I did learned two foreign languages and did not used flashcards memorization of new words. It was recommended against by the teachers anyway, unless you actually like it. Anki seems to be good for you to create a system where you do not forget the words you learned and keep being able to translate them there and back. But it is not nearly the same as making you "acquire" those words or making you learn new words.
Flashcards can be help, somewhat to learning foreign language. But they are not necessary nor able to teach you to communicate by themselves.
> Anki seems to be good for you to create a system where you do not forget the words you learned and keep being able to translate them there and back. But it is not nearly the same as making you "acquire" those words or making you learn new words.
I agree. Far and away, the fastest way for me to acquire a new word is to use it incorrectly in conversation. My theory is that the emotion of social embarrassment makes it stick (there is some research associating strong emotion with learning).
Maybe there's something about the act of using the word that also adds to the impact, because similarly, if I learn a new word for the first time in conversation, I rarely forget it. Words acquired via flashcards or reading or whatever take ages to stick in my brain, and then I usually have to go through another learning process it be able to use them effectively in real life.
Flashcards can be help, somewhat to learning foreign language. But they are not necessary nor able to teach you to communicate by themselves.