Research disagrees with you. Memorizing vocabulary list is one of the most efficient use of time for learning a language. Sure it's not sufficient alone, and not fun but it works. It's especially useful at the start when learning even a few hundred words makes a huge difference.
Which research? I know this is mainly related to Duolingo, and it’s in Danish, but outside of confidence, grammar and vocabulary there doesn’t seem to much benefit in memorising vocabulary lists in terms of actually learning a language.
> Abstract — There are disputes over the role of memorization in language learning. Memorized language, a mainstay of education for almost all of recorded history, was widely repudiated for suppressing creativity, understanding and enjoyment in learners. This paper aims at highlighting the fact that, despite these criticisms, memorization is a helpful strategy which can be employed by the learners and teachers in their process of language learning and teaching. It is discussed that memorization: 1) provides the learner with linguistic data; 2) is the first step to understanding; 3) enhances association in memory; 4) causes cognitive development as a learning strategy; 5) helps noticing; 6) provides rehearsal; 7) is especially helpful in early stages of learning. It is also pointed out that all these become possible when memorization is accompanied and
complemented by other strategies and techniques.
I don't know why you're getting downvoted. Acquisition of a second language is a very narrow field of research and to claim that there is a clear consensus on what works best is showing very little insight.
