Language notes-taking techniques

Welcome or welcome back to my channel. If you're learning a language or multiple languages

like me, you know how challenging it can be to take effective notes. A quick disclaimer is that
taking notes or not is totally up to you. Some people learn better by reviewing with flashcards
or notes. And some people are better off without. It's entirely up to you. But if you’re a person
who loves to take notes and don’t know how or where to start, this video is for you. In this
video, I would like to share some note-taking techniques for language learning. I admit that I
also struggled with language notetaking at first like – should I have separate notebooks for
grammar/vocabulary? How do I organize the information? etc. But my advice is – Don’t think
too much just pick up a pen or a pencil and start writing.

1. The very first tip would be: Just not down keywords, in other words, be selective. You
don’t need to write down all the paragraphs or dialogues from the lessons. I also did this
when I started learning languages as you can see in my old video. I note everything
down. However, over time, I realize it’s not as effective as writing down only keywords.
The words I wrote down didn’t stick in my head and felt overwhelmed whenever I
opened my book. So, I decided to use this technique and it works well for retaining
information. For example, when I am taking notes on a specific topic, first I highlight the
common phrases and daily used vocabulary and write them down. In this way, you can
maintain your interest in learning and memorize better. For example: while I want to
take notes from this paragraph, I just note down only vocabulary or grammar rules that I
need to remember.

私は毎朝 7 時に起きて、ランニングをします。ランニングが終わったら、朝ごはんを食
べます。普段はパンと牛乳を飲みます。朝ごはんの後、日本語の勉強を始めます。

毎朝 (まいあさ) - every morning 朝ごはん (あさごはん) - breakfast

7 時 (しちじ)- 7 o'clock パン- bread

起きる (おきる) - get up 牛乳 (ぎゅうにゅう)- milk

ランニング- running 勉強 (べんきょう)- study

終わる (おわる)- finish 日本語 (にほんご) Japanes

我每天早上七点起床，然后去跑步。跑步结束后，我会吃早餐，通常是面包和牛奶。吃完
早餐后，我开始学习中文。(Wǒ měitiān zǎoshang qī diǎn qǐchuáng, ránhòu qù pǎobù. Pǎobù
jiéshù hòu, wǒ huì chī zǎocān, tōngcháng shì miànbāo hé niúnǎi. Chī wán zǎocān hòu, wǒ kāishǐ
xuéxí zhōngwén.)
每天早上 (měitiān zǎoshang) - every morning

七点 (qī diǎn) - 7 o'clock

起床 (qǐchuáng) - get up

跑步 (pǎobù) - run

结束 (jiéshù) - finish

早餐 (zǎocān) - breakfast

面包 (miànbāo) - bread

牛奶 (niúnǎi) - milk

学习 (xuéxí) - study

中文 (zhōngwén) - Chinese

This note-taking method helps you quickly capture the main points and vocabulary from the
paragraph.

2. Focus more on clarity rather than aesthetics. It’s enough if your notes are readable,
neat, and clear. It’s interesting how my note-taking style changes over time. I tend to
prefer using more colors at the beginner stage, which helps me differentiate between
different sections, and also because my notes tend to be more varied and I enjoy the
idea of slowly switching between different colors for different needs. But it’s still up to
you if you prefer an aesthetic one. For me now, I prefer writing with a sharp pen
(especially a black one because it makes my work look neater and clearer) and using only
two or a maximum of three colors (black, blue, and red). Black for phrases and words,
blue for their translations, and finally red for important notes or keywords. But
sometimes, I do use a pencil because it’s convenient and when you write something
wrong, you can just erase it.

3. I make a habit of reviewing the learned words and phrases whenever I start learning
new lessons. I do this by simply writing them down on my tablet or just moving my hand
on the table (not repeating what I've written, but just writing randomly and freely).
Sometimes, I just read them aloud. This allows me to save time and at the same time to
keep track of all the lessons I’ve learned.
4. Next is to use one notebook at a time, and even though I may be learning from several
books at one time, I will just continue writing in the same notebook without going to a
new page. So, a single page in my notebook can contain my notes from two different
textbooks I’m using. It can help me keep all my notes in one place and also prevent me
from carrying around multiple notebooks. But still, it depends on your personal
preference. If you can effectively keep the notes separated and organized within the
same notebook, it can be a practical approach. Otherwise, using separate notebooks
may be a better option. I am currently learning multiple languages, so I use only one
notebook for one language.

5. Make it fun: As I like reading quotes, I search for some quotes in the language I’m
learning and write down my favorite ones whenever I finish learning the lessons. If you
are a fan of sketching, you can draw cute characters or whatever you like while taking
notes. We remember things better and focus more when we’re doing what we’re
interested in, right?

6. Whatever works, it works: There’s no one right way to take notes, if you prefer writing
down on paper, go for it but if you like digital tools, you can take notes with Excel or
Google doc and notability, reverso for iPad, Kilonotes or Noteshelf for tablets. You can
even try different note-taking methods like the Cornell method, the outline method, the
mapping method, or the charting method.

Cornell method: It is a structured note-taking method that involves dividing your page
into two sections. For example, if you are learning Chinese, you could use the Cornell
Method to write down new vocabulary words and Pingying in the left-hand column and
their English translations in the right-hand column. You could also use the bottom
section for grammar rules and example sentences. This method is particularly useful for
language learning as it encourages active engagement with the material and helps to
enhance comprehension and retention.

Outline method: The Outline Method involves creating a hierarchy of information. You
begin with a main topic, followed by subtopics and supporting details. This method is
useful for organizing complex information and highlighting important points. In
language learning, the Outline Method can be used to organize vocabulary and grammar
rules.

Mapping method: The Mapping Method involves creating a visual representation of the
material being taught. This method is useful for language learning, as it can help you to
create connections between vocabulary and can be used to identify patterns in the
language. It also encourages active engagement with the material and can make it
easier to retain information.

Charting method: The Charting Method involves creating tables and charts to organize
information. This method is particularly useful for language learning as it can be used to
 organize vocabulary and grammar rules. It also makes it easy to compare and contrast
different concepts, helping you to identify common themes and patterns.

Cornell Method: Divide your page into two sections: use the left for vocabulary and Pinyin, and
the right for translations. The bottom section is for grammar rules and examples. This method
enhances comprehension and retention.
Outline Method: Create a hierarchy with a main topic, subtopics, and details. Useful for
organizing complex information, such as vocabulary and grammar.
Mapping Method: Create visual representations to connect vocabulary and identify patterns.
This method enhances retention and active engagement.
Charting Method: Use tables and charts to organize vocabulary and grammar rules, making it
easier to compare and contrast concepts.

Each learner’s journey is unique and note-taking is one of the most effective ways to enhance
your language learning. By choosing the right note-taking method and adapting it to suit your
specific language learning needs, you can improve your comprehension and retention, facilitate
review and practice, and encourage active learning. Keep in mind that effective note-taking
requires practice and patience - with time, you'll find the method that works best for you and
see the benefits in your language-learning journey.
Good luck with your learning journey!