Hi, friends.
Welcome back to Podcast and Chill.
I am your friend Leo.
And I'm Gwen.
So happy to be here with you today.
Friends, today we're talking about something really important for English learners.
Yes.
Our topic is how to never forget English words.
We'll share five easy, fun tips that actually work.
No boring grammar, I promise.
Just practical ways you can use every day.
So grab your water, relax, and let's dive in.
Many of our listeners tell us the same problem.
What is it?
They say, I learn a new English word today, and tomorrow, poof, it's gone.
Oh yes, this happens to so many people, right?
Exactly.
You spend time studying, but the words just disappear from your mind.
It's tiring.
You feel like, why can't I remember?
Am I lazy?
Is my memory bad?
But here's the truth.
It's not because you're lazy.
It's because of how your brain naturally works.
Right?
Our brain is like a busy street.
Imagine you walk down the street and see a stranger for just one second.
Tomorrow, do you remember their face?
Of course not.
But if you meet that person again and again, maybe you talk to them, spend time together.
Then that person becomes your friend.
And you never forget your friends.
Yes, vocabulary is exactly the same.
A word you see only once is a stranger.
A word you use many times becomes your friend.
So, why do we forget words so fast?
Scientists say our brain forgets new information very quickly if we don't review it.
How quickly?
After one day, we forget about half of what we learned.
After one week, we forget almost everything.
Wow!
So if I learn ten new words today, maybe next week I only remember two?
Exactly.
But here's the good news.
There's good news?
If you see and use a word many times, your brain says, oh, this is important.
I should remember this.
Then the brain saves it in long-term memory.
So it's like training your brain, and today we'll show you exactly how to do that.
We'll share five simple but powerful methods to make words stick in your mind forever.
Shall we start with the first one?
Let's go!
Alright, here's method number one.
Use new words in your own sentences.
This might sound simple, but it's actually super powerful.
Do you know why?
Because learning just the meaning of a word is not enough.
Right?
If you only know the translation, your brain will forget it quickly.
It's like knowing someone's name but never actually talking to them.
You forget fast.
Exactly.
But if you use the word in sentences, your brain sees the word in action.
And that's how memory becomes strong.
So here's the rule.
For every new word, make at least three different sentences.
And these sentences should be from different contexts, like school, family, work, or friends.
Let's try an example.
Let's use the word cook.
Good idea.
For example, first sentence, I cook dinner for my family.
Second sentence could be, my mom cooks a very delicious soup.
And for the last one, hmm, let's cook together on Sunday.
Nice.
Now we see the word cook with family, with mom, and with friends.
When the brain sees a word in many situations, it understands.
This word is useful in real life.
I need to keep it.
It's like watching your friend in school, in the park, and in the cafe.
You know them better.
Wow, that's a big difference.
Yes, because the brain learns through use.
I'm so excited about this method.
Let's try more examples.
How about the word happy?
Okay.
First one, I feel happy when I listen to music.
Next, here's another, she is happy because she passed the test.
And one more, we are happy to see our friends again.
See?
Now the word happy lives in school, music, and friendship.
That's the power of making sentences.
So friends, here's a small challenge for you.
Take one new word today and make three sentences right now.
Don't just listen to us.
Pause this podcast, think, and write your own sentences.
Yes, please do it, because action is more powerful than only listening.
I'll give you 10 seconds.
Okay, time's up.
Did you do it?
If yes, great job.
Remember, if you see a word only one time... you will forget it.
But if you use it many times, you will remember it well.
Oh, I love that line.
It makes so much sense.
Thank you.
Can we go to the second method now?
I can't wait to learn more.
All right, then.
No more waiting.
Method number two is use the word immediately.
Use the word immediately?
Yes, just remember this use it or lose it.
It means if you learn a new word but never use it, you can't remember it.
It's like buying a new t-shirt and never wearing it and after one month you forget it is even in your closet.
Exactly, you're right.
So how can learners use new words immediately?
There are many simple ways.
For example, you can send a message to a friend.
If you learn the word hungry, just text, Are you hungry? or say to yourself, I am hungry now.
