Posts from the 'Vocabulary' Category

Amelia on April 10 2010 0

Foreign Language Vocabulary Learning: A More Efficient Way to Use Vocabulary Lists

Sometimes those in favor of a more communicative approach to foreign language vocabulary learning look down on vocabulary lists as an artificial way to build vocabulary. Personally, I don’t believe vocabulary lists are as evil as they’re made out to be.
After all, popular SRS (spaced repetition software) or flashcard programs like

Amelia on October 28 2009 0

Foreign Language Vocabulary Learning: Which Words to Learn First

When you’re just starting to learn a foreign language, the thought of trying to build the kind of vocabulary you need for real fluency can be overwhelming. It’s hard to know where to start. The good news is that when you’re learning for first few hundred words, there’s nothing wrong with starting slowing.
Be Picky
Linguist [...]

Amelia on October 25 2009 0

Foreign Language Vocabulary Learning Made Really Easy

Grammar is important, but until you have a decent-sized vocabulary, it’s all but useless. After all, grammar only works when you have words to apply it to. That means when you’re just starting to learn a foreign language, vocabulary building is the thing to focus on. Of course, those first few hundred words are also [...]

Amelia on October 01 2009 0

Vocabulary For Unexpected Childcare: “Will You Watch my Kid for a Minute?”

If you’re female and stay long-term in another country, I can almost guarantee you that at some point, someone is going to leave you in charge of one or more toddlers.

I once had the pleasure of spending several hours looking after four little ones all under age four when I spoke about ten words of [...]

Amelia on September 16 2009 0

How to Learn Foreign Language Vocabulary When You Have No Time to Study

Don’t worry, I’m not going to tell you to move to another country and just “pick up” the language. This method will work even if you rarely get the chance to hear or read the language you’re learning.

This is largely for developing the basic vocabulary you need to get by, but can help no [...]

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