How to Study
for a
Foreign Language
Finding a Method that Works For You!
Vocabulary
• Flashcards– One word per card
– On notecards or on Quizlet
• Repetition- write or type words repeatedly
(only works if you pay attention to meaning)
• Break your list into chunks and study a chunk
a day (pay attention to quiz date)
• 3 C’s Columns (see next slide for explanation)
3 C’s of Vocabulary
Cognates
Connections
Crazies
Cognates are words that
Connections include any
Crazies include all the
look and/ or sound
connection you can make
words on your list
similar in English
to help you remember
that would not fit in
and in Spanish
a new word
the cognate or connection
Example:
Example:
columns
nervioso = nervous
recordar = to remember (I
record things in my brain
when I remember them)
Your goal is to make
connections and eventually
move the words from this
column to connections
Grammar- Verbs
•
•
•
•
•
•
You’ll be working with a lot of verbs!
Practice writing out the conjugations
Make verb charts at home
Make flashcards of conjugations
Use websites to help you practice
Repetition is key!!
Grammar- Notes
• Step One: Fill in your guided notes in class!
• Step Two: Read the notes again once you get
home; write down questions about anything that
is not clear as you read your notes.
• Step Three: Read the grammar handouts and
write down anything else it says to help you
understand.
• Step Four: Rewrite the notes in your own words.
• Step Five: STUDY and READ notes again before a
test or quiz.
The Textbook as a Resource
• Read through the chapter to see how the
vocabulary words are used in sentences.
• Look at the grammar notes and examples.
• Use the textbook website for extra practice
(the link is on our class website)!
• The same people who wrote the textbook and
the website are the ones who wrote most of
the exam questions…
Screencasts
• What happens if you need extra help/been
absent and you can’t come in for morning
tutoring?
– Ask for an advisory pass; you can practice with peer
tutors or ask me any questions (just keep in mind that
advisory is only about 25 minutes long).
– Watch the online screencasts under each Chapter
Resource page; these are recorded video lessons on
EVERY chapter concept. You’ll hear my voice as I write
out examples – it’s like having me as a private tutor at
home. 
Ask Questions
• Don’t hold back from participating in class.
• Ask questions as soon as you don’t
understand something.
• Go to tutorials to get ahead – don’t wait until
you’ve fallen behind!
• Keep asking questions until you understand!
Have you done all you can to study?
Chapter Checklist
Vocab
Made study schedule (chunking vocab)
Made flashcards
Wrote out vocab 3x in T.L. (target language)
Completed Conjuguemos (minimum 35 correct, 80%+ / 5min or
minimum 70 correct, 100%/ no timer)
Know vocab English to Spanish
Made 3 C's columns
Verbs
Made chapter verb charts
Made flashcards of chapter verbs
Completed Conjuguemos (minimum 35 correct, 80%+ / 5min or
minimum 70 correct, 100%/ no timer)
<20 min of grammar/textbook website (phschool/studyspanish,etc)
Notes
Completed in Class
Rewrote in my own words
Added info from textbook
Completed all extra practice from textbook website
Tutorials
Watched the screencasts at home
What questions do I have for my teacher?
Yes
Not yet
I need help and when/how I will get it
Special thanks to Mandy Harper & Sheradon
Sullivan for allowing me to adapt their
presentation. 