The secret to remembering all 50 English vocabulary words every day easily

The secret to remembering all 50 English vocabulary words every day easily

Learning English or any language, sometimes you can't avoid situations when you don't know how to pronounce a word correctly, or when you hear a "familiar" word but don't understand the meaning.

Increasing vocabulary and using learned words flexibly is a legitimate desire for any learner. There is a method to memorize 50 English vocabulary words a day shared by EnglishVocabulary, which many learners have successfully applied. Would you like to give it a try?

1. Why is learning vocabulary so challenging?

There is a process called “natural forgetting” or “natural retention” where the amount of information we absorb decreases slightly each day. For example, on the first day, you retain 100% of the information you’ve taken in, but by the second day, about 50% of that information is lost. By the 30th day, you may only remember about 2% of what you initially learned.

Forgetting curve illustration

If you don’t connect the information or simply list vocabulary words on paper and rewrite them without linking them to related objects or events, your brain will struggle to retain them long-term. This is why you quickly forget what you’ve learned.

2. How to memorize 50 English vocabulary words a day – is it feasible?

If you forget even 10 words, how can you memorize 50 English vocabulary words a day?

The method of learning is crucial. If you only aim to memorize a certain number of words each day by writing them down, you’ll likely forget them quickly. However, choosing a method you enjoy, one that sparks inspiration and excitement, makes memorizing 50 English vocabulary words a day much simpler.

The most effective ways to memorize 50 English vocabulary words a day

  • Learn English vocabulary by grouping homophones:
    Homophones are words with different meanings but similar pronunciations, which can cause confusion. Mispronouncing them can change their meaning. Unlike Vietnamese, English homophones are spelled differently, making them easier to distinguish in writing. However, understanding and differentiating them can be challenging. Learning homophones in groups is an effective way to memorize 50 English vocabulary words a day.
    Common homophones include: Allowed, aloud; Ate, eight; By, bye, buy; To, too, two; Build, billed; Bare, bear; Cell, sell; Die, dye; Dear, deer; Fir, fur; Knight, night; Know, no; Band, banned; Board, bored; Desert, dessert; Hair, hare; Hear, here; Meet, meat; Road, rode; Sail, sale; Weather, whether; Wear, ware, where; Wet, whet; Wood, would…
  • Learn English vocabulary by themes or mind maps:
    Choose a theme you love, such as shopping, clothing, accessories, or sports. You’ll find you can list far more related words than you might expect. When vocabulary is tied to your interests, memorizing becomes effortless.
    Isn’t this method of memorizing 50 English vocabulary words a day simple? You can even create a list of 50 or more words each day using this approach.
  • Learn English vocabulary through word-matching games:
    For those with a decent English vocabulary but haven’t used it in a while, playing word-matching games can revive those “dormant” words. Many popular word-matching apps are available for you to install and play, significantly boosting your vocabulary.

Word learning illustration

Memorizing 50 English vocabulary words a day is not as difficult as you think.
  • Learn English vocabulary through antonyms:
    Antonyms are words with opposite meanings, which can be divided into several types:
    - Absolute antonyms with no common ground: Short – long, narrow – wide, right – wrong, win – lose.
    - Comparative antonyms: Wise – fool, early – late, adult – infant, senior – junior.
    - Antonyms formed by prefixes or suffixes: Agree – disagree; Appear – disappear; Describable – indescribable; Happy – unhappy; Fortunate – unfortunate; Regular – irregular; Normal – abnormal; Understand – misunderstand; Fiction – nonfiction; Sense – nonsense.
    By knowing one root word, you can double your vocabulary. This makes memorizing 50 English vocabulary words a day less daunting.
  • Learn English vocabulary through a favorite story or book:
    Reading books, especially short stories or literature from American or British authors, can be challenging but is one of the best ways to memorize 50 English vocabulary words a day. This method allows natural, non-forced learning, as you encounter the words daily without effort.
    This approach requires a basic vocabulary foundation but helps you retain words longer and use them flexibly in context.

3. Tips for memorizing vocabulary

    • Choose a learning level suitable for your proficiency:
      Select a vocabulary set appropriate for your level, from A0 to C1, to ensure easy absorption. The key to learning vocabulary quickly is to make it familiar and natural. Don’t forget to place words in relatable contexts.

Vocabulary learning level illustration

Learning at the right level is the fastest and most effective way to memorize English vocabulary.
  • Use words immediately:
    To master vocabulary, apply it to listening, speaking, reading, and writing right away. For example, use it in conversations with friends or social media posts. This yields surprising results.
  • Repeat vocabulary multiple times:
    Repeating a word 10–20 times can help you remember it permanently. Practice and review vocabulary regularly, spacing out your reviews to retain words deeply and for longer. Consider using flashcards, a highly effective method for repetitive learning.

For beginners or those who haven’t practiced English in a long time, having “dead words” or not knowing how to use them in specific situations is common. You need to bring these words “back to life” using the methods to memorize 50 English vocabulary words a day suggested by EnglishVocabulary above. Explore ways to master English with EnglishVocabulary!


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