August 26, 2010
If you’re not ready to invest in a full language program and merely want to pile new foreign words on stock, a vocabulary software might be more along your lines. Rather than burdening you with grammar and other language elements, the only goal for this type of software is to help you memorize and understand individual words and phrases.
Different software titles will have different approaches to vocabulary-building, so it’s best to expose yourself to what’s out there before settling on a choice. Make sure you read about the different options on offer, learning as much as you can about each one.
Personally, I recommend looking for a vocabulary software that has these features, at a minimum:
- It should have a structured method. If there’s no structure or algorithm to the way words it helps you pick up words, you might as well just grab a dictionary and start memorizing it alphabetically. Good vocabulary software will use methods and strategies that can improve and accelerate learning.
- It should track your progress. One of the more significant reasons to use software-based learning is the easier progress-tracking it allows. This is a feature that should be on any type of learning program.
- It should integrate pronunciation practice. What good is memorizing a word if you can’t rehearse it spouting off your mouth?
- It should offer multiple test modes to ensure retention. Tons of vocabulary tests have been devised over the years and the software you use should come with several of them. It’s usually easier to gauge actual retention if you can keep it through varying types of tests.
Those four comprise the bare-basics of what we believe a good vocabulary software should have. Do note that many of the all-around language learning programs come with built-in vocabulary modules, so you may also want to explore that option. At the least, it will save you from buying another piece of software when you decide the embrace language instruction in a fuller capacity.
March 30, 2010
Building a vocabulary is much like beefing up your repertoire of skills in any discipline: it’s best to draw from as many resources as you can. While getting the basics handled from a primary language program is fine, using the variety of resources available to you should help you expand your stock of words faster.
Why Variation Works
Most of the time, the best mediums used to teach the basics of a language aren’t necessarily the most ideal way to build a solid vocabulary. That’s why we recommend expanding your horizons beyond it. There are plenty of materials out there designed for the express purpose of vocabulary work alone. Try them and you are likely to find ones that fit your learning style very well.
Types of Resources
If you like things old-school, you may want to pick up a book or tape of vocabulary-building lessons. A quick search on the web can also turn out plenty of paper-pen-thesaurus style exercises that you can take part in. While they’ve been replaced, in some ways, by software equivalents, flash cards remain a popular learning material for folks building a stock of vocabulary in any language.
For those more inclined to newer techniques, you can download computer games and software all designed to facilitate vocabulary learning. Highly-popular with younger language learners, many of them are available for free.
March 18, 2010
Who says you can’t have fun while working on your vocabulary? If conventional flash cards, lists and mnemonics isn’t quite up your alley, you should really consider using the lot of available games designed to aid in developing your stock of words in a foreign language. While we won’t recommend using vocabulary builders such as these as a primary language learning program, they make for an excellent addition to a comprehensive language software or a regular class.
Flash has evolved as the de facto platform for many games aimed at helping language learners build up their vocabularies. Relatively easy to program and available on many platforms, it has paved the way for a slew of attractive tools, which you can use to boost your own inventory of a target language.
People learning English as a second language should find this medium to be particularly rich, as I’ve seen tons of resources with games dedicated to helping folks improve their abilities in the vernacular. Doing a quick search on the web alone, should turn up plenty of helpful sites, with games that range from simple to complex, running the gamut from slang words to TOEFL-level usage.
While the pool of choices isn’t as rich for those trying to learn other foreign languages, it’s usually not as bad as you might imagine. Back when I was learning Mandarin, I was able to use at least half a dozen vocabulary games after a good deal of searching.
March 16, 2010
Looking for a good vocabulary-building strategy that you can employ? Try this one, which is one of the first “systems” (if you can call it that) I’ve used to build up my Portuguese vocabulary.
1. Write down each word you want to commit to memory on paper.
2. Add definitions for each word, in your own terms. Use the dictionary feature in your language software (a Portuguese language learning software, in my case). Remember: make it as simple as possible, in your own terms.
3. Doing that alone will likely leave you with five or so words sticking out in your mind. Don’t believe me? Stay away from the list for an entire day and see what you can recall tomorrow.
4. Make two numbered lists – one with all the words and the other with all the definitions. These will serve as your actual memorizing tools.
5. Print the two lists out. First, look at the word. Then, look at the corresponding definition. Most of the time, an image will come to mind. If none comes, make one up – the more outrageous, the better. That will be your anchor. Do this for every word in the list. Devote 20 to 30 minutes a day for this.
That’s it. For 50-word lists, it normally took me a week of being able to recall majority of them, just doing this. Try it. It works.
March 13, 2010
Regardless of how little you actually care for poetry, it can actually be a helpful tool when it comes to language learning. Sure, it may be an unpopular approach, but it’s one I’ve seen people use effectively time and time again.
How is poetry supposed to help you improve your language skills? The best applications I’ve seen have been in the field of vocabulary building. Just like song lyrics, a lot of poetry is rhythm-based, making them much easier to commit to memory than merely reading words off a page. The idea is that reading verses that rhyme makes the process of perusing through piles of text both easier and more entertaining, increasing your likelihood for retention.
When choosing poetry, look for works written by contemporary authors in your target language. More importantly, seek out poets known for the musicality of their writing, as those are likely to be much easier for non-native speakers to digest.
Alternatively, you can seek out direct translations of poetry online. Try searching something like “parallel translation poetry,” appending both the names of the target language and your native one, on Google. Chances are, you’ll come across multiple translated poems that you can then study.
Like other minor forms of language learning, of course, this is best done as a secondary resource, right next to either a comprehensive class or a software-based language program. I highly suggest you try it. You never know – you might be a fan of poetry and not even know it.
February 26, 2010
Some people improve their vocabulary with memory techniques. Others, however, prefer a more natural, let-it-flow approach. One way to achieve the latter is by being a voracious reader, while keeping in mind a few things.
1. Understand the context that a specific word is used and take a guess about its meaning. The more you see the same term used in different settings, the clearer its proper use will become. Yes, developing vocabulary by reading takes time.
2. Learn to identify prefixes, suffixes and root words in the language. It will help you identify source words and in what ways they can be used.
3. Notice the syllable patterns in the language. Depending on the language, syllable patterns can give you clues about both context and meaning.
4. With parallel sentences, examine the similarities (or differences) of the words used. Notice how each is applied in relation to the rest of the sentences that use them and how each helps to convey meaning.
5. Read aloud. In case of confusing sentences where you can’t guess at the meaning of words, try reading the surrounding passage aloud. Intonation can have a bearing on what the sentence is trying to say.
6. Consult your language software. In case you’re really stumped, then find answers from your primary learning material. Sure, it breaks the flow of reading, but if you really need to use a good reference, don’t deny yourself.
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