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Spaced Repetition Learning Technique to Remember Better

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If I tell you that I developed the Spaced Repetition learning technique, would you believe me?

I bet you wouldn't.

You’d probably check Google and say I’m lying.

And you’d be right.

But I’m right too because I discovered a a similar strategy, a pattern during my English studies.

I realized that I need to repeat the learned vocabulary not just all at once, but to return to the same words and repeat them until they feel as easy as 2+2=4.

My English teacher told me that I needed to write each new word 100 times.

I diligently did this, and it was helpful.

However, I noticed that after a while, I started writing mechanically, thinking I would learn the word just by writing it.

I would write and hope for the best, but that wasn’t enough.

A couple of times, when I needed to write an essay or an assignment, I realized that writing each word a number of times wasn't sufficient to remember and use it when needed.

I made spelling mistakes or wasn't sure about the correct spelling.

This was frustrating because I had written those words 100 times and should have been confident and write them correctly.

What was wrong?

I started returning to the words I had already learned and wrote them again five times.

The following week, I reviewed the same words.

After doing this for a month, I felt more confident and began to be more assured in my writing.

I learned about the existence of the Spaced Repetition learning technique, as a theory years later when I took my Linguistic Program.

I am 100% sure that this technique works for everyone.

So don’t just say you’ll try it—just do it.

Keep reading, and I will give you all the info on this amazing method, hoping to help you become a more confident learner.

What is the Spaced Repetition learning technique?

Spaced repetition as a formalized method was developed by the German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus in the late 19th century.

Ebbinghaus is well-known for his work on memory and the forgetting curve, which describes how information is lost over time when there is no attempt to retain it.

His experiments with learning and forgetting lists of nonsense syllables led to the discovery that reviewing information at spaced intervals could significantly improve retention.

This insight laid the groundwork for the development of spaced repetition techniques.

Hermann Ebbinghaus. (2024, June 4). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermann_Ebbinghaus

Spaced repetition is a learning technique that involves reviewing information