Word retrieval strategies help us to remember words or thoughts
that we forgot. By using these strategies, we can think of the word we forgot
(retrieve it) and then continue on with our sentence or thought. Here is a
list of some different word retrieval strategies that we use in school:
-
Describe: Tell
what something looks like, where you find it, what it is used for. Try
to make a picture with your words so that you or your listener can come
up with the word that you forgot. Hearing the description can help you
retrieve the word!
-
First
sound or letter: Try to think of the sound or letter of the word that you forgot.
This may trigger your
memory for that word. You can ask
someone
for the first letter or sound and this clue may help you retrieve
the correct word, too. This strategy is great to use when
you are experiencing some
time pressure.
-
Synonyms: Synonyms
are two words that have similar meanings. When you forget one word, you
may be able to substitute a
synonym and continue with
your thought.
Practice thinking of synonyms for different words. This can
help expand your vocabulary skills and reduce word retrieval difficulties.
Some words
even have
3 or more synonyms!
-
Think
Time: Asking
someone to give you some more time to think can help you with your word
finding difficulties.
Additional
time may give you the
time that you need to remember the word you forgot. Just
say to someone, “Can
I have a minute or two to think?” or “Can
you come back to me?”
-
Ask for
some choices: Sometimes we know the answers to questions but just cannot recall
them. By asking
someone for some choices
of answers,
we may recognize
the correct response and be able to answer the question.
-
Say the
answer to yourself: Sometimes in the classroom we know the answer to the teacher’s
question but when they call on us, we seem to “just
forget.” By repeating the answer in our
minds and to ourselves, we will be ready to respond
when we are called upon. We won’t forget
our answer!
-
Practice
or rehearse your information: By practicing our reports and presentations over and
over, we will have less difficulties recalling the words we
want to say. We will have rehearsed our words
so much that we will forget them less often.
We will sound smoother and probably be less nervous too.
