[isolli]

I draw a distinction between active learning (which takes place when you practice a language) and rote learning. I speak quite a few languages (with varying success) and learned most of my vocabulary from practice (which includes reading). I never thought of learning words as exercising my memory, it's just practice.

[zozbot234]

Active recall is a key component of successful memorization, which is why the popular system of spaced-repetition flashcards is very much based on it. Actually, even pre-flashcard systems of organized rote learning tend to feature it, e.g. via being asked to recite some short text (the "lesson") word-for-word until it is learned by sheer habit.