5 Tips to remember New Words

Can't remember what you learned last class?

Don't worry! Learn these easy tricks!

1.  Make a web (mind mapping)

Connect a new word or idea to things you already know.

Try this: Make an Idea Web. Draw a circle in the center and write in what you want to remember (word/idea/sentence). Draw lines and circles to link with any words/ideas/sentences you can think of.

2. Remember in chunks

Remember how the words are used in context.

Try this: Write down words used before and after the "new word" so you remember how to use it. These words are called collocations (words commonly found together)

• do homework tonight

• do business in Hong Kong

• do exercise in the morning

3. Draw a picture

Use small pictures to show the meaning of the word. Draw them next to the word. Your brain can remember & understand visual information compared to writing in words.

Try this: Make it a funny picture and you'll remember it more easily!

4. Make a funny story

Make a funny story that uses all the new words. Picture the story in your head.

Try this: Connect the new words together in a funny way and repeat the story.

• New words: camel / surf / wave / kite / carpet / dolphin / turtle / blue / tornado / wind / fierce / surfer / swim / reefs / enormous / rocket / space / star / moon / mountain

• Story: The camel was surfing on a big wave with a kite attached to a flying carpet. A dolphin and blue turtle followed behind riding on top of a tornado. The wind was so fierce that a surfer who was swimming above the reefs got blown into the air and turned into an enormous rocket which flew off into space and hit a star next to the moon. Then, he fell down onto a mountain.

5. Use it now, later, and tomorrow

Keep on using the new word in your conversation. Use it at least 7 times and it will stick!

Try this: Use the new word immediately after learning it. Use it 10 minutes later. Use it 1 hour later. Use it 1 day later. Use it 1 week later. Use it 2 weeks later. Use it 1 month later. Then you got it!

↘ Do you have better ways to remember new words? Comment below!↙