Even in this high-tech world, sometimes the most low-tech solutions are the best. When we designed the Ultimate Vocabulary software, we included a customizable system that allows you to create, use, and quiz yourself with “flash cards” containing the words you select (or the ones we recommend as being most useful). However, it’s not always possible to take your computer with you. With the traditional paper flash cards, on the other hand, your vocabulary study system is always right there in your pocket, available at a moment’s notice. For vocabulary on the go, take a few minutes to build a set of flash cards. We’ve provided some tips on creating and using them:

1. Buy a set of blank index cards.
These cards come in a range of sizes, from business cards to half-sheets; choose the one that you find easy to carry around, but make sure that it’s not too small. You need to have room to write out at least a good definition of the word.

2. Fill out the cards with words, definitions, and examples.
On one side of the card, write the word you want to learn. You can also write out the pronunciation of the word here, but leave enough room between the pronunciation guide and the word itself so that you can cover it up later when you’re quizzing yourself. On the other side of the card, write out the definition of the word. If there is more than one main definition, pick the ones that occur most often, or that you would use the most. Along the bottom of the card, write a sample sentence using the word correctly in context.

3. Quiz yourself!
The first way to test yourself is by only looking at the front of the cards. Read each word out loud (checking your pronunciation with the guide) and see if you can come up with the definition(s) that you’ve written on the back. When you feel that you know these words, flip the cards over, and try it the other way: read each definition, and try to remember what words they define. You can get a study partner to help you with this as well. For an advanced quiz, have your study partner read the sample sentence out loud (or have them create one of their own) leaving out the target word, and fill in the word that’s missing.

You can add many things to your flash cards to make them more useful. For example, you might include a small picture or drawing (done by hand, or perhaps from clip art or a magazine) that helps illustrate the meaning of the word. You can add lists of synonyms and antonyms to the definition side of the card, which will enhance your understanding of the target word while teaching you even more useful vocabulary words. You might also try color-coding the cards, either by using different colors of cards for different word groups (by difficulty, or by word type like nouns, verbs, etc.) or by marking the cards with colored pens.

These cheap, portable learning tools can help you find time for your vocabulary study no matter where you go. Give them a try!