SPANISH MINDSET

If you feel like your vocabulary is too limited to express yourself on any topic you want, and you really want to improve this, in this video, I’m going to give you all the keys to change that and help you speak like a professional.

My name is Nicholas, I’m a teacher of Spanish, and I help travelers to Argentina to to speak Spanish with my program Spanish Mindset. In this post, I’m going to talk about how to solve this problem, problem in terms of your low vocabulary.

First, you need to understand what vocabulary is. Basically, vocabulary consists of words—just words. It has nothing to do with grammar; it’s simply words. For example, «cuadro», «uno», «cosa», or «hablar»—these are just words. Words are crucial in language because if you don’t know them, you cannot express yourself. In fact, vocabulary is even more important than grammar. Even if you know all the grammar rules and how to form a question, if you don’t know the words you need, you won’t be able to communicate effectively.

That’s why increasing your vocabulary is more important than just studying grammar.

Types of Vocabulary

There are two types of vocabulary: passive vocabulary and active vocabulary.

• Passive vocabulary consists of words that you recognize when you read or hear them in context but cannot use naturally in conversation.
• Active vocabulary consists of words that you fully understand and can confidently use in your daily conversations.

The key to turning passive vocabulary into active vocabulary is repetition. The more you are exposed to a word, the easier it becomes to use it naturally.

How to Learn Vocabulary Faster

There are several methods to speed up vocabulary acquisition:

1. Reading

Reading is one of the best ways to learn vocabulary because it exposes you to new words in different contexts. When you read, you constantly come across unfamiliar words, and over time, with repeated exposure, they become part of your active vocabulary.

For example, let’s say you read the word «azúcar» today and learn that it means «sugar.» Then, a few days later, you see it again in another book. A few days after that, you see it in yet another text. With enough repetition in different contexts, your brain will naturally retain the word. It’s like forming a mental path—each time you encounter the word, that path becomes stronger and easier to follow.

2. Watching Movies and Series

Watching movies and series is another great way to learn vocabulary because it allows you to see words in context. Not only do you hear the words, but if you use subtitles, you can read them as well. Plus, you can see what’s happening, which helps reinforce meaning.

For example, if you’re watching a movie and a character says, «Mira este vaso» (Look at this glass), and they are holding a glass, now you know that «vaso» means «glass.» Even if you don’t understand everything, simply watching and listening will expose you to new words.

3. Exploring New Topics

If you always read or watch content about the same subject—whether it’s cooking, education, or technology—you will only develop vocabulary related to that field. If you want to expand your vocabulary, you need to step out of your comfort zone and explore different topics.

For example, if you always read about cooking, try reading about sports. This way, you will acquire words that are useful for daily conversations across different contexts.

4. Learning Vocabulary for Specific Professions

Sometimes, the problem is not a lack of general vocabulary but a lack of words related to a specific field. For example, as a teacher, I may not know every technical term used in medicine or law. Likewise, if you are an entrepreneur or lawyer, you need to know the specific vocabulary related to your profession.

To improve in this area, look up specialized terms online, read books or articles related to your profession, and use a translator when necessary. The key is to expose yourself to this vocabulary as much as possible.

What Not to Do

There are two things I don’t recommend when learning vocabulary:

1. Do not rely on vocabulary lists (unless you are a complete beginner). Lists of words without context are not an effective way to truly learn and remember vocabulary.
2. Do not use flashcards. I know this is controversial, but in my experience, flashcards are not useful for long-term retention. However, if you are a beginner and feel that they help, go ahead and try them.

Your Experience

Now, I’d love to hear from you! What do you think of these strategies? What has worked best for you? What are the fastest ways you have found to learn vocabulary?

Learn Spanish in 6 Months

By the way, if you’re a traveler to Argentina looking to learn Spanish for living or for a trip, I invite you to check out my Spanish Mindset program. With this program, you can learn Spanish in 4 months (for traveling) or 8 months (for living). Just click on the bottom «Apply now» above!