Google Translate History for “catching” unfamiliar words during a live conversation
Here’s another tip to assist you in expanding your vocabulary while engaging in live conversations in a foreign language. This is where the less apparent feature of Google Translate proves useful, specifically the “History” feature.
Based on my experience, one of the main downsides of engaging in communicative activities (such as conversation clubs, tandem language exchanges, or conversations with native speakers) is that it’s often challenging to recollect the specific words you couldn’t recall during the conversation once it has ended.
To use it properly, you just need to develop two good habits.👍
The 1st habit is to utilize Google Translate to find unfamiliar words (or phrases). When I mention “unfamiliar words” I’m referring to those you intended to use during the conversation but couldn’t recall, or those words/phrases spoken by your conversation partner that you couldn’t immediately grasp.
It’s also beneficial to inform your conversational partner beforehand (at the start of the conversation) that you’ll be employing this approach (specifically checking unknown words in a translator). Abruptly switching to your phone in the middle of a conversation might give the impression of distraction and be perceived as a lack of interest in your conversation partner.
The 2nd habit involves going through your Google Translate history, selecting the words or phrases you want to remember, and adding them into your “vocabulary learning system” This can be done once you return home from a conversation, at a specific time every day, or as part of your regular study routine.
As a “vocabulary learning system” you have various options to choose from. You can utilize specialized software that employs spaced repetition, such as Remnote or Anki. Alternatively, you can add new vocabulary to your personal Telegram feed or maintain a simple paper notebook for this purpose. The choice ultimately depends on your personal preference and what works best for you.
I hope this approach will help you to boost your vocabulary as fast as possible! Also join my channel where I share lifehacks on frictionless language learning😜.