Don't Memorize Vocabulary | SMART and EFFECTIVE way to learn new words

Summary

This video explores why your vocabulary might remain passive and offers strategies to make it active. It suggests learning like children do by listening and repeating in context, focusing on quality over quantity by learning phrases, and connecting emotionally to words through context and repetition. The video also emphasizes the importance of patience and persistence, recommending practices like associating words with daily tasks and seeking feedback to improve. Sponsored by Atlas VPN, the video encourages viewers to actively use their vocabulary for more natural language use.

Takeaways

• 😓 **Passive vs. Active Vocabulary**: The script discusses the difference between passive and active vocabulary, emphasizing the importance of moving words from passive to active use.
• 👶 **Learning Like Kids**: It suggests learning new words by imitating native speakers, similar to how children acquire language by listening and repeating.
• 🎧 **Combining Reading and Listening**: The script recommends using audiobooks and podcasts to combine reading with listening, which can help in internalizing vocabulary.
• 🔒 **Sponsored by Atlas VPN**: The video features a sponsorship by Atlas VPN, which is highlighted as a tool for privacy and accessing geo-restricted content.
• 📈 **Quality Over Quantity**: The speaker advises focusing on the quality of vocabulary usage rather than the sheer number of words known.
• 📚 **Learning in Context**: It's important to learn words in context to remember them better, using resources like 'yish' to see words in use.
• 🎭 **Connect Emotionally**: Making emotional connections with words by using them in relatable contexts can aid in memorization and active usage.
• 🗣️ **Speak and Practice**: The script encourages speaking out loud, leaving comments, or even talking to oneself to practice and reinforce new vocabulary.
• 🌟 **Patience and Persistence**: Language learning requires patience; the script advises being kind to oneself and committed to the learning process.
• 🏆 **Making It a Priority**: Lastly, the script emphasizes making the active use of vocabulary a priority and enjoying the learning journey.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the video script?

The main issue discussed is the challenge of converting passive vocabulary into active vocabulary, especially in the context of language learning, where words are known but not used naturally during conversation.

What is the definition of 'active vocabulary' as mentioned in the script?

Active vocabulary refers to the words that a person constantly uses without even thinking about them, as opposed to passive vocabulary which includes words known but not actively used.

Why does the ability to retrieve words from passive vocabulary during speaking sometimes fail?

The ability to retrieve words from passive vocabulary while speaking can fail due to lack of practice and exposure, as it is a skill that needs to be developed.

What is the solution proposed for learning new words like a child?

The solution is to learn by imitation, repetition, and context, similar to how children learn. This involves listening and repeating sentences out loud, and using audiobooks or watching TV shows to practice.

What is the role of Atlas VPN in the context of the video script?

Atlas VPN is mentioned as a sponsor of the video. It is a tool that helps keep online searches private, block ads and malware, and can be used to access region-restricted content.

What is the importance of learning words in context rather than in isolation?

Learning words in context helps with retention and usage, as it allows for better understanding and recall of the words in actual conversations, making them more likely to transition from passive to active vocabulary.

How can one make vocabulary learning more engaging and less boring?

One can make vocabulary learning more engaging by connecting new words emotionally, using them in enjoyable activities like watching favorite TV shows, and creating visual and emotional connections to the words.

What is the advice for using vocabulary in daily life to reinforce learning?

The advice is to associate new vocabulary with daily tasks, such as commenting on YouTube videos, speaking to oneself, or engaging in speaking clubs to practice language in a safe environment.

Why is patience important when learning a language?

Patience is important because language learning is a gradual process that requires time to show improvement. Persistence and consistent practice are key to progress.

How can one track their progress in language learning?

One can track their progress by recording themselves speaking, asking for feedback, or focusing on vocabulary that is known but difficult to recall in speech.

What is the final message of the video regarding language learning?

The final message is to enjoy the language learning process, keep exploring, growing, and using what is already known, as learning is a transformative journey.

Outlines

00:00

🗣️ Overcoming Passive Vocabulary

This paragraph discusses the challenge of transforming passive vocabulary into active use during conversation. It emphasizes that while many words are known, they are not naturally used in speech. The video suggests that this skill can be developed through practice and exposure. The speaker shares personal experiences with learning Spanish, highlighting the effectiveness of learning like children do, which involves listening and repeating in context. The paragraph also introduces a sponsored product, Atlas VPN, which is recommended for accessing region-restricted content and enhancing online privacy.

05:04

📚 Prioritizing Quality Over Quantity

The second paragraph focuses on the importance of learning words in context rather than in isolation to improve fluency. It argues that learning words separately can lead to forgetting them and not using them effectively. The speaker recommends learning phrases and using tools like 'yish' to understand word usage in context. The paragraph also stresses the importance of creating connections in memory by using words in sentences and repeating them efficiently. The speaker shares a personal strategy of using Anki flashcards to memorize new vocabulary with example sentences, ensuring a deeper understanding and easier recall.

