Vocabulary grows when you repeatedly retrieve useful words and use them in meaningful contexts. Rereading a list can create familiarity, but familiarity is not the same as being able to recall a word during a conversation or piece of writing.
Active recall
Active recall means trying to produce information before checking the answer. See a situation, definition, image or sentence gap and retrieve the word. Then check, correct and use it. The effort of retrieval is part of the learning.
Spaced repetition
Spacing means reviewing items after increasing intervals instead of massing all repetitions in one session. Difficult or forgotten items return sooner; secure items return later. A simple schedule might revisit a word after one day, three days, one week and two weeks, adjusted by performance.
Build stronger cards
- Put a prompt on one side, not the target word itself.
- Include a natural example and common collocation.
- Add pronunciation or word stress when needed.
- Keep one main retrieval target per card.
- Write a personal sentence after recalling the answer.
A ten-minute routine
- Review due items without looking first.
- Say the answer aloud or write it.
- Check meaning, form and pronunciation.
- Use missed words in fresh sentences.
- Finish with a short spoken or written task using several items.
Do not collect hundreds of low-value words. Prioritise language you meet repeatedly, need for a goal, or can connect to existing knowledge.
Combine this method with word families, collocations and context. Guided practice is available in Prepspire Vocabulary 101 and the free skill-course tasters.
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