12 Ways to Improve Your English Vocabulary Memory

Improving your English vocabulary memory can be daunting, especially when you need to remember several new words every day. Fortunately, there are unconventional yet effective ways to help you improve your English vocabulary memory. In this article, we will discuss 12 creative ways to improve your English vocabulary memory.

1. Use Mnemonics

Mnemonics are memory aids that help you remember information using association techniques. To use mnemonics to improve your English vocabulary memory, create a phrase, acronym, or image that relates to the word you want to remember. For example, to remember the word “abhor,” you can create an association with “a bore” and imagine a boring person that you dislike intensely.

2. Play Word Games

Playing word games like Scrabble, crossword puzzles, or Boggle can help you learn new words while having fun. These games help you expand your vocabulary by introducing you to new words, and they also help you remember words you already know.

3. Use a Vocabulary Journal

A vocabulary journal is a helpful tool to track your progress in learning new words. Write down new words you learn, their definitions, and use them in a sentence. This way, you can review your new words and ensure that you retain them in your long-term memory.

4. Read Widely

Reading widely exposes you to new words and phrases. The more you read, the more you learn, and the better your vocabulary becomes. Reading different genres like fiction, non-fiction, and news articles can help you encounter new words in different contexts.

5. Listen to English Music

Listening to English music can help you improve your vocabulary by exposing you to new words and colloquial expressions. Pay attention to the lyrics and try to understand the meaning of new words.

6. Watch English Movies and TV Shows

Watching English movies and TV shows can help you improve your English vocabulary as you learn new words and expressions. Turn on the subtitles to help you understand complex words and phrases.

7. Use Flashcards

Flashcards are an effective way to learn new words and keep them in your memory. Write the word on one side and the definition on the other side of the card, and test yourself regularly to ensure you remember the words.

8. Engage in Conversation

Engaging in conversations with native English speakers or other English learners can help you learn new words and improve your vocabulary. Make use of new words you have learned in your conversations to help you remember them.

9. Use Word Association

Word association is a technique that helps you remember words by associating them with other words that have similar meanings or sounds. For example, to remember the word “hyperbole,” you can associate it with “exaggeration” or “hype.”

10. Use Technology

There are several apps and online tools that help you improve your English vocabulary memory. Apps like Quizlet, Vocabulary.com, and Duolingo can help you learn new words and retain them in your memory.

11. Use Visual Aids

Using visual aids like pictures, diagrams, and mind maps can help you remember new words by associating them with visual cues. For example, to remember the word “catharsis,” you can create a mind map with images of things that make you feel relieved or cleansed.

12. Read Vocabulary-Related Content

Reading content related to vocabulary can help you improve your English vocabulary memory. Books like “Word Power Made Easy” and “The Vocabulary Builder Workbook” can help you learn new words and improve your memory of them.

Conclusion

In conclusion, improving your English vocabulary memory can be achieved through unconventional and creative methods. Mnemonics, word games, vocabulary journals, reading, listening to music, watching movies and TV shows, flashcards, conversation, word association, technology, visual aids, and reading vocabulary-related content are all effective ways to improve your vocabulary memory. By incorporating these methods in your English learning journey, you can improve your vocabulary memory and become a proficient English speaker.