Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Language Learning Series #5: Sticky Notes and Other Reminders


This language learning tip will definitely improve your vocabulary retention, if you can get away with it!  As mentioned in Language Learning Series #19, there are one to three-thousand commonly used words in any language.  These words usually come in the form of linking words such as prepositions and conjunctions, but a fair portion of these words are the names of common objects. 

Therefore, if you are able to memorize the names of all the common objects in your home, it is likely that you shall have a sizable list of mastered nouns that are frequently utilized in conversation.  One method of achieving this is through the use of sticky notes.  Simply put, write the word for each common household object on a sticky note, and place each note on its corresponding object.  This way, whenever you interact with the object, you shall see the note and be reminded of its foreign name.  However, this method of learning may cause your friends to question your sanity or drive your parents or spouse insane. 


Although the sticky note method is a reliable means of learning common vocabulary, here is another method.  Take a notebook and go about your house listing all the objects that you see.  Look up the foreign name for each object, and write its equivalent beside its English counterpart.  Carry your notebook with you (you should be already, as mentioned in the post “Learning with a Notebook,”) and whenever you interact with an object, look up its foreign name.  This method works the same as the sticky note method without the mess and misfortune of the former.

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