Don't try to memorize vocabulary in a new language

How do you study vocabulary in a your target language? The app I use to learn languages —> bit.ly/3naGDFl My 10 FREE secrets to language learning —> www.thelinguist.com/

Your videos help me learn English!

I like to use the analogy of remembering all your co-workers' faces at a new job. You're not going to sit down with a chart of all their names and faces and try to memorize them all by rote. You're only going to learn their names and faces by interacting with them over time, repeatedly seeing them in all the different contexts you see them.

You are so spot on, Steve! I approach it much like you - I never try to memorize. I get exposure, I get input, and whatever sticks, sticks, whatever doesn't - it will next time. 0 worries, great results. Being relaxed and not stressing over memorization helps so much. What a great message to share! :)

When I was learning English, I found useful to search the meaning of a word written in English instead of a translation into my language. This helps increasing the "exposure" to the language and also making mental links between different words.

This is exactly how I learn my English! I never forcefully memorizing vocabulary. Instead, I do the mass reading. Just read the topics that is interesting to you and make it a fun process. Eventually, the words will stick to you automatically!

Another useful video, Steve. Your comments here resonate with me as this has been my experience in learning French. Relax and let the words come to you is my advice to those learning a language.

I use mnemonics (association and visualisation) to memorise a lot of vocabulary quickly, but of course most of the learning comes from reading and listening.

"Language learning is not about memorisation. Language learning is about committing yourself to a process, enjoying the process, allowing the language to come into you and trusting that your brain will gradually understand more and more, gradually acquire more and more words"

爷爷，我从这个视频发现了ling Q，试用后觉得很棒！我在学习英语，您的视频对我帮助很大，谢谢

I sort of disagree. I think it depends on where you are in your journey. I think some people benefit from building a basic foundation of around 1000 words and then proceed with this method. Because having too much in the beginning can make it hard to stay motivated.

This is very helpful and reassuring, thank you. I’m always surprised when I start to recognize a word. There are so many YouTubers who talk about pushing yourself to memorize and doing forced recall etc. but for the long haul, your way is definitely more sustainable 😊

I'm so glad that youtube algorithms showed me this channel. I have been looking for information like that for ages. I've already signed up on LingQ and tried a couple of lessons, it's just perfect for me. Thank you!

Absolutely true, but people, especially in this day and age, forget that language learning is a marathon and try to dash through it by all kinds of means including trying to memorize vocabulary lists. When I was learning English I remember going through the entire Longman dictionary and highlighting and exposing myself to all the words I did not know. Memorizing their meaning was certainly out of the question. It would have been a mammoth task. Today, I look at them and smile!

This is an incredibly helpful video! You don't know how much easier, faster and fun you've made my learning process. Having to remember vocabulary is pretty daunting sometimes and I feel bad for myself when I don't remember a word, even though I've been exposed to it just once or twice.. Thank you very much!

There is probably nothing more reassuring than having a Polyglot's honest learning experiences and advice on the topic. If it works for me personally remains to be seen, but I am very thankful for the input. As Seneca said "If you want to learn, the first step is to look for a mentor"

That’s fantastic! This is exactly what I wanted to hear about learning English. Thank you so much. Now I’m confident about my method of learning English.

I've never regconized that I'm doing exactly what you said in the video. Thanks for precious sharing Steve!

My approach is to write down all the expressions I want to learn in a journal. I group expressions with the same purpose of use under the same category. For instance, if the purpose of use of the expressions is giving advice (category), these expressions will be together: your best bet, you'd be better off, you may want to, it's in your best interest, and so on and so forth with all the expressions. This gives me a sense of direction and organization. When I hear one of the expressions under a category, I remember all the expressions that belong to that specific category. The bottom line is you have to prioritize to remember (sense) the category (purpose of use) over the expressions so that during a conversation, you're not trying to remember a specific expression ...once you need to say something with a specific purpose, the expressions will come to mind.

Listen to Audiobooks, watch your favorite movies in the language you're learning.. over and over again! You will remember so much vocabulary and improve your pronounciation big deal at the same time