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How to Remember English Words You Just Learned

English with Ruby & Max

👋 Join Ruby and Max for an easy English conversation about what to do when a word disappears from your mind.

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VideosA1

How to Remember English Words You Just Learned

English with Ruby & Max

👋 Join Ruby and Max for an easy English conversation about what to do when a word disappears from your mind.

Immersive mode
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Welcome to English with Ruby & Max.
Easy English, one conversation at a time.
I'm Ruby.
Hi, everyone.
I'm Max.
Today, we are talking about forgetting words you just learned.
It happens to all English learners.
It happened to me this week.
I learned the word "ladder."
A ladder is something you use to go up and down.
Yes.
I knew the word at home.
Then I talked to a friend, and the word disappeared.
You knew the thing, but you could not find the English word.
Exactly.
I said, "The steps thing!"
My friend helped me, but I felt bad.
You did not need to feel bad.
Today, we have six small ideas to help when a new word disappears.
Six ideas sounds good.
I need all six.
Before we start, please like this video and subscribe to the channel.
You can also find free lessons and practice at www.nativas.app.
First, we will name the feeling.
Then we will find a clue and use the word again.
We will also make a small practice plan, right?
Yes.
Small practice can help a word stay in your mind.
And if I forget the word again?
We will use simple English to keep the conversation moving.
Great.
I am ready to forget a few words.
The first idea is to notice the feeling.
When you forget a word, you may feel worried or frustrated.
I feel frustrated because I studied the word.
I think, "Why can’t I remember it?"
That feeling is normal.
You can say, "I forgot the word."
"I forgot the word."
That is easy and useful.
You can also say, "I can’t remember."
It means the word is in your mind, but you cannot find it now.
So, "I forgot the word" and "I can’t remember" are good sentences.
Yes.
Try them when you need time.
You do not need to be silent.
Let me try.
"I forgot the word.
I can’t remember."
Perfect.
Now let’s make a tiny scene.
I show you a picture of a ladder.
I look at it and say, "I forgot the word."
Then I ask, "What is the word?"
I say, "I can’t remember.
Let me think."
Good.
"Let me think" gives you a few seconds.
It also keeps the conversation friendly.
I like that.
I can say, "I forgot the word.
Let me think."
Right.
The first step is not panic.
Name the problem and give your brain a moment.
The second idea is to ask for a clue.
A clue is a small piece of help.
What can I say when I need a clue?
You can ask, "Can you give me a clue?"
"Can you give me a clue?"
That sounds polite.
Yes.
You can also ask, "What does it mean?"
or "How do I use it?"
Let’s use the ladder again.
I say, "Can you give me a clue?"
I say, "It is something you use to go up."
Then I say, "A ladder!
I remember now."
Good.
The clue helped you find the word.
What if I remember only a little?
You can say, "It starts with..."
Then give the first sound or letter if you know it.
"It starts with L."
Is that helpful?
Yes.
Or you can describe the thing.
Say, "It is in the kitchen," or "It is a kind of food."
Let me try.
"I forgot the word.
Can you give me a clue?
It is cold and sweet."
I might say, "Ice cream."
"Ice cream!
I remember now."
This feels like a game.
It can be a game.
A clue is not a failure.
It is a useful way to find the word.
The third idea is to use the word in a sentence.
A single word can be hard to remember.
A sentence gives the word a place in my mind.
Exactly.
You can say, "I use it in a sentence."
"I use it in a sentence."
What sentence can I make with "ladder"?
Try, "The ladder is in the garage."
"The ladder is in the garage."
That is simple.
Simple is good.
You can also say, "I need a ladder to reach the box."
I understand the word better now.
A ladder helps me reach something high.
Now try a new word: "quiet."
I forgot the word "quiet."
You can say, "I use it in a sentence."
Then try, "The room is quiet."
"The room is quiet."
I can see the room in my mind.
That picture helps.
You can connect a word to a person, place, thing, or action.
Let me try another one.
"I use the word "quiet" when I talk about a library."
Good sentence.
You used the word "quiet" in a clear way.
So I should not only look at a word.
I should say a sentence with it.
Right.
Say, "I use it in a sentence," and then make one short, real sentence.
