memory. And so on, until the sheet ends. Don't peek. If you don’t remember everything firmly, make another “accordion”.
7. Make up short stories.
One of the most interesting tricks. Take ten new words, write them down on a piece of paper, and make a funny story out of them in English. Helps memorize new words and translate words from your passive vocabulary into an active one. The funnier and more unexpected your story, the better the words will be remembered.

8. Solve crossword puzzles.

Another fun way to memorize words. It is better to start with educational crosswords, which are designed specifically for learning the language. Over time, crossword puzzles can become more difficult.

9. Learn the most common words that match your level.

In English, there is a so-called frequency, that is, the most commonly used vocabulary. You should start with studying it.Resist the temptation to immediately learn words like "relatively" (relatively), "skilfully" (skillfully) or "to justify" (justify) to impress others with the beauty of your English speech. Do this when your level gets higher. Is it worth learning the words "huge" (huge) and "tiny" (tiny), if you don't know them yet simple words like "big" (large) and "small" (small)?

10. Learn words in context.

Remember the specific, narrow meaning of the word. If you come across, for example, the word “fine”, you find that it means “fine” and it fits the context, then stop there. No need to memorize all the meanings of this word in the dictionary. IN this moment it doesn’t matter to you that it is also a “fine”, “very thin or narrow”, “refined, elegant” and so on. And if you ever come across "fine" in another text and with a different meaning, learn this word as if it were completely new.

11. Remember: the unit of memorized information should be as long as possible (a block of words or a phrase).

Always learn the word with its surroundings: verb with its own preposition: “to listen to”, adjective with noun: “a fluffy cat”, full expression: “You are kidding!”For each new word, try to remember a synonym or antonym to link the word to the one that you successfully remembered before. For example, “reduce” is to reduce, and “increase” is to increase. It will be easier for you to retrieve them from memory when one of them is needed.

12. Memorizing words should not be the goal.

Memorization should be only an action leading to the achievement of some goal.When starting to learn new words, tell yourself that you are learning a language so that you will remember it all your life. Suggest to yourself: "I remember these words for a long time." This setting will allow you to memorize words more firmly.

13. Repeat new words rationally.

Translate new vocabulary from short-term memory to long-term memory. The probability of information loss is maximum in the early stages of imprinting. The intervals between repetitions should be gradually increased. Repeat each portion of the words on the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 7th day. Information will be remembered much better than if all five repetitions are performed during the first day. (Franz Loeser "Memory training").

Try as many word memorization methods as you can, experiment and see which methods are right for you. Dare!

Veselova Natalia Stepanovna

Methodologist of the network of schools of foreign languages ​​ALIBRA SCHOOL

It would seem that a simple math problem from the fourth grade: if you learn 30-35 English words a day every day, How many English words can you learn in a month and a year?

Of course, you easily calculated: you can learn about a thousand English words in a month and, accordingly, 12,000 words in a year. Interesting, but what does experience and practice say?

As vocabulary is reduced , so are the number of feelings you can express, the number of events you can describe, the number of the things you can identify! Not only understanding is limited, but also experience. Man grows by language. Whenever he limits language he retrogresses!

As vocabulary shrinks, so does the number of feelings you can express, the number of events you can describe, the number of things you can name. Not only understanding is limited, but also experience. Man grows through language. Whenever he restricts language, he goes into decline.

~ Sheri S. Tepper

As practice shows, it is possible to learn something, but it will not work to keep it in an active reserve and use it regularly in speech. Words without practice and associative links are quickly forgotten, which the creators are silent about.

True, you always have a chance memorize a large number of English words- it all depends on the characteristics of memory and techniques for memorizing English words, which we will talk about today.

How to learn a lot of English words quickly

Learning English words is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. Signing the names of unfamiliar words is one of effective methods for memorization.

Want to learn a lot of english words a short time ? The German scientist Ebinghaus found that with mechanical memorization, that is, when a person does not understand the meaning of the material and does not use mnemonics, after an hour only 44% of the information remains in memory, and after a week - less than 25%. Fortunately, with conscious memorization, information is forgotten much more slowly.

First of all, it is necessary to determine how it is easier for you to absorb new information: by ear, by sight or by writing down?

This will not take much time, but will greatly facilitate training and selection. efficient technician for you later. One of the tests that will help you determine how easy it is for you to remember new information is presented on this site. By answering 30 questions, you can know exactly what type you are.

In short, we recall that visuals easily memorize new words by seeing or reading, audials - by ear, and kinesthetics need to be in motion, for example, write down information on paper.

