Hello Jeanie, If you don't memorize words you "have just learned" that is very likely to happen. You tested your level too early then and got frustrated to find no real improvement . You need not only learn those words once to be able to use them in speech. You need to repeat them , use them indirectly through reading, writing , listening ,hear them spoken either through any media or in conversation with people.The constant repetition of various ways of learning will result eventually in a tangible improvement . You will be able to memorize those words after a while. I will give you some tips you can apply for increasing your vocabulary and being able to use them effectively : -Readat your level of comprehension simple texts or books and looking up new words . -Listen to the target language through music and possibly reading the lyrics . - Watch movies in that language with subtitles in your mother tongue. -Chat with natives online using voice chats or in real life .Mingling with natives is a very good way to be constantly listening to speech in that language, even if you don't understand at the beginning.

It is easier for you to read story books or news articles to learn new vocabulary. If you find any interesting vocabulary, try to construct your own sentence with it. Find chance to use it in your daily conversation. Find a new vocabulary a day, and apply a new vocabulary to daily conversation a day is better than you try to memorise 100 a year and yet do not use one in a whole year.

I am studying Arabic, though I assume learning English is the same. I do study vocabulary, but learning this way works better if you hear the words at other times, then when you study the vocabulary, you can recognize words better. I would recommend music and movies. Good Luck

Hi Jeanie, here are some tips for enlarging and remembering vocabulary. Vocabulary can’t always be understood just from a dictionary definition. In order to really understand a new vocabulary word, you need to know how to use it in a variety of contexts. Just knowing a vocabulary word enough to recognize it later on is not sufficient enough to memorize it. Your really need to know what the vocabulary word sounds like and how it is spelled. You must know the vocabulary word visually and phonetically. For the visual part of the vocabulary word look at the spelling, close your eyes and say the spelling out loud, then open your eyes and check that you spelled it correctly. For the phonetic part of the vocabulary word, read the vocabulary word, look away from the page and say it out loud, then check that you have said the vocabulary correctly. If you can learn the vocabulary word both visually and phonetically, you know the vocabulary word really well. This is most important. Once you know the vocabulary word really well, you need to connect that vocabulary word to what you already know. Use 'post it' notes to stick the word onto objects in your home. You need to turn the vocabulary word into a memorable image in your imagination. Consider what the new vocabulary word reminds you of that can be easily visualized. Try to pick the first thing that comes into your head because when you re-encounter the vocabulary word you’re likely to think the same way again. Try drawing a picture or symbol next to the words. There are also many tips if you click onto Knowledge and then to Learn English.

Make lists of words you learned and categorize them, e.g words you use at the office , words you use at school , greetings etc.. - Keep a diary in that language. Try to use the new words you learned to write and compose simple sentences .The more you add up to your vocabulary, the more you can form intricate ones. Test your level!. -Take a holiday abroad if you can afford in countries speaking the language you are learning. It is an opportunity to practice with natives and learn more about the culture and people.You can sign up in language courses in those countries as well beside visiting its historical and monumental buildings and museums . You will be using guiding phrasebooks to help you get along there. The whole process will help you learn more words, expressions and practice speaking. You will feel an improvement gradually ,don't just hurry up to evaluate your level at an early stage. Don't expect the words to stick in your mind from one time even 2 times learning . Just vary your ways of learning and eventually you will be surprised by the amount of vocabulary that you have acquired even at a subconscious level. Sometimes at a conscious level you are not very aware that some words are already in your memory, because you didn't happen to use them . Just develop your speaking skills as well because memorizing the words is not enough to be able to use them in conversations . Wishing you the best :)