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Back to Speak English With Vanessa

Learning Foundations

Three Steps For Learning New Expressions

Learn a practical three-stage approach to moving from recognizing an English expression to understanding and using it naturally.

Read the full lesson summary

Vanessa presents a three-stage model for learning new English expressions: recognition, understanding, and active use. She begins with a common experience: a learner may recognize a phrase but still be unable to remember its exact meaning or use it while speaking. That does not mean the learner has failed. Recognition is the first stage, and noticing a phrase when it appears in conversation is evidence of progress.

To illustrate recognition, Vanessa mentions the idiom “in one ear and out the other,” which she had introduced in her 30 Days of English course. A learner might remember having heard it without being able to explain it yet. Vanessa describes this as being “on the path to” using the expression. The second stage is understanding: the learner recognizes the expression and recalls its meaning when hearing or seeing it. Even before a learner can produce a phrase, understanding it “in context” during another person’s conversation is useful progress.

The third stage is using an expression independently. Vanessa notes that experts may recommend hearing a phrase many times before using it naturally, but she suggests focused attention and practice can help learners use it sooner. At first, learners may need to use an expression “intentionally,” or “on purpose,” by consciously looking for an opportunity to say it. This can feel less than fully natural because the speaker is planning. With continued use, the phrase may come out “without thinking.” Vanessa encourages learners to practise an expression “as many times as possible” and not to worry if they are still at the recognition stage. She closes by asking viewers to share their own learning tips, emphasizing that learners can help one another.

The lesson’s practical takeaway is to treat vocabulary growth as a progression rather than expecting immediate fluency: notice a phrase, understand it in context, then deliberately use it in a relevant conversation until it feels more automatic.

S2.1
Speak English With VanessaAmerican English04:37

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Transcript

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Select an expression for its meaning · 0:00

Vanessa introduces the three stages and explains recognizing a new expression

Hi, I’m Vanessa from Speak English with Vanessa. Today, I’m going to tell you about three stages you can to learn new expressions. Have you ever learned a new expression and felt that you couldn’t remember it when you wanted to use it? Don’t worry; maybe you haven’t reached the final stage yet. The first step is to a new word or expression. That means recognizing it when you hear or read it, even if you don’t remember its meaning.

Try it: Think of an expression you recognize but cannot yet explain. That is a useful first step.

Phrase cheat sheet

All phrases at a glance

Review each expression, hear it, save it, or jump to where it appears in the video.

14 phrases

Showing 14 of 14 phrases

go through

Vanessa introduces the three stages and explains recognizing a new expression · expression

Experience a process or a series of stages.

Tone and use: Neutral and common. Use it to describe moving through steps, events, or an experience.

May not fit: It does not mean physically walking through an opening in this context.

Example“New employees go through a short orientation.”

recognize

Vanessa introduces the three stages and explains recognizing a new expression · expression

Identify something familiar when you see or hear it.

Tone and use: Neutral; common in learning contexts. Use it when you notice a word or idea you have encountered before.

May not fit: Recognizing something does not necessarily mean you can explain or produce it.

Example“I recognize that phrase, but I can’t remember its meaning yet.”

in one ear and out the other

Recognition means noticing an expression even before recalling its meaning · idiom

Heard but quickly forgotten or not retained.

Tone and use: Informal and vivid. Use it when information does not stay in someone’s memory.

May not fit: It can sound critical; avoid it when someone is discussing a serious memory or hearing difficulty.

Example“I read the instructions, but they went in one ear and out the other.”

on the path to

Recognition means noticing an expression even before recalling its meaning · expression

Moving toward a goal or future ability.

Tone and use: Encouraging and figurative. Use it to describe progress toward a result.

May not fit: It suggests progress, not that the goal has already been reached.

Example“Daily practice put her on the path to fluency.”

in context

Understanding lets learners recognize a phrase and remember its meaning in conversation · expression

As part of the surrounding situation or language that helps explain meaning.

Tone and use: Neutral and useful in learning. Use it when meaning depends on the words or situation around an expression.

May not fit: Do not use it to mean merely “in a sentence” if broader circumstances matter.

Example“I understood the phrase better when I heard it in context.”

closer and closer

Understanding lets learners recognize a phrase and remember its meaning in conversation · expression

Increasingly near to a goal or result.

Tone and use: Encouraging; conversational. Use it for gradual progress toward something.

May not fit: Name the goal if the direction is not clear.

Example“Each practice session brought me closer and closer to my goal.”

focus on

Repeated exposure helps, but focused effort can bring an expression into use sooner · phrasal verb

Give special attention to something.

Tone and use: Neutral and common. Use focus on + noun or -ing form for the thing receiving attention.

May not fit: Follow it with on, not to.

Example“Let’s focus on the phrases we want to remember.”

naturally

Repeated exposure helps, but focused effort can bring an expression into use sooner · expression

In a way that feels normal and unforced.

Tone and use: Neutral. Use it for speech or actions that feel comfortable rather than planned.

May not fit: It does not necessarily mean something happens without any practice.

Example“After enough practice, I could answer naturally.”

on purpose

Learners first use an expression intentionally, even if it feels planned · expression

Intentionally; with a deliberate plan.

Tone and use: Neutral and common. Use it when an action is deliberate rather than accidental.

May not fit: It may imply blame if used to describe an unwelcome action.

Example“I used the new phrase on purpose during our conversation.”

intentionally

Learners first use an expression intentionally, even if it feels planned · expression

Deliberately, with conscious thought or planning.

Tone and use: Neutral and slightly more formal than on purpose. Use it when someone consciously chooses an action.

May not fit: In casual conversation, on purpose may sound simpler.

Example“She intentionally practised the phrase before the meeting.”

without thinking

Repeated use can make an expression feel natural and automatic · expression

Automatically, without consciously planning each action.

Tone and use: Neutral and conversational. Use it when a familiar action or response happens automatically.

May not fit: It can also mean carelessly, so context should make the intended meaning clear.

Example“After months of practice, he answered without thinking.”

as many times as possible

Repeated use can make an expression feel natural and automatic · expression

As frequently as circumstances allow.

Tone and use: Neutral; emphatic. Use it to encourage repeated practice within practical limits.

May not fit: Do not imply that repetition alone guarantees learning.

Example“I’ll review the new words as many times as possible this week.”

don’t worry

Vanessa encourages learners and invites them to share their own learning tips · expression

A reassuring way to tell someone not to feel anxious.

Tone and use: Warm and conversational. Use it to reassure someone about a manageable concern.

May not fit: For a serious problem, first acknowledge the person’s feelings rather than dismissing them.

Example“Don’t worry if you need more time to learn the phrase.”

share your tips

Vanessa encourages learners and invites them to share their own learning tips · expression

Tell other people the advice or methods that have helped you.

Tone and use: Friendly invitation. Use it to invite people to contribute practical suggestions.

May not fit: Use share your advice for a more formal request.

Example“Please share your tips for remembering new vocabulary.”

Knowledge check

Practice the phrases you heard

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What it means · “recognize”

At Vanessa’s first stage, what does it mean to recognize an expression?