What do you think?
Rate this book
How to Learn and Memorize Spanish Vocabulary ... Using a Memory Palace Specifically Designed for the Spanish Language
If you want to improve your ability to learn Spanish by as much as 100%, 200%, even 300% (or more) ... then you're only one book away from learning and retaining hundreds of Spanish Vocabulary Words by spending just 15-30 minutes a day.
The information in How to Learn and Memorize Spanish Vocabulary will teach you:
* Why memory is like a bicycle everyone can ride (with some minor personal adjustments).
* The real reason why no one should ever be squeamish about memorization or learning a new language.
* Why and how some of the most famous memory skills are applicable to learning any language, especially Spanish.
* How to create a 27 "letter location" memory system based on the basic alphabet English speakers share with the Spanish (Spanish has an extra ñ).
* Sample palaces that will show you exactly how and why these strategies work.
* Unique techniques that will have you literally "tuning in" on the Spanish language.
* How to identify & separate Spanish words into the most effective categories for easy memorization.
* A simple strategy for memorizing the masculine and feminine genders (a process that some people consider the ultimate nightmare of language learning.)
* A list of resources, including the secret to finding the absolute best dictionary to use when learning and memorizing Spanish vocabulary.
* How a larger vocabulary gives you greater freedom to explore and enjoy the culture of the Spanish-speaking countries you travel to.
* Two secrets of relaxation that aid the memorization process incredibly. These two methods will literally eliminate stress from your body as you work on learning and memorizing Spanish vocabulary.
* And much, much more ...
Don't worry! None of these techniques are rocket science.
These techniques have been used by real language learners, most of whom previously considered themselves owners of a "bad memory" to make real strides in acquiring Spanish.
Frankly, if you can memorize a short email address or the name of a movie, then you can use this system to memorize a language as rich and diverse as Spanish.
Plus, everything you'll learn in this book applies to every other language that shares the same alphabet with English. And with a little imagination, this system is easily transferable to other alphabet systems too.
But there's really no time to lose.
Every day that you are not using this simple vocabulary memorization system, you are literally stealing from yourself the joy of reading, speaking and knowing Spanish as you easily expand the natural abilities of your mind.
The information in How to Learn and Memorize Spanish Vocabulary will teach you:
* Why memory is like a bicycle everyone can ride (with some minor personal adjustments).
* The real reason why no one should ever be squeamish about memorization or learning a new language.
* Why and how some of the most famous memory skills are applicable to learning any language, especially Spanish.
* How to create a 27 "letter location" memory system based on the basic alphabet English speakers share with the Spanish (Spanish has an extra ñ).
* Sample palaces that will show you exactly how and why these strategies work.
* Unique techniques that will have you literally "tuning in" on the Spanish language.
* How to identify & separate Spanish words into the most effective categories for easy memorization.
* A simple strategy for memorizing the masculine and feminine genders (a process that some people consider the ultimate nightmare of language learning.)
* A list of resources, including the secret to finding the absolute best dictionary to use when learning and memorizing Spanish vocabulary.
* How a larger vocabulary gives you greater freedom to explore and enjoy the culture of the Spanish-speaking countries you travel to.
* Two secrets of relaxation that aid the memorization process incredibly. These two methods will literally eliminate stress from your body as you work on learning and memorizing Spanish vocabulary.
* And much, much more ...
Don't worry! None of these techniques are rocket science.
These techniques have been used by real language learners, most of whom previously considered themselves owners of a "bad memory" to make real strides in acquiring Spanish.
Frankly, if you can memorize a short email address or the name of a movie, then you can use this system to memorize a language as rich and diverse as Spanish.
Plus, everything you'll learn in this book applies to every other language that shares the same alphabet with English. And with a little imagination, this system is easily transferable to other alphabet systems too.
But there's really no time to lose.
Every day that you are not using this simple vocabulary memorization system, you are literally stealing from yourself the joy of reading, speaking and knowing Spanish as you easily expand the natural abilities of your mind.
118 pages, Paperback
First published December 5, 2012
66 people are currently reading
350 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Metivier
65Ìýbooks116ÌýfollowersAnthony Metivier is a Canadian author and Memory trainer. His approach to mnemonics, known as the Magnetic Memory Method, has introduced several new innovations to the art of memory. Influenced by memory skills innovators like Harry Lorayne and Tony Buzan, Metivier is a promoter of mental literacy.
