Our brain takes what we read and makes it into images, ideas, and feelings etc. and then makes connections between what we knew before and the new information (words and ideas). This is how we remember things. The “new” stuff is fitted into the “old” stuff. Think of a tree. It is easier for you to see a big tree with lots of branches and leaves than it is to see a small tree with very few branches and leaves, right? and when you connect a new word or idea to things you already know you make it easier for your brain to find (see) it when you need to remember it. You can connect the new English words to a Chinese words by their similar sounds. Unfortunately I don't know Chinese to give you an example, but you must find a like between the new stuff and your old stuff ( words, images, word's sound... )

The speed is determined by your DNA and the frequency of usage. We can't change our DNA yet. Practise listening, reading, writing and speaking as often as you can. That is why learners go and live with native speakers (the language immersion method). Some learners use a repetition software such as Anki.

you can try to use them in a sentence.... you can relate them to a song you can write it down in colour papers and stick them around the house, too