Want to learn new vocabulary while reading—without turning your book into homework?
Vickie here to tell you what I talked about in this episode of Language Learning Report Card. Catch the video version below.
In this episode, I share a super simple way to pick up new words while reading in English, or in any language. It’s something I’ve tested in both Spanish and French. I gave it a fair shot, graded the homework, and now I’m passing the tip on to you, with a few tweaks to help make it even more useful in your own practice.
Highlights from the episode:
✅ The method:
Read a book in your target language and choose one new or interesting word per page. Write it down so you can use it later.
✅ My real-life test:
I tried this with books in Spanish and French. In Spanish, I gave the method a C (70%). I highlighted lots of fun words… but I didn’t write any of them down and haven’t used many of them in real life since.
For French? Oof! It got an F (40%) because I didn’t even bring a notebook! Those words have long since been forgotten. 🤦♀️
✅ The issues:
Too many words and no system for tracking them. The reality is that I fell in love with nearly every single new word and I wanted to keep them all! 😍 But with so many words and no plan, most of them disappeared into the “new word graveyard.” Never to be used again. ☠️
✅ What’d I’d change:
Be pickier! I’d be more selective with my list of words, writing down fewer but more useful ones.
I’d actually write them somewhere.
Most importantly, I wouldn’t let “reading for fun” turn into a full study session or I won’t want to keep reading.
✅ How to use the words:
Try them out in your English class with me, use them with your friends, or in your Voice Message Speaking Practice with me, too.
The goal is to remember and use them, not just collect them.
Your turn
Have you ever tried learning vocabulary this way? What grade would you give it?
If you haven’t tried it, test this method with the book you’re reading now, and be sure to use the words in real conversations. Want an easy way to do that? Check out Voice Message Speaking Practice to start using those words with me today.
Catch you in the next episode!
And if you enjoyed this episode, you can find all the episodes of Language Learning Report Card podcast right here.
