Have you ever left Anki alone for a few weeks and come back to a huge card backlog?
Several months ago I got overwhelmed by my Anki decks. I’d been on holiday and not reviewed anything. I’d started a new course and was behind with adding new words. I basically stopped using it because it felt like a black cloud hanging over my head.
I didn’t want to delete all my cards and start again. I liked having them there as a reference, like a personal dictionary.
Here’s how I tackled my huge Anki backlog.
Part A: Out of sight, out of mind
1. Create a new deck called “temp”
Transfer all the decks you are behind in to this new deck.
Although you can’t see it, most of these decks have 50+ reviews due. See Step 2 to find out how I hid the numbers.
2. Create a new options group “backlog”
Change the settings for this new “temp” deck to a new options group called “Backlog”. Set it to 0 reviews and 0 new cards.
Change the settings to 0 reviews and 0 new cards.
The problem has now disappeared from sight but the cards are still there when you’re ready to tackle the backlog. You can now continue using Anki to learn new cards without getting a visual reminder about those 90, 300 or 1000 cards you should review.
Secretly there are 498 due cards, hidden right there in my “temp” deck.
Part B: Tackling the backlog
Although you’ve hidden your backlog, the cards are still there waiting to be reviewed one day. So, what do you do when you’re ready to tackle the backlog?
3. Move one of your decks out of “temp”
Drag and drop one of your backlogged decks from “temp” to your normal Vietnamese deck.
The settings should revert to whatever your usual settings are (ie. Default). You can, however, double check if they’re using ‘Default’ or ‘Backlog’ settings.
You can then start to catch up on this deck – little and often. I like to review about 10 cards at a time, 2 or 3 times a day.
In a week or two of normal using Anki in short bursts as usual, you should be back to a more normal and manageable number of cards to review every day.
4. Repeat step 3 until all your decks are out of “temp”
This may take weeks, or even months if you have a large backlog. In the meantime, you still have access to your cards if you want to search them and you can keep learning new cards without a black cloud over your head.
No more Anki rain cloud.
Over to you: Have you ever been behind with flashcard reviews? What did you do?
I’ve said before that it’s really important to get feedback from a native speaker on your Vietnamese pronunciation. But what if you’re not in Vietnam? What if you’re learning at home with an audio course or textbook?
Depending on where you live, you may be able to find a native speaker in your town. But it can still be hard to find someone willing to help you practice and to correct your mistakes. Even if you have friends who can speak Vietnamese, friends are not always the best language exchange partners.
That’s where the internet comes in!
Types of language exchange
When you first read ‘language exchange’ at the beginning of this article, what did you think of? Two people meeting up in person to practice each others’ languages? This is certainly a form of language exchange (or ‘language tandem’) but it’s not the only one.
Let’s take a look at the different ways you can exchange a language or otherwise practice with a regular partner.
1. Local face-to-face language exchange
This is the classic form of language exchange where you find someone who lives in your town or city and meet up with them in a coffee shop or similar. You spend half the time speaking in each language so that both of you get to practice.
2. Online face-to-face language exchange
These days it’s so easy to set up an online exchange where you chat via Skype, Zoom, FaceTime or another system. This can be a lot more convenient than meeting someone in person – and you don’t even have to live in the same country. Again, the principle is that half the time is spent talking in each language.
3. With a penfriend
The advantage of a ‘penfriend’ or ‘penpal’ is that you don’t have to schedule a time to talk. You can send emails or messages back and forth as and when you have free time. Because it’s not instant you can also take the time to look words up in the dictionary or refer to your class notes. This is great to focus on accuracy and for getting corrections.
There are a few ways to make this into an exchange: you can write your messages in both languages or you could write to them in Vietnamese and they reply in English, sending you some corrections at the end.
4. Pay someone to talk to you
The downside of traditional language exchanges is that half of the time is spent helping the other person to improve a language. If you’re busy, this can be limiting.
Instead of having a session where you split the time between two languages, you can pay to have a session focused on you, practising and improving your Vietnamese. Of course, no-one would help you practice without getting something in return so if you’re short on time for a two-way exchange, parting with some money could get you the attention you need.
