Build Your Vocabulary The Top Strategies and Resources

Before you start studying, make sure that you are in a peaceful environment and have a good mood. This sounds easy, but both of these things do greatly influence your learning success and motivation!

Short but focused studying is better than hours of cramming. Try having multiple study sessions throughout the day, but limit these sessions to 20-30 minutes each.

Quality over quantity! Focus on words and phrases that will be most helpful in everyday conversation. It is important that you are able to actually use new words in real-world situations. That is why it is always a good idea to learn words together with the context or situation they are used in.

If possible, use new words and phrases immediately. The best way to do this is to find a study partner and practice having conversations with them. If you can't do that, try talking to yourself and make up dialogues that use new vocabulary.

Writing down new vocabulary makes it easier to memorize new words and phrases. It is best to write down both the new word or phrase you are learning along with its translation. You could also download a flashcard app for your smartphone or tablet. That way you can always have your vocabulary with you and can study anywhere like on the bus, subway, or train.

Jog your memory! Remember difficult words by using mnemonic devices. For example, you can easily learn new words by using a word in little rhymes or catchy phrases, which will help your memory. You could also make a quick drawing next to a new word or phrase that represents either its meaning or something that reminds you of it.

Try to connect a new word to a personal memory and/or experience. This will create a so called "emotional anchor" that connects your personal memory to the word that you are trying to learn. This will help you remember the word's meaning.

Use new vocabulary to decorate your room! Write down words and phrases that you find difficult on post-it notes and stick these to the walls and furniture in your room. It would be best to stick new words to the items that they actually refer to. This might not always be possible though. Don't worry! Even just decorating your room with new vocabulary will help you automatically learn new words because you will constantly see them. Insider tip: Post-its in the bathroom are especially effective!

During your study sessions collect the words that you have a hard time memorizing. Put them in a separate pile or write them down on a notepad. At the end of your session, go over these one more time to ensure that they won't escape your memory.