How to recall a word

Exactly when you need to use it!

Problem: you speak a foreign language and in the middle of a sentence you forget the word you need!

There are some very effective techniques for dealing with this situation and I'll talk about them next week. Today let's focus on remembering better.

I've done a lot of research on learning recently. I've completed a course offered by Deep Teaching Solutions, listened to podcasts and read tons of articles and books about the brain and learning.

There is one technique that appears in every source about learning and it is:

• spaced repetition!

This technique is known to make things stick to your memory. It can be used for anything you want to learn, but let's focus on language learning here.

Spaced repetition means you actively recall the words or phrases you are learning over a period of time. You don't expect to remember them the first time you see them. Different sources say you may need even 18 exposures to a word to really learn it (=be able to use it any time in speaking and understanding a person using it in writing or speaking). I first read it here, confirmed by newer sources here.

The good news is most language learning apps use spaced repetition, it's the base of their algorithm. If you use Anki, Quizlet, Babbel or Mondly app, they all work pretty much the same. They will present the words you are learning over a period of time. Each time the period grows, the final goal is to revise the words just before you forget them. This seems to be one of the best methods of enhancing long-term retention.

My solution to the problem: learning vocabulary using spaced repetition.

The easiest way is by using a dedicated app (in our school AL DENTE. Scuola d'italiano we prepared Quizlet sets for all our course books so that our students can learn vocabulary in a brain-friendly, effective way).

You can prepare your own flashcards in Quizlet or Anki (they are free to use).

You can also make paper flashcards and program your own spaced repetition algorithm. Don't ask me how, I use Quizlet for my German so if I don't remember a word it's their fault. :)

Do you use any app or your own flashcards with space repetition?

Does it work for you? I'd love to know.

PS In March I’m starting a new newsletter designed for beginners in Italian, full of materials and motivation, join here: