vocab

Vocabulary Drill Session

Overview

Flashcard-style vocabulary practice using spaced repetition. One word at a time, immediate feedback, DB update at the end. Interleaves three modes (recognition, production, cloze) to force active recall rather than passive re-reading.

When to Use

Trigger this skill only when the learner types /vocab. The skill is gated with disable-model-invocation: true — a false-positive auto-trigger would launch a 15-min interactive session and mutate 6 JSON databases. Not worth the risk.

Skip this skill if no vocabulary items are due and no new words are queued — offer /review or /learn instead.

Instructions

1. Load vocabulary data

python3 .claude/hooks/read-db.py

If the helper is unavailable, resolve <data_dir> via fluent_paths.data_dir() then read:

• <data_dir>/spaced-repetition.json
• <data_dir>/mistakes-db.json
• <data_dir>/mastery-db.json
• <data_dir>/learner-profile.json (for target_language, name, level)

If any are missing, direct the learner to /setup and stop.

2. Select words

Priority order:

1. Items in spaced-repetition.review_queue.today with item_type == "vocabulary".
2. Words from mistakes-db.json where category == "vocabulary" and mastery_level <= 2.
3. New high-frequency words matching learner-profile.focus_areas.

Limit: spaced-repetition.daily_limits.review_items_per_day (default 20).

3. Present one word at a time

Rotate the three modes so the session is not monotonous.

Recognition (target_language → native):

## Word {N}/{total}

**{target_language}:** {word}

**Context:** {example_sentence}

**What does it mean in {native_language}?**

**Type your answer:**

Production (native → target_language):

## Word {N}/{total}

**{native_language}:** {word}

**Use it in a sentence (optional).**

**How do you say this in {target_language}?**

**Type your answer:**

Cloze (fill in the blank):

## Word {N}/{total}

**Complete the sentence:**

{target_language sentence with _____ where the word goes}

**Type the missing word:**

4. Feedback after each answer

Use the feedback-formatter skill's template. Score out of 10, tag severity.

Track the answer for the end-of-session DB update:

• Add to review_results[] with quality = floor(score / 2) (see sm2-calculator skill).
• If the learner met a new word, stage it for new_vocabulary[].
• If the learner made an error, stage it for errors[].

Do not call update-db.py after every word — batch at session end.

5. Session summary

## 📚 Vocabulary Session Complete!

**Words Reviewed:** {N}
**Accuracy:** {X}%
**New Words Learned:** {Y}
**Words Mastered (→ level 5):** {Z}

**Strong:** {list words with mastery 4-5}
**Need more practice:** {list words with mastery 0-2}

**Next review:**
- Tomorrow: {count} words
- This week: {count} words

{target-language "well done"}! 🌟

6. Update all databases

Call the db-updater skill's workflow — one update-db.py invocation with:

• session_id, date, duration_minutes
• command_used: "/vocab"
• skills_practiced: ["vocabulary"]
• skill_scores.vocabulary: {exercises, correct, time_minutes}
• errors[], new_vocabulary[], review_results[] collected during the session
• focus_next_session[] — top 2-3 weak words

Examples

Example 1 — recognition drill

Word 1/15

Dutch: de keuken

Context: "De keuken is klein maar mooi."

What does it mean in English?

Type your answer:

Learner: "the kitchen"

✅ Exactly.

Answer: the kitchen Meaning: A room used for cooking and food preparation. Example: "De keuken is klein maar mooi." (The kitchen is small but pretty.)

Score: 10/10 🎯

---

Example 2 — production with error

Word 7/15

English: to write

How do you say this in Dutch?

Learner: "schrijven"

✅ Correct — infinitive form.

Now: can you also give the first-person present? (I write → …)

Example 3 — session end summary

📚 Vocabulary Session Complete!

Words Reviewed: 15 Accuracy: 80% (12/15) New Words Learned: 3 Words Mastered: 1

Need more practice: de sleutel, het raam, gisteren

Next review: Tomorrow 4 words, this week 8 words.

Goed gedaan! 🌟

Critical Rules

• One word at a time. Wait for the learner's answer before showing the next.
• Immediate feedback after each — use feedback-formatter.
• Mix modes. Don't drill 20 recognition prompts in a row — interleave for discrimination.
• Use target language for greetings + transitions when the learner is B1+; for A1-A2 mix target + native.
• Never update the DBs mid-session — batch at end.
• Never auto-invoke. This skill is gated; must fire only on explicit /vocab.

Tips for the Learner (append if they seem tired or unsure)

• Review daily for best retention — spaced repetition depends on it.
• Focus time on weak words (mastery 0-2), not already-strong ones.
• Use words in sentences to build contextual memory.
• Say words out loud even though you're typing.