Hi Guys,

As the Cambridge exams are nearing now is the time to really sit down and learn as much vocabulary as you possibly can. I thought I’d share one good technique to help you.

The keyword method can be used in a wide variety of situations and has a range of helpful applications. One very useful application for using the keyword technique is to use it for learning vocabulary.

This technique can be seen as a four part process.

The keyword technique can help you to remember vocabulary you might otherwise forget. For example, if you need to remember that  barrister is another word for lawyer, first create a keyword for the unfamiliar word, barrister. Remember, a keyword is a word that sounds like the new word and is easily pictured. A good keyword for barrister could be a bar (as in where people drink together)

Create a picture of the keyword and the definition doing something together.  Make the most interesting picture you can think of where the two words interact. For example, a picture of a lawyer sitting having a few drinks in a bar in his white wig could be an easy way to remember these two words! Any image that is fun and that you can remember is fine!

Give it a go! There has been lots of research into vocabulary acquisition and for higher level learners this has been proven to be very successful!  If you need any help with this come in and talk to Justin any time.