Vocabulary: Strategies for Vocabulary Learning & Retention (A1) - Lesson 2: Repeating New Words Aloud (listen and repeat)

Lesson 2: Repeating New Words Aloud

Listen, Repeat, and Remember

Think about how a baby learns to talk. They listen¹ to their parents and then try to repeat² the sounds. This is a very natural and powerful way to learn! This lesson will teach you how to use your ears and your mouth to remember new English words.

Why Listen and Repeat?

Saying new words aloud³ is a very effective learning method⁴.

• It trains your mouth. Your mouth needs practice to make new English sounds correctly. This helps your pronunciation⁵.
• It trains your ears. You learn to hear the small differences between sounds in English.
• It connects sound to meaning. When you say a word while thinking of its meaning, you create a very strong memory.
• It builds confidence. The more you practice speaking, the less scared you will be to talk to other people.

The "Listen and Repeat" Method

You can use this strategy with all of our lessons. Here are the steps:

1. Find a Good Audio Source: Every lesson on this website has a "Listen to Lesson" button. This is your best tool!
2. Listen First: Click the "Listen to Lesson" button. The first time, just close your eyes and listen carefully to the new words in the Word Bank. Do not repeat yet.
3. Listen and Repeat: Play the audio again. This time, after you hear a new word or phrase, say the word out loud. Try to copy the sound exactly.
4. Repeat Three Times: Don't just say it once! Repeat each new word at least three times. For example: "Table... table... table."
5. Use it in a Sentence: After you can say the word clearly, try to say the full example sentence from the lesson. This puts the word in context.

In a Lesson

A teacher is helping Srey practice her pronunciation.

Teacher: Srey, today we learned the word 'bicycle'. Let's practice.

Srey: Okay, teacher.

Teacher: First, just listen carefully: "bicycle."

Srey: (Listens.)

Teacher: Now, repeat after me. "Bicycle."

Srey: Bicycle.

Teacher: Good! Again, three times. Bicycle... bicycle... bicycle.

Srey: Bicycle... bicycle... bicycle.

Teacher: Excellent! Now, try the full sentence: "I ride my bicycle."

Srey: I ride my bicycle.

Teacher: Perfect! That is the listen and repeat method.

quiz Check Your Understanding

1. Listening and repeating helps you improve your ______.

• a) writing
• b) pronunciation
• c) reading speed

Click to see the answer

Answer: b) pronunciation

2. How many times should you repeat a new word out loud for good practice?

• a) One time is enough.
• b) At least three times.
• c) You only need to listen.

Click to see the answer

Answer: b) At least three times.

3. Why is it good to say the full example sentence?

• a) It is not important.
• b) It helps you learn the word in a real context.
• c) It makes the lesson longer.

Click to see the answer

Answer: b) It helps you learn the word in a real context.

edit Your Mission

1. Active Listening: Choose any past lesson. Click the "Listen to Lesson" button and listen to the 'Word Bank' or 'In Conversation' section two times without speaking.
2. Listen and Repeat Practice: Choose five words from any past lesson. Listen to the audio for those words, then pause and repeat each word five times.
3. Record Yourself: Your special mission! Use your phone to record yourself saying five English words. Listen to the lesson's audio, then listen to your own recording. Do they sound similar? This is a great way to check your pronunciation!

book Lesson Glossary

1. Listen (verb) - Khmer: ស្ដាប់ - To give attention to a sound. ↩
2. Repeat (verb) - Khmer: និយាយឡើងវិញ - To say something again. ↩
3. Aloud (adverb) - Khmer: ឮៗ - So that other people can hear you. Not silently. ↩
4. Method (noun) - Khmer: វិធីសាស្ត្រ - A way of doing something. ↩
5. Pronunciation (noun) - Khmer: ការបញ្ចេញសំឡេង - The way in which a word is spoken. ↩