If you’ve ever tried learning a new language, you probably know that it’s a real challenge to learn and remember new words in that language. But having a vocabulary that’s large enough to let you speak the new language is essential for success.
This is why most language experts recommend learning a certain number of words before progressing to the next language-learning stage.
Yet, as you’ve no doubt discovered, learning and successfully remembering that many words (especially when they are foreign to you at the start), is a real challenge.
I always advise my students that it’s not about just parroting back
meaningless words. Real language learning means you learn words (in context) and actively remember the word and its meaning so you can speak with confidence and enjoy the language.
But how?
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What’s the Difference Between Active and Passive Vocabulary?
Before we begin looking at the best methods to help you learn words in your new target language, I want to briefly touch on the difference between active and passive vocabulary.
Active vocabulary is made of all the words you use frequently and can easily recognize and use while chatting with other language speakers. It could include basic things like “Hi, how are you?” in the language you are learning. But it can also expand to include more advanced words as your learning progresses.
The important thing is that active vocabulary is made of the words you use frequently, so it relates strongly to fluency—the goal most of us have when learning a language.
You also get passive vocabulary. This is made of the words you can recognize but you don’t really speak them yet, or they don’t come naturally to you. While this may sound like these are redundant words, you need passive vocabulary.
When you learn a new language and discover a new word, that word will likely enter your passive vocabulary first, but with repetitive use and as you use it more, it will move to your active vocabulary. This is how we build fluency.
Think of passive vocabulary as the basket you put all the new words into, but as you get to know them better and use them more often, they become friends that move into your active memory house with you.
That’s what language learning is built on—getting more words into the active vocabulary so you use them more often.
Now, let’s dive into the methods I personally use and recommend to help learners retain new vocabulary more effectively.
My 5 Best Methods for Learning Vocabulary
There are a few different learning methods that are great for remembering vocabulary, but the success comes down to whether a particular method works for you.
We’re each different, and we have different learning styles, so I recommend you try all of these to see which ones work best for you. Or, you can also try a combination of these, like I do.
1. Spaced Repetition
I’m a huge advocate for spaced repetition. It’s one of the best methods I’ve found to make sure vocabulary sticks long-term.
The basic idea behind spaced repetition is that you review new words at increasing intervals over time, which strengthens your memory each time you recall the word.
I’ve personally used apps like Anki, where I can create digital flashcards and customize my review schedule. But I also like creating flashcards with old-fashioned pen and paper—there’s something about writing words that help me remember better.
Spacing out your study sessions helps you retain information far better than cramming ever could. I encourage you to use flashcards or short bullet lists around the house with new words you want to see, remember, and use.
Even something as simple as leaving a list of the words you are learning in your diary or journal for the next learning opportunity is a great way to remind yourself to space out learning.
2. Contextual Learning
Have you ever heard a word, thought you knew what it meant, but felt like it was just out of reach?
Usually, when you hear that word with a little context, it quickly becomes clear. Context helps your brain find the information it has stored.
I find that I learn better when I learn phrases and not single words. The phrase provides the context I need, which explains what I am learning. Learning phrases is also a good way to already know how to naturally use a word so it makes sense.
To help me learn words naturally, I listen to podcasts and YouTube videos about specific topics. Then I can remember the phrases used when talking about a topic.
If I listen to a podcast about Turkish rappers, I will learn words and phrases surrounding that artform. It’s so much easier to recall words that I can then identify and associate with a topic.
My next step to help remember and recall phrases is to use written mindmaps with a core topic and a few phrases that are focused on that topic.
200 Important Phrases for Basic Everyday Conversation:
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3. Flashcards
Flashcards have been around forever, and there’s a reason why—they work! I find that making your own flashcards is even more effective because the process itself helps solidify the words in your mind.
The trick, though, is to avoid simply listing the word and definition. Instead, I encourage adding example sentences, visual cues, or even drawings that can help trigger your memory.
In my own studies, I like to mix digital flashcards (Anki and Quizlet are great options) with physical ones for variety.
4. Mnemonic Devices
When it comes to memorizing difficult words, mnemonic devices can be a lifesaver. I’ve used mnemonics in all of the languages I’ve studied, especially for words that just wouldn’t stick.
Creating funny or vivid associations with the word can really boost recall.
For instance, when learning French, I used a mental image of a giraffe for the word “girafe”—it sounds simple, but trust me, it works!
If you’re struggling to remember vocabulary, try creating these mental shortcuts. The more creative, the better.
