年终的宁静与沉思,是高效突破英语词汇的绝佳时刻

文摘   教育   2024-11-30 08:31   美国  

英语学习,也需要降本增效

        Winter has arrived, its chill biting the air, as the echoes of elections fade and the undercurrents of geopolitical tension quietly brew. Yet for lovers of language, those attuned to the world’s complexities and in pursuit of the art of vocabulary, such turbulence doesn’t diminish their passion—it fuels it. What better time than this season of stillness and introspection to embark on a journey into the heart of words?
        严冬将至,寒意袭人。选举的余音刚落,地缘政治的暗潮却在酝酿。但对于那些热爱语言、关心世界局势、追求词汇奥妙的人来说,这些纷扰不仅无损他们的热情,反而成为一种激励。年终的宁静与沉思,正是开启英语文字心灵之旅的绝佳时刻。


        Marcel Proust once wrote, “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” To master vocabulary is not simply to accumulate words, but to gain a new perspective—to see the world’s textures, subtleties, and mysteries unfold anew, especially when engaging with a second language.
        马塞尔·普鲁斯特曾写道:“真正的发现之旅,不在于寻找新的风景,而在于拥有新的眼睛。” 掌握词汇并不仅仅是堆砌词语,而是获取一种全新的视角,透过语言的棱镜重新发现世界的质感、细微和奥秘,特别是在探索第二语言时,这种体验尤为深刻。

        Franz Kafka adds another layer of insight: “A book must be the axe for the frozen sea inside us.” Words, when deeply understood and skillfully used, do more than communicate—they break through the ice of monotony, stirring the still waters of thought and emotion. Each word becomes a key, unlocking doors to self-discovery, connection, and a richer, more vibrant human experience.
        弗兰茨·卡夫卡则更进一步:“书籍必须是凿开我们内心冰封大海的斧头。” 当词汇被深刻理解并巧妙运用时,它们不仅是沟通的工具,更是突破平庸的利器,唤醒沉睡的思想与情感。每一个词汇都化为一把钥匙,打开通往自我探索、情感连结的门扉,带我们走向更丰富、更鲜活的人生。

        This journey isn’t about cramming lists of words or rushing through flashcards. It’s about immersing yourself in the rhythm of language, the dance of syntax, and the transformative power of narrative. It’s learning to wield words like a poet crafting verse, or a painter blending colors—deliberately, artfully, and beautifully.
        这场语言之旅,并非只是刷词卡、背单词的机械过程,而是一种深度的沉浸——聆听词语的节奏,欣赏句法的起舞,体会叙事的力量。学习驾驭语言的过程,就像诗人雕琢诗句,像画家调和色彩——细致用心、精妙动人、浑然天成。

        So, as the winds turn colder and the nights grow longer, pour yourself a cup of coffee or tea, wrap up in a cozy blanket, and settle into the warmth of words. Together, let’s explore not just how to expand your vocabulary but how to build a profound and lasting relationship with language. This winter offers the perfect opportunity to pause, reflect, and rediscover. By the time the season melts into spring, you won’t just have added more words to your repertoire—you’ll see the world, as Proust promised, with fresh eyes. And at the very least, you’ll have unlocked a more efficient and meaningful way to learn and remember words.
        当寒风渐烈、长夜深沉,不妨泡上一杯热茶或咖啡,裹上柔软的毛毯,静静地沉浸在语言的温暖中。让我们一起探索,如何不仅仅扩展词汇,更是与语言本身建立一种深刻而持久的联系。这个冬天,是一个停下脚步、沉淀心灵、发现自我的最佳时机。当冬季过去时,你不仅会拥有更多的词汇,也会如普鲁斯特所言,以全新的眼睛看待这个世界。至少,你会降低时间成本,大幅提升记词的效率!