Born in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Metivier grew up in Kamloops. He completed first a BA and MA in English Literature before completing an MA in Media and Communications at the European Graduate School. Later, he completed a PhD and became the first person to hold a Doctorate in Humanities from York University.
From 2009-2011, Metivier taught Film Studies in the Art History Department of the University of Saarland partly under the auspices of a Mercator research grant for the project, Elective Affinities: Studien zu filmischen Adaptionen von Romanen und Erzhlungen mit Kunstbezug.
Born in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Metivier grew up in Kamloops. He completed first a BA and MA in English Literature before completing an MA in Media and Communications at the European Graduate School. Later, he completed a PhD and became the first person to hold a Doctorate in Humanities from York University.
From 2009-2011, Metivier taught Film Studies in the Art History Department of the University of Saarland partly under the auspices of a Mercator research grant for the project, Elective Affinities: Studien zu filmischen Adaptionen von Romanen und Erzhlungen mit Kunstbezug.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 26, 2013
In the Middle Ages, when a single book cost what the average laborer made in an entire year, most students could not afford textbooks for their learning; instead, their professors would lecture and the students would memorize copious amounts of knowledge.
How did the students accomplish this remarkable feat? As 's spectacular explains in Chapter 4, "A Matter of Fact," in a time before movable type, people were forced to rely on their memories constantly, strengthening them. However, in addition, an elaborate system for memorizing massive quantities of information had been devised, a system laid out in the medieval reference Ad Herennium:
This is exactly the advise that author delivers in How to Learn and Memorize Spanish Vocabulary -- right down to the suggestion of comical, violent, and over-the-top imagery! The only difference is that Metivier has substituted the term "memory palace" for "memory theatre." In fairness, Metivier himself admits that he researched memory techniques and and he credits in the book for giving him ideas for improving your memory. And regardless of the matter of originality, the real question is, Does this system work?
I teach Spanish in a high school, and I began reading this book to see if I could pick up any pointers for my students. Frankly, there isn't much here for a public-school teacher to take away for her class. The book is aimed for highly motivated learners. That said, I've been toying with the idea of learning French on my summer vacation later this year, and I am impressed enough with both Metivier's methodology and the prodigious memorization accomplished by medieval university students to give this method a try.
How did the students accomplish this remarkable feat? As 's spectacular explains in Chapter 4, "A Matter of Fact," in a time before movable type, people were forced to rely on their memories constantly, strengthening them. However, in addition, an elaborate system for memorizing massive quantities of information had been devised, a system laid out in the medieval reference Ad Herennium:
It provided a technique for recalling vast quantities of material by means of the use of 'memory theatres'.
The material to be memorised was supposed to be conceived of as a familiar location. This could take the form of all or part of a building: an arch, a corner, an entrance hall, and so on.... Once the memory theatre was prepared in this way, the process of memorising would involve the memoriser in a mental walk through the building. The route should be one which was logical and habitual, so that it might easily and naturally be recalled. The theatre was now ready to be filled with the material to be memorised.
This material took the form of mental images representing the different elements to be recalled. Ad Herennium advised that strong images were the best, so reasons should be found to make the data stand out. The images should be funny, or bloody, or gaudy, ornamented, unusual, and so on.
This is exactly the advise that author delivers in How to Learn and Memorize Spanish Vocabulary -- right down to the suggestion of comical, violent, and over-the-top imagery! The only difference is that Metivier has substituted the term "memory palace" for "memory theatre." In fairness, Metivier himself admits that he researched memory techniques and and he credits in the book for giving him ideas for improving your memory. And regardless of the matter of originality, the real question is, Does this system work?
I teach Spanish in a high school, and I began reading this book to see if I could pick up any pointers for my students. Frankly, there isn't much here for a public-school teacher to take away for her class. The book is aimed for highly motivated learners. That said, I've been toying with the idea of learning French on my summer vacation later this year, and I am impressed enough with both Metivier's methodology and the prodigious memorization accomplished by medieval university students to give this method a try.
December 17, 2018
If you are learning Spanish, or any language for that matter, do you self a favor and give this book a read.
Even if you don't buy into Memory Palaces, Magnetic Memory, Mega Memory, or any of enhanced memory terms, do you self a favor and read this book.