Sounds interesting.
Another way is to write in your diary.
It's like, if I learn the word tired, I can write, I feel tired today because I studied a lot.
Exactly.
Or if you are active on social media, use the new word in a short post.
Like I'm excited for the weekend.
That's a great idea.
Even one small sentence helps.
The key is, don't wait.
Use the word on the same day you learn it, because when you use it, your brain becomes active.
It says, oh, this word is useful.
Let's save it.
Exactly, friends.
Don't just read the word one time.
Use it, write it, or see it in a story.
Then the brain will keep it longer.
Exactly.
So remember, use it or lose it.
I think that line should be on a t-shirt.
Maybe.
But more important, it should be in your memory.
I agree, Gwen.
So, that's the end of tip number two, right?
Yes.
Friends, can you try this method today?
Got it.
I'll try it.
You try too, guys.
So, what's tip number three?
Method number three is personal connection.
It means connect the word with your own life, right?
Yes, that's right.
Connect it to your life, your story, your feelings.
That way it feels more real.
You make me so curious.
Give us an example.
Okay.
Imagine the word nervous.
Nervous.
Many learners know the meaning, but they forget it.
If you only read nervous means worried or afraid, it's easy to forget.
But if you think...
I was nervous before my English speaking test, then you remember the word with your own feeling.
Oh, so the word is not just in the book, but in your heart.
Exactly.
Another example, the word lonely.
If you remember one evening when you stayed at home alone and felt sad, the word becomes part of your story.
That's powerful.
Because the brain loves emotion.
Yes.
Science says that memory is stronger when emotion is strong.
So if you learn the word apple, you can connect it to when you ate an apple yesterday with your lunch.
Yes.
Very good.
It does not need to be big.
Even small connections help.
Awesome.
I think I have some ideas.
The word rain.
Memory.
I walked to school in the rain last week.
Happy.
I link happy to this memory.
I felt happy when my friend gave me a gift.
Yes.
Now the word is not a stranger.
It is part of your life.
And when a word becomes part of your life, your brain says, this is important.
I will not forget it.
Our dear friends, here's your challenge.
Choose one new word today and write one sentence about your life with it.
It can be simple, but make it real.
Perfect.
That was method number three.
Ready for method number four?
Yes, let's continue.
Leo, you know what?
Sometimes a new word is just... boring.
I mean...
It's just one word on a paper.
So boring.
Yes, when I look at them, I'm just like, no thanks, I don't want to learn them.
I think many people feel the same.
And that's why method number four is super helpful.
It's picture the word.
Picture the word?
You mean, make an image in my mind, right?
Yes, the fact is.
Our brain loves pictures.
Pictures are easier to remember than just words.
So, if we connect a new word with an image, the word stays longer.
So, like flashcards with photos?
Exactly.
Flashcards are one way.
You can also try another way.
You can even draw a simple picture by yourself.
Draw a picture?
Exactly.
Let's say you learn the word climb.
Don't just read it.
Close your eyes and imagine you are climbing a big tree.
You can feel the tree with your hands.
You can hear the leaves.
Does that picture make the word stronger in your mind?
Hmm.
Let me see.
Climbing a big tree, the tree, and leaves.
It works.
Amazing!
I told you!
Oh, I see.
Last year, my foreign friend learned the word elephant.
At first, she always forgot it.
But then she watched a funny video of an elephant dancing.
After that, she could never forget the word.
Perfect example.
When you link a word with a picture or a movie in your head, It's easier to remember.
So if someone learns banana, they can look at a banana, maybe draw it, or even eat it.
Yes, that's great.
You can see the yellow color, touch the soft fruit, and taste the sweet flavor.
When you use more senses, you remember better.
Nice.
From now on, I will not only read words, I will give every word a picture, a sound, or even a taste.
Great, Leo.
Turn every new word into a picture and it will become your friend.
Leo, when you learn new words, do you mix them?
Mix new words?
What do you mean?
It's like when you're learning, you learn random words like apple teacher, run chair, sad hospital.
