It is much better than a list because I can "cheat" with lists. I remember which list it was on, where it was in the list or what word or fact it came after. Unfortunately this is not very helpful when I need to pick that one bit of information out of my mind's databank. Cards, on the other hand, I can shuffle so I never know which order they will be in. In addition, once I know a card I can get rid of it or put it in another pile to test myself on later. I can also easily add or change information on cards (especially when I remember to write in pencil).

One of the best things about being a trainer is that you learn from your participants. The most effective way to use vocabulary cards was actually taught to me during an individual training session - where I was the teacher. It involves vocabulary cards and a box. It could be an index card box, such as this one

When you have new cards put them into the first area. To avoid frustration I try not to have more than thirty or forty cards in the first area at one time. Every once in a while I take out about ten cards and go through them. If I know the answer within the first few seconds I put the card into the next area. If I do not, I return it to the back of the first area. When the first area is getting empty I refill it with new cards. I do this until the next area is full. Then it's time to review the cards in area two and see if they are in my medium term memory. I don't review all of them - just about 30. Starting with the card in front I test myself. If I know the word the card goes into the next (here: third) area. If I don't know the word the card is returned to the back of the first area.

Basically I just keep doing this over and over. When an area is full I test myself on the first 30 or so cards. If I know them they go into the next are. If I don't, I return them to the first. If no area is particularly full I make new cards and add them to the first area. If I know the words when they are in the fifth area I get rid of the card. Sometimes I also see if I can make a sentence using the word. If I notice that I am really having problems with some cards I may take a stack of them with me during the day and go over them whenever I have a few moments. They don't take up much space and are very light. Since I usually use business card size paper I can even store them in a small business card holder which makes them very easy to take with me.

My learning style with the cards is fairly flexible, but another person I know has a very strict schedule, which seems to work very well for him. It goes something like this:

Week 1	Monday	Create cards for and learn 5 -10 new words. Review them 2 times during the day and put them in area 1 at the end of the day.
	Tuesday - Friday	Same as Monday
Week 2	Monday	Review all of the cards in Area 1 and put them in area 2 or return them to area 1.
	Tuesday - Friday	Same as Week 1: Monday
Following weeks	Mondays	Review all of the cards in Area 1 and put them in area 2 or return them to area 1.
	Tuesday - Thursday	Same as Week 1: Monday
	Friday	If any of the areas other than the first one (i.e. 2,3,4 or 5) are getting full, choose about 20 cards from one of them and review them. Place the cards in the next area or the first area.

Whatever your style for using the cards, regularity and repetition are the important points with this system. The advantage to this way of learning is that you review the words or information you really need help with most often. In addition you can learn at your own pace and it's inexpensive to set up. Why not get some cards and try it? I've even made it easy for you. Many of the Vocabulary and Topic selections on this site have vocabulary cards that you can get via Email.