Why? First is a nice quick read, I did it in under two hours, reading in bed. If you don't have 2 hours to invest in learning a language, then you are in real trouble! But why I say read it, even if you don't buy in to Memory Palaces etc. is that even the majority of traditional language learning programs, encourage you to use imagery with rote learning (flash cards, SRS, etc). Their main premise is because that way you learn the object/feeling, instead of direct translation, which is important to achieve a conversational level.
Anthony does an incredible job of helping you to develop imagery that works! Instead of just a cute picture of a dog for perro, heck I have seen quite a few systems even use the same picture, you will develop an image that not only helps you remember perro is dog, but that it has 2 r's (pero = but), and the image will have no choice but to stick in your brain.
Even if all you take from Anthony's work is the ability to create better imagery, it will be two hours well spent, but I suspect like me by the end of the book you will be excited to implement and explore his entire method. As I said I read it in bed, but then had a hard time getting to sleep because I was so excited to put the material to work. So Anthony you owe me a night of sleep, but I suspect I will get that back from all the hours I won't be spending doing yet another boring flash card drill!
Pro's
======
1. It's a quick read, I did it in under 2 hours
2. It's a practical, how to use guide. It's doesn't get bogged down with trying to convince you with scientific fact, if you are looking for how memory effect brain chemistry and neurons, look elsewhere
3. Anthony's writing/teaching style if very easy to grasp, without ever feeling you are being talk down to, or that he is trying to impress you with his own abilities.
4. He does a particularly good jump of helping you understand and develop the ability to create effective imagery.
Con's
=======
1. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 (I would really like to give it 4 1/2), is I would have like more information on the memory palace technique. While it doesn't a good job of explaining how to create the imagery, when it comes to storing it in memory palaces, I felt like I was left with to many questions. (Can I reuse a memory palace, can I store more than one image in a station, if I start with just rooms for stations, can I go back and add item in a room for more stations later, can I use a memory place for more than one thing like Spanish and names) . Understand I am saying this is only a 1/2 star con, I would have like a short chapter answering some of those questions, but not a dissertation on Memory palaces because then it would no longer be a quick, light read. So there is a trade off, and it has wet my appetite for both the technique and Anthony's material, so I will be more on to some of his other works and advanced material.
2. This isn't a con as much as a warning. The book isn't really about teaching you Spanish, but about helping you to learn how to learn Spanish. However he does use a few words here and there for illustration purposes, and does have a short chapter with a short list of words to learn, however based on my time and learning in South America, I suspect that he is using European Spanish not Latin American Spanish. Many of the words were not the words used in SA for the same meaning or at least not the most common word used. But again, don't pick this book up to get a list of Spanish vocabulary, read this book to store the vocabulary you get elsewhere.
Even if you don't buy into Memory Palaces, Magnetic Memory, Mega Memory, or any of enhanced memory terms, do you self a favor and read this book.
Why? First is a nice quick read, I did it in under two hours, reading in bed. If you don't have 2 hours to invest in learning a language, then you are in real trouble! But why I say read it, even if you don't buy in to Memory Palaces etc. is that even the majority of traditional language learning programs, encourage you to use imagery with rote learning (flash cards, SRS, etc). Their main premise is because that way you learn the object/feeling, instead of direct translation, which is important to achieve a conversational level.
Anthony does an incredible job of helping you to develop imagery that works! Instead of just a cute picture of a dog for perro, heck I have seen quite a few systems even use the same picture, you will develop an image that not only helps you remember perro is dog, but that it has 2 r's (pero = but), and the image will have no choice but to stick in your brain.
Even if all you take from Anthony's work is the ability to create better imagery, it will be two hours well spent, but I suspect like me by the end of the book you will be excited to implement and explore his entire method. As I said I read it in bed, but then had a hard time getting to sleep because I was so excited to put the material to work. So Anthony you owe me a night of sleep, but I suspect I will get that back from all the hours I won't be spending doing yet another boring flash card drill!
Pro's
======
1. It's a quick read, I did it in under 2 hours
2. It's a practical, how to use guide. It's doesn't get bogged down with trying to convince you with scientific fact, if you are looking for how memory effect brain chemistry and neurons, look elsewhere
3. Anthony's writing/teaching style if very easy to grasp, without ever feeling you are being talk down to, or that he is trying to impress you with his own abilities.
