Learn foreign languages with flashcards. As you type a flashcard text, you'll learn foreign language vocabulary, and at the same time, you will practice touch typing.
Flashcards for learning vocabulary
The flashcard method is a time-tested educational tool that leverages active recall and spaced repetition to enhance learning, especially foreign language vocabulary.
Flashcards have nothing to do with touch typing, but our unique method combines both aspects of learning into one.
Normally, in the physical world, flashcards present a word or phrase in the target language on one side and its translation or a contextual hint on the other. AgileFingers presents flashcards a bit differently. You need to type the vocabulary, so instead of making a mental check, you are checked by the system to see if you typed the word or phrase correctly.
As you learn and type out the vocabulary from the flashcards, you actively engage with the material, reinforcing their memory and comprehension. Typing a word or phrase presented on flashcards not only aids in memorizing vocabulary but also helps develop muscle memory used for typing in a foreign language. This dual engagement ensures that both linguistic and typing skills improve concurrently.
By understanding and utilizing the flashcards, you can transform your typing exercise into an effective and dynamic language learning session.
How the flashcards work
The AgileFingers flashcards are designed for dual skill development: keyboard typing and learning foreign language vocabulary. The vocabulary flashcards system module works similarly to a physical box of flashcards.
Firstly, you choose which foreign language you want to learn. Then, you select the flashcards you want to learn from a list of topics grouped by a wide category and a more detailed topic. A flashcard box in the physical world represents such a set of flashcards.
Before you start learning, or at any time, you can eliminate the words or phrases you do not want to learn. Removing the unwanted vocabulary is done in the summary section of all the flashcards from a given group. Here, you can also see your progress in learning the vocabulary.
When you want to start learning, click the flashcards group title, and you are ready to go. You are immediately directed to the exercise, and you just need to start typing.
You can monitor your progress While practicing vocabulary using flashcards. There are five levels of mastering a flashcard. The first level is the initial one - if you type a given word or phrase correctly three times, you advance to the next level. In the second level, you type a word or phrase once. The first and second levels involve simply rewriting the flashcard - you see the word or phrase. The next three levels only show you the practiced vocabulary length. It would be best to type it correctly to advance to the next levels. When you reach level five of mastering a flashcard and correctly type the word, the flashcard is marked as memorized. Each successful attempt of typing a vocabulary presented on any flashcard advances you to the next level.
During practice, once a flashcard is displayed, you can reset the flashcard level if the flashcard is above the second level (the word is invisible). It is done by clicking an icon that shows a closed eye. The icon changes to an open eye, which is grayed out. When you downgrade to the first level, the flashcard content is shown, and you again need to type the piece of vocabulary three times. You can reset the level of any flashcard from the flashcard group summary level.
In the summary section of each flashcard box, you can reset the level of each flashcard, add a flashcard, or remove it from the list of flashcards to practice. If you remove a flashcard, it becomes excluded from the exercises. If a flashcard is marked as done, you can reset its level and practice it again.
Changing non-supported keyboard characters
Some languages contain diacritics or other special characters. We allow you to change such characters for flashcards automatically if the layout you set in settings or use doesn't support a given character by default. For example, having set an English layout, typing the Spanish word "año" will be accepted if you type "ano" - it will not be treated as an error.
Parallel skill development
The ability to type quickly and accurately is vital for personal and professional communication. Additionally, mastering a foreign language can open up numerous opportunities, from enhancing career prospects to easing communication when you travel abroad.
The concept of parallel skill development addresses both needs by integrating keyboard typing exercises with foreign language learning through interactive flashcards. This method transforms the often monotonous typing task into an engaging, multifaceted learning experience. It may not be fascinating, but it is still better than mindlessly typing the same letters on and on. By typing out vocabulary from a foreign language on flashcards, you simultaneously improve their typing speed and accuracy while building their language skills.
The repetitive nature of flashcard exercises reinforces muscle memory for better typing and aids in retaining foreign language vocabulary./p>
Online flashcards to maximize learning
Maximizing the benefits of flashcards online involves strategic practices that enhance their effectiveness. Here are some tips and techniques that will help you to optimize your learning experience using online flashcards:
Incorporate spaced repetition
You can use spaced repetition, a technique where you review flashcards at increasing intervals. This method leverages the psychological spacing effect, ensuring you revise the material before you are likely to forget it. Using the AgileFingers online platform can greatly enhance vocabulary retention. Even if you remember the entire group of flashcards, you can return to it and reset your results or particular flashcards.
Follow the structured typing stages
Our online flashcard system you use involves structured stages reinforcing memory. Initially, you type the word or phrase, rewriting it three times while it is displayed. Once you do this correctly, you move to typing the word with just a prompt, and eventually, you type it from memory without seeing it. Adhering to these stages ensures a gradual and thorough learning process. Our flashcard system automates this process, so you can use it without thinking. Just pick a set of vocabulary you want to practice and start learning.
Engage multiple senses
Our flashcards include pronunciation features. Take advantage of this by vocalizing the pronunciation before typing vocabulary. AgileFingers uses the standard phonetic system for writing pronunciation, so it is worth knowing something about it before practicing. Saying the words out loud and listening to their pronunciation can enhance retention and help in spelling and pronunciation.
Mix up your flashcards
During a learning session, the flashcards are automatically mixed within their level of accomplishment. This approach prevents the order from becoming predictable, which can hinder learning. A mixed set of flashcards forces your brain to work harder to recall the information, leading to stronger memory retention.
Focus on problem areas
Identify the vocabulary and phrases that are most challenging for you and focus more time on these flashcards. Spend extra time reviewing and typing the difficult words to ensure they are firmly embedded in your memory.
Consistent review
Consistency is key when it comes to using flashcards effectively. Set aside regular, dedicated time each day for vocabulary review. Short, frequent sessions are generally more effective than long, sporadic ones. Define how many flashcards you want to practice simultaneously (5-15), with 10 being the default, to maintain a manageable and effective learning pace.
Learn pronunciation
Each online flashcard contains a phonetic transcription of a given word or phrase, allowing you to hear the correct pronunciation. Read the transcription and try to say it aloud regularly to ensure that you are learning to type the words correctly and pronounce them properly.
By applying these techniques and fully utilizing the features of online flashcards, you can maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of vocabulary learning and improve your keyboard typing skills. This comprehensive approach to using flashcards online will help you remember vocabulary more effectively and enhance your language proficiency.
The role of repetition in vocabulary mastery
Consistent repetition is key to mastering new vocabulary, as it strengthens memory through the regular practice of the words and phrases on flashcards. The vocabulary is transferred from short-term to long-term memory by repeatedly encountering and using new words. The structured repetition provided by flashcards, where words are typed multiple times and reviewed at spaced intervals, ensures that you repeat the vocabulary, preventing forgetting and promoting retention. The repeated use of vocabulary not only aids in memorization but also enhances familiarity, making it easier to recognize and use the words in real-life contexts.
The power of combined learning
Combining keyboard typing exercises with vocabulary learning through flashcards offers a unique and highly effective educational approach. The structured stages of typing out vocabulary, spaced repetition, and engaging multiple senses ensure that new words become deeply embedded in long-term memory. This method enhances language acquisition and improves typing speed and accuracy. By integrating the physical activity of typing with the cognitive task of vocabulary learning, learners can more effectively retain new words and phrases. This innovative approach transforms the foreign language learning process into an engaging and efficient experience, maximizing the benefits of keyboard typing and using flashcards for vocabulary learning.