USE THESE STRATEGIES WHENEVER YOU ENCOUNTER NEW VOCABULARY OR GRAMMATICAL CONCEPTS

1. Compare and Contrast- How is this similar and different to what I have already learned?

Task- Write it out in an English paragraph.

2. Make personal meaning: Recall personal experiences. For example, if you are studying food, think about what food you like to eat

and what food you don't like whatsoever. Say the word or the sentence a few times in your head.

3. Music or rhyme- Your brain loves rhyme and music. Create a chant, rap, or rhyme to remember a new word or concept.

4. Visualize and the senses- Your brain also loves images and connections between new concepts or ideas that connect to your other senses. If you can store a new word or idea in your brain using more than one of your senses, you will be more likey to remember it.

EX: Helado (ice cream), sounds like gellato or gelatin; visualize yourself eating helado and it melting quickly and dripping from the cone.

Write these visualizations down!

5. ChUnKinG: Your brain can only handle 7-12 pieces of new information at a time. Chain these new "chunks" of information together by writing out categorical lists

6. Sorting: Your brain loves to sort and categorize new information. When you get a new list of vocabulary, try to color code it based on different themes that occur in your larger vocabulary list.

7. The NON-PRoCRASTINATOR: Study a little bit each night your vocab. and structures. That means once written homework is done, try to memorize the vocabulary or structures 5-7 minutes extra.

8. Repetition: Your brain has to see a new word or concept at least 7 times to record it. Try adding sticky notes to clothing, or household objects, or even people that you know the Spanish for.

9. Study or practice with a partner: They don't even need to know Spanish! Re-state what you are learning to them orally in a few short words!

10. Act it out: Movements or gestures tie to memory kinesthetically. Wave your arms when you talk or make shadow puppets on the wall as you are learning new vocabulary. IT REALLY HELPS!