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Hi, I'm Raaj Panjabi from HuffPost. And I'm Noah Michaelson, also from HuffPost. And we're the hosts of Am I Doing It Wrong?
A new podcast that explores the all too human anxieties we have about trying to get our lives right.
Each week on the podcast, Raaj and I pick a new topic that we wanna understand better and bring a guest expert on to talk us through how to get it right.
And we're talking like legit credible experts, doctors, PhDs, all around superheroes.
From HuffPost and Acast Studios, check out Am I Doing It Wrong wherever you get your podcasts.
This podcast is brought to you by Aura.
By the time you hear about a data breach, your information has already been exposed for months.
On average, companies take 277 days to report a breach. That's nine months where hackers have access to your personal data.
That's why we're thrilled to partner with Aura.
Aura is an all -in -one digital safety solution that monitors the dark web for your phone number, email and social security number, sending real time alerts your info is found.
It also includes a VPN, password manager, and data broker removal to help keep you safe.
For a limited time, AURA is offering a 14 -day free trial plus a dark web scan to check if your personal information has been leaked, all for free at aura .com slash safety.
That's aura .com slash safety to sign up and protect your loved ones.
That's A -U -R -A .com Terms apply.
Check the site for details.
Welcome back to Podcast and Chill.
I'm Gwen. And I'm Leo.
Leo, what do you think is the hardest part about learning English?
Uhhh... grammar? Definitely grammar. Nope.
Try again. Wait. Seriously?
What is it then? Vocabulary.
Hands down. No way.
Well, a study by Schmidt back in 2008 found that 63 % of over a thousand ESL learners said vocab was the biggest struggle.
Huh. I guess that checks out.
I mean, you can't exactly talk if you don't know the words.
Right. That's why today, we're diving into how to get better at learning vocabularies and how to remember them.
Cool. I'm in. Let's go.
How do you try to remember new words?
Hmm. I once glued flash cards to my forehead and hoped something…sticks.
Did that actually work?
Well, the only thing that sticks was…the glue.
What about you? I use the SMART method.
Of course you do. Everything you do is smart.
Just spill it already.
No, seriously! It's literally called S .M .A .R .T.
Wait, what? SMART. It's an acronym.
Each letter stands for something that helps you learn vocabulary more effectively.
Ooh, acronyms. Let me guess.
S is for Sleep With a Dictionary Under Your Pillow?
I wish. But no, S is for systematic, as in learn words in a structured, organized way.
Okay, okay, what about the rest?
M is for meaningful, A is active, R is retrieve, and T is timeline.
So the idea is to organize the words, understand them deeply, use them actively, practice remembering them, and spread the learning over time.
You nailed it. And this works better than my super sticky flashcard method because… Because your method's a mess.
For starters. I feel offended.
But more importantly, the SMART method actually lines up with how your brain wants to learn.
How does it want to learn?
Through structure, meaning, and repetition.
How about skipping to the good part?
Let's start with the S.
Right. To remember words better, you've got to be systematic.
And by that you mean?
Imagine I throw 20 random words at you like banana, economy, swim, lawyer.
What comes to mind?
Sounds like one of my weird dreams. I know, right?
Random words are hard to remember because there's no connection between them.
So you're saying my brain is lazy?
Nope. Just picky. Your brain likes connections.
I don't know that. Well, our brains remember stuff better when it's tied to things we already know.
Like what? Like when there's a story, a theme, or a pattern.
Random facts, on the other hand, float around and disappear.
So we got to organize our words and group them somehow.
Bingo. So, like, what?
Put them in boxes? Marie Kondo them?
This word no longer sparks joy.
Let's leave Marie Kondo to your closet.
For vocab, try these three methods.
Mind maps, word families, and semantic fields.
OK, I know mind maps.
You start with a topic and branch out with related ideas.
Right? Right. Let's say the topic is travel.
From there you can branch out into transport, accommodation, and activities.
So, under accommodation, I'd have hotel, resort, hostel, homestay.
Yup, that's the idea.
Cool. What's next? Word families.
I know this one. Words that come from the same root, like act, action, active, activity, activate.
Yep! They're like a little vocab family reunion.