Keywords

💡Active Vocabulary

Active vocabulary refers to the words that a speaker can use fluently and naturally in conversation without conscious effort. In the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of transforming passive vocabulary into active vocabulary to enhance language proficiency. The video suggests practicing with audiobooks, TV shows, and podcasts to improve active vocabulary usage.

💡Passive Vocabulary

Passive vocabulary consists of words that a person knows but does not actively use in speech or writing. The video discusses how passive vocabulary is more extensive than active vocabulary and how the ability to retrieve words from passive vocabulary during speaking can be developed. It is contrasted with active vocabulary, which is the focus of the video's strategies.

💡Context

Context is the situation in which something exists or occurs,影响着语言的使用和理解. In the video, the speaker suggests learning words in context to facilitate their transition from passive to active vocabulary. For instance, learning phrases and sentences rather than isolated words helps in understanding how and when to use them effectively.

💡Practice

Practice is the action of repeatedly performing an activity or exercise in order to improve at it. The video underscores the importance of practice in developing the skill of retrieving words from passive vocabulary during conversation. It encourages mimicking native speakers, repeating after them, and using vocabulary in real-life situations.

💡Fluency

Fluency in language refers to the ability to speak or write smoothly, easily, and without hesitation. The video argues that fluency is not about the quantity of words known but the confident and clear expression of thoughts. It suggests focusing on using known words effectively rather than memorizing a large number of isolated words.

💡Phrases

A phrase is a small group of words standing together as a conceptual unit. The video encourages learning phrases instead of single words to better understand and use vocabulary actively. It gives the example of the word 'priority' and how it can be used in various phrases to express different levels of importance.

💡Emotional Connection

Emotional connection refers to the attachment of emotions to certain experiences or information, which can aid in memory and learning. The video suggests connecting new vocabulary to emotions and personal experiences to make learning more effective. It proposes using favorite books, TV shows, or explaining new words to friends as methods to create these connections.

💡Active Recall

Active recall is a learning technique that involves retrieving information from memory rather than rereading or reviewing it. The video recommends practicing active recall by explaining newly learned vocabulary to oneself or others, which helps in creating stronger neural connections and better retention.

💡Daily Tasks

Daily tasks are the routine activities that one performs each day. The video suggests associating new vocabulary with daily tasks as a method to reinforce learning and make it a part of active vocabulary. Examples include leaving comments on YouTube videos, sending voicemails, or speaking to oneself.

💡Persistence

Persistence is the continued effort to achieve a goal despite difficulties. In the context of the video, persistence is highlighted as a key factor in language learning, where improvement may not be immediate. The speaker advises being patient and committed to the learning process, emphasizing that language learning is a journey.

Highlights

Vocabulary can be passive or active, and active vocabulary is crucial for fluent communication.

Passive vocabulary includes words you know but don't use, and it's larger than active vocabulary even in native languages.

The ability to retrieve words from passive vocabulary during speech is a skill that can be developed.

Learning vocabulary like children do, through imitation and context, can be highly effective.

Combining reading with listening to audiobooks or watching TV shows can help activate passive vocabulary.

Atlas VPN is recommended for accessing geo-restricted content and enhancing online privacy.

Fluency is about expressing oneself clearly, not just knowing a large number of words.

Learning words in isolation can lead to forgetting them; instead, learn phrases to retain better.

Using resources like yish to see words in context can help understand how to use them naturally.

Creating example sentences with new vocabulary can solidify memory and understanding.

Connecting new vocabulary emotionally by using it in context or explaining it to others can aid memory.

Learning should be enjoyable to strengthen neural connections and facilitate language acquisition.

Reinforcing new vocabulary by associating it with daily tasks can help integrate it into active use.

Speaking clubs can provide a safe space to practice and improve speaking skills.

Patience is key in language learning; progress might be slow but persistence leads to improvement.

Asking for feedback or recording oneself can help track progress and identify areas for improvement.

Making a priority to actively use known vocabulary can lead to more natural and fluent speech.

Enjoying the learning process is essential for language acquisition and personal growth.

Transcripts

ever notice how the words You' have memorized  don't come to mind when you need to speak on the  

spot it can be frustrating right you put in the  effort to remember them but they don't come out  

naturally during a conversation and this video  we'll explore why your vocabulary might stay  

passive and how you can make it more active active  vocabulary is the words that you constantly use  

without even thinking about it passive vocabulary  includes all the words that you know but don't  

really use for various reasons Even in our native  language passive vocabul outnumbers active the  

ability of your mind to retrieve those words from  your passive vocabulary while speaking is a skill  

and it can be developed through practice and  exposure let's discover what stands in a way  

of adopting that skill reason one you've never  spoken a word solution learn like kids do as  

you might already know I'm currently learning  Spanish and here is a little secret that's been  

working wonders for me learning like kids do 95%  of their language progress is thanks to imp put if  

you think about how three-year-olds talk they  often copy you they repeat everything you say  

they don't memorize lists of words out of context  they memorize full sentences context and emotions  

tied to them they listen and repeat so what can  you do you can combine reading with listening to  

