Your vocabulary knowledge is paramount for learning another language. In fact, it has been argued to be more important than using correct grammar. By recognising most of the words you are listening to or reading, you can easily piece together their meaning.
Thankfully, there are more ways to learn vocabulary than just repeating words. The topic of learning vocabulary has been well researched. A famous language expert named Rebecca L. Oxford published a great number of academic articles around this topic in the 1990s. Linguistic scientists agree with this work today. Her studies show that there are two ways to learn vocabulary. These are direct and indirect. Multiple strategies can be used within each type of learning.
This type of learning means that a student has the aim of gaining new vocabulary. Whatever the activity is, the student is aware that they are learning words and phrases.
Direct strategies include:
Memory
Cognitive
Compensation
Memory strategies are when students train their minds to remember words. Mnemonics are a popular way to easily memorise anything. It's often used for remembering the order of the planets, the colours of the rainbow, and anything else. For example, My Very Easy Method Just Speeds Up Naming Planets is a simple rhyme for the planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.
Memory strategy techniques
Creating mental images (using the imagination)
Applying images and sounds (creating a story, rhyme, or song)
Arranging things in order, making associations, and reviewing
Using action, such as speaking aloud
How to learn online
Mnemonics are personal for each student. Forming associations between words and mental images requires imagination and drawing from personal experience. One way to use this method online is to use word cards. Either use an app with ready-made vocabulary, such as Vocabot, or create your own. When a card appears with an unknown word, find the definition, then make a playful association with words in your mother tongue.
For example, the word "jardin," which means garden in French.
It already looks similar to the English translation, but we can find a way to remember the differences in spelling and sound. The first part of "jardin" looks like the English word "jar." We can imagine a jar of jam. However, the pronunciation is like the French way to say the name George in the Disney film Aristocats. So, to use mnemonics, we can think of the Disney character George holding a jar of jam in a garden.
Suggested reading
Memory Strategy Instruction, Contextual Learning, and ESP Vocabulary Recall (Atay, 2007)
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the word "cognitive" means to use conscious intellectual activity. This includes thinking, reasoning, and remembering. Cognitive strategies for learning vocabulary focus on repeating words, comparing words, and looking for patterns. Oxford's research suggests that cognitive practice is very important for encouraging the internalisation of vocabulary (firmly planting the new information in your memory).
Cognitive strategy techniques
Repetitive practice (keeping a vocabulary notebook)
Receiving and sending messages (texts, emails, or social media DMs)
Analysing and reasoning (particularly for adult learners)
How to learn online
Language learning apps are a great tool for repetition. The Vocabot app uses Telegram to test your English vocabulary. You can choose a bank of vocabulary based on a particular topic. Repeat the topic until you have mastered remembering the words. It also allows you to practise sending and receiving messages.
Another method is to use a spreadsheet to organise a repetition exercise. Place one word you struggle to memorise at the top of a column. In the row beneath, repeat writing the word and saying it out loud. Below that row, write the translation in your mother tongue. Alternate between writing the new vocabulary and then the translation. Don't forget to say it aloud to help cement the word in your mind.
To learn words with analysing and reasoning, try drawing digital mind maps. The creativity in this exercise also uses the memory strategy. Open a digital drawing app or mind map tool on your tablet or laptop. There are many free versions that are available. Take a word you want to learn and place it in the middle. Draw lines away from the word to brainstorm different aspects of the word. Include word associations, how the word is similar to other languages you know, and draw pictures.
Suggested reading
Teaching English Vocabulary under Cognitive Theory (Li, 2021)
Compensation strategies are used when the student has very little or no vocabulary in the language they want to learn. Students use various methods to compensate for their lack of vocabulary when communicating. These strategies can be used when speaking, writing, reading, or listening. It is sometimes possible to understand the concept of what is being said without understanding every word.
Compensation strategy techniques
Guessing intelligently (using context)
Guessing from words in the mother tongue (synonyms)
Using dictionaries or translation apps
Using non-linguistic clues (miming or gestures)
How to learn online
When taking an online language course, reading an article, or messaging on social media in the target language, you can use the methods above to aid you during the learning process. Even advanced learners use these techniques when they encounter words they don't know.
For example, if you are reading an article online and you don't know one or two words in a sentence. Look at the words you already know. Ask yourself, what is the context? Next, look at the sentences before and after. What is being said? Can you make an educated guess as to what the unknown words mean? If you still aren't sure, try finding similarities with words in your mother tongue. Does it look like a word you already know? Finally, use a dictionary or translation tool to find the meaning.