It's like they all share the same last name so I only need to remember their first names.
I like that analogy.
Okay, and semantic fields?
What's that? That's grouping words that share a related idea, so if the field is flowers you'd get rose, tulip, Petal, Bloom, Sunflower?
Oh, okay. Different words, but they all live in the same neighborhood.
Exactly. And thinking of one can help trigger the others.
So, when I'm trying to remember a word, I should think about its neighbors.
Yep. That's how your brain creates those memory pathways.
Got it. But how do I actually stay organized?
Use a tool. I recommend Google Sheets or Excel.
Spreadsheets? For vocab?
You can make columns for the word meaning example sentence topic word family and notes Plus you can color code or sort stuff.
However, you like, okay Okay, that does sound more useful than sticking flashcards to my forehead.
Of course, how about M what is it again?
More random words nah M stands for meaningful basically learn vocab that actually means something to you ah Uh, I get it.
Like, why waste time learning stuff you'll never use?
That's right. When words connect to your life, your job, your hobbies, your goals, they stick better.
So if I'm a nail tech, words such as appointment, reschedule, cuticle, design, polish are way more useful than tiger, violin or mountain.
Unless you're doing tiger nail art on top of a mountain.
While violin music plays in background, then yes.
Honestly? That sounds kind of awesome.
Yeah. But unless that's your actual life, stick to stuff that's relevant.
Also, learn everyday words like need, want, try, help… Not anti -disestablishmentarianism?
Please don't. And you should also pick words that match your life and your goals.
Like what? Like if you're studying for the IELTS, you need more academic words, even if they don't pop up in daily conversations.
So meaningful, useful, and goal -based… that's the checklist?
Nailed it. Ten words you actually use beat fifty random ones any day.
Ugh, I should start a podcast vocab list now.
Save it. We're not done yet.
Right, we're on to A now.
A is for active. As in, actively using new vocabulary.
What does that mean exactly?
Basically, use it or lose it.
Like muscles? Yep! Stop training and they go weak.
Same with your brain.
But aren't brains and muscles, like, different?
Sure, but when you first learn a word, it's in your short -term memory.
How can I make it long -term?
You've got to strengthen those brain connections to move it to long -term memory.
So how do I train those connections?
By using the word. Speak it.
Write it. Even think it.
That repetition makes the memory stronger and easier to access.
Got it. So what's step one?
Start writing daily.
A short journal or even mini paragraphs with your new words.
Pen and notebook. Check.
What else? Another thing you can do is say the words out loud.
Make sentences. Practice speaking.
What if I don't have anyone to talk to?
Then talk to yourself.
My neighbors are going to think I've lost it.
Your neighbors aren't the ones walking around with flashcards, glued to their foreheads trying to memorize words.
So who cares? Fair point.
Keep going. You can also try a challenge.
Use five to ten new words in your daily conversations.
I can just read my journal out loud.
That counts, right?
Bless anyone stuck listening to your diary monologue.
Anyway, lastly, teach someone else.
I'm not a teacher though.
Doesn't matter. Explaining a word helps it stick.
You remember it better.
Can I teach my dog?
If it helps, sure, but maybe aim for a human next time?
Copy that. So, write, speak, challenge, teach. Yep.
Stay active with your brain and your abs.
Ugh, now I feel guilty for skipping the gym.
Alright, we've hit R.
That's for retrieve.
Basically, pulling a word out of your memory with no help.
That sounds intense.
Have you ever had that moment where you know the word, but your brain just blanks when you need it?
Oh, all the time, Gwen.
It's like it's on the tip of my tongue but won't actually come out.
That's because you recognize the word but you can't recall it.
Wait, isn't that the same thing?
Not quite. Recognition is like, you see the word and go, oh yeah, I've seen that before.
Like spotting a familiar face in a crowd.
Got it. And recall?
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Whether you're diving into ocean waves or simply chasing your kids around the backyard, Blue Lizard has you covered so you can enjoy every moment orifree.
Designed for your whole family and free from fragrances, parabens and phthalates, Blue Lizard is your go -to mineral sunscreen trusted by dermatologists, pediatricians and parents.
