Resumen práctico de mnemotécnicas para el aprendizaje de palabras de lenguas extranjeras

Abstract

Mnemonic techniques; in particular; the keyword (or mediation) technique; have proved to be efficient means for the learning of foreign language words. Their application in foreign language teaching; however; has been very limited to date. In this article; Ipresent two types of mnemonic techniques for foreign language word learning: visual (imagery) mnemonics and verbal mnemonics. I examine the use of these techniques (a) for the recall of word meanings and (b)for the production/retrieval of the phonological attributes (the form) of new words. Various examples are included to illustrate the functioning of
mnemonics and foreign language learners* spontaneous use of those. The reader is invited to practice and examine the usefulness of mnemonics for herself/himself in learning a set of 12 Russian words. Finally I discuss the circumstances under which mnemonic use may be most efficient and the potential limitations of the techniques.