Another example is when watching a show or movie in the target language. You can look at the actor's body language, gestures, tone of voice, and the subject of the conversation to help you guess what any unknown vocabulary means. It is useful to switch on the subtitles, pause the show, and write down the unknown word to look up later.
Suggested reading
Vocabulary: Description, Acquisition, and Pedagogy (Schmitt, 1997)
Independent reading and daily conversations are examples of indirect strategies to acquire new words. Unlike direct learning, indirect methods are often less stressful and are a natural by-product of doing another activity.
Indirect strategies include:
Metacognitive
Social
Affective
Metacognitive strategy is when a student plans and organises their language learning. This can be applied when the aim is to obtain new vocabulary. Metacognitive techniques are helpful for deciding the best learning activities to do. It also helps to see areas of weakness, improve performance, and increase motivation.
Metacognitive strategy techniques
Centering learning (making sure to pay attention and be present during learning)
Planning learning (creating goals and organising tasks)
Evaluating learning (self-monitoring)
How to learn online
You can use this method of learning online by making a language study planner. Some language learning apps will have this built in by showing you your progress, the topics you have completed, the ones you still need to start, weak words, and strong words.
To plan your study sessions, you can also create a spreadsheet, add studying time to your online calendar, or write a bullet-point to-do list on your phone. Once you have finished a study session, you can add notes about weak areas and other evaluations of your progress.
Suggested reading
The Role of Metacognition in Second Language Teaching and Learning (Anderson, 2002)
Vocabulary Learning Strategies and Language Learning Outcomes (Gu, 1996)
Students can use social strategies to learn vocabulary. This is done by practising speaking outside of the classroom. For example, going to a language exchange or talking to other students. Asking a teacher or native speaker about an unknown word is also a social form of learning. It offers an authentic learning experience rather than relying on dictionaries and translation apps. Not being afraid to make mistakes is the key to using social strategies.
Social strategy techniques
Asking questions (in person or online)
Cooperating (group spirit to work together to communicate)
Empathising (cultural understanding and being sympathetic to the feelings of others)
How to learn online
Social learning techniques can be used in online meetings with other students or a teacher. During your Zoom, Google Hangout, FaceTime, or WhatsApp video call, think of questions to ask everyone. This is the most beneficial thing to try and do in the target language. Questions you might ask include vocabulary meaning, repetition of a word, asking for a synonym, or general questions about the topic to help you understand a word.
If there are several learners in one online meeting, you can work together to solve problems and questions about vocabulary, phrases, or grammar. This, in turn, helps to foster empathy for other learners. When you understand the level of confidence, inhibition, drive, and determination it takes to learn a new language, you will have more patience for other learners and yourself.
Suggested reading
Vocabulary Learning Strategies of Turkish ESL Learners: A Focus on Gender (Okyar, 2021)
An effective strategy for vocabulary learning looks at the student's feelings and emotions. Self-esteem affects how well vocabulary is remembered. For example, if a student feels stressed and has a poor view of their learning abilities, they learn less and at a slower rate. Learning a new language requires a level of confidence, determination, and a strong desire to communicate.
Effective strategy techniques
Lowering anxiety (reducing stress and embarrassment)
Encouraging (improving self-esteem)
How to learn online
Using effective strategies for learning new vocabulary is important for all students. However, shy or less-confident students will benefit the most from these techniques. Online, you can use methods to calm your nerves while studying or speaking. It's easy to feel overwhelmed or defeated when you don't make the progress you want.
Ideas for self-motivation include positive affirmation before, during, and after a study session.
Try reading forums online about the subject. You can read about the learning experiences of others, particularly those who feel more on the reserved side. It can bring a sense of reassurance to see that you aren't the only one who struggles. You might feel embarrassed easily when making mistakes or having imperfect pronunciation. However, it's important to remember that all students start somewhere. Even if you only have time for 10 minutes of learning a day, eventually this will accumulate, and it's much better progress than giving up!
Suggested reading
It is highly recommended to include all six strategies for learning new vocabulary. A blend of these methods will benefit students by helping them develop a well-rounded learning plan. It will also lead to better learning results. Each of the direct and indirect learning techniques is applicable in different learning situations.
Reviewing your strengths and weaknesses as a language learner, your goals, and your learning style can be useful for deciding which strategies you can use more than others. For example, if you have a highly creative mind and struggle with learning through repetition, then using imaginative word association and mental images can be a better solution than cognitive exercises.
Looking for some help with your memory, cognitive, and compensation strategies? Try Vocabot. It's a free tool for learning English vocabulary on Telegram.