This kind of session can be flexible – if you want a full lesson you can find a teacher to do this but if you just want to practice, some corrections and to learn some new or more natural expressions then any native or fluent speaker can help, like a Community Tutor on iTalki*.
Ways to find a language partner
Now you know what kinds of language exchanges are out there, how do you find a partner?
Local communities
Ask around. Someone you know may know someone looking for this kind of exchange, or may suggest where to go. Local university students could be a good option.
Online communities
Especially communities you’re already part of like the people who help correct your writing on Lang-8. Or you could add a comment on our facebook page if you’re looking for someone. Người Việt cũng vậy nhé.
Language exchange websites
There are a lot of Vietnamese people wanting to practice English so it should be easy to find someone on any language exchange website out there.
A few sites I’ve come across are:
Conversation Exchange lets you list what type(s) of exchange format you’re interested in, including local face-to-face exchanges.
Linguar recently started by a fellow Vietnamese learner, Carl Noresson, again lets you select and search based on what kind of exchange you’re interested in.
HelloTalk is an app where you can send text and voice messages.
* affiliate link which gives me free credit if you sign up and buy credit (at no extra cost to you)
Top tip: You can end up getting a lot of messages, especially on more established sites, because so many Vietnamese people want to practice English. If this gets a bit much, you might want to change your settings so less people can contact you or send you a friend request.
How to get the most out of your language exchange
If you prepare for your exchange, you’ll get more out of it. The clearer you are on your goals and what you want to get out of the exchange, the better.
My recommended solution for most words that you’ve learnt through your study, conversations or reading is spaced repetition. But most shared decks don’t have audio and if you make your own cards in Anki or elsewhere, how are you supposed to get (free) audio for them and what’s the best way to add the sound to your cards?
How to find free audio
If you already have the word in a recording (eg. as part of an MP3 lesson, podcast or recording of a conversation), you can use a tool like Audacity to edit it and get a clip of just the word you’re learning.
If you don’t or if you’d rather not do it that way, there are online tools you can use to get a recording of your target word.
The website Forvo aims to collect a database of all the words in the world, pronounced by native speakers. The Vietnamese section has over 11,000 words pronounced already.
Just type the word in the search box and if it’s already been pronounced, it will turn up.
If the word you’re looking for is not there already, you can add it to a request list and someone will probably record it within a few days.
Advantages:
Most common words are already there, pronounced by native speakers.
You can download an MP3 recording of your target word if you create a (free) account.
Each word page has a map showing where the person who recorded it is from, so it’s easy to stick to Northern or Southern pronunciations as you wish.
Disadvantages:
It’s only single words (including compound words), so it’s no good for adding sentences or short phrases to your cards.
Because users make and upload their own recordings, the quality can vary and of course not every word is recorded in both Northern and Southern accents.
If you want custom recordings, community site RhinoSpike lets users request audio in exchange for uploading recordings in their native language for other users.
So if you want some sentences recording in Vietnamese, you’ll have to help 3 other users with your language first.
It can take a while for someone to record your audio (though you could find and make friends with Vietnamese users to speed this up).
You have to record or transcribe more than you request.
I usually wait until I have about 10 sentences I want recording and make one request with all of them, asking for a pause between. I then use Audacity to split the sentences in 10 files.
3. Other options
I haven’t used this personally, but here’s another option:
If you have a large number of cards you want to add audio to and you don’t mind the automated voice of Google Translate, there’s an Anki plugin called AwesomeTTS.
How to add and use audio with Anki cards
So now you have some audio, but how should you use it with your flashcards?
It’s easiest to explain this by a video:
Over to you: Do you find sound is important to help you remember words? Do you ever use audio with flashcards?
These stages take you through not only understanding the word, but also knowing what it sounds like, how it works in a sentence and how it’s spelt.
Situation 1: You’re missing some of this information
If you’re missing one of these pieces of information, that is the first thing you should tackle. Go to Forvo to hear how it’s pronounced, look in a dictionary to check the spelling or do a quick search to find example sentences.
Knowing words is important, but using them is even better.
