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Do you study TOEIC vocabulary today and forget it tomorrow? I'm Duc (905 TOEIC), and here's how I used SRS and context-based learning to retain vocabulary for the long term.
Toey
Examiner-informed7 min read · 11/05/2026
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
Hi, I'm Duc. If you're reading this, you've probably struggled with learning TOEIC vocabulary just like I did. For a long time, I was stuck in a frustrating cycle of studying and forgetting. I'd pick up a list of 50 words, try to cram them, write them out over and over — and then a few days later, they'd be completely gone.
After a lot of trial and error, I found a method that works far better. It helped me not only retain words longer, but also understand how to actually use them. The secret is combining a Spaced Repetition System (SRS) with always learning words in context. In this post, I'll share exactly how I did it.
You probably know the drill: open a notebook, write a new word 10 or 20 times, and convince yourself you've learned it. I did this too. But science has shown that our brains have something called the "forgetting curve." Without review, we forget the vast majority of what we've learned within just a few days.
Trying to cram hundreds of words at once simply overloads our short-term memory. It's like pouring water into a clogged funnel — it just spills over. We need a smarter approach, one that works with how the brain naturally operates.
SRS, or Spaced Repetition System, sounds complicated but is actually incredibly simple. Think of it as a smart flashcard system that knows exactly when you're about to forget a word and shows it to you again right before that moment.
Here's how it works:
This effectively "hacks" the forgetting curve, moving vocabulary from short-term to long-term memory. Instead of reviewing words randomly, you focus only on the ones you're about to forget.
This was the biggest mistake I used to make. I'd study vocabulary from lists that looked like this:
This approach is problematic. You might know a word's definition, but when you encounter it in a Part 5, 6, or 7 question, you don't know how to use it. Words don't exist in a vacuum — they always come with context.
Instead of learning the word résumé in isolation, I learned it inside a complete sentence:
Please submit your résumé and a cover letter to the HR department.
Learning this way gave me much more than just a definition:
résumé commonly pairs with the verb submit.cover letter and HR department.This creates stronger neural connections in the brain, making it far easier to recall the word later.
Combining these two principles — SRS and context — I developed an ideal flashcard template for TOEIC vocabulary. An effective flashcard, for me, includes the following elements:
Front: The target word only.
comprehensive
Back:
Pronunciation: /ˌkɑːm.prəˈhen.sɪv/ (so I get the pronunciation right from the start).
Part of speech & meaning: (adj) thorough; covering all aspects.
Example sentence: A clear, realistic sentence.
The company conducted a comprehensive review of its safety procedures.
Illustration (if available): An image can make the word even more memorable.
This is the structure I've found most effective for deep vocabulary learning.
I started out using Anki to build flashcards with the structure above. Anki is powerful — its SRS algorithm is excellent — but there was one problem: I had to do everything manually. Finding example sentences, adding pronunciation, audio, images… it was incredibly time-consuming.
I then switched to Quizlet, which was simpler, but its SRS algorithm isn't as strong as Anki's. I still had to build all my vocabulary sets from scratch.
Finally, when I built Toey, I integrated everything I wanted into one place. When I take a practice test on the platform and encounter an unfamiliar word, I can add it to my SRS flashcard deck with a single click. The system automatically pulls in:
This saves me hours every week and ensures that every word I learn is tied to real TOEIC context. It solves both problems at once: effective SRS and context-based learning, without the extra effort.
Even the best tool is useless without a consistent habit. I realized that consistency matters more than intensity. Instead of cramming two hours of vocabulary study into the weekend, I set aside exactly 15 minutes every morning — over coffee, before starting work — to review flashcards on Toey.
15 minutes isn't intimidating. It's short enough that I never feel like skipping it, but long enough to review around 20–30 words. Doing it every day turns it into a non-negotiable routine. After a month, you'll be surprised by how much vocabulary you've accumulated.
Learning vocabulary isn't a sprint — it's a marathon. The method I've shared here — combining SRS, context-based learning, and a daily habit — helped me go from someone who constantly forgot what they studied to someone who could approach reading comprehension passages with real confidence.
This is what worked for me, and I believe it can work for you too. Stop trying to cram. Study smart, study consistently, and the results will follow. Good luck on your TOEIC journey!
SRS là một phương pháp học tập dựa trên việc lặp lại thông tin vào những khoảng thời gian ngày càng tăng. Hệ thống sẽ tính toán thời điểm tối ưu để bạn ôn lại một từ vựng, ngay trước khi bạn chuẩn bị quên nó, giúp chuyển kiến thức từ bộ nhớ ngắn hạn sang dài hạn hiệu quả.
Theo kinh nghiệm của mình, chất lượng quan trọng hơn số lượng. Thay vì đặt mục tiêu 50 từ/ngày và không nhớ được gì, hãy bắt đầu với 10-15 từ mới mỗi ngày. Điều quan trọng là phải học sâu (với ngữ cảnh, phiên âm) và ôn tập đều đặn hàng ngày bằng SRS.
Cực kỳ quan trọng. Học từ đơn lẻ chỉ cho bạn biết nghĩa của nó, còn học trong câu giúp bạn hiểu cách dùng, từ loại, các từ đi kèm (collocations) và sắc thái của từ đó trong thực tế. Điều này đặc biệt hữu ích cho các Part 5, 6, 7 của bài thi TOEIC.
Có chứ. Bạn có thể kết hợp SRS với các phương pháp khác như đọc nhiều tài liệu tiếng Anh (báo, sách), xem phim có phụ đề, hoặc chủ động sử dụng từ mới khi viết hoặc nói. Càng tiếp xúc với từ vựng trong nhiều ngữ cảnh khác nhau, bạn sẽ càng nhớ lâu hơn.
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