Do you have difficulty remembering vocabulary? I know I do. Here is a little trick that I have been using recently. I take the new word and pretend it is a word from my native language. I think of it as a synonym to the word from my native language. Then, for practice, I make phrases with my native language using the new word.
So, throughout my day, as I am thinking and talking in my native language I insert the new word. This helps me build a strong association between the new word and a word that I know very well from my native language.
Here is an example:
I am studying Japanese. My friend used a word that I want to learn. The word is: 練習 (renshu – practice).
So, now throughout my day I use this word while speaking to myself. I say phrases like:
- I will renshu Japanese for 30 minutes after work.
- My band will renshu our new song for our concert next week.
- Renshu makes perfect!
Now, I have a connection to the word in my native language. And, I have many chances to review the word throughout my day.
Here is an example for Japanese students studying English:
Let’s learn the word “overcast”. “Overcast” describes a grey, cloudy sky. So, here are some phrases that you might say throughout your day:
- 今日はovercast です。
- 今日は overcast だから海に行くのにはいい天気じゃない。
- 今日は overcast だけど雨は降っていない。
Hopefully, this technique will help you build associations with words and create a crossover in your language lexicon.
Let us know how it works for you!