How do you manage learning vocabulary for language GCSEs?
LikePeople are always surprised when I tell them that I took 2 languages classes (Spanish and French) for GCSE and A-level because they assume that this is something excessively difficult or time-consuming or perhaps that requires an innate linguistic ability or extraordinary memory. Scrolling through pages of words may certainly make vocabulary learning seem incredibly alien and unwelcoming.
But in truth, learning languages with their accompanying grammar and vocabulary lists simply needs dedication. 5 minutes a day can be all it takes to build a habit. Incorporate this time into your daily routine. Then, when you feel comfortable, you can always increase the time dedicated to vocabulary every day. In terms of studying multiple languages, I found that the best way to reduce confusion was simply to create separation. I would study Spanish one day and French the next. This interleaving did wonders for my long term memory and helped to divide the two in my mind.
As for how to learn the words, in my experience, the best advice is simply repetition and finding the method that works for you. Paper flashcards with definitions and key terms may appeal to some people because the tactile act of passing through flashcards can lead to a sense of satisfaction. However, for me personally, this became a little demoralising and overwhelming with the sheer volume of words I could see that remained to be learned. I started to prioritise phrases that demonstrated skill, words that I could see myself using, that I felt confident using and that presented extra complexity. Then I downloaded an online flashcard making software onto my phone and began to create the flashcards. I was able to do this by transferring online vocabulary lists into Excel spreadsheets and allowing the programme to do the work (something it might be worth considering if you are pressed for time and do not want to type out card by card). This made practising my flashcards quick and light work. I could scroll through words in a few minutes whilst I was waiting for the bus, quiz myself with little active recall tests to improve my memory, or even play games to really ingrain the words in my mind.
It is so important to keep vocabulary learning fun and interactive as any connections or patterns, actions or thoughts which you connect with a word will make you so much more likely to remember it. Make funny analogies. Find humorous connections to English words. Use actions. Picture the word. All of these bizarre techniques will make you so much more connected to the language and thus more confident in drawing words from your memory and applying them, especially in the long term.
It might feel like an uphill climb, but the truth is that everyone has to start somewhere. You will start to improve, you will remember words and, most excitingly, start to spot patterns and trends that help you recognise unfamiliar words in context, something which will further improve your vocabulary supporting your progress in the 4 key tested skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Good luck, and remember to just keep going.