Shop now on Amazon .com and be fearless in the sun. with Blue Lizard, Australian sunscreen.
Hi, I'm Raj Panjabi from HuffPost. And I'm Noah Mickelson, also from HuffPost. And we're the host of Am I Doing It Wrong?
A new podcast that explores the all too human anxieties we have about trying to get our lives right.
Each week on the podcast, Raj and I pick a new topic that we want to understand better and bring a guest expert on to talk us through how to get it right.
And we're talking like legit, credible experts, doctors, PhDs, all around superheroes.
From Huff Post and Cabinet Studios, check out Am I Doing It Wrong?
wherever you get your podcasts.
Recall is when you have to remember the word all on your own.
No hints. So like trying to remember the name of that person you saw in the crowd later.
Way harder, right? Way harder.
So just recognizing words isn't enough if we actually want to use them.
Bingo. Research shows that actively trying to recall a word Build stronger memory than just passively seeing it.
So how do I train my brain to recall stuff better?
Flashcards are a good start.
I do that already. But I still forget everything.
Yeah, because you probably flipped the card before giving your brain a chance to think.
Busted. You gotta pause and try to remember the word before flipping it.
That's the key. Noted.
Any other tricks? Yep.
Closed deletions. Uh, what?
It's just a fancy term for the good old fill in the blank.
Oh, and that helps?
Instead of just reading the definition, you see a sentence with a missing word and try to fill it in.
You're forcing your brain to dig it up.
That makes sense. It's like practicing to use the word, not just recognize it.
Right, and then there's reverse retrieval.
That sounds complicated?
It's not. Just practice both directions.
See the word, say the meaning, or see the meaning, recall the word. So like, if I say, to make something shiny, and the word is polish… Yup.
That's it. It builds the connection both ways.
So basically, don't just read or listen.
We should actually use the word. Say it, write it, quiz yourself.
Nailed it. That's how you lock it in for the long haul.
But even if we practice, we still forget stuff sometimes, right?
I know. And that's where the T comes in.
Timeline. Oh, no. Do I have to build a whole study calendar now?
Not exactly. Just a smart timeline.
How do I know what's smart?
Ever heard of the forgetting curve?
Sounds depressing. Kinda is.
It is a concept developed by German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus, in the late 19th century.
And what does it have to do with remembering words?
It describes how we rapidly lose information over time if we don't review it.
Dang...so I must keep reviewing the words all the time?
I'm doomed now. Not if you use spaced repetition.
What's that? You review stuff right before you're about to forget it.
That timing makes the memory stronger.
But how do I know I'm about to forget?
Luckily, you don't have to guess.
There's a system for it.
It's called the 1 -3 -7 -21 method.
Elaborate on it, please.
Basically, you review a new word after one day, then three days, then seven, then twenty -one.
Love that. Someone did the math, so I don't have to.
Or you can try time blocking.
What? Let's say, you must set aside small chunks of time each day or week to review vocab.
I'm guessing consistency is the secret sauce here.
Always is. Oh, and there's one more tip.
It's progressive expansion.
Sounds fancy again, what's that?
Start small. Learn a few words at a time, then gradually add more as you get comfortable.
So I don't freak out and quit?
Yep, it keeps things manageable.
And if you use apps like Anki or Quizlet, they handle the spaced review for you.
Love that. Machines do the thinking so my brain can chill, sort of.
Your brain still has to show up though.
But if you follow a good time line, your vocab's going to stick around for good.
But the thought of spending hours a day studying vocab makes me want to take a nap.
You don't need to. Just make it part of your daily routine.
Easier said than done.
It's very easy if you think of it like starting a fitness routine.
What do you usually do when you're trying to work out regularly?
Well, I meal prep on Sundays and pick out my workouts for the week.
Same idea here. Pick a weekly theme, like travel or work, and choose a few new words to focus on.
What next? Then comes the daily stuff.
Use those words in short sentences, talk to yourself, write them down, whatever works.
So, chatting with myself in the mirror while brushing my teeth totally counts?
Yep. Full support. Talking to yourself is underrated.
Love that. Anything else?
Once a month, do a little check -in, review the words you've been using, and see what's sticking, or what's vanished into the void.
So if I forgot a word, I bring it back.
