If you have ever studied English vocabulary, you have probably used one of two methods: writing words in a list (notebook, spreadsheet, or phone note) or studying with flashcards. Both are popular. Both feel like they work. But when researchers measure long-term retention, the results are not even close.

The Case for Word Lists

Word lists are the default study method for most learners. You write the English word on one side and the translation on the other, or you keep a running list in a notebook. It is fast, simple, and feels productive — you can see your progress growing as the list gets longer.

The problem? Reading through a list is a passive activity. Your eyes scan the words, your brain says "yes, I know that one," and you move on. This creates an illusion of knowledge called the familiarity effect. You recognize the word when you see it, but you cannot produce it from memory when you need it in a conversation.

Studies show that learners who study exclusively from word lists retain only 20–30% of new vocabulary after two weeks. The rest fades because it was never deeply encoded in the first place.

The Case for Flashcards

Flashcards work differently because they force active recall. When you see the front of a card, you must retrieve the answer from memory before checking. This retrieval effort is not a bug — it is the mechanism that builds strong, lasting memory traces.

The psychological principle is called the testing effect: the act of being tested on information helps you remember it better than simply reviewing it. Hundreds of studies confirm this. Flashcard-based learning with spaced repetition produces retention rates of 80–90% even after months.

But Not All Flashcards Are Equal

A basic flashcard with just a word and its translation is better than a list, but it still leaves a lot of learning potential on the table. The most effective flashcards include multiple types of information:

  • An image — creates a visual memory anchor (dual coding)
  • Audio pronunciation — builds an auditory trace so you can recognize and produce the word when speaking
  • An example sentence — shows how the word is actually used, providing grammatical and contextual clues
  • Your native-language translation — confirms meaning quickly

When all four elements are present, each review activates multiple brain regions simultaneously. The memory becomes richer, stronger, and easier to access.

The Verdict

Word lists are better than nothing, but flashcards — especially smart flashcards with spaced repetition and rich content — are dramatically more effective for long-term vocabulary retention. The difference is not small. It is the difference between forgetting 70% of what you study and remembering 85% or more.

If you are still relying on word lists, consider switching. LexiMory creates rich flashcards automatically for every word you add — complete with images, audio, example sentences, and a spaced repetition schedule that ensures you review at the right time. You get all the benefits of the most effective study method without having to build the cards yourself. Your job is just to add the words and show up for your daily reviews.