Learning Words and Phrases in a Foreign Language What’s the point? Learning words and phrases at home will help you in your lessons. It means we will have more time to focus on skills such as listening, speaking, reading and writing. If you choose a language in your options, it will train you to be able to learn French words and phrases in the same way you would when revising for your exams. Looking at this vocabulary outside of lessons will help it stay in your memory for much longer. How often? Little and often is the absolute key to doing your homework successfully. 10-15 minutes a day is enough. Trying to learn the words the night before will not be enough to embed them into your long term memory. Remember, we’re not just learning them to be used that week then you can forget them – if you decide to do a GCSE in French or German, you will need these words then too! KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER Language learning happens over time, and although there are some tips on the other side of this to help you, you must remember there is no quick fix. Be prepared to put in a little effort each day – you will soon see the benefits of this. Make it part of your daily routine – 10 minutes in the morning, or on the school bus, or before bed. It’ll become habit rather than a chore. If you find a particular set of words difficult, then you will need to work harder on them. Saying they’re too hard is no excuse!

Learning Words and Phrases in a Foreign Language – TOP TIPS Three is a Magic Number If you’re really struggling to retain vocabulary words, write each French word three times in French and once in English. Then write the French word again without looking back at what you have just written. Check to see if you have written it correctly. Make Associations Make associations with words you are familiar with in English. An example of this is the French verb “rencontrer.” While it means to meet or find, another meaning is “to encounter.” Create the association between these two similar words so you will be able to recall the meaning and the word itself in French. Get away from distractions! Don’t try doing this in front of the TV, or whilst using your phone. You need your full focus on the homework otherwise it won’t be a success! Learning Words and Phrases in a Foreign Language – TOP TIPS Be persistent Practise a little bit everyday by talking to your family or your dog, even though they don’t understand you. Get your family to test you, either verbally or writing them down Word Association Associate words with drawings, pictures and funny scenes. Word of the Day Choose a ‘word of the day’ each day. If you have a week to study for a test, or if you set a goal to memorise a list of vocabulary by the end of the week, you can reinforce your vocabulary study by singling out each word. Each day, take the word you have chosen and write it on a few post-its with or without its English equivalent. Place the post-its in places you will see them throughout the day, like the bathroom mirror, the monitor on your computer, or in your planner. You will see the word many times as you go about your day, and by the end of the day it should be permanently ingrained in your memory! Use repetition reading, writing and speaking words over and over again.