Learning a lot of new words quickly is challenging. You may also have problems remembering a word you want to say when you need it. This happens to everyone learning a new language, but luckily learning new words is fun.

One of the first steps to adding new words to your vocabulary is to memorize them. Everyone learns differently, but there are some techniques that are especially helpful. When you memorize something, you train your brain to make connections. With practice you make those connections stronger. Here are a few ways to help you memorize new words, or, as we say in English, to learn them “by heart.”

1. Make a Schedule

The more you use new words the more easily you will remember them. Set up a schedule between classes at your English college to review vocabulary every day. When you practice daily, new words will be less intimidating. You can learn a few on the first day and then slowly add more words each day. By the end of the week you will be surprised that you have a whole new list of words in your head. It is also helpful to practice words you learned in the previous week or month.

2. Use Flashcards

This is a way to quiz yourself. When you look at the words from your ESL lessons on one side of the card and think of the meaning or the translation of the word in your native language, you are doing something called “active recall.” You are making a connection in your brain between the word you are learning and the word you already know. As you make the connections stronger you will be able to go through the flashcards faster.

You can make your own flashcards on paper or you can look for an app to make digital ones

3. Learn English Definitions

Try to explain a new word using other English words. This helps you get comfortable with English. Instead of translating the words in your head each time you read or hear the word, you can say the definition in English. This may be something you will want to try after you get all your flashcards correct at a quick pace.

4. Make Friends in Your English Language Courses in Boston

Find a study partner or group and practice together. You can quiz each other or have a conversation in English. Your friends can also help you with pronunciation and listening. It is helpful to do this in person so that you practice speaking, but you can also practice over email or text. Using English words in conversations will help give you confidence in your new language.

Talking with others will boost your confidence and your vocabulary

5. Record Yourself and Listen

Pronunciation is important and so is listening. Making a recording of new words will make even more new connections in your brain. Record yourself saying the new words and their definitions, or their translations in your native language. You can also record yourself saying sentences so that you can reinforce how the words are used. Listen to these recordings to help you remember new words and to correct mistakes in your pronunciation.

Want to know more about English language courses in Boston?

Contact ASC English for more information.