Tips to learn vocabulary

Tuyaux pour apprendre le vocabulaire

Part of Vocabulary Lists

Anne’s tips to learn vocabulary

Learning vocabulary is an on-going task. Enjoy the journey as well as the end result.

If you’re looking for a particular word in a long list, here is how.

If you’re looking to memorize new words and enrich your French vocabulary, there are 3 tricks to it:

1. Learn only from short lists : pick 10 to 15 words or expressions that you like at a time
2. Put these words and expressions you chose in context (in a sentence)
3. Repeat, repeat and repeat again, possibly aloud

When you learn vocabulary, you’re most likely to come across long lists, and you won’t necessarily know how to handle them. Very quickly, you may find you have a ton of words and expressions on your lists, and you won’t know how to work with so much to learn at once.

Here are a few tips on how to keep going in a manageable and a fun way.

1. Review SHORT lists

break any long list down into small lists – by theme, by chronological order, or even randomly – and make sure you don’t have more than 20 items to review in each list.

2.Add your own CONTEXT to it

make up sentences or a paragraph to put your new French words in context.

3.Review DAILY

give yourself one week to review one chosen list daily for at least 5 days. That will make you repeat the vocabulary in a short period of time.

4. Keep it PLAYFUL

make sure it’s fun for you. Keep in mind the process can be enjoyable too, not just the end result.

5. Make up different GAMES

make up games – blanks, shuffles, races (stopwatch), memory, scramble, crossword puzzles, matching…

6. Say the words and expressions ALOUD

always say the words aloud. Don’t just read them in your head

7. Always TEST yourself with or without a teacher

test yourself at the end. Even more efficient, ask your teacher to test you on your list

8. REVISIT your lists regularly

go back to any list on a regular basis. Most of us tend to forget words if we don’t “re-activate” them from time to time

About Nouns and Verbs

If you are reviewing a noun, make sure you learn the gender (le/la or un/une) with it.

If you are reviewing a verb, make sure you learn the preposition (à, de, avec…) with it.

How to review?

The best way for me has always been flashcards, either on paper or on the computer. I look at the French, say it out loud and check if the translation on the English translation on the other side or the other column is correct.

1.On paper

Get sturdy cardstock and cut out 3″ by 5″ (7 by 12 cm) rectangles. Choose a theme you want to study out of my lists. In this list, select no more than 20 words or expressions. Write down the French on one side and its English translation on the other side.

Another variation: On the other side, you can also write a sentence with the right context, or draw a picture if you are a better artist than I am.

In any case, say the word or expression ALOUD as you pick a card.

Don’t hesitate to bring them with you everywhere.

2.On the computer

Open a new document with 2 columns. Type up the French in one column and its English translation on the second column. On the second column, you can also write a sentence with the right context, or add a picture.

In any case, say the French word or expression ALOUD as you read.

Text or email the list to yourself, so you can read it anywhere on your phone or tablet.

3.With a software

1.QUIZLET

See how to review with Quizlet – tests are endless and excellent

Go to Quizlet.com

Create your free account.

Go to Speller, type and listen

Go to Test and learn

Go to Scatter and play

See Anne’s Quizlets lists

2.ANKI

3.GENIUS for Mac users

4. Any spreadsheet software such as MICROSOFT EXCEL

Directions

A week’s formula to review vocabulary over 5 days.

• day 1 - choose about 10 words or expressions. Write down the list, say the words out loud
• day 2 - look for the translation, make bilingual flashcards and play with them
• day 3 - put words into context by making up sentences
• day 4 - write a paragraph with as many words as you can from the list
• day 5 - repeat the sentences aloud at least 10 times to get the rhythm, the music of French in your mind

At the end

Ask your French teacher to test you and to create context exercises weekly for you.

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