At Marin Spanish School, we encourage our students to embrace the less is more philosophy when learning new vocabulary. Narrowing their focus helps them cut through the overwhelm to actually expand their vocabulary faster.

Try this:

1. Choose three words and write them on post-it notes. Write the Spanish word only. Don’t write the English translation.
   

2. Stick them on your mirror, keyboard, fridge–anywhere you will see them frequently!
   

3. Rotate these words once you have internalized them. You know you’ve internalized new vocabulary when you don’t even have to think of the English word. The Spanish word just makes sense!

The rest of your vocabulary can live in a physical notebook or digital file that you call your “Glossary”. You can look at the words in your Glossary every day, but don’t try to cram them in or memorize them. Focus on your post-it notes!

Need inspiration? Start with these festive words:
Agradecer - To express gratitude
La herencia - Heritage
Las festividades - Holidays