The fourth idea is to practice a new word in three ways.
Read it, hear it, and say it.
Why three ways?
Each way gives your brain another path to the word.
You can read "ladder" in a sentence.
Then I can hear someone say "ladder."
Yes.
Then say it yourself: "The ladder is near the wall."
Read it, hear it, and say it.
I can do that in a few minutes.
You can also write the word and one sentence.
Do not write a long list.
One word and one sentence sounds less scary.
Good.
If you want more simple practice, you can use nativas.app.
It is free, and it has activities for English and other languages, including listening and speaking.
That is useful.
I can practice the language here and then practice it again.
Exactly.
Now let’s practice "borrow."
It means you use something and give it back later.
I often forget that word.
I read it: "borrow."
I say it: "Can I borrow your pen?"
And I say it: "Can I borrow your book?"
Great.
Now think of one sentence: "I borrow a book from my friend."
I read, hear, say, and write.
"Borrow" feels easier now.
When a word feels hard, use these three ways in a short practice time.
Read it, hear it, and say it.
Then I can write one sentence too.
The fifth idea is to make a tiny plan.
Choose one or two words, not twenty words.
I usually choose a very big list.
Then I forget most of it.
A small list is easier.
Choose one word in the morning.
Then what do I do?
Say the word and one sentence.
Later, look at it again.
I can say, "I borrow a book from my friend" in the morning and at lunch.
Yes.
At night, cover the word and try to remember it.
If I remember it, I can say, "I remember now."
Right.
If you forget it, say, "I forgot the word.
Let me think."
I do not have to start all over.
No.
Just look at the word again and use it in a new sentence.
Maybe, "I borrow a pen from Max."
That sentence is fine.
A little funny, but fine.
Good.
My plan is one word, two short sentences, and three quick looks.
That is a strong small plan.
The goal is not perfect memory.
The goal is to meet the word again.
The sixth idea is to stay in the conversation.
Forgetting one word does not mean you must stop.
What can I say when the word is missing?
You can describe it.
Say, "It is a thing for..." or "It is a place where..."
If I forget "kitchen," I can say, "It is a room where I cook."
Exactly.
The other person may understand and give you the word.
Then I can say, "Kitchen!
I remember now."
Yes.
You can also ask, "Can you say that again?"
if you do not hear the word.
Let’s use both phrases.
"I forgot the word.
Can you say that again?"
That is a clear, polite question.
And if I still forget?
Say, "It’s okay.
I’m learning."
Then keep talking with the words you know.
"It’s okay.
I’m learning."
I want to remember that sentence.
Say it again when a word feels difficult.
"It’s okay.
I’m learning."
I can make a mistake and continue.
Exactly.
English is a conversation, not a memory contest.
I forgot the word "contest," but I understood your sentence.
That is okay.
You understood the message, and that is important.
Chapter one: name the feeling with "I forgot the word" or "I can’t remember."
Chapter two: ask for help with "Can you give me a clue?"
Chapter three: say, "I use it in a sentence," and make one short sentence.
Chapter four: read the word, hear it, say it, and write one sentence.
Chapter five: choose one or two words and make a tiny plan.
Chapter six: describe the word and stay in the conversation.
When you find the word, say, "I remember now."
When you need time, say, "Let me think."
When you need to hear it again, ask, "Can you say that again?"
When you feel bad, say, "It’s okay.
I’m learning."
You do not need every word to share your idea.
You can keep talking while your memory looks for the word.
A small forgotten word is still a word you are learning.
For the next 24 hours, choose one English word you learned recently.
Say it in two short sentences and look at it again tonight.
If you forget it, use "I forgot the word" and try again.
I will choose "borrow."
"I borrow a book.
I borrow a pen."
At the start, you told us about forgetting "ladder" and saying, "The steps thing!"
Now I can say, "I forgot the word.
Can you give me a clue?"
What English word do you forget most often?
Tell us in the comments.
Please like this video and subscribe for more easy English.
Keep practicing for free at www.nativas.app.
Choose one word, stay calm, and keep the conversation going.
Thanks for learning with us today.
See you in the next conversation.

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Level: A1

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