Active Listening

Kentucky Community and Technical College System

Teaching and Learning Center

STUDYING VOCABULARY WORDS
Home of Learning Brain Critical Thinking Learning Styles Home Listening to Lecture Memory Note taking Note taking for Science and Math Organizing Reading Stress Testing Tips Text Book Marking Time Management	Learning the vocabulary of any area of study is extremely important. Consider it the same as learning a foreign language. If you don't learn the language, you can't speak to the people around you or understand what's going on or what is expected of you. The same is true of all areas of study. If you don't learn the vocabulary - or jargon - of math, science, computers, nursing, etc., not only can you not communicate with your instructor and fellow students, but you also cannot learn or continue to learn. You won't understand the book when you read it; you won't understand the instructor in class; you will not be able to do your homework; and you won't be able to participate in class discussion. In addition, when you try to get a job, you won't be able to communicate in that area, and you won't get a job you might have desired. The Teaching and Learning Center offers the following tips in studying vocabulary words. At first you're going to think, "Flashcards! I made those in grade school." Yes, and they worked, didn't they?" Just because a learning technique worked at a younger age does not mean you cannot apply it to any age.
	MAKE FLASHCARDS - You can use anything - index cards or just paper that you cut in half or quarters
	Put a word on one side, then its definition on the other. (Using yellow for the paper and black for the ink will help.) The first time, look at the word, then look at the definition The next time, look at the definition, then the word Likewise, when you flash the definition, try to guess the word Do both actions as many times as necessary
	Many people who use note cards for studying vocabulary come up with various ways of using them. Some students buy cheap $.25 to $1.00 coupon holders. These containers are the right size for note cards and have a plastic band to keep the container closed. As the student learns the vocabulary words for a chapter or section, he or she moves those cards forward. Some of the holders come in colors, so you could use a different holder for different classes. Other students use their note cards to make "games." Put all of your cards into one pile. Shuffle them. Then, separate each card into it's proper category, such as, "bone structure." See how far down you can make the categories. Doing so will help you learn how the vocabulary word connects to the whole picture
	Type Words and Definitions (for those who cannot type, try writing)
	Make sure you think about each word and definition as you do the following. Don't just type or write. Without thinking, making connections, and trying to understand the words and their meanings, you will not learn and remember them First, type the word, then the definition Next time, type the definition, then the word Continue doing this, but now when you type the word, try to guess the definition Likewise, when you type the definition, try to guess the word Do both actions as many times as necessary
	VOCALIZE
	Say the word aloud Say the definition aloud Next time, say the definition aloud Continue doing this, but now when you say the word, try to guess the definition Likewise, when you say the definition, try to guess the word Then, say the word aloud Do both actions as many times as necessary

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	Teaching and Learning Center, Owensboro Community and Technical College, 4800 New Hartford Road, Owensboro, KY 42303
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