Ask HN: Most effecient way to improve vocabulary in a new language?
I’ve seen so many methods. Flash cards. Courses. Watch movies in the desired language etc. I wonder what the most effecient way is.
17 comments
I found that practicing pairs of opposites was one way for me to expand my vocabulary in a somewhat methodical way when I was working to improve my Spanish.
Pairing opposites in this fashion amounts to reducing the recall effort (At least for me). It is somewhat like getting recall of two words for the effort of one.
I also tried to identify common recited listings of words such as" "Who, What, When, Where, Why and How" and then learn them by rote in the second language.
Pairing opposites in this fashion amounts to reducing the recall effort (At least for me). It is somewhat like getting recall of two words for the effort of one.
I also tried to identify common recited listings of words such as" "Who, What, When, Where, Why and How" and then learn them by rote in the second language.
This sounds interesting. You’re creating a single array for easier memory storage that you then only have to parse when a function calls for it.
I've been working on a tool that lets you see connections between words in your own language and one you're learning. It is based on following etymology trees up and back down. It has helped me a lot and I enjoy browsing around in it.
For example you can see the connection between Spanish 'mano' ("hand") and English 'manufacture', 'manipulate', etc.
https://www.etymologyexplorer.com
For example you can see the connection between Spanish 'mano' ("hand") and English 'manufacture', 'manipulate', etc.
https://www.etymologyexplorer.com
Getting a Wikipedia dump in said language and counting word occurrences and then learning the most common 5000 (or however many) words. There will be duplicates (e.g. different forms of a single words) but who cares.
watch movies in the language you want to learn with english subtitles (or vice-versa)
Use the new words you learned in speaking and writing.
I've used Anki (spaced repetition app) with some success. I haven't been particularly dedicated. However, I know it's something that many people use and get results.
In my experience, a textbook and flashcards are great for your first 500 words or so and just enough grammar to get your bearings. I also do a lot of listening and phonics work at the beginning.
After the first month or so, I find extensive reading (with graded readers) to be by far the fastest way to pick up and cement vocabulary gains.
Listening (to radio or podcasts) is harder until you building a larger vocabulary, so I gradually add it to my reading habit as I improve.
After the first month or so, I find extensive reading (with graded readers) to be by far the fastest way to pick up and cement vocabulary gains.
Listening (to radio or podcasts) is harder until you building a larger vocabulary, so I gradually add it to my reading habit as I improve.
I think there's no single answer. I usually experiment with different methods and stick for a bit longer with the one showing the best results. But I often get "saturated" and, when I feel I reached a plateau, I start to try new methods (even methods I've already tried and disliked at the first contact).
Memorization-based methods like spaced repetition flash cards never worked with me, but I know some people who got wonderful results out of it.
I use sporadically the paid version of lingq.com. It has some annoying bugs and the usability isn't great, but I enjoy the method.
I try to talk to native speakers whenever I can. That helps to build emotions related to the new language and I feel that those emotional connections usually help to "burn" the new vocabulary into your brain, it doesn't matter whether the emotion is positive or not (that's my experience at least).
Memorization-based methods like spaced repetition flash cards never worked with me, but I know some people who got wonderful results out of it.
I use sporadically the paid version of lingq.com. It has some annoying bugs and the usability isn't great, but I enjoy the method.
I try to talk to native speakers whenever I can. That helps to build emotions related to the new language and I feel that those emotional connections usually help to "burn" the new vocabulary into your brain, it doesn't matter whether the emotion is positive or not (that's my experience at least).
I used the NWSL list and translated them to several languages. You can use them here: https://www.locserendipity.com
The specific method doesn't really matter, the base idea is to emerse your brain into what you want to learn, don't overdo it(take breaks, as many, as long as you need to), but definitely take every chance you can for repetition and reinforcement.
To clarify a few ideas:
- emerse(as opposed to passively observe) means that you actually do some mental work, if it feels too easy, you're underestimating yourself
- overdoing/breaks: things will not stick as well if your mind becomes tired/foggy. Find the times you have the most excitement to learn. Also do your best to create that excitement(sleep, food, exercise, self-treats)
- repetition & reinforcement: things sticks to your mind after repeated active exposure; recalling them is relatively easier than learning, so try to sprinkle throughout your day a question or two about things you've "already learned" and when you stop making mistakes you can start cycling out those questions, don't add new things faster than you can cycle them out
Perhaps you now see in what specific ways the practices you mentioned might help you. Be creative with them make it fun and enjoyable
P.S. your associative memory doesn't discriminate, try not to mix your learning with things you don't want to pop in your mind later e.g. learning another languager, baby screaming from the other room, stress, etc.
Perhaps you now see in what specific ways the practices you mentioned might help you. Be creative with them make it fun and enjoyable
P.S. your associative memory doesn't discriminate, try not to mix your learning with things you don't want to pop in your mind later e.g. learning another languager, baby screaming from the other room, stress, etc.
Shameless plug, but might be useful for some people here.
I’ve created vocabulary books with the 2000 most frequently used vocabularies for 40 languages (so far). You can find that here: https://www.pinhok.com/
Those are real translations, not Google Translate, and all cross checked and proofread.
Came up with this for myself when learning Cantonese. Before that I found HSK (Chinese standard test) very useful which kind of follows a similar approach.
It’s not for everyone, but people who like 80/20, etc. might find this quite useful
I’ve created vocabulary books with the 2000 most frequently used vocabularies for 40 languages (so far). You can find that here: https://www.pinhok.com/
Those are real translations, not Google Translate, and all cross checked and proofread.
Came up with this for myself when learning Cantonese. Before that I found HSK (Chinese standard test) very useful which kind of follows a similar approach.
It’s not for everyone, but people who like 80/20, etc. might find this quite useful
And lots of lovely teasers on your youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq8B-rJqhICq2u2qSm5tdSw/vid...
Not much of a linguist myself, but they look nice. Will keep in my bookmarks for later.
Not much of a linguist myself, but they look nice. Will keep in my bookmarks for later.
Anki + immersion + regular output
I've found it helpful to memorize songs and poetry in the other language.
To have a emotion of the word, I watch this channel.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKgpamMlm872zkGDcBJHYDg/vid...
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKgpamMlm872zkGDcBJHYDg/vid...