The purpose of this study is to examine reactions on the implementation of a method for word learning among participants in a group of pre-literate students within a beginners’ course of Swedish for immigrants. The learning method uses individual wordlists, based on personal experiences. Data were collected through lesson observations of the group as a whole and interviews with six of the students, and analysed from a pragmatic point of view, with its emphasis on life experience and social interaction as important factors for successful learning. The study focuses primarily on conceptions of activity, participation and motivation. The result shows that the students experienced differences regarding all these factors, compared to their earlier experiences of word learning. Motivation was the most positively influenced factor. When it comes to activity, more time than before was spent on homework. The study also shows that the possibility to exert an influence on the learning process through participation entails a certain amount of doubtfulness as well as increased motivation.