19
votes
Accepted
When using flashcards, should the word or the definition be hidden?
They cannot be compared directly, as they are used for entirely different skills.
When you hide a word, and show only the definition, you are testing your ability to recall.
I have a concept in ...
- 5,032
19
votes
Accepted
What are estimates of vocabulary size for each CEFR level?
I haven't found any official source to answer your question, but several members of online forums have explained their methods in estimating what they believe to be the number of vocabulary words you ...
fi12♦
- 8,937
18
votes
Accepted
What are the advantages of studying words by their frequency?
The main advantage is that by learning higher frequency words, you get a greater "bang for your buck" - that is, if you know the most frequent words of the language, you'll be able to understand more ...
- 1,817
18
votes
Accepted
How does learning vocabulary through sentences compare to learning with words alone?
It's usually best to avoid dichotomies like "Is strategy X better or strategy Y better?". In most cases, strategies are not mutually exclusive but complementary.
With vocabulary learning, using ...
- 1,817
17
votes
What resources are there for learning Toki Pona?
This is what I used: o kama sona e toki pona! (on Tokipona.net, unfortunately no longer available). It's one of the most popular courses, although there are a few points that differ from Sonja's ...
- 746
16
votes
What are estimates of vocabulary size for each CEFR level?
There is at least one language test that I have taken that maps its own levels to CEFR levels and that defines the number of words you need to know, namely Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK). HSK is a ...
- 19.2k
15
votes
How to start thinking in a new language
Don't be worried, it takes years to begin thinking in a second language.
According to Fluentin3Months,
Thinking in a new language is a decision you can make. If you know even a few dozen key grammar ...
fi12♦
- 8,937
15
votes
Accepted
How to remember words and improve my vocabulary
Each person has a different way of storing information in their brain. You have to find a technique that works best for you. Some that you can try include:
Notebook: for some people, maintaining and ...
- 738
14
votes
What resources are there for learning Toki Pona?
I found this 112 page Toki Pona instructional booklet, covering everything from the alphabet to more advanced concepts, like words for thematic vocabulary or living things. It seems to be one of the ...
fi12♦
- 8,937
13
votes
Accepted
Is the “T-Coding Method” a reliable method to learn vocabulary?
I think this method is better known as the "keyword method" or the "keyword mnemonic". The technique was introduced by Richard C. Atkinson's 1975 article Mnemotechnics in Second Language Learning. ...
- 19.2k
13
votes
How to remember words and improve my vocabulary
In addition to J. Siebeneichler's answer, using the language yourself is often a good way to solidify things in your brain.
One way you can do that is to try to blog at a site like lang-8 where ...
- 231
12
votes
How can I expand my active vocabulary in a foreign language?
The best way is probably to use it. Speaking is harder than writing, so it's more intense, and tends to be more effective, faster.
But, as you say there are no native speakers around you, I offer ...
- 221
11
votes
Accepted
How to learn the vocabulary of an ancient language like Aramaic, which is based on scripture only?
In order to learn an ancient language, scholars usually rely on one (or several) of the following:
Knowledge of related extant languages. In case of Egyptian, Koptic was the clue.
Bilingual texts ...
11
votes
How can I strengthen vocabulary knowledge of words learned with flash cards?
It seems I'm associating the Korean word more with the English words on the card than with the actual meaning.
This may be a key part of your problem. Your flash cards aren't teaching you to speak ...
- 5,032
11
votes
What are estimates of vocabulary size for each CEFR level?
Vocabulary size and CEFR levels in English based on Vocabulary size and the common European framework of reference for languages by James Milton, Thomaï Alexiou, 2009:
A1 <1500
A2 1500–2500
B1 ...
- 774
10
votes
Accepted
How many new words at a time?
If your flashcards are divided into just two piles—the big one and the small one—you may need to refine your reviewing system or "algorithm". One very common system is the Leitner system (named after ...
- 19.2k
9
votes
Is SRS more effective than traditional study for vocabulary augmentation?
There is a wealth of research supporting the effectiveness of SRS. From Want to recall 92% of everything you learn? This algorithm makes forgetting difficult:
Does SRS really work?
Over two dozen ...
- 239
9
votes
Can practicing vocabulary from L2 to the same L2 instead of from L2 to L1 be more effective for learning the vocabulary?
For learners at low levels using L1 is recommended as L2 definitions will probably comprise more unfamiliar words making it difficult to comprehend and require retaining too much new information.
For ...
- 1,306
8
votes
Accepted
What are the pros and cons of learning noun classifiers along with vocabulary?
It is important to distinguish between classifiers and measure words. Though they are commonly referred to as synonyms, their uses are distinct. Some classifiers change the meaning of the noun they ...
- 1,841
8
votes
How does learning vocabulary through sentences compare to learning with words alone?
Well, using flashcards you will learn words and build your vocabulary. However, learning vocabulary through sentences will help you learn how to use these words. In this way, you can learn a language ...
- 405
8
votes
How can I strengthen vocabulary knowledge of words learned with flash cards?
Part of the problem is that you're dealing with words. Words outside of the context of a sentence are just words. They need to be vitalized by putting them into the context of a sentence.
In order to ...
- 4,865
8
votes
What are the most effective ways of learning vocabulary of any language?
There are a lot of methods to build up vocabulary I could find. I have created a important list of them here.
Read a lot : Read stories, newspapers, articles a lot. Have a dictionary in the side and ...
- 1,273
8
votes
Online resource to study Russian language vocabulary
Free
Duolingo is an immensely popular language learning platform, and they released their Russian course for English speakers around 8 months ago. I have experience with Duolingo, and can attest to ...
- 4,865
8
votes
Accepted
What is this phenomenon called when someone uses an "uncommon" word in his target language that is similar to one in his own language?
In the paper "Lexical Inventions: French Interlanguage as L2 versus L3" (Applied Linguistics, 19.4 (1998)), Jean-Marc Dewaele refers to a paper by E. Haugen ("The Analysis of Linguistic Borrowing", ...
- 19.2k
7
votes
How can I expand my active vocabulary in a foreign language?
Try to speak with yourself at times.
Conversing with yourself can help bring out a lot of new vocabulary into your active vocabulary as you are forced to use some new words from time to time. Stick ...
- 5,198
7
votes
How to start thinking in a new language
From my experience, I suddenly found myself thinking in English (second language) when I had argued in English a lot in a company, then went out and still thinking about the matter of the argument, ...
- 171
7
votes
What are the advantages of studying words by their frequency?
I think the biggest advantage is morale. If you for example learn all the parts of the body at an early stage, then you're forced to learn words like elbow and heel which are almost never used. This ...
- 377
7
votes
What is the average number of new Spanish vocabulary words an adult learner can learn per day?
According to this and this,
You can use any range you like, of course. But for me, the sweet spot is about 15 new words a day. If I’m focusing really hard for a short period, I can double that. ...
fi12♦
- 8,937
7
votes
Is SRS more effective than traditional study for vocabulary augmentation?
Well, SRS alone is not sufficient. It will make sure you remember what you learn. However, it will not increase your knowledge except boosting comprehension. It is very useful in practicing character ...
- 405
7
votes
How to use subtitles most effectvely?
This is quite difficult since preferences can't exactly be proven by research which brings up the answer: whatever works for you.
Take the cielo24 article for instance. It promptly states that:
If ...
- 5,198
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