Audi books you can rewatch your favorite TV show  or listen to different podcast like the bridg wers  

podcast then you pick a little snippet you listen  to how Native speakers said the sentence and you  

repeat after the speakers out loud if you can't  access friends or other legendary TV shows on  

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now or you can also scan this QR code reason two  you learn words separately solution quality over  

or quantity fluency is not about the number of  words you know it's about expressing yourself  

confidently and clearly so are you really able to  use the words that you know if you learn words in  

isolation you're more likely to forget them and  never use them ever again instead of memorizing  

a single word explore the words that usually  accompany them basically learn phrases let's  

take the word priority as an example maybe you're  not sure how to use this word you kind of know it  

but you cannot imagine yourself using it because  you don't know the context of this word for this I  

highly recommend using yish it's a free resource  they basically use YouTube videos for reference  

you type in priority and you can see that you can  use this word this way you can say I made it my  

priority it's my top priority or it's my number  one priority in fact the people of the United  

Kingdom decided to leave the European Union their  first priority would be to renegotiate so now it's  

a lot more clear and you can start using this word  a lot more naturally because you know the context  

so by focusing on the words you already know you  can create Connections in your memory and that's  

why what I usually do when I try to memorize  new vocabulary with anky is every time I create  

an example sentence I make sure that I know all  the words because often times I see people have  

example sentences that have new words for them  like they don't actually know these words and I'm  

like how are you going to remember the context if  inside the context you have words that you don't  

know to shift your passive vocabulary into active  you need to repeat what you know efficiently  

reason three you make it hard and boring by  accident solution connect emotionally I love  

discovering ways to hack my brain and one of the  most effective ways is letting my brain know the  

importance of this new vocabulary when you merely  memorize a random word your brain has nothing to  

connect it to but when you learn in context when  you read the books from your childhood like what  

I'm doing in Spanish right now when you watch  your favorite TV shows and especially when you  

explain what you have just learned to your friend  or even to yourself by practicing active recall  

you create Visual and emotional connections to  the word instead of just memorizing a word let's  

say you're watching your favorite show you see  this line from their dialogue and you see the  

context so try to create a similar situation in  your brain like where you would use this word and  

repeat the same sentence out loud multiple times  maybe write it down maybe save it to your ay so  

that again you have something to connect it with  usually when I memorize words this way I even take  

screenshots from YouTube videos that I watch or  shows that I watch and I add everything to to Ay  

so that every time I open this word I remember oh  I actually was trying to watch this YouTube video  

and I saw this word there or I was watching this  TV show and this is how the actors use it there  

learning is supposed to be enjoyable it should  be fun then those neurons in your brain will be  

firing up to make those connections even stronger  then like magic one day something clicks and a  

whole bunch of words that were stored away in  passive vocabulary become accessible and you start  

using them in your everyday conversations reason  for stop memorizing solution start using try to  

reinforce your new vocabulary by associating words  with your daily tasks common everything you see on  

your daily walk Journal leave comments under your  favorite YouTube videos by your favorite creators  

send a voicemail to your friend or even speak to  yourself sometimes I do that too because I don't  

know like I want want to try to memorize this  one specific word and I feel like if I try to  

create this situation and I speak to myself  a little bit it helps me Mize this word more  

efficiently I even made a video a few months ago  about how you can learn a foreign language without  

talking to people so you can click right here  to watch this video sometimes what can help is  

some sort of collaboration in the past I used to  attend a lot of speaking clubs and they helped me  

a lot in terms of developing my speaking skills  in English they usually provide a safe space for  

you to practice your language and this way your  progress can Skyrocket the most important thing  

to remember is you have to stay relaxed and have  fun because that's when your brain really opens  

up to learning reason five impatience solution be  kind to yourself but committed unlike many other  

skills languages take longer to show Improvement  persistence is always key in language learning  

if you want to see immediate results you have  to wait ask for feedback or record yourself  

speaking every single week to see your progress  you can try focusing on vocabulary that you know  

but struggle to remember while speaking your  intentional work will not only make your speech  

sound smoother and less robotic but it will also  prevent excessive memorization you all know that  

everything I share on this channel is based on my  personal experience learning a lot of different  

foreign languages so let's get back to our word  priority make it a priority to actively use what  

you already know remember that learning isn't a  race it's an incredible journey that transforms  

you along the way keep exploring keep growing  and most importantly keep enjoying the process  

if you like this video don't forget to give it a  thumbs up and subscribe to my channel make sure to  

give Atlas VPN A Try by clicking the link in the  description they have an amazing promotion going  

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