        下面,向老师提供了高效英语词汇学习的9条原则,并在最后提供课程学习计划:

1. 时间:你最亲密的盟友

        时间是你最宝贵的资源。当然,投入大块的时间是非常美妙的。比如20天攻克托福词汇,在12天内搞定高中词汇,平均每天投入四个半小时--这就是投入的力量!但是,不要小看这些零碎的时间。无论是课间十分钟的休息时间,还是等待咖啡冲泡的时间,抑或是上下班的地铁时间,每一刻都很重要。这些碎片时间可以编织成一个强大的时间表,用来征服和再次征服单词。记住,你对时间的态度决定了你掌握词汇的高度。
Time: Your Greatest Ally
        Time is your most precious resource in this endeavor. Sure, dedicating large chunks of time is fantastic - imagine conquering TOEFL vocabulary in 20 days or acing high school lexicon in just 12 days with an average of four and a half hours daily - that's commitment! But hey, don't underestimate those little pockets of time. Whether it's a ten-minute break between classes, waiting for your coffee to brew, or commuting on the subway, every moment counts. These snippets can be woven into a robust schedule for conquering and reconquering the words. Remember, your attitude towards time determines your altitude of your mastery.


2. 禅定:学习的核心
        想象进入禅宗的专注状态,在这种状态下,时间消逝 。在这种状态下,信息不会停留,而是瞬间转化为灵感。词汇开始随着熟悉的感觉起舞;希腊语和拉丁语词根变得生动,音节重音变得直观 。你就是这张网的蜘蛛侠或蜘蛛女。达到这种禅宗般的专注不仅能提高你的观察能力,还能让学习成为一场惊心动魄的冒险。

  1.  Zen Focus: The Heart of Learning
             Imagine entering a state of Zen focus, where time fades, and your concentration is laser-sharp. In this state, information won’t linger, but transforms into instant inspiration. Words start to dance with familiarity; Greek and Latin roots come alive, syllable stresses become intuitive, and words with similar or opposite meanings form a vivid web of significance. You are the spiderman or woman of this web. Achieving this Zen-like focus not only sharpens your observation skills but also makes learning a thrilling adventure.


3. 行走的字典: 你的指路明灯 
        实现禅定的专注并不是随随便便就能做到的,它需要将点点滴滴联系起来的能力,就像乔布斯在斯坦福大学的标志性演讲中强调的那样。导师或经验丰富的向导可以成为你的 "行走词典",为你提供必要的知识和认知框架,帮助你更好地理解。这种支持将词汇学习变成一种甜蜜的奉献,而不是沉闷的任务。你对单词的第一印象很重要,因此要将它们融入真实的生活场景和具体而美观的语境中,以获得持久的影响。记住,第一印象永远不会有第二次机会。
     The Walking Dictionary: Your Guiding Light
             Achieving Zen focus doesn't just happen; it requires the ability to connect the dots, much like Steve Jobs emphasized in his iconic Stanford speech. A mentor or a seasoned guide can be your walking dictionary, offering essential knowledge and a cognitive framework geared towards greater understanding. This support turns vocabulary learning into a sweet dedication rather than a dreary task. Your first impressions of words matter, so immerse them in real-life scenarios and concrete and aesthetic contexts for a lasting impact. Remember, you’ll never have a second chance for the first impression.


4. 批量学习,间隔重复 
        放弃 "小鸡啄米"式的学习--今天学几个单词,明天再学几个单词,会让你的雄心壮志荡然无存,精力也会马上被消耗殆尽。取而代之的是,要根据艾宾浩斯遗忘曲线,先大量学习,然后间隔重复。这种方法包括首先理解单词的上下文,然后多次重复这个单词,并注意其广度和深度。通过将理解和记忆这两个过程分开,你可以在第一轮学习中完全专注于感知,而将记忆工作留到后面。这种方法会让你走出词汇学习的低谷,释放出新的学习潜能。

     Bulk Learning, Spaced Repetition
             Abandon learning in baby step - a few words today, a few more tomorrow will chip away your ambition and suck your energy right away. Instead, embrace bulk learning followed by spaced repetition based on Ebbinghaus forgetting curve. This approach involves understanding the word context first, then revisiting the word multiple times with an attention to both its width and depth. By separating understanding from memorization, you can focus entirely on sense-making during the first round and leave repetition for later. This method will lift you out of any vocabulary learning slump and unlock new learning potentials.


