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+--- Thread: The Monolingual Flashcard Method (/thread-7837.html)
The Monolingual Flashcard Method - foodcubes - 2011-05-28
I've felt like my studying has taken a dive recently, which I'm pretty certain is due to a terrible habit I've developed of excessively looking at the English translations on my flashcards. I removed the translation field from my flashcards and my studying improved immediately. But if I don't know a sentence I still still have to get the English translation (which I can do by clicking the edit button). But what I really need is a monolingual method. I've been trying to figure out monolingual flashcards for quite a while, but the explanation on AJATT was a bit vague. So I've come up with a list of different ways that I can create monolingual flashcards. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
1. Images/Video
I've listed this first because this is a monolingual study method that can be used first, without knowing even a single word in your target language. I think this is what Rosetta Stone does best. (Unfortunately, RS falls short in too many other areas to be very useful IMO.) Could we mod Anki to do a Rosetta Stone-eque format; click to choose the correct image of three images? And make it randomize the wrong images and their position on the card? If so, I think this would be very powerful tool for beginner/intermediate students.
2. Synonyms and alternative sentences with the same meaning
The catch with this method is that you need to already know the alternative word or sentence. Examples:
Front: 何してんの？
Back: 何やってんだ？
Front: どうして？
Back: 何ぜ？/何で？
3. Example sentences
If you see your new word used a few different contexts, it can help you decipher the meaning.
Front: 禁止
Back: 喫煙は絶対禁止。 Smoking is strictly prohibited.
Back: ペット持ち込み禁止。 Owning pets is prohibited.
Back: ここは駐車禁止です。 Parking here is prohibited.
4. Context
I think this would be like the subs2srs decks that have the preceding and following dialogue. The context should clue you in on the meaning of the card.
5. Responses to dialogue
I think this would be similar to the context method, but with maybe a few alternative replies.
Front: そっちの天気は？
Back: 天気が悪い。
Back: 天気は上々だ。
6. Color coding
I thought I read a post where someone color coded sentences to convey feelings; blue=sad, red=angry, etc.
7. Definitions
I've saved this for last, because I think this method would come late in your studying. When you only know 10% of the words, you'll unlikely be able to read a definition. When you already know 90% of words, definitions will probably work perfectly.
Additional methods? Thoughts? Suggestions?