USING FLASHCARDS TO LEARN NEW VOCABULARY
How to make your own flashcards:
1. Purchase a set of 500 3”X 5” index cards.
2. Make flashcards by writing vocabulary words in Spanish on one side and the
English equivalent on the other side.
3. Write all nouns using the definite article in the singular form (i.e. la mesa, el
muchacho).
4. Write all verbs using the infinitive (i.e. hablar, leer, escribir)
5. Write all adjectives using the masculine singular form (i.e. rojo, alto, simpático)
6. Use vocabulary lists from each chapter in your textbook to make flashcards.
7. Organize your flashcards by categories such as parts of speech (nouns, verbs,
adjectives, adverbs, expressions) and/or by vocabulary groups (colors, numbers,
body parts, etc.).
How to use your flashcards:
The best way to master new vocabulary is by using your 4 language skills: listening,
speaking, writing, and reading. Working with a partner (another Spanish student is ideal)
enables you to use all 4 skills. If you choose to drill yourself, be sure to pronounce all the
vocabulary words out loud.
1. Turn your flashcards to the side with the Spanish vocabulary. Go through your
stack, one at a time, pronouncing each word out loud, and then giving the English
equivalent.
2. Replace any incorrectly answered flashcards to the back of the stack.
3. Place all correctly answered flashcards in a new stack, with English facing up.
4. Continue to drill yourself until you have correctly pronounced and defined each
flashcard.
5. Repeat steps 1-4 but with English to Spanish this time.
You can reuse the flashcards you have mastered by simply crossing out the first
vocabulary and adding a new one. Maintain similar categories (i.e. replace nouns with
nouns, verbs with verbs, etc.)