IN modern world most people have a visual type of perception new information. Remember how long annoying commercials seen on TV, or posters and banners that are full of city streets, are stored in our memory.

You also need to know that there are no 100% visuals or audials. But some channel is still dominant, and it is this channel that should be used if your goal is learn a lot of english words fast.

Visual method of memorizing English words

Characteristics and scheme of perception of information by visuals.

If you've read Martin Eden by Jack London, you probably remember that main character taught a huge number of academic words, posting leaflets with new words at home.

visual method for memorizing English words is pasting all the objects that surround you with stickers with new words. How does the visual method work? You constantly come across an abundance of English words, read, memorize and, of course, use English words.

Purchase from the store or make your own cards with new words, translation, transcription, and even an example of use. It is convenient to take such cards with you if you have a long commute to work or constantly disappear in lines. They can be classically made on paper or downloaded to your phone.

On a note:

On the Internet you can find download apps for mobile phones which use a visual way to expand vocabulary. The most popular are Words, Easy Ten and Duolingo: Learn Languages ​​for Free.

Bright pictures with captions, memory simulators, verification tests that use these mobile applications will help you learn a lot of English words in a short time. And most importantly, they are always at hand!

If your level is not beginner (Pre-Intermediate and above), you can watch movies, shows and videos with and without subtitles, writing out not only new words, but also useful colloquial phrases.

English audio tutorials and podcasts

Characteristics and scheme of perception of information by auditory people.

If you belong to a rare category of people (about 10%) who love and remember with their ears, then this method is for you.

The main conditions for vocabulary expansion- constantly listen English speech, whether at home in the kitchen or in a car in a traffic jam. New words and expressions can be written down and repeated periodically.

With this method, you will not be afraid to listen to speech, and your listening skills will improve.

TPR method for expanding vocabulary

Characteristics and scheme of perception of information by kinesthetics.

The third type of perception of information, which includes kinesthetics, prefers movement to static learning. If you are a kinesthetic learner, don't forget to write down new words on paper. It is better if you have a diary dictionary that you can refer to from time to time.

Often used in teaching children TPR (Total Physical Response) method. But believe me, if you are a kinesthetic learner, this method is also for you: with its help, you can easily learn English words and phrases.

The essence of the method is to memorize new words, phrases and lexical constructions using gestures, command execution, pantomime and games. For example, on the word ball (ball) you need to perform an action associated with this subject, for example, a ball game.

Simple and effective ways to memorize English words

Mnemonics and memorization of English words

A good example of how mnemonics works.

One of the most effective ways to memorize English, and indeed foreign words, is mnemonics. The method of mnemonics (or mnemonics) is based on creating images in your mind. You take the information you need to remember and turn it into an image through association.

First you need to understand that the brain does not remember the images themselves that arise in the head, but links between multiple images. This is very important to remember, because right at the time of memorization, you need to focus on this.

Mnemonics actively develops memory and thinking. The main task is to create images that are connected in the imagination different ways. The images must be colored, large And detailed.

Learning English words with the help of mnemonics is incredibly easy! We select the most consonant word (or several words) from the native language to the foreign word.

How mnemonics works when memorizing English words, let's look at an example:

puddle ["pʌdl] puddle

Approximate pronunciation (phonetic association) - "bad"

Mnemonic model: "I kept falling and falling into a puddle" .

Examples of using mnemonics in teaching English:

If you are using mnemonics to expand vocabulary, it is important to remember that it is necessary not only to link words together and express them as a sentence, but also to present a specific situation in which this happens or is said.

For example, do not just say: "A nervous person is walking along a narrow alley," but imagine a nervous person, you can know your friend, who walks, looking around and shuddering at every sound, along a narrow dark alley. In this case, you will definitely not forget this foreign word.

On a note:

An association or a bunch of words that has arisen is necessary only for 2-3 repetitions from memory in order to remember a foreign word and its translation. Then it disappears behind uselessness, so you don’t have to worry that any nonsense will be stored in your memory.

Undoubtedly, in order to quickly and efficiently memorize foreign words, you need to practice, find your own approach, learn how to create your own associations, and even quickly. The process of creating associations will be slow at first, but be patient and keep practicing. As a rule, the speed and quality of association creation improves after the first thousands of memorized words.

It remains to be added that with the help of this technique it is possible to memorize words of any foreign language .

Mind halls for expanding vocabulary in English

Many people use flashcards to remember new words, but these flashcards are not always at hand, especially at the right time.

