The Mnemonic Keyword Method

The keyword method is a two-stage procedure for remembering materials that have an associative component. In the case of foreign vocabulary learning, for example, the learner first must acquire a stable association between the unfamiliar foreign word and a familiar English word that sounds like a salient part of the foreign word. The acoustically similar English word is the keyword. The learner then encodes a meaningful interaction between the keyword and the foreign word’s definition. The method has been investigated most extensively with respect to recall of definitions from vocabulary words. However, other aspects of vocabulary learning also are considered, as are potential classroom applications of the keyword method based on a variety of curricular content. Future research directions are emphasized throughout the discussion.