5. 绘制进度曲线图 
        跟踪进度至关重要。它可以让你看到自己从起点到新的里程碑走了多远,并增强你的信心。通过记录自己的成长,你可以给自己必要的成功标记,这有助于你认识到自己的英语技能提升了多少。正如丹尼尔-卡尼曼(Daniel Kahneman)在《思考,快与慢》(Thinking, Fast and Slow)一书中所说,人有两个自我:体验自我和记忆自我。跟踪自己的进步是对 "记忆中的自我 "的尊重,确保每次回顾自己的词汇之旅都充满成就感。
Chart Your Progress Curve
        Keeping track of your progress is crucial. It's about seeing how far you've come, from a starting point to new milestones, and reinforcing your confidence. By recording your growth, you give yourself necessary markers of success, which helps you realize how much you've elevated your English skills. As Daniel Kahneman in "Thinking, Fast and Slow" suggests, there are two selves: the experiencing self and the remembering self. Tracking your progress honors that remembering self, ensuring that every look back at your vocabulary journey is filled with a sense of accomplishment.


6. 沉浸于人文社科

        最初,这在很大程度上取决于你的老师。好的教学是三分之一的准备和三分之二的戏剧(即兴发挥)。无论是高中词汇还是托福词汇,都应该融入人文科学的温暖怀抱,包括文学、历史、哲学和社会科学。这将为今后的记忆和使用提供多样化的记忆钩和语境。这种接触不仅有助于记忆,还能让你了解一旦实现词汇自由后,你可能会享受到的乐趣。
Immersing in Humanities and Social Sciences
        Initially, a lot depends on your teacher. Great teaching is one-third preparation and two-thirds theater. Words, whether from high school or TOEFL, should be expanded into the warm embrace of humanities, including literature, history, philosophy and social sciences. This will provides diverse memory hooks and contexts for future recall and usage. This exposure not only aids memory but also presents you with what you may be able to enjoy once you achieve vocabulary freedom.


7. 你的个性化计划

        背词app软件往往不够完善,导致被动应对,而不是主动学习和制定策略。时间管理是一个伪概念;你需要学会管理自己,而不是管理时间。根据自己的空闲时间和喜欢的节奏,制定一份个性化的计划表,并将其放在每天都能看到的显眼位置。这个计划不是一成不变的,可以根据老师的建议调整词汇量和节奏。计划应该为你服务,而不是你为计划服务。
Your Personalized Plan
        Generic planning apps are often inadequate, leading to passive responses rather than active learning and strategizing. Time management is a pseudo-concept; you need to learn to manage yourself, rather than your time. Create a personalized schedule based on your own free time and preferable rhythm, placing it in a prominent spot where you can see daily. This plan is not set in stone; adjust your vocabulary load and pace based on your teacher's advice. The plan should serve you, not you serving the plan.