Say Situation 1 is not your problem. Say you’re already familiar with these basic pieces of information about the word, but you’re still having problems. Again, we need to get more specific.
Is the word not going in the first place or are you forgetting it?
Let’s take that second case: you keep on forgetting the word.
Memory Tool 1: Spaced Repetition
As I said in the introduction, you need to see or hear a new word repeatedly for it to sink in.
You’re also inclined to forget it over time. This is the premise behind Spaced-Recognition Software (SRS). This software is designed to re-expose you to the word just as you’re about to forget it.
Projected forgetting curves. Look at the difference spaced repetition makes! Source.
These systems are designed to help you with that second stage of learning vocabulary – internalising the new word.
For this reason, a lot of people recommend creating your own cards rather than memorising a list of someone else’s vocab. Personalising your learning also means you are more engaged and motivated – a key to success in language learning!
Top Tool: Anki
Anki SRS is a program available in a desktop version (free) and as an app for Android (free) and iPhone (paid).
These sync through a simple website (free), which you could use to study on the go if you have an internet connection but you don’t have a smartphone.
Using Anki to review Vietnamese vocabulary
Anki is highly customisable. You can add as little or as much information as you want. You can use categories, tags or extra fields. You can add pictures or sound files. You can use cards that translate to your native language, or keep it entirely in Vietnamese.
I’ll have more tips on using and customising Anki in a future post.
Other systems
Anki was the first spaced repetition software I tried and I liked it so much that I haven’t actually tried anything else. But there are many other similar programs such as Flashcard Deluxe.
SRS revision of new vocabulary doesn’t have to be flashcards. The principle is also built-in to some courses like Pimsleur lessons.
SRS won’t solve everything
It’s not a replacement for other study methods like taking a course, reading articles and actually speaking to people in Vietnamese.
But by using these smart flashcards for a few minutes a day, you can increase the speed of learning new vocabulary and retain it for longer.
Even then, SRS won’t solve all your vocabulary problems. You will still forget words. This is part of the learning process. Sometimes you will have to go back to your notes or textbook to look at the word again. Perhaps you need more information or you need to take a different approach to learning it.
Memory Tool 2: Mnemonics
Back to the question – how can we improve how we remember vocabulary? Especially for words that just seem to go in one ear and out the other.
Mnemonics can be really useful.
mnemonic (noun)
A device, such as a formula or rhyme, used as an aid in remembering.
You probably remember some rhymes designed for this purpose – like the one for the colours of the rainbow (Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain) or how many days are in each month (30 days have September, April, June and November…).
The rainbow rhyme is an example of a mnemonic to help you remember the colours of the rainbow.
They’re a pretty good memory tool, but the dictionary definition seems to overlook the fact that images are one of the most powerful aids to the memory (especially for visual learners).
The links above give you some great examples on how to get started and make good mnemonics.
When using mnemonics to learn Vietnamese words, you may well find it helpful to include the tone in your rhyme or image.
Top Tool: Memrise
A website that combines mnemonics with SRS and gamification is Memrise.
The basic idea is that you create a ‘mem’ to represent a word or idea. As Memrise themselves say:
“In order to learn anything, you first have to connect it to what you already know. Memories aren’t stored nowhere, you know, they’re always made by creating connections to existing memories. Now, the more your brain does to encode a fact or word, the richer and more robust the resultant memory.”
You can map it to something in your own language or your target language. Whatever works for you.
The best mems are creative – they’re funny, or silly, or gross. That helps make them memorable.
When you input a word, you can see the mems or images that other people are using and select one of those if you like, or use their database to find an image to make your own. If there is already audio for the word you’re learning, Memrise will automatically integrate it for you.
One of my ‘mems’. It’s not the most creative but it helped me stop mixing up two words that both begin with giải.
Once you have your ‘mem’, Memrise then takes you through a series of game-like exposures to the word where you win points for correct answers.
Like with Anki, there are pre-made sets of words but again finding one that matches your textbook or making your own ‘course’ with words you want to learn is generally more effective.
While Memrise started as a website, there are also Android and iPhone apps so you can easily review vocabulary while on the go.