That's exactly how I learn new words.
Does your brain scream, What is this?
Why are these words together?
Yes, how did you know?
Ha ha ha!
The brain likes order.
If you put too many words together, it feels all messy.
So, method number five is learning words by topic, and it really helps.
Topic?
Like school, family, food?
Exactly.
Words in one topic connect with each other.
For example, in the topic kitchen, you can learn knife, spoon, plate, cook, eat.
These words belong together.
It means when I think of cooking, I see them in my mind.
That makes sense.
If we learn spoon, we will also remember plate because they are always together at dinner.
Now, Let's try another example.
Imagine the topic park.
What words can we learn?
Hmm.
Tree, grass, bench, run, play, bird.
Good.
Now let's make a short story.
I sit on the bench.
I see green grass and a tall tree.
A bird is singing.
Children run and play.
You used all the words in one picture.
Oh, that's cool.
It feels natural, like I am really in the park.
That's the secret.
When words are in the same place or the same situation, your brain builds a map.
So later, if you think park, the map brings all the words back.
Let me try.
My mother cooks dinner.
My father reads a book.
My sister plays with my brother.
We are at home.
Perfect.
Very simple, but it works.
And if you add feelings, the memory is even stronger.
Hmm.
So maybe I can write a mini diary by topic?
That's a wonderful idea.
One day, write about school.
Another day, write about food.
Use the new words many times.
And maybe talk to a friend about the topic?
Yes.
You can ask, what food do you like?
Or, tell me about your family.
Then you use the topic words in real conversation.
Gwen, this feels easier than I thought.
I always felt pressure to learn 50 random words.
But now, if I choose a topic, it feels natural and fun.
That's the point.
Words are not alone.
They live in families…
In topics.
If you learn them together, you remember them better.
Okay, let's play.
Choose a topic for me.
Alright, let's pick travel.
Okay, words, bus, train, ticket, map, hotel, bag.
Great.
Now, can you make a story?
Let's try.
I take a bus.
Then I go to the train.
I buy a ticket.
I look at the map.
At night, I sleep in a hotel.
My bag is next to me.
Very good.
You used six new words in one short story.
That's how you remember them.
I feel proud, and I think I will not forget these words tomorrow.
Exactly.
And now, let's ask our listeners.
Dear friends, can you pick one topic right now?
Maybe food or school or sports.
Pause for a moment, write down four or five words from that topic ready, yes.
And then make a small story with those words.
It doesn't have to be perfect, just one or two sentences.
If you do this small practice every day, one topic at a time, your memory will become stronger and stronger.
Wow, I love this.
Words are not just words anymore.
They are small worlds, and I can visit each world again and again.
Yes, and don't worry.
Let's learn and grow together.
Wow, Leo, today we talked about many things.
My brain is full now.
Yes, but it's a good feeling, right?
Let's remember what we learned today.
Okay.
So we learned five ways to remember English words better.
The first thing we said was to make your own sentences with new words.
Don't just read them.
Actually use them.
Right.
And then we talked about using those words every day.
Speak with them.
Write with them.
Make them part of your life.
We also said it's important to connect words with your own stories and feelings, because personal things are easier to remember.
Oh, and don't forget, imagine pictures in your head.
Make little movies with the words.
And finally, we talked about learning words in groups, like learning all the food words together or all the travel words together.
Yes.
You know, Leo, learning words is like learning a new song.
Oh, that's nice.
How?
If you hear a song one time, maybe you forget it.
True.
But if you listen many times, the song stays in your head.
Yes.
Words are the same.
Meet them many times and they become your friends.
Learning words is not just study, it's making friends.
Be patient.
Practice every day, even just a little bit.
And don't worry if you forget sometimes.
Everyone forgets, even me and Leo.
That's true.
The important thing is practice a little every day.
Then your vocabulary will grow like a tree slowly but strong.
I love that.
A tree of words.
Every word is like a new leaf.
So, friends, let's grow our tree together.
And thank you for listening today.
See you next time.
Remember to take care and love yourself.
Goodbye.
