Babbel's vocab workout is designed to improve language learning by using the proven method of spaced repetition. This feature helps you move vocabulary from short-term to long-term memory by reminding you when words and phrases are due for practice. This automatic scheduling is based on how often you review and your performance during those sessions.
How does the vocab workout feature work?
Each time you complete a lesson, new phrases are added to your vocabulary, which you can then practise whenever you like.
When you practise your vocabulary, we recommend words and phrases based on how well you've answered them in the past. If you get a word right the first time, it's scheduled for review the next day. If you continue to answer correctly, the review intervals increase to four days, seven days, 14 days, 60 days and then six months.
This approach, known as spaced repetition, improves memory by spacing out reviews over time, helping you build a strong, lasting vocabulary. This method is supported by over a century of research, which suggests that learning is more effective when it is spread over time.
To reflect how well you retain your words and phrases in your memory and when you last reviewed them, we categorise them as Weak, Medium or Strong. If a word or phrase has been reviewed recently, it will be considered as 'Strong'. If a phrase hasn't been reviewed for a while, it will first move to 'Medium' and then eventually to 'Weak'.
Where can I find the vocab workout?
The vocab workout (Review) is accessible both on desktop through your dashboard at babbel.com and on mobile devices via the Babbel app. You can easily find it in your navigation bar: at the top of the screen, named as Review, if you are using Babbel on your computer, or at the bottom, within the Practice tab under Your vocabulary, if you are using the app.
We will also recommend a vocabulary workout session on the main view, next to your upcoming lessons, whenever you have enough words that need to be practised.
How can I review my vocabulary?
For different learning styles and preferences, Babbel offers four interactive practising methods:
- Flashcards: test your memory by trying to remember the translation of a word or phrase and then turn the card over to check your answer
- Writing: type the words or phrases you are learning to improve your ability to remember and spell them accurately.
- Speaking: repeat the learnt word or phrase out loud - a particularly useful exercise for improving pronunciation and building confidence in speaking.
- Listening: listen to the word being pronounced and select the correct translation from the multiple-choice options.
Custom collections
Custom collections in Babbel’s review feature allow you to create personalised sets of vocabulary to focus on. You can save specific words or phrases you’ve learned to a custom collection, making it easy to review only those items whenever you like.
To create a custom collection on the website, scroll down on the Review page and click Create a new collection. On the Babbel app, go to the Practice tab, tap Your Vocabulary, scroll down, and tap Create a new collection. Then, select the phrases you want and save them.
You can update your collection at any time by adding or removing items, renaming the collection, or deleting it entirely.