How to memorize English words. Part 2. Associative method

Learning English is primarily about expanding vocabulary and improving knowledge of grammar. The easiest way to learn words is to memorize the word and its translation, which is familiar from school. As we have already told you, flash cards and dictionary notebooks will come in handy here.

However, there are other, less ordinary approaches. Among them is the verbal-associative method. It works like this: you memorize an English word by associating it with a Ukrainian consonant. For example, let’s take the word “sand”. It is quite consonant with the Ukrainian word “sandals”. Next, we imagine how we walk along the sandy beach in summer in sandals – and thus remember the word.

The same with the word “puddle”. The first thing that comes to mind is the word “fall”. We imagine falling into a deep puddle – and we have one more word in our arsenal.

And the word “cup” – a cup sounds like the Ukrainian word for drip. Here it is enough to mentally draw a cup from which water drips and the word is easily remembered.

Another type of association can also be used. For example, the word “cereal”, is similar to the Ukrainian word series. Let’s remember that the heroes of our favorite American TV series often eat cereal for breakfast.

From the same series, the word “remark” which is directly associated with the famous writer Erich Maria Remarque. No one will deny that Mr. Remarque, as a man of letters, noticed quite a lot of interesting details around him, which he talked about in his works.

Another method is to remember thematic word associations: with favorite movies, books, songs or other hobbies. If you like the classic detective Sherlock Holmes, then when reading Arthur Conan Doyle or watching a popular British series, you will definitely remember the following words: “detective”, “murderer”, “deduction” and “elementary”.

And if you are an avid gourmet and like to cook according to the original recipes of famous chefs, then the words “tasty”, “oven”, “pastry” and “casserole” will be imprinted in your memory.

Sports fans can watch sports competitions in English. Then their vocabulary will definitely be supplemented by the words: “competition”, “rivals” and “score”. So, use your imagination – and go acquire new words.