Picture the story: Memory aids in learning vocabulary

An exercise from the Spotlight Online archives:

How many new English words do you learn from Spotlight each month? If the answer is "not many", then maybe you should think about using some different memory techniques. Here are two:

1. Stick to seven

As our short-term memory is limited in the number of things that it can hold, it's best to limit the number of words you try to learn at one time. A common rule is that a person can best remember seven things.

2. Create image links

Creating imaginative associations can help long-term memory. When learning a new word, try thinking about it and linking it to an image of something you already know. The association does not have to be logical; the link often works best if it's funny or strange. Or try going on a familiar journey in your mind, placing the words in unusual places as you go along. You can also use the new words to create your own story — just make it very visual.

This exercise lets you use the image link technique to learn seven words from our vocabulary lists:

quaint  grubby  overweight  vibrant  insane  sensitive  stingy

3. Now, picture this scene

The queen is sitting quietly in front of a small cottage with her dogs. How quaint she is! The dogs have been digging and are really dirty. They are really grubby! The biggest dog is eating sausages. He is quite fat. How overweight he is! The queen is wearing a bright red hat and coat. How vibrant the colour is! The prince arrives and puts the dog's sausages in the queen's hat. What? Is he insane? The queen starts crying because her hat is ruined. How sensitive she is! Oh, dear: The prince has lots of money, but he won't buy her a new hat. How stingy he is!

Can you really picture the scene? Then you're ready to do an exercise. Next page, please!

Deborah Capras