Hu Min learns vocabulary through reading stories: Senior High School English Vocabulary (CD-ROM version)

Author: Hu Min
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: Vocabulary is the cornerstone of language learning. Traditionally, students' methods of memorizing words have not only been monotonous and boring but also extremely inefficient. I have put a tremendous effort into memorizing words, yet sometimes I still find myself completely confused. In light of this, we wanted to introduce a new method of vocabulary learning. By connecting seemingly unrelated words with some humorous and engaging short stories, we have developed a vocabulary learning method. We first provide a story, followed by a vocabulary list, making it not only simple and convenient but also highly entertaining. Theoretically speaking, memorizing stories is easier than memorizing words because stories have a certain developmental thread, which enriches our associations. This is the theoretical foundation for our series of story-based vocabulary learning textbooks. During the process of writing these short stories, we discovered that originally dull words can become lively and endearing, and that originally tedious learning can also become vivid and enjoyable. This reminded us of Columbus's story of conquering the world—breaking an egg and standing it on a table. It turns out that there are no insurmountable challenges in the world; the key lies in whether we can find the right key to overcome them. The idea of "Reading Stories to Learn Vocabulary" is like breaking through a piece of paper with a punch, showing all those who are tortured by words a beautiful new world. There are five surprises in this series:
Surprise One: "To see a thousand miles, climb one more story; beyond the tower, there are more towers, and even higher than the ninth heaven." From elementary English vocabulary to TOEFL English vocabulary, and even to the top-tier GRE vocabulary, plus 2 books on phrases, 11 books encompass eight levels of vocabulary memorization—from a glimpse into the door, to entering the hall, gradually improving, and finally achieving freedom in learning. It's like a series of steps that lead people to the pinnacle of English learning. Regardless of how much vocabulary a learner has, they can always find the right level for their foundation and goals.
Surprise Two: "Performing a grand performance in a screw shell, memorizing words within context." Everyone loves listening to stories, but not everyone loves memorizing words. Combining the love for stories with the aversion to memorizing words is another major feature and advantage of this series. The editors take each word and weave it into the story plot, making it an integral part of a joke, an experience, or a scene, linking memory with visual thinking. When you smile after finishing the story, you realize that these words are not repulsive but rather a group of lively, lifelike, and approachable friends.
Surprise Three: "Ingeniously arranged vocabulary, a bright turn in the path." All the vocabulary in the books is arranged in the order of a standard vocabulary list. With such a book in hand, you don’t need any additional vocabulary list when memorizing words. As you navigate through each scene, it’s like picking wildflowers along the roadside and placing them in a basket. When you return home, you arrange the flowers in a vase, and they naturally form beautiful patterns. These patterns are sketched by the wisdom of the mind and the hands of experience, everything so natural and not forced at all.
Surprise Four: "Handling the heavy as if light, effortlessly like a natural pearl." A good story is lively and never lets the reader guess the ending, while a good vocabulary list is rigid, and you always know the next word. The story writers must ensure that the words appear in order while also telling a compelling story. After all, "you can't have your cake and eat it too," yet they successfully combined the liveliness of the story with the rigidity of the vocabulary list. The 11 books feature a progressive increase in vocabulary difficulty and depth, with different story content, but the words are cleverly embedded within them, as if they were naturally part of the text. In short, the process of learning vocabulary through stories is like a journey filled with surprises. This reminds us of Columbus's story of conquering the world—breaking an egg and standing it on a table. It turns out that there are no insurmountable challenges in the world; the key lies in whether we can find the right key to overcome them. "Reading Stories to Learn Vocabulary" is precisely the key prepared for everyone to conquer the challenges of vocabulary.