Spaced repetition for vocabulary: a practical routine

What a useful vocabulary card looks like

Ask one clear question. A phrase, a meaning in context, or a missing word in a sentence makes a better prompt than a page of definitions. Keep the answer short enough to check quickly.

Recognition and production are different

Recognizing “bonjour” and saying “hello” is one task. Producing “bonjour” when you want to greet someone is another. Practice both directions when speaking is your goal, and keep separate examples if the word has several meanings.

Rate your recall honestly

If you guessed, needed a hint, or confused the meaning, treat the word as difficult. Giving every card an easy rating because the answer looks familiar makes the review schedule less useful.

Keep the queue manageable

Review due cards before adding new words. Start with a small daily amount that fits your schedule. Missing a day does not require restarting; return to the queue and reduce new additions while catching up.

Use the word outside the card

After review, write a short message, describe an object, or say a sentence aloud. FluentBoo combines vocabulary capture with flashcards and other practice modes, so a saved word can become material for more than recognition alone.

Sources and further reading

• Anki: cards, notes, and review intervals

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