✍️ The #1 Vocabulary Habit of Top TOEIC Scorers

Build Your Own English-English Dictionary

What’s the best way to boost your TOEIC vocabulary?

You might think it’s downloading another app, or memorising another 1,000-word list.
But when you ask actual high scorers what works, many give a simple — but powerful — answer:

“I build my own English-English dictionary.”

No automation. No AI.
Just a small, handwritten notebook that helps them learn words deeply, not just recognise them on a test.

And it works — again and again.

🧠 What Exactly Is an English-English Dictionary?

It’s a personal notebook where you:

1. Write down new words or phrases you encounter — from practice tests, articles, conversations, or songs.

2. Define the word using simple English — not Japanese translation.

3. Write your own example sentence — something that connects the word to your life, interests, or emotions.

Let’s say you come across the word “hesitate.”

Instead of:

hesitate = ためらう

You might write:

hesitate = to stop or pause before doing something because you're unsure
My example: “I hesitated before pressing ‘send’ on my TOEIC test registration.”

It doesn’t have to be perfect English. What matters is that you understand it.

🔄 Review Is the Secret Weapon

Just writing it down isn’t enough.

To lock new vocabulary into long-term memory, try this scientifically supported review cycle:

• Review your notebook within 12 hours.
  This tells your brain, “Hey, this is important.” It starts the memory process.

• Review it again within 24–48 hours.
  This strengthens the connection and makes the word easier to recall later.

• Then space out your reviews: 3 days later, then 1 week later.
  This is called spaced repetition, and it works.

You can simply reread your notes, quiz yourself, or cover the definitions and try to recall them.

🔗 Link New Words to What You Already Know

When you add a new word, ask:

• “Is this similar to any word I already know?”

• “Can I use this with other phrases I’ve learned?”

• “What kind of TOEIC situation might use this?”

Example:

New word: negotiate
You might write:

negotiate = to talk about something to reach an agreement
Related word: agreement, contract, deal
My example: “The manager negotiated with the supplier for a better price.”

Now you’re not just learning one word — you’re building a network of connected ideas.

✍️ Why This Method Works So Well

• Handwriting builds memory. Typing is passive. Writing forces your brain to slow down and absorb the meaning.

• Personal examples create emotion. Emotion = stronger memory.

• Simple English definitions build fluency. You stop translating. You start thinking in English.

This isn’t just about passing TOEIC.
It’s about building real-world English skills — for life, for work, and for confidence.

🚀 Ready to Start?

All you need is a notebook, a pen, and five quiet minutes a day.

Build your dictionary.
Review it often.
Make it personal.

And watch your vocabulary — and your score — grow from the inside out.

Want to Learn More?

Our blog is full of practical strategies that help test-takers like you build better habits, overcome common blocks, and improve TOEIC scores through smarter, easier methods. Try our free TOEIC Block quiz now!

🔁 The Memoriser Block

Why Repeating Isn’t Remembering

You’ve studied the vocabulary.
You reviewed the grammar rules.
ou even did practice tests… but your score doesn’t change.

You think,
“I should know this.”
“Why can’t I remember it when it matters?”

This is the Memoriser Block.
And it’s not about how hard you study — it’s about how your brain is trying to store and retrieve information.

What is the Memoriser Block?

The Memoriser Block shows up when you rely too heavily on repetition — writing things out, reviewing notes, watching the same video again — but never train your brain to use the knowledge in context.

You’ve learned to “recognize,” not to “recall.”
You can understand a word when you see it, but not when you hear it.
You can explain a rule, but can’t apply it under pressure.

The result?
A growing pile of “half-learned” knowledge that never quite makes it into your working memory — the place where real test performance happens.

Signs You Might Be Caught in This Block

• You forget words you “just” studied

• You review the same list over and over — and still freeze on test day

• You understand grammar rules, but can’t use them in actual questions

• You feel like you’re studying a lot, but nothing’s sticking

• You get frustrated thinking, “I already learned this!”

Why Does This Happen?

Traditional language study focuses on input — reading, reviewing, watching.
You memorize definitions, do gap fills, and underline key points in textbooks.

But TOEIC isn’t a memory test.
It’s a reaction test — can you access the right chunk of knowledge quickly, under pressure?

If you’ve picked up other blocks too — like…

• The Over Thinker Block: second-guessing even when you know the answer

• The Passive Listener Block: letting words go in one ear and out the other

• The Translator Block: pausing to convert everything to Japanese

• The Burnout Block: studying so much that nothing sinks in anymore

…then it’s no wonder you feel stuck.
You’re trying to force memory — when you should be training performance.

You’re not lazy.
You’ve just been stuck in a loop that doesn’t lead anywhere new.

ALT’s Solution: From Recognition to Reaction

With Accelerated Learning Technology (ALT), we shift your brain from passive storage to active use — so you’re not just reviewing, but retrieving.

✅ Trigger-Based Recall
We use mini drills that simulate test pressure — so you build the reflex to pull the right word or structure when you need it, not just recognize it on paper.

✅ Interleaved Learning
Instead of repeating the same type of question or word list, you’ll mix practice types — forcing your brain to stay alert and flexible.

✅ Strategic Forgetting
Yes, forgetting on purpose. Spacing, pausing, and switching topics helps encode information deeper — so it sticks longer.

✅ Contextual Learning
We anchor words and grammar into real situations — not abstract lists — so your brain knows when and why to use what you’ve learned.

MTC Coaching: From Cramming to Clarity

You don’t need to study harder.
You need to study smarter — and that’s what your coach will help you do.

🔍 Spot the Repetition Loops
We’ll identify where you’re stuck in passive review — and cut the loop.

🎯 Build Retrieval Reflexes
Your coach will design exercises that test use, not just memory — including reaction-speed drills for high-frequency patterns.

📣 Weekly Progress, Not Weekly Review
We won’t ask, “Did you memorize it?”
We’ll ask, “Can you use it?” That’s the real metric of progress.

🧠 Unlearn the School Mindset
Together, we’ll replace “study harder” with “learn deeper” — one insight at a time.

Real Example:

T-san (40s, pharmaceutical rep) had studied vocabulary for over a year with flashcards — but kept blanking during Listening Part 3. After switching to ALT’s context + reaction training, he could recall words under pressure — and his listening score finally moved for the first time in 18 months.

Mini Q&A

Q: I forget everything I studied. What’s wrong with me?
A: Nothing’s wrong. You’re caught in the Memoriser Block — a mismatch between recognition and recall. ALT solves that by shifting your training from input to output.

Q: Do I need to review more often?
A: Not necessarily. You need to retrieve more often. Your brain learns by doing — not just seeing.

Q: I know the grammar, but I freeze on test day. Why?
A: That’s because it’s not in your working memory yet. Your coach will help you build that reflex through smart, targeted drills.

Ready to Stop Forgetting What You’ve Studied?

If you’ve ever said, “I already learned this — why can’t I remember it now?”
That’s the Memoriser Block talking.

Take our free Learning Block Diagnostic to see where your memory is breaking down — and learn how to build long-term recall that actually works on test day.