- This paper is quite old and from 1975. It aims to better understand the wide differences in the language learning capabilities of different individuals and proposes that the differences stem from the availability of learning strategies. - Keyword Method - This is a method that learners can use while learning a second language. The idea is to build an association with an existing word in the language they are familiar with. For example if we want to learn that the Kannada word for eating is "Thinnu" we choose the keyword "Thin" which sounds phonetically similar and imagine a thin person eating so we build an association in our brain. The connection need not be so clear and it might also be just a very small acoustic similarity. - This paper conducted experiments to test the efficacy of the keyword method. They observed clear improvements in learners using the method in learning words. - The caveat is that the experiment tests for absolute beginners and found that this method works well. It may not work for those with a little more experience. - It's better to have the learners generate their own imagery link rather than giving them cartoons or visuals. Perhaps the process of imagining is what strengthens the recollection. - In real life tests with students, the researchers found the key word method to be best for nouns and verbs and not so useful for adjectives. - There are certain languages where vocabulary is more of a roadblock than grammar or sentence structure. For these types of languages the keyword method can be more effective. --- Atkinson, Richard C. "Mnemotechnics in second-language learning." _American psychologist_ 30.8 (1975): 821. - [Link](http://rca.ucsd.edu/selected_papers/Mnemotechnics%20in%20Second-Language%20Learning_American%20Psychologist_August%201975.pdf)