Bill Yates wrote:I can only think it's a matter of memorization/rote learning - reinforced with as much reading as possible.
Yes, but if you go about it logically you can more easily facilitate that memorization. I am in the process of vocabulary acquisition myself. I have been working through a list a verbs that is ordered by frequency of use. I don't know anything about the book you mentioned, and couldn't find a preview of it online, but I know from looking at other vocabularies that there are a number grouped semantically or alphabetically.
Here is the list I'm working with:
http://books.google.com/books?id=snFiAA ... &q&f=falseEach night I try to learn an additional 25 or so word, sometimes more. First covering up all the definitions and reading aloud through the list. For any word that I don't immediately know the definition I write it out. I do the same thing then writing the words. I write every word out, quickly, stopping whenever the definition doesn't come to mind to write that with the word and then keep going. Once I get to the next 25 I write out the word and definition the first time, even for those that I know already from other lessons or from reading. Then I finish going back through the list.
I think working through this way in order of frequency help, not only in that one learns the most used words, but also in the greater likelihood of actually seeing them in your reading. How can you reinforce vocabulary through reading that only appears in one or two spots in the NT?
Another thing that I have found helpful, is for words that I can't seem to get to stick, for instance, αποκτεινω (APOKTEINW) was eluding my mind for a number of days. Look the word up in the lexicon and copy out the verses that they are in, even if you don't perfectly understand what is being said. This is similar to Jonathan's suggestion but I've found having the paper in my hand and working the verse in pen helps internalize.