Best way to learn new vocab?

[fireballs619]

The hardest part of learning Spanish for me is learning and remembering new vocabulary. I can usually understand and grasp new grammatical concepts, but I can't really form good sentences because my vocabulary is very limited. If I have time (as in writing a paper), I can usually manage by using a dictionary, but if I am speaking it or don't have access to a dictionary, my sentences stay very simple. What are some tricks for learning new vocab, and retaining that knowledge?

¡Gracias!

[Awaken]

Usually people consider Spaced Repetition Systems as the best way. You can Google it for more information. Use a simple tool like Anki for it. It takes time though even with that type of studying, so be patient.

[Perikles]

I find that flash cards are the most effective for me, but not for everybody. If I could rig up a system which gave me a nasty electric shock every time I got something wrong, it would be very effective.

I also think that computers are very detrimental to learning vocabulary. When you know that you can look up a word on an on-line dictionary, your brain does not register the need to remember it. If looking up a word involves using a large heavy dictionary a long way away, your brain realizes the need to remember it so you don't have to look it up again.

But that's only my theory.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

The best way to learn new words is to use them and practice with them.
Flashcards are a good idea, and if you use each of those words in sentences and make new examples of their use, you'll incorporate them naturally to your "stock".

[CrOtALiTo]

I can understand your case, sometimes that happening me, because when I try to learn a new word or phrase in English, particularly my head blocked itself, and I can't think clearly therefore, I have to read a lot of all the days, inclusive my reports work are written in English specially addressed to my boss.

I invite you to practice and read more in Spanish or English any language you wish.

[chileno]

Translate a novel from Spanish to English, by transcribing it in Spanish to a book and then transltate the words and look for/figure out their pronunciation.

You'll be up to speed in no time at all...

[Rusty]

I agree that practicing the new word is the best approach.

By practicing, I don't mean repeating the word over and over.
I'm suggesting that you make up useful Spanish sentences that incorporate the new word in context. Make sure there is at least one word in each sentence that agrees in number and gender with the new word. If the word is an object, picture that object in various places or from different angles and then write what you see (describe the picture). Your brain will have ready access to the imagery and the Spanish grammar that goes with it. There won't be a translation from English to Spanish, because everything will have been committed to memory in Spanish.

[Caballero]

I invite you to practice and read more in Spanish or English any language you wish.

I know a smattering of several languages, but out of all of them, Spanish is the only one in which there are actually books I can actually understand beyond "Dick and Jane have a dog named spot," as well as Portuguese, French (but both are harder to comprehend than Spanish), and to a lesser extent the other Romance languages. All other languages, it seems to me, that you must get to a rather advanced level before you can get much out of reading or read anything remotely interesting.

[Chris]

Being able to see an object helps. For example I may never forget what a manzana is or a sandía because I have the apple and watermelon locked into my head. There are flashcard sites that have an image and the Spanish word.

I'm defiantly trying that SRS program.

[Jamie]

Like said before, simply trying to repeat the words over and over again may help you to remember them better. For example, once you learn a word, you could try to repeat it to yourself a few times and then try to make a few sentences using the vocabulary you already know.

Then, when you have some free time, you could try typing or writing down the words a couple of times and then try writing out some sentences.

Another thing that may help you would be to try to learn a word or a few new words a day and try to use them at various times throughout the day, so that you can remember them easier.

Practice makes perfect!

[Awaken]

I guess all this depends on what level you are. If you are a beginner, I prefer using flashcards and SRS style. The reason is that your vocabulary is so limited that reading things becomes annoying as you have to look up every other word. Once you have a core vocabulary (1000-3000 words), it is much nicer to read the language and add to your vocabulary that way. Or force yourself to write in the new language which leads to looking up words and learning them as well. Or both.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by Awaken

I guess all this depends on what level you are. If you are a beginner, I prefer using flashcards and SRS style. The reason is that your vocabulary is so limited that reading things becomes annoying as you have to look up every other word. Once you have a core vocabulary (1000-3000 words), it is much nicer to read the language and add to your vocabulary that way. Or force yourself to write in the new language which leads to looking up words and learning them as well. Or both.

That's exactly what I recommend, with the added benefit you let your wrists "recognize" the words and not only your eyes...

[Peter]

I've got a sheet of A2 paper hanging on my bedroom wall on which I write down Spanish words (or combinations of words) I keep forgetting, and their meaning in large letters. Like this I'm confronted with these words almost daily. Every week or so I start a new list.

Some words currently on it:
disfrazarse de, perezoso, arrepentirse de, aprobar.

I'm also thinking of writing an app that randomly quizzes me from the words I've already learned..

[irmamar]

I think that the best way to learn vocabulary is creating the necessity of words, I mean, everyday one can write down some experiences or feelings that one has had. In this way, one needs these words to explain his/her feelings or experiences. Looking words up in a dictionary and writing them in one's own sentence is a good exercise.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by irmamar

I think that the best way to learn vocabulary is creating the necessity of words, I mean, everyday one can write down some experiences or feelings that one has had. In this way, one needs these words to explain his/her feelings or experiences. Looking words up in a dictionary and writing them in one's own sentence is a good exercise.

Again, by reading a novel, especially about something that you really like, somebody else has been "creative" for you and a novel not only describes feeling or experiences but also situations, articles, clothing etc...

See what I mean?

[spanishplease]

I used to think the best way to build my Spanish vocab was to create flash cards any time I saw a word I didn't understand... but all that really ended up happening was that I became really efficient at flashcard creating

I guess the best way to build your vocabulary is to read, read, and... read more. It's the same way you built your vocabulary in English (yeah... it takes time).

Flashcards do help I was exaggerating a little.

Good luck!