Questions tagged [vocabulary]
The body of words used in a particular language, or that known by an individual speaker.
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What are estimates of vocabulary size for each CEFR level?
The CEFR does not specify a vocabulary list or a vocabulary size for each level.
I could find one scientific article attempting this mapping (research paper of Milton J and T. Alexiou (2009), ...
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How can I expand my active vocabulary in a foreign language?
I’ve been learning a foreign language for 5 years. Now, I easily understand everything I read, I know lots of words and everything seems to be alright, but I still have a problem. My active vocabulary ...
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How to start thinking in a new language
I'm fairly fluent in Hebrew, to the point where I speak it intuitively, often accidentally when I intend to speak English. But I struggle to think in it. My question is, what is required to think in a ...
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How many new words at a time?
I have a 1000 flash cards of new words. I pick a flash card at random to test if I remember the word. If not, I take a moment to try to remember it.
With a 1000 flash cards I feel that I see too many ...
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Is SRS more effective than traditional study for vocabulary augmentation?
Spaced Repetition Software (SRS), such an Anki, has become somewhat popular in the language-learning realm for increasing one's vocabulary and similar reasons.
However, is there any evidence that ...
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How does learning vocabulary through sentences compare to learning with words alone?
When learning vocabulary, especially with the use of SRS (Spaced Repetition System), it is interesting to use flashcards. A commonly encountered problem is how to formulate those for maximum ...
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When using flashcards, should the word or the definition be hidden?
A lot of language learning methods use flash cards to allow them to remember words and their definitions and to test their memory. Some people hide the words, while others hide the definition, which ...
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Learning a language, for someone who can't stand flash cards
I can't stand memorizing words. I've found that the best way to memorize vocabulary is using (digital) flash cards, however I find studying flash cards to be one of the most mind-numbing and ...
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What are the benefits of extensive reading?
What are the benefits of extensive reading? More, specifically, in what ways is extensive reading helpful for learning a target language?
Responses based on research would be appreciated.
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Can practicing vocabulary from L2 to the same L2 instead of from L2 to L1 be more effective for learning the vocabulary?
Can practicing vocabulary from a second language to the same second language instead of from a second language to your first language be more effective?
Example: Suppose I know German and I’m ...
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How can I strengthen vocabulary knowledge of words learned with flash cards?
I've used flash cards a lot to learn Korean words, and it doesn't take long to memorize words well enough that I can recall them very quickly. It's especially easy to go from English to Korean - I ...
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Is the “T-Coding Method” a reliable method to learn vocabulary?
In Iran someone named "Mr Taraghghi" has imported a method for learning English vocabulary called "Vocabulary Coding" for Persian native speakers that works like this example:
Consider the word "...
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What are the pros and cons of learning noun classifiers along with vocabulary?
There are classifiers in several languages (e.g. Chinese), also known as measure words, for each noun. I think that it is a good idea to start learning them when I do not yet know many nouns, so that ...
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How can I overcome fear and failure when speaking to native speakers of my L2?
I've been studying Russian language on my own for more than 1.5 years. And I'm still bad at it because of lack of speaking practice. I didn't study everyday as I also paused for several months so I'm ...
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How to learn the vocabulary of an ancient language like Aramaic, which is based on scripture only?
I've lately attended a series of lectures on the history of Christianity held by a Coptic scholar. He gave a few examples of Aramaic or Syriac sentences (translated from the Bible) which might be ...
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Seeking an Arabic dictionary with colloquialisms
There are words in colloquial Arabic that Google Translate won't understand and which are not even an Arabic dictionary!
This problem is noticeably worse than for, say, Spanish or English, where many ...
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What is the average number of new Spanish vocabulary words an adult learner can learn per day?
And by recommended, I mean scientific research or recommendations from experienced language teachers.
Out of a daily language practice session, how many new vocabulary words can an adult foreign ...
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Is learning vocabulary by means of (bilingual) vocabulary lists inefficient, and if yes, why?
A previous question, "Is it bad to only learn vocabulary through conversation/applied use?" (The question is now only visible to users with 2000+ reps) looked like three questions combined into a ...
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When studying German, how much time should be spent on learning grammar rules vs. vocabulary?
How much time do I need to give to learning grammar rules versus vocabulary while studying German, or is it possible to speak a foreign language without needing to learn grammar rules?
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How does the vocabulary learned through immersion compare to vocabulary learned via study?
When reading texts in L2, (sometimes) it can be easy to infer the meaning of a word based on its usage in the text. This can work similarly when listening or conversing. (Of course, to ensure there is ...
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Should I avoid learning related words at the same time in SRS, and if so, how do I avoid it with Anki?
One anti-pattern discussed in "Fluent Forever" is learning a group of words from a certain theme all at once, such as colours one week, family members another week, and so on.
Does this apply to ...
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What are the most effective ways of learning vocabulary of any language? [closed]
Vocabulary is the most important thing to become enriched in a language in my perspective. But for most of the adult learners of a language, memorization process sometimes seems very boring and hard ...
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