3 easy steps to learn new vocabulary with the Cambridge Dictionary

Use my method for learning vocabulary and speak properly from the start.

How can students use my recommended method to learn new words they come across in written form?

Suppose a student sees the phrase graduated interval recall and wants to understand the meaning of this phrase.  My solution is to use technology as follows.

Use an online dictionary.

The dictionary I recommend is the Cambridge Dictionary.  Use the link to go there and search for the phrase graduated interval recall by entering each word separately in the search box.

Graduated has an entry with an option to play the audio file in both British and American English.

1. Make a recording on your phone.

Set up the sound recorder on your phone and play the audio file several times, with enough space left in between playing for you to repeat and practise the word later.

Pause your recording and open a new tab to search for the next word, Interval. Begin recording again, and play the audio of the word several times leaving a big enough gap for you to repeat the word.

Next pause your recording again and open a new tab to search for the next word, Recall. Once again, start up your recording, and play the audio of the word several times leaving a big enough gap for your to repeat the word.

If you have the tabs open for the first two words, go back and make a few more recordings of each word so that you have all three words interleaved together in the one recording.

2. Look at how the word is used to guess the meaning.

Once you have had some concentrated practice repeating each word on the recording, and you have memorised the pronunciation, have a look at the way the words are used in the dictionary.

The new contract allows for graduated pay increases.

In the event of fire, the alarm will sound at 15-second intervals/at intervals of 15 seconds.

I can vividly recall our first kiss.

3. Check the definition after more pronunciation practice.

Just for good measure, go over your recording again once or twice.  At every opportunity you want to be sure that your body memory has captured the correct way to say the word.  Give your mouth, jaw, tongue and breath time to remember how to form the sound, or the right way to pronounce it.

Finally, check the definition of the three words.

When you put them all together as a phrase, graduated interval recall means remembering something with little gaps in between.