Methods to memorize new words (select a dictionary)?

[Prettygirl]

hi all members, I wonder which method you use to learn a new English word ?I think the best way is to use a new word in a sentence and practise. But there are not so many people who know English among my friends. Therefore I can't practise at all. I believe Writing a new word several times isn't enough to learn an English -word. What kind of dictionary should be prefered by learners? There are so many dictionaries available for learners. I expect your advices. Regards..

[Lost_Soul]

While learning English I came to the conclusion that you cant learn a new word in a fast way - i.e. you can memorize a word, and you can conjure it up in your mind if you "strain" your brain or you can recognize it if you see it, but it is not enough - you still cant use it freely, like you use words in your native language - some time must elapse before you are able to do it. For me it is quite a long lapse - like some months. And this will happen provided that you periodically refresh this word in your mind either though looking it up in your textbook or trying to "summon" it in your mind or recognizing it in any audio tape (movies, songs and so on) or any text
Dunno if it's just me or everyone can say that for themselves

[NinaZara]

Hi prettygirl (addressing you with your id makes me feel good already)

I started keeping a personal dictionary when I was in high school. I named it my "Word Bank", I even decorated it with sequins and stones (I bet it's the most stylish dictionary, sure Oxford has more words, but mine is pink!). I write all the new words and make sentences, funny ones so I can remember them. It is time consuming, but if you are a student, you don't have to mind it, your job is to study anyway.

But now I associate new words I learnt with things around me. I used the same methods to memorize formulas in college. And I limit myself two 2 words only each day.

And I subscribe to Dictionary.com and have it sent to my mobile's email. That way I have a mobile "Word Bank" as I call it.

However, the most important thing,IMO, is wanting to remember them. My English teacher gave me this advice a long time ago when she asked us the students, "Why do you forget things?"
She answered her own question,"Maybe you do not care enough or you do not really want to remember them."
It's one of the best advice given to me, because it really helped me in my studies, not just English.

All the best,
Nina

[Diverhank]

You should learn new words in their context...like in a sentence or a paragraph. Try to learn popular words that are used often to start with because more obscure words will be quickly forgotten. You will start to remember words if you see them used again and again.

I'd start taking a paragraph out of an English newspaper or magazine and start from there. Words used in newspapers are the best because they are not very difficult and are used very often. You can get most news and articles via the internet...try the New York Times or Los Angeles Times. You don't need to remember all the words, keep using new articles and identify words you don't know...Try to guess what they mean first before looking them up. Many words will show themselves regularly and those you will start remembering and will know how to use them in proper context.

[Proalyssa199]

In my opinion, selecting a dictionary doesn't influence the way you memorize new words. I learn new words by writing them down many times. Then I associate words whose meaning is the same to use variedly in writing. Reading and guessing the meaning like diverhank suggested are very feasible.