4. He does a particularly good jump of helping you understand and develop the ability to create effective imagery.
Con's
=======
1. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 (I would really like to give it 4 1/2), is I would have like more information on the memory palace technique. While it doesn't a good job of explaining how to create the imagery, when it comes to storing it in memory palaces, I felt like I was left with to many questions. (Can I reuse a memory palace, can I store more than one image in a station, if I start with just rooms for stations, can I go back and add item in a room for more stations later, can I use a memory place for more than one thing like Spanish and names) . Understand I am saying this is only a 1/2 star con, I would have like a short chapter answering some of those questions, but not a dissertation on Memory palaces because then it would no longer be a quick, light read. So there is a trade off, and it has wet my appetite for both the technique and Anthony's material, so I will be more on to some of his other works and advanced material.
2. This isn't a con as much as a warning. The book isn't really about teaching you Spanish, but about helping you to learn how to learn Spanish. However he does use a few words here and there for illustration purposes, and does have a short chapter with a short list of words to learn, however based on my time and learning in South America, I suspect that he is using European Spanish not Latin American Spanish. Many of the words were not the words used in SA for the same meaning or at least not the most common word used. But again, don't pick this book up to get a list of Spanish vocabulary, read this book to store the vocabulary you get elsewhere.
April 6, 2020
This is my second Metivier book to listen to during the last eight days. Last week’s book was his remarkable “The Victorious Mind� to be released April 30.
The book for this review on memorizing Spanish vocabulary covers his basic information on memorizing vocabulary words. But, it is geared for and uses Spanish examples. I will say that listening to the audio version has helped me to get through the book in one sitting. I got The ebook with Whispersync.
The book ends with four special chapters introducing a variety of methods for memorizing other things such as poetry and the order of a deck of cards. He returns to topic at the end with an explanation of how learning to memorize other things, using the methods in the extra chapters, ultimately contributes to one's study of Spanish. I like the author’s narrative voice and method of presenting his material. And the voice talent of the audiobook does a professional job.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a strategy for learning Spanish. The book is a great value
The book for this review on memorizing Spanish vocabulary covers his basic information on memorizing vocabulary words. But, it is geared for and uses Spanish examples. I will say that listening to the audio version has helped me to get through the book in one sitting. I got The ebook with Whispersync.
The book ends with four special chapters introducing a variety of methods for memorizing other things such as poetry and the order of a deck of cards. He returns to topic at the end with an explanation of how learning to memorize other things, using the methods in the extra chapters, ultimately contributes to one's study of Spanish. I like the author’s narrative voice and method of presenting his material. And the voice talent of the audiobook does a professional job.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a strategy for learning Spanish. The book is a great value
March 19, 2022
This is a very short book. Buy the Kindle at 5.99 or preferably less and not the $25 book. It's an interesting magazine article. The concept is brilliant. Though I don't think I'd be creative enough to come up with all the images he suggests for you memory castle. Instead, I've decided to try to learn Spanish by reading simple Spanish language books, listening to Spanish with English subtitles on Netflix, writing and memorizing (including using an illustrated dictionary as my memory castle) and talking to the Spanish speakers in my family. I was curious about Memory Castles that I heard about on Sherlock. You can find a youtube video about it instead of reading this book. The author is a clever fellow and the book is interesting, but not worth the money for so little information. At least not to me.
September 18, 2019
Short book I read in one sitting. I appreciate the brevity. It's rare in a book like this when the author cuts straight to the method instead of waffling about it for 3/4 of the book. Was also quick for me to digest because I'm familiar with all the mnemonic techniques and I've been learning Spanish for a while but it's great to have a very specific technique to use memory palaces to memorise a Spanish dictionary.
July 9, 2017
Great introduction to the memory palace system as applied to learning Spanish vocabulary or indeed any other memorizing. Needs further reading and study for application.
March 19, 2013
Actually, if half-stars were available, I would probably give this book a middle-of-the-road two-and-a-half stars. The memory strategy the author describes is very elaborate, and it does not really appeal to me when all is said and done. However, there are some interesting tidbits in the book, and I'm glad I read it. I have noticed some typos and possible OCR errors, so use caution with the Spanish vocabulary included...some correction will be necessary.
Read
March 28, 2013If you're looking for a fast and easy way to learn Spanish, this isn't it. If you're willing to put in the time and effort to give yourself a solid foundation of vocab to build upon though, this is how to do it. The process pretty much uses the mind's natural learning process and some conscious memory techniques to help you retain information.
August 11, 2013
Not my cuppa. Maybe I'm just a simpleton, but this complicated manner of memorization is just too much for me.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.