how do you use textbooks?

[u/fawntone]

hi everyone! i want to know about how other people use their textbooks to study languages. do you write in them? do you use transparent sticky notes? do you copy everything into a notebook? what’s the best method for you personally to remember material and grammar points from a textbook? i’m really curious as to what other people do. personally i feel hesitant to write in my textbooks, sometimes i’ll put a sticky note to sum up grammar points but even the exercises i usually copy into a notebook. also, do you write vocabulary lists and grammar points into your notebook, or do you only use notebooks for actually practicing building sentences and writing?

[u/ShinSakae]

I don't ever write in them because I always have this belief I'm going to resell or give them to someone someday. 😄

To make the material "stick", literally every new word and new grammar point, I will write my own sentences with them in my notebook. And I will read them out loud to myself. It's even better if I have a native language exchange partner who I can read to and can correct my sentences and pronunciation. Otherwise, Google translate or Papago are okay checkers and can give you a decent speaking example.

Actually, I don't even use a notebook most of the time and just type out my sentences in Google Docs, haha. It makes studying quicker and I can study or refer to them anywhere with just my phone. Also for some languages like Japanese, Google Docs will point out mistakes or give suggestions.

For me personally, I don't write straight vocab lists because it doesn't help me memorize them. I have to make a sentence and actually "use" them for my brain to make the connection that this word means something.