| Vocabulary improvement is undoubtedly one of | | | | remembered. To give you some insight on how |
| the key elements in any language learning | | | | to use mnemonics, we'll take a look at the |
| process, regardless if you're learning French, | | | | famous "yellow ice" example used in several free |
| English, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese or any other | | | | online courses as well as in many course books: |
| language, no matter how "complicated" it is and | | | | the Spanish word for ice is "hielo" which resembles |
| what its rules are. Actually, obtaining an initial | | | | the English word yellow. This automatically forms |
| vocabulary base is one of the key elements you | | | | a visual image of "yellow ice" which will help you |
| need to focus on when learning a foreign language | | | | remember the connection between the two. |
| and afterwards, increasing your vocabulary is a | | | | The Dictionary method |
| constant process you need to go through. There | | | | The Dictionary method is a continuous effort and |
| are several means to do so, some of which we | | | | unlike some of the other vocabulary improvement |
| will be going through below. | | | | methods, it won't be that fast, but it will definitely |
| Translated texts | | | | be long-term effective. What this method is all |
| Using translated texts is a great way to improve | | | | about is trying to learn a new word in the |
| your vocabulary, especially in the beginning stage | | | | language you're studying on a daily basis. Open up |
| of the language learning process, when you can't | | | | the dictionary at a random page each day, spot a |
| deduct words out of the context from a foreign | | | | word you don't know and memorize it and what |
| text, simply because you don't understand it at all. | | | | it means. This doesn't sound much indeed, but in |
| Having a translation of the text however, allows | | | | fact you will be learning several words at once |
| you to form links between the words and their | | | | with the help of the dictionary's explanations. If |
| meanings. Obviously, it's important that these | | | | you manage to form a study rhythm with this |
| texts are kept simple and clean and that they | | | | method you'll be on a constant vocabulary |
| don't use words that can have several meanings | | | | improvement streak. |
| that would only confuse you. | | | | In conclusion, one thing you need to always keep |
| Mnemonics | | | | in mind is that a language's vocabulary is the |
| Although not necessarily a "new" method, | | | | foundation you will be working on and if this |
| mnemonics have been proven to be very | | | | foundation isn't strong enough, the other parts of |
| effective in allowing students to memorize new | | | | the structure won't be extremely stable as well. |
| words. The "trick" behind mnemonics is to link | | | | Besides the above-mentioned methods, you will |
| words in your native language to words in the | | | | be able to find several more on websites dealing |
| new language and form visual images from the | | | | with language learning techniques, some of which |
| two. Oftentimes, these images will be far from | | | | will prove to be well suited for you, whereas |
| common, sometimes they will be bizarre or | | | | others will prove to be a waste of time. It will be |
| interesting, which will only make them easier to be | | | | your call to judge which ones you will take upon. |