Educative capstone

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Friday, 09 August 2019
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3 tips for learning vocabulary

(that you can incorporate in any learning method)

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

1. Prioritize: You don't need to memorize each and every new word

First, focus on 'operational' word sets, to help you make sense of the language:
- pronouns
- auxiliaries
- standard connectors
- question words
- numbers
- information exchange: name, address etc
Then focus on commonly used vocabulary sets, starting from your immediate environment. Unless they are part of your professional jargon, discount extravagant words ("μονοκοτυλήδονα") in favour of the vocabulary themes that suit your learning goals.
- family
- groceries/lodging
- workplace
- studies
- transports
- socializing

2. Put it in context: "words in lists" or "words in example sentences"?

Consider these examples:

- "διάσπαρτα" versus "Δεν υπάρχει δάσος, μόνο λίγα διάσπαρτα δέντρα".
- "μπαλκόνι" versus "Το πρωί πίνω καφέ στο μπαλκόνι"?
- "κρύο" versus "ένα ποτήρι κρύο νερό"?

Although list entries (words out of context) are less time-consuming to learn, studying vocabulary in context makes it more memorable. The more time you spend on prioritizing and learning new vocabulary, the longer you retain it.

3. Use it: Try the new words in your everyday communication

You could try to use the new words in everyday situations: water cooler discussions with colleagues, small-talk at the gym, grocery lists, pottery class...
Extra tip:

Word puzzles are a fun and seamless way to vocabulary building and can be adapted for all age groups:

- How many words starting with "d" can you find in 90''?
- Who is going to win all rounds of a "name, place, animal, thing" competition game?
- Who can find a word starting from the last letter of a word picked from a fifty-word list?

There is absolutely no reason to feel embarrassed for making mistakes!
You should feel comfortable with testing your grammar and vocabulary knowledge and grab every chance to hone your language skills.
Social Network and Teamwork Vector Concept.

Grammar point of the week


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Word of the week

Future: simple or continuous?

Αύριο θα μιλήσω στους γείτονες.

Από αύριο θα μιλάω στους γείτονες.

  1. If the verb's ending looks like present tense, the action will be repeated or continued in the future.
  2. If it looks like subjunctive (or past tense) the action will be temporary or performed only once.
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This week's videos:

- a short story for children
- a longer story for adults

Texts follow the CEFR* levels' requirements, are read in slow Greek and include practice activities.

Stay tuned!

*Common European Framework of Reference for Languages


(to see)

Βλέπω μια γυναίκα.

(I see a woman.)


active voice: βλέπω
passive voice: βλέπομαι