And if I never use it, I ditch it?
Correct. Update your list, toss out the useless stuff, and add new words that fit your life – like those from work or hobbies.
You know what? This actually sounds manageable.
Right? Weekly themes keep it fresh, daily use makes it stick, and monthly reviews keep you moving forward. This whole thing feels way less chaotic now.
Thanks Gwen. Anytime.
All right Gwen, shall we take a quick vocab break before we wrap up?
Definitely! Let's teach a few words from today's episode in the smart way.
First up, Systematic.
It means doing something in a careful and organized way.
Like when I sort my snacks by color?
Very systematic. That's one way to do it.
Example. She made a systematic plan to study five words each day.
Next is meaningful.
It means something that's important or useful to you.
Example. Learning vocabulary related to my job is more meaningful than learning random words.
Then we have retrieve.
It means to find and bring something back, like a memory.
Or like when my dog retrieves the ball, but never gives it back.
Example, I tried to retrieve the word but it was on the tip of my tongue.
This one's key for learning, repetition.
It means doing something again and again.
Like when Leo tells the same joke ten times.
Hey, it gets funnier.
Example, through repetition, the new vocabulary finally stuck in her memory.
Last one, relevant.
It means closely connected or useful in your situation.
So, learning invoice is relevant if you work in finance, but maybe not if you're a lifeguard. Example, I only study words that are relevant to my daily life.
Okay, Gwen, it's time to test our brains.
Question 1 coming in hot.
Let's see if your brain's even online today.
First one, why is it important to group new words using methods like mind maps or word families?
Because our brains are picky and like connections.
Exactly. When words are grouped by topic or family, it's easier to remember them, like organizing socks by color instead of throwing them in one messy drawer.
Second one, what does the timeline step in SMART help you do?
It helps you review words at the right time, just before you forget them, to make your memory stronger.
Yeah, like the 1 -3 -7 -2 -1 rule.
Review after one day, then 3, 7, and 21.
That way, you don't have to cram and panic like I usually do before tests.
Alright, now it's your turn.
Which part of the SMART method do you think will help you the most?
Is it being systematic?
Making words meaningful?
Or maybe using spaced repetition with timeline?
Let us know in the comments.
And tell us why. We'd love to hear how you learn best. It's time to wrap things up.
Remember, systematic, meaningful, active, retrieve, timeline.
9. The Avengers Of Vocabulary Learning And the best part?
This method actually helps you remember words longer, use them faster, and make learning way more brain -friendly.
Unlike the old -school cramming, where words go in one ear and out the other.
So true. Smart helps you learn smarter, not harder.
So here's your mini -challenge.
Pick one topic you love and learn 10 useful words this week using the smart steps.
And don't just memorize, use them.
Write. Speak. Teach your dog if you have to.
Make it fun. Make it stick.
Thanks for hanging with us today.
Catch you next time.
And in the meantime, stay smart.
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Hi, I'm Raj Panjabi from HuffPost. And I'm Noah Michelsen, also from HuffPost. And we're the hosts of Am I Doing It Wrong?
A new podcast that explores the all too human anxieties we have about trying to get our lives right.
Each week on the podcast, Raja and I pick a new topic that we wanna understand better and bring a guest expert on to talk us through how to get it right.
And we're talking like legit credible experts, doctors, PhDs, all around superheroes.
From HuffPost and Acast Studios, check out Am I Doing It Wrong?
Wherever you get your podcasts.
This podcast is brought to you by Aura.
By the time you hear about a data breach, your information has already been exposed for months.
On average, companies take 277 days to report a breach. That's 9 months where hackers have access to your personal data.
That's why we're thrilled to partner with Aura.
Aura is an all -in -one digital safety solution that monitors the dark web for your phone number, email, and social security number, sending real -time alerts if your info is found.
It also includes a VPN, password manager, and data broker removal to help keep you safe.
For a limited time, AURA is offering a 14 -day free trial plus a dark web scan to check if your personal information has been leaked—all for free at aura .com slash safety.
That's Aura .com slash safety to sign up and protect your loved ones.
That's A -U -R -A dot com slash safety.
Terms apply. Check the site for details.
