Firstly, if you want to practise key vocabulary and read this article using the Duocards app (where you can tap on a word you don’t understand and it will show you the meaning), you need to join my email list. I will share these links there. Join here.
Vital words for understanding
go blank – when your mind suddenly forgets everything and you can’t remember the word or thought.
unpack – to explore and understand something in more detail.
bullshit – something untrue or useless, often said to pretend something works when it doesn’t.
remnant – a small part that’s left of something, like a word you half-remember.
rotten – bad or useless; in this context, not working well (like a rotten learning method).
forgettable – easy to forget; not memorable.
tend to – usually do something; have a habit or pattern.
memorise – to learn something so well that you can remember it exactly.
repetition – doing or saying something again and again to learn it.
speed – how fast you do something (like going through vocabulary too quickly).
depth – how well or deeply you understand something, not just at surface level.
aim – goal or purpose.
fewer – a smaller number of something (e.g. fewer words, but better remembered).
spaced repetition – a learning method where you review words over increasing time gaps to help you remember them long-term.
start from scratch – to begin again from the very beginning.
strengthen – to make something stronger, like your memory.
muscle – used metaphorically here; memory acts like a muscle that gets stronger with use.
avoid – try not to do something.
You’ve been studying English for a while. You watch videos, you read, you write down words, you even use flashcards, vocabulary apps – but when it comes to speaking or writing, your brain goes blank. You just don’t have any words. It feels like your vocabulary isn’t growing, you’re losing words, you can’t even remember the easy ones – or the ones you think you should. It’s frustrating, but let’s unpack it.
First of all, you need to get the ‘I should know this’ bullshit out of your head. There’s no such thing in language learning, it’s just a remnant of our rotten language education system.
Most learners believe that if they write new words and review them, vocabulary will magically stick. But the truth is that your brain doesn’t remember what it doesn’t use. If you only see or write the word, that’s passive memory. Passive memory is weak and fades quickly if it’s not activated by real use.
Why is it so difficult to grow vocabulary?
Firstly, words without context are forgettable. Our brains are designed to remember stories and connections, not isolated facts. The problem is also that you only have passive input – listening and reading alone won’t do the job. Without using the word, it remains hidden. Some learners also tend to avoid using difficult words. In conversation, we panic and choose the easiest option. The new words then never get out of storage. Finally, vocabulary doesn’t grow with repetition. Flashcards and word lists aren’t bad, but vocabulary grows with use.
What really works? Hard work.
- Connect words to your life. Your brain remembers what feels real. Make emotional, personal or visual connections. Use pictures, drawings or make up your own stories. Instead of learning the word apple and its translations, think: I always buy apples on Fridays. My MacBook is Apple and I have an Apple mobile phone.
- Don’t stop at one example, use the word in 3 different sentences. You can recycle new words in different contexts. This kind of repetition builds stronger memory pathways. Take the word challenge:
- I like challenges.
- This article is a big challenge for me.
- Learning English is a challenge, but a fun one.
- You have to speak, even if you’re alone. Say the words out loud. Record yourself. Teach it to someone. Talk to your pet. Saying a word activates different parts of your brain – especially the motor cortex and auditory feedback.
- You can try shadowing real sentences. Shadowing helps words stay in context, not just as empty definitions. You can try this link to find words in different contexts. https://skell.sketchengine.eu/#not-found Choose a sentence from a podcast, song, video or article that uses your target word. Then:
- Repeat it out loud several times.
- Copy the rhythm, speed and pronunciation.
- Pause and change the sentence with your own ideas.
- Focus on depth, not speed. Master 3-5 words, don’t aim to learn 20 new words a day. Understand fewer, use them, revisit them over several days, mix them with others.
- How often? Not every day. Use space repetition: review on day 1, day 3, day 6, day 10. You’re not a robot. Your brain remembers better if it has to work a little to remember.
- Accept that you will forget some words. That’s normal. The key is not to give up, but to build up the words over time. You’re not starting from scratch each time (although it may feel that way) – you’re strengthening the neural pathway. Vocabulary is like a muscle: repetition, rest, reuse.
The bottom line is that your vocabulary is growing, even if you don’t feel it. If you want to speed things up, stop reviewing and start using them in context, out loud, with feeling.
- speak them
- personalise them
- repeat with variation
- make it fun
It’s not about memorising more – it’s about activating what you already know.
This week’s challenge:
Pick 3 words you think you “know” but never use.
➡️ create 3 different sentences for each
➡️ say them out loud
➡️ record one and send it to a friend (or me!)
Let’s make your vocabulary work for you.
And don’t forget to download my free ebook: VOCABULARY REVOLUTION.