A word of caution…
Memrise by default emphasises recalling words (Stage 3) very early on and prompts you to type them correctly into a box. The mems are not used as part of practice. You might find it beneficial to stick to courses labelled ‘no typing’ that focus on multiple choice instead or just use the app where you (usually) don’t have to type in the answer.
What’s the best way to combine these 3 approaches to remembering vocabulary?
Going back to what I said at the beginning, you learn new words by getting repeated exposure to them. You don’t actually need to use any tools if you don’t want to. However accept that it will take some time, just like it does when learning your native language as a child.
This article presented you with 3 different solutions to your vocabulary problems, depending on why you are struggling to remember a word.
Here’s a handy flowchart reminding you how to find the root of the problem and my solution for tackling each one.
The VAK Learning Types. Credit OnlineEducation.net.
Have you ever wondered why some learning activities work well for you, while there are others you can’t stand? Some people love classes, others enjoy podcasts and others can’t get enough of writing and note-taking.
Depending on your learning style, some activities and materials will naturally and easily work well for you, whereas others might still be usable if you adapt them.
Learning styles
Auditory learners learn by listening. They learn well in classrooms, listening to teachers talk or by watching talks or speeches, or listening to podcasts. When learning alone or revising you may find that talking helps or you may even record yourself summarising some notes and play it back to yourself later.
Visual learners learn by seeing. They might like information presented in charts or diagrams, using written information or watching a demonstration. When you self-study or revise you might use diagrams, mind-maps or written notes that are highlighted or colour-coded.
Kinesthetic (or kinaesthetic) learners learn by doing. Movement and touching or interacting with what you are trying to learn works best for you. Tracing out words as you say them or walking while listening to audio can help to take in the information.
Quiz from OnlineEducation.net
You can take quick online quizzes or questionnaires or follow flowcharts like the one on the right.
It can be easiest to identify your learning style(s) by thinking back to your school days and how you revised for exams. I recently found some of my university notes and summary sheets and they were all colour-coded, which is very typical of visual learners.
What this means for language learners
There are different ways of learning a language from classrooms to audio courses to learning by immersion. Some techniques work better for certain learning styles than others.
But, Thảo, audio (aka listening) is really important in languages and I’m not an auditory learner. Help!
It’s not impossible to learn with materials designed for another learning style, you might just need more practice or to adapt them to suit you better.
For example, I’m a visual learner but I still learnt a lot of my basic Vietnamese vocabulary from friends. However they typically needed to repeat new words for me 7 or 8 times when an auditory learner might pick them up in 2 or 3. I also find that visualising the spelling helps me to remember words.
Likewise, I really struggle with audio courses that prompt you to repeat the word almost immediately. Rewinding to hear it a few more times or using an accompanying book to look at the spelling increases my success.
If you’re a kinesthetic learner, listen to audio lessons while walking or you could take notes or draw as you’re listening.
Great advice! Tell me more!
OK, since you asked here are some language learning study tips for each of the learning styles.
Auditory learners
You’re very lucky as you should be able to pick up tones quite well!
Follow an audio course like Pimsleur
Use flashcards with audio
Use rhymes as mnemonics
Read aloud
Speak aloud while studying
Listen to podcasts
Ask lots of questions
Consider recording your classes and listening to them again later rather than taking notes
Visual learners
Use flashcards with images
Use visual mnemonics
Learn the spelling of words
Watch videos instead of just listening to audio
Use colour in your notebook (eg. grammar in blue, vocabulary in black)
Take notes in class or while watching videos then re-read them later
Kinesthetic learners
Listen to audio while walking or working out
Trace out the spelling of words while using flashcards
Use lots of examples (these are easier for you to remember than rules)
Write things out by hand instead of typing
Write things down or draw while listening
Take lots of breaks
Listening to music in the background may help minimise distractions (eg. when you’re reading or writing)
Interact with people and take part actively in class
Over to you: What’s your learning style? Do you have any extra study tips to share?
Depending on where you live, you may be able to find a native speaker in your town. But it can still be hard to find someone willing to help you practice and to correct your mistakes. Even if you have friends who can speak Vietnamese, 
Last month I introduced some techniques and tools for 