5. Practice and Practice Some More
Finally, the most effective way to turn your passive vocabulary into active vocabulary is to use it.
I can’t stress this enough—using new words in conversations, writing, or even while thinking to yourself is key to making them stick.
When I was learning Italian, I would consciously work new words into my conversations with native speakers or use them in my journaling. The more you practice using the words in real-life situations, the more natural they’ll feel.
Recommended Apps for Vocabulary Learning
I’ve tried countless apps in my language-learning journey, and here are some of my top picks that can help you focus specifically on vocabulary mastery.
Memrise
Memrise is one of my favorite apps for vocabulary building because of its focus on spaced repetition. It offers an immersive experience where you can learn new words and phrases in the context of conversations, which makes them easier to recall.
I also appreciate that Memrise uses native speaker audio and video for each word, helping you pick up the correct pronunciation.
Mondly
If you’re looking to build a large vocabulary quickly, Mondly is a fantastic option. With over 5,000 words per language, it covers a broad range of topics and gives you a solid foundation.
I’ve used Mondly to brush up on less familiar languages, and its interactive lessons and real-world phrases make the learning process both enjoyable and practical.
Babbel
Babbel is another app I frequently recommend, especially for beginners who want to dive into conversations quickly.
The app’s structured lessons integrate vocabulary into dialogs and daily situations, helping you learn words in context. What I love most is how Babbel repeats vocabulary in different scenarios, which reinforces memory while keeping the lessons engaging.
The Review feature is a must to help cement new vocab in your mind!
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Quizlet
When I need something more personalized, I turn to Quizlet. It allows you to create your own flashcard sets or choose from millions created by other learners.
I like to use Quizlet for revision when I’m preparing for an exam or just want to review specific vocabulary. It also has a variety of learning modes, like matching games and tests, which make studying feel less like a chore.
My Top Tips for Maximizing Vocabulary Learning
If you want to get the most out of your specific vocabulary learning sessions, here are a few tips I’ve found helpful over the years.
Let’s face it, when learning a new language, you need all the help you can get to ensure the road is less bumpy.
Set Realistic Goals
One objection I have with language-learning apps is that they often make false promises (or at least, unrealistic ones), like “you’ll learn to speak fluently in six weeks.”
Unless you learn for most of the day, every day, for the whole six weeks, you’re unlikely to be completely fluent in any language in such a short span. And even then, it’s a stretch—unless you’re super talented when it comes to languages.
To help you reach success, I recommend setting smaller, manageable goals.
Don’t try to learn the whole Italian dictionary when you start.
Instead, learn 5-10 new words per day, and focus on learning them in the context of how you’ll use them.
If you manage 5-10 new words per day, that’s 150-300 words in just a month, and if you are strict about learning them in phrases, it means you have quite a bit of new language ability developing right there.
Remember, you’re not just learning words for the sake of learning words. You should learn them with the goal of using them.
Language only happens when you practice and speak it.
Consistency Is Key
When learning a language, your consistency will determine your success. Study every day, even if it’s just 15 minutes per day. Daily sessions work much better than trying to cram language learning into one massive lesson once a month.
As the saying goes—when eating an elephant, it’s best to do it one bite at a time. But you should also take that bite every day.
Find a routine that works for your day and your lifestyle. I like to learn new words while I travel to drop off the kids, and I practice those words while I visit the local market. I’ll revisit the words of the day again when I am making dinner.
Even if you focus on different things each time you have a learning session, that’s okay. What matters is that you learn consistently.
Use Multiple Resources
Don’t rely on just one method or tool to learn vocabulary. In my own experience, using a mix of resources—apps, books, podcasts, and real-life conversations—helps reinforce learning from different angles.
Every resource you use adds another layer of context, making it easier to remember the words.
One of my favorite hobbies is to write short stories in the languages I am learning. Sure, the first few stories may have terrible grammar and the incorrect form of a word here or there, but these quickly grow and encourage me to learn more words.
Some other resources you can consider to help you learn a wider vocabulary range include:
- Newspapers
- Cartoons
- Books (translated books are great)
- Social media
- YouTube channels
- Songs and music videos
The Last Word
Learning vocabulary can be challenging, but remembering the words in context so you can use them effectively is a much greater challenge. However, with the right strategies and tools, you can build a strong foundation in any language.
Whether you prefer flashcards, spaced repetition, or learning words through context, the key is consistency and practice.
Remember, language learning is an amazing journey—don’t rush it. Enjoy the process, and soon, you’ll find words pop into your mind as you recall words and phrases that will make speaking with confidence easy.
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