8. 保持 "饥饿

        保持 "饥饿 "并不容易,需要付出努力才能轻松自如。清空 "自己,摒弃对学习单词的旧有看法,为新的心态提供空间,这些都是至关重要的。不学习 "需要重新评估未经审查的假设,了解沉没成本,并做好立即行动的准备。在学习过程中,要保持大脑的饥饿感,承认并接受自己目前的不完善之处--记忆泄漏、发音错误、耐力不足以及注意力分散。认识到愚蠢是人类的共性。与其在学习中追求所谓的完美主义,不如放弃这种乌托邦式的理想;你最好从糟糕的开始,然后开始逐步揭示单词、单词的含义,或许是无意义的。不求确定,但求清晰。
Stay 'Hungry'
        Staying hungry staying foolish is not easy; it requires effort to achieve effortless ease. 'Emptying' yourself, setting aside old views of learning words, and providing space for new mentality are vital. 'Unlearning' requires reevaluating unexamined assumptions, understanding sunk costs, and being ready for immediate action. During the learning process, keep your brain hungry, acknowledging and embracing your current imperfections - memory leaks, pronunciation errors, lack of endurance, and scattered attention. Recognize that stupidity is a common trait among humankind. Instead of pursuing so-called perfectionism in learning, unlearn this utopian ideal; You are better off starting badly and then embarking on the progressive revelation of words, their meanings or perhaps meaninglessness. Seek not certainty, but clarity.


9. 执行至上

        如果不将上述理论和动机付诸实践,一切都是徒劳。
Execution is Supreme
        Without turning the above theories and motivations into practice, everything is in vain.


        所以,这就是掌握词汇的路线图,每一步都是自律、创造力和洞察力的精彩融合。我的课程链接在视频描述中。请记住,这不仅仅是学习单词,而是踏上通往语言自由的迷人旅程。不断探索,不断学习,让文字的魔力丰富你的心灵生活!

        So, there you have it - a roadmap to mastering vocabulary, where each step is an exciting blend of discipline, creativity, and insight. My course links are in the video description. Remember, it's not just about learning words; it's about embarking on a fascinating journey towards linguistic freedom. Keep exploring, keep learning, and let the magic of words enrich your life of mind!



    冬季报名须知:     


        托福词汇8000课程是一门60个小时的导师录播课程,把绿皮书乱序版串讲完;核心资料是我的笔记,一共600多页。可以按自己的节奏一天一课,20天完成;也可以一天半课,40天完成。如果你是白领或毕业多年,只要有一定的四级基础,也适合通过词汇8000的学习,扫除英文原版阅读的障碍。如果你的基础还比较薄弱,可以从高中词汇3500的课程开始。若咨询报名,请在文章下面👇留言!



课程推荐:
1. 托福词汇8000导师精品课:“阅读自由”的关键步骤
2. 高中词汇3500-英文原版导读
3. Zero to Hero英文原版书单 | 25门导师进阶方案(最新!)

学员反馈:
1. 46岁疾病缠身却完成五个国家的全马,我的英语学习有一种长跑的松弛感
2. 被精神疾患和教育工厂双重折磨的中国学子,如何飞跃疯人院?
3. 高中3500-托福8000词汇 | 一站式解决方案
4. 托福词汇8000进阶手册:英语“词汇自由”指南


提示:如有入班意向,请将自己或学员的如下信息,在该文章下留言:

1. 词汇测试成绩(精确到百位) http://testyourvocab.com/  英语能力的量化评估:如何测词,理解自己的词汇水位?
2. 所在学校和年级/职业 
3. 今后的学习目标(eg: 高考、美高、美本、职业方面)
4. 英语学习时间安排计划(和该课程冲突?正好符合?有部分冲突)



教师简介

        向杨,芝加哥大学社会学博士在读。四川大学生物技术基地班本科,芝加哥大学政治学硕士。“羊说”公众号创办人,专访众多政治、社会、文化界领袖。十三年持续从事英语教学和管理。


◾ 2010年外研社演讲大赛全国季军;

◾ 2009年中央电视台希望之星风采大赛四川省冠军;

◾ 屡次在国际英国议会制辩论赛获奖;

◾ 人事部口、笔译二级(CATTI);

◾ 托福118,口语写作阅读满分。

◾ 演讲、辩论教练;托福雅思词汇,GRE教学专家;留学规划申请专家。

◾ 众多学生获得各类演讲大赛全国大奖,不少考入世界著名高中大学,如全美排名第一的高中Phillips Academy Andover(菲利普斯·安多弗),斯坦福大学东亚系博士等。








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