EN
In this article we aim to consider causes of poor lexical competence and a limited command of productive vocabulary, which we have observed in selected first-year students of German. In the theoretical part of the article, we focus on the specificity of learning vocabulary of a foreign language, we explain the con-cept of a strategy in learning lexis and also take a closer look at some components of lexical competence. We further discuss some factors which may facilitate learning vocabulary. In the analytical part of the paper, we present some strategies of learning lexis that have been evidenced in the data gathered from a group of first-year students of German. Specifically, we have collected some data which reveal their meaning recognition techniques and strategies they adopt to learn new words and expand their command of German vocabulary. The analysis highlights both some strengths and weaknesses of the lexical learning habits of the respondents. It allows us to draw some conclusions relevant for teaching techniques in school education.