I've used a programme similar to Anki just during one month or so when I was learning Chinese characters for dictations (if I needed to learn words orally, I never bothered to create flashcards). Paper flashcards are much better -- you can take them with you and touch them and physically move them. But overall, I find making flashcards -- both on paper or for a programme very timeconsuming and not worthy. The hardest thing is to make oneself get back to them and review ;) Personally, I prefer highlighting words in the context, putting them into a tiny notebook and learning them immeadiately through active use (discussing the text). It works for 60-70% of words, at least for passive recognition. I try to look through my notebook with words later a couple of times, but I admit I fail to do this reagularly ;) Anyway, I think it's normal to forget 20-30% of new words after the first encounter. All I need is to meet them another time and then another, and for this reading is essential. However, If I've just started a language, I'll make more efforts to learn new words.

I have been using ANKI for a couple of years. It seemed to be very effective at the beginning, but I'm not sure of that anymore now. I don't know whether it's better keep using flash cards or read good articles and books in order to learn new words and phrases through a more natural way. Maybe I must change something in my way of using ANKI.

Greetings.

I'm going to do paper flashcards tomorrow, i think is a good idea, scientifically people learn more if use paper. 

Thanks!