We may summarize some word lists, such as Longman 9000, Oxford 3000, etc., into a rule: the first 9000 high-frequency words determine the fluency of basic vocabulary. However, we need a "fine understanding," which refers to the recognition, recall, interpretation, examples, classification, summary, inference, comparison, explanation, and application of language based on the dimensions of cognitive processes.
Based on this, we can batch process well-recognized grammar books (such as Quark Grammar), dictionaries (seven major English learning dictionaries and some native speaker dictionaries), and other language books. From these, we can design several types of language cards, mostly based on grammar books, writing dictionaries, visual dictionaries, and other language knowledge. These cards explain the meaning of words in example sentences, the meaning of the grammatical structure in example sentences, and include true/false judgments, multiple-choice questions, listening cards, image gap-fill questions, sorting questions, shadowing cards, translation cards, and so on.
Language input needs to be comprehensive and redundant. At the beginning of learning, it should strictly follow authoritative dictionaries and grammar books to create an Anki collection of language corpora.
Here is a general framework for learning English as an example:
- Collect resources:
- Collect word lists such as COCA 20000, Oxford High-Frequency 100, Cambridge Level 6778 words (preferably frequency tables, not exam word lists).
- Collect dictionaries: MDX format dictionaries such as Oxford, Cambridge, Collins, Webster, Longman, which are well-known learning dictionaries or native speaker dictionaries, as well as some EPUB visual dictionaries.
- Collect grammar books such as Oxford Practical Grammar, Collins Grammar series, Longman Grammar (error dictionaries are also acceptable).
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Design card types:
- Meaning cards: In the case of multiple meanings for a word, each meaning should have at least one separate card. Each card should contain a single vocabulary or phrase and a specific meaning. Start by displaying an example sentence, along with related images or audio. If there is a Chinese translation, hide it on the back of the card (click to take a quick look). The purpose of the translation is to better understand and avoid misunderstandings in subsequent learning.
- Similar word distinction cards: Write down easily confused words, and provide mnemonic information on the back.
- Grammar error correction cards: Write down a sentence with a grammar error pointed out in the book, focusing on a specific grammar point. Write the answer on the back and provide explanations or charts in the expansion section (take a quick look).
- Grammar distinction cards: Write down several similar sentences that have different meanings due to grammatical structures, and provide translations or English explanations on the back.
- Fill-in-the-blank cards
- Multiple-choice question cards: These cards provide a question and several possible answers, and learners need to select the correct answer.
- Image cards: Use images to illustrate things.
- Audio cards: Use an audio clip to practice listening or pronunciation (remember to develop from shadowing to reading and then identifying differences).
- Video cards: A video clip that can be used to practice listening and audiovisual comprehension. Use images and actions in movies or TV shows to illustrate things.
- Matching (or selection) question cards: A series of options that learners need to correctly match.
- Sorting question cards: These cards provide a series of vocabulary words that need to be arranged in the correct order (related to sentence structure).
- Bidirectional translation cards: Both sides are a sentence or paragraph (pure text or text + audio), and learners need to translate it into another language (two types of cards: native language to target language and target language to native language).
- Sentence construction cards: These cards only provide one or more vocabulary words or phrases, and learners need to use them to construct a sentence (provide translation or synonym conversion during questioning).
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Create card content: Use regular expressions, AI, and manual proofreading.
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Import into Anki: Anki supports CSV file format, so save the card data as CSV and import it into Anki.
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Sorting: Sort Anki cards based on the amount of knowledge and understanding gained from reading vocabulary books and grammar books.
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Application: Test comprehension speed and accuracy through extensive reading materials and listening materials.
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Improvement: As you learn with Anki cards, improve the card content based on proficiency level (delete cards that are too easy after reaching a certain number of repetitions or no longer require thinking at first glance). Remember to rate cards based on recall time.