Some language learners make it their goal to work on vocabulary building on a daily basis. When you go about the same route, it’s very important to have a system so that you can track your progress. After all, the less you use those words you’ve previously learned, the less likely you’ll be able to retain them for future use.
The Notebook
Old-school language learners do this via the notebook route. The problem in doing this should be obvious to anyone who grew up with computers – it’s tedious and it’s difficult to use. Say you wrote down notes based on when you learned them. Three months in and you realized how much easier it is to recall vocabulary when you group them according to use. Will you really redo three months work of vocabulary notes?
Software-Based
Naturally, software-based solutions now dominate the work involved for students looking to build their vocabulary, the same way that software-based language learning has taken the reins from most other instruction mediums. It’s easy to see why – the above issue with traditional-style note taking won’t even be a problem if you use a software in its place.
More than solving organization issues, though, many new software integrate even more advanced features. This new category of software, which some are calling “make your own dictionary,” lets you input new words you learn, according to groupings that make sense to you. Going beyond that, they can generate quizzes, cheat sheets and flash cards on the fly, allowing you to test yourself anytime you feel up to it.