There is a great way to memorize new words and expressions - this is the power of your mind. It is called Method of loci (locus method).

You can also see names such as “mind halls”, “memory palaces”, “method of loci”, “spatial mnemonics”, “method of Cicero”.

When Sherlock Holmes, the world-famous detective, wanted to remember something important, he closed his eyes and plunged into the halls of the mind ( ‘mind palace’). Like Sherlock Holmes, you can also use this Method of loci to memorize new words and phrases. How it looks visually you can see in the video.

Video “The Hound of the Baskervilles” - “mind palaces” by Sherlock Holmes.

How does the locus method work?

We're building an imaginary place imaginary place) in our mind and put things and people there that will help us remember new words. You can store images both on the shelves and randomly. The main thing is that you yourself know where everything is and can quickly remember. The best activators are either completely ridiculous or very logical. It's even better to mix and match.

Remember simple rules, which in no case should be violated in the process of creating a connection:

• Represent images large(even if the items to remember different sizes, make them one: be it a ship, a coconut or a bee. Small images should not be presented. Connections between such images will be recorded very poorly.
• The images must be voluminous. For example, holographic images or images created on 3D graphics programs. Such images can be rotated and viewed from different angles.
• Images must be submitted colored. If these are the leaves of trees, then they must be green, the tree itself - brown, etc.
• The images presented must be detailed. If you imagine the image of a “phone”, you need to mentally consider it and clearly see what parts the phone you represent consists of. If it is a cell phone, then you can identify the following images in it: antenna, display, buttons, cover, strap, leather case, battery.

Then we apply the main mental operation in mnemonics - this is "connection of images". Let's look at how this is applied in the practice of learning English words.

Let's say we need to memorize the words associated with the word run, as well as its forms, so we will make up the following story in our minds: the imaginary setting of the city - the imaginary place is a city .

This is just a small example of how to memorize english words, Related run, and its forms. Of course, you can add other phrases with this word, of which there are actually many, and as my imaginary city grows, I can use more and more words, and thereby expand my vocabulary.

More details about memorization technique "memory palace" you can learn more from the video:

Any imaginary place can be, even a room in your house, and you try to come up with a situation that will be close to you, and the words will be remembered much easier.

In this manner easy to learn words on different topics, such as “food”, “kitchen”, “clothing”, etc. Arrange the items however you like, and then it will be easier for you to remember the name of the item by its location in your "memory" palace.

And of course, develop deduction, attention to detail and creativity. Develop associative thinking.

Another tip applies to all "memory palaces", regardless of the purpose of their "construction". If you want to remember something for a long time (and not in the "passed - forgot" mode), you will have to periodically "walk" around the "palace".

Audiolingual Method in English

Automation of skills occurs in the process of training by repeated repetition of speech samples.

Audiolingual method- this is one of the methods of teaching a language, in which it is necessary to repeatedly listen and pronounce words, phrases and sentences, which leads to their automation.

This method has its pros and cons, but will suit mainly auditory speakers, since there is no visual support. The main focus here is on oral speech.

When using the audiolingual method, no explanations are given, since all the material offered is simply practiced and memorized in the form of set expressions so that students can use them without hesitation in the future.

Training in this case is based on the development of some static models that students cannot change at all or almost at all. In this respect, this teaching method is the direct opposite of the communicative method.

let's consider positive and negative sides audiolingual method.

Positive sides

Negative sides

When developing this method, attention was focused not only on the content of the material offered to the student, but also on the very process of memorizing this material by the student. The very system of presenting new information and repeated repetitions lead to the inevitable memorization of the past. In the process of repetition, not only the memorization of the material takes place, but also the pronunciation is worked out, as well as the removal of the language barrier. Memorizing set expressions leads to the fact that, if necessary, they come to mind automatically, as when communicating in their native language.

The main disadvantage of the audiolingual method (not unreasonably) is that it does not pay due attention to the independent study of grammar. Pupils, especially at the initial stage of learning, are deprived of the opportunity to understand why the phrase is built this way and not otherwise, or why the word is used in one form and not in another. As they learn, students have to independently, on the basis of the material covered, build for themselves certain grammatical constructions. This undoubtedly contributes to a more solid assimilation of such constructions, but only if the student is able to construct them. And this is not always possible, since there are exceptions to the rules that can confuse a person who is not familiar with the basics of the grammar of the language being studied.

Tips on how to improve your English vocabulary?

By knowing many words, you will be able to express yourself in many different ways.

To replenish vocabulary, first of all, you need to systematically and regularly, preferably every day. There are many ways and they all work.

Choose the one that suits you best, and you can easily improve your English vocabulary. Let's take a closer look at each of them.

Expand your English vocabulary with lists

Words surround us. Just looking up words in a dictionary may not be as interesting or exciting. Pay attention to English words around you - during TV shows and programs in English, reading the news - everywhere, at any time.

Important!

Regardless of whether you do it or not, we recommend that you write down what part of speech this or that word is (verb, noun, adjective), as well as the derivatives of this word. For example, "fish" - fishing, fishy, ​​fisherman, etc. It will also be helpful if you add sentences with examples of these words.

You can also use the notepad on your mobile phone. As soon as you hear an unfamiliar word, write it down. Make sure you have enough free space around it to make appropriate notes.

When you have free time, write down its meaning or translation, and possibly the context in which it can be used.

Learn English words by practice

As you make word lists, it is very easy to forget the words that were at the very beginning. All words are required use in your speech. The more we use them, the better we remember them.

Reread your lists, for example, at the end of each week. How well do you remember old words?

If any words are hard to remember, but they are very common, it is likely that you will meet them in the future. Therefore, add them again to new lists and over time you will remember them.

Games will help memorize English words

Scrabble is an effective way to learn English words and have fun with family and friends.

Who said learning new words is not fun?! Games like Scrabble or Vocabador offer great ways to learn new words .

Games are great way learning not only because it's fun, but also because it gives you context for new words. Believe me, you will very quickly remember the word that your friend was laughing at.

We also want to draw your attention to the free game Free Rice. This game gives you a word, and you need to find the right definition for it. If you answer incorrectly, the next word will become easier. If it's correct, it's harder.

By playing this game, you not only improve your vocabulary but also help the world in the fight against hunger. How? Try to play it!

Increase English vocabulary with context

As mentioned earlier, it's better (and easier) memorize new words in context. One way is to write a sentence with this word. You will not only memorize this word, but you can easily use it in a conversation.

Another way - memorize words in groups. If you want to remember a word humongous (very large), it will be easier for you to remember it from a chain of words: getting bigger and bigger-large, huge, humongous. It also makes it possible to memorize more words at a time.

For example, large, humongous, gargantuan. What do you think the word means gargantuan?

Dictionaries and social networks for memorizing words

Of course, you can look up an unfamiliar word in the dictionary! Especially since modern online dictionaries offer many additional options.

In many online dictionaries there are interesting articles, games, as well as the “word of the day” section.

And if you feel confident that you can read literature in the original language, check out the article.

Sites for learning English words

Below you will find best sites to increase and practice vocabulary which can be of maximum benefit to you.

Business English Site

BusinessEnglishSite - site for learning business vocabulary

This is one of the best and most popular sites to study. Here you can fill up the vocabulary with useful phrases, expressions and even business jargon.

All words are divided into topics, for example, "Accounting", "Project Management", "IT" etc.

For each topic there are exercises to consolidate, which train not only vocabulary, but also grammar.

Blair English

With Blair English you can learn English words from scratch

All exercises and lessons on this site have been specially designed to increase and enrich your English vocabulary .

Here you will find over 190 free interactive exercises on various topics such as IT-technology, Business, Communication and many others.

Also on the site there is a database of exercises to improve listening and pronunciation skills.

Lingualeo

Lingualeo - word practice resource

A very famous interactive resource that is interesting not only for children. It helps make language learning fun and visual, and also contains unlimited number of words for different levels.

To feed the lion cub and get a new portion of words, registration is required.

british council

British Council - The most British way to learn words

The British Council website has not left us without the practice of truly British phrases, idioms and expressions. You can also learn a few new words a day there.

Words filtered out by topic and level, which makes navigation extremely convenient, and the process of cramming English words - an exciting experience.

For teachers, there are lesson plans for various levels with handouts.

Test Your Vocabulary

On this site, you can not with 100% probability, but at least approximately understand what kind of vocabulary you have and what you need to improve.

The test interface in English is simple. The site is designed for users who study English or even are native speakers.

By ticking the words you know the translation of and answering a few questions about yourself, you will very likely know how many english words is in your active supply.

Instead of a conclusion

As you can see, techniques and resources for enriching your vocabulary in various fields- enough. The most important thing is to constantly work on it, and here everything depends on you. Daily work then it will be paid in full when you communicate with English speakers without any problems.

In contact with