Cards, associations and other techniques.
Learning English requires ability (especially abstract thinking) and desire (especially perseverance). One can compensate for the lack of the other, but both are indispensable.
Memorization
1) Transcription
Memorize not only the meaning of the word, but also its pronunciation. English abounds in homonyms – words of the same spelling, but different pronunciation (homographs) and vice versa (homophones) (see pronunciation of English words online and pronunciation of English sounds).
2) Prescribing
Write the words to the end of the line in the draft, pronouncing their sound and translation. Enter all new vocabulary in a 3-column dictionary – spelling, pronunciation (for a start, you can transliterate instead of transcription) and translation.
3) Cramming
Memorize 10 words a day, especially verbs.
4) Return
Review the words you have written in the dictionary weekly. So they will be recorded in the subconscious, and not only in short memory.
5) Practice
The main thing in memorizing English words is to use words more often, if not in speech, then at least in the text.
Stickers
Beginners, especially children, learn vocabulary better through flashcards and stickers. The skills of substantive English thinking are consolidated by memorizing the names of household utensils glued to objects. Paste sticky papers with signatures on all things around you, hold your gaze on them, and in a month you can easily describe your home.
Word cards
These flashcards are much more useful than stickers due to the development of abstract thinking and their mobility. Cut out a thousand pieces of paper 5×5 cm, on one side of which write the Russian word (or better, draw an image), and on the other in thick black type – its translation into English. Learn 10 words a day and test yourself on the knowledge of the passed. So in six months you can learn the basic vocabulary of the English language. You can take word cards with you on the road and refer to them at any free moment.
Associations
Word connections allow erudite and imaginative people to remember and even learn vocabulary. Try to associate new words with their original source. This involves speech, auditory, but more often photo memory, when the memory of a picture (phrase, setting, etc.) evokes an association with the desired word. Learn English through interesting songs, movies, books.
Communicate with interesting people and the very experience of such training will become a positive emotion while memorizing words.
Be sure to use the new vocabulary in different contexts – retelling the text, doing homework, practicing spoken English with classmates and native speakers. The more common a word, the more meaningful it is, which is reflected in frequency dictionaries. Therefore, it is better to know 100 high-frequency words in all their meanings than 1000 in the first only. To do this, avoid rare and exotic words.
Mnemonics
The alphabetical order of words in dictionaries is inconvenient, so write vocabulary thematically and phrasing – not only and not so much words as phrases and idioms.
The sequence of memorizing writing – pronunciation – translation is called recognition and trains only reading and translation. Reverse sequence (playback) ensures high quality of memorization and high speed of memorization.
Check your visual memorization by writing words in reverse (from right to left).
…. d
… rd
..ard
.eard
beard
Interpretation is very helpful for students with an intermediate level of English proficiency. Try to mentally translate the surrounding Russian speech, and write down difficult words in a handy notebook for later translation with a dictionary.