Vocabulary is one of the most important ways to gain confidence in your new language. If you’re a beginner or even a more advanced English student, you may rely on your translator to remember what a word means. But are translators the best way to train your brain to remember what a word means?
Using a translator teaches your brain to do this:
English word → Translated word → the thing in the real world
Using a picture dictionary teaches your brain to do this:
English word → the thing in the real world
Making a Picture Dictionary is a great way to train your brain to skip the translator. Making and using a picture dictionary can teach your brain to associate the English word with the world around you.
How do you make a Picture Dictionary?
Step 1
Pick a topic. Write down 10-20 vocabulary words on cards.
Step 2
Search the world in Google for pictures; or use your translator if necessary (but don’t write down the translated word).
Step 3
On the other side of the cards, visualize and draw a picture to remember the word.
Step 4
Study the vocabulary cards you made until you can visualize the thing in the real world when you read the English word.
You can make a Picture Dictionary card set physically, or using a website. Here’s a set for ESL beginners to memorize colors:
You can search www.Quizlet.com for more, or create an account and make your own set. Have fun!