Make Your Vocabulary Lessons Stick

Of all the thousands of words in the Spanish language, did you know that native speakers regularly only use about 18,000? That can still seem like a huge, even scary, amount of vocabulary to learn. How can someone learn all of that in a manageable way? The key is to make your vocabulary lessons stick. That way, you’re maximizing your time and can pick up vocabulary in a stress-free way.

Context is key

The first tip to making your vocabulary lessons stick in your brain is to learn in context. You’re much more likely to remember words when you learn them in a context. You do this in your native language all the time! Let’s say you’re picking up a new hobby in English, like woodworking. You have to learn the names of tools, pieces, types of wood, etc. In context, your brain is able to make connections.

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The same happens in Spanish. The vocabulary in your lessons needs to come alive for your brain to be able to use it. For example, when you learn food words, take a trip to the grocery store and use that new vocabulary in context.

Что происходит, когда ты не можешь получить контекст? Например, что если ты изучаешь океанических животных, но живешь в пустыне? Фильмы, книги, музыка и искусство также служат отличным контекстом, и тебе даже не нужно покидать свой дом! Найди документальный фильм или вымышленную историю о морских обитателях, чтобы помочь тебе контекстуализировать свое обучение.

Find a system that works for you

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Everyone is different, and there are tons of different learning styles. Пробуй разные стратегии, пока не найдешь ту, которая тебе подходит. То, что работает для одного человека, не работает для всех. Если ты обнаружил, что с трудом удерживаешь в памяти то, что изучаешь, это признак того, что тебе нужно что-то изменить.

For some students, writing down new vocabulary words is the best way for them to remember them. The act of writing it solidifies is in their memory. On the other hand, other students tend to remember words better when they hear them out loud over and over again.

Overall, the key to making vocabulary words stick is to figure out what works best for you in context. When you use your best learning style in a way where you can apply the vocabulary, you’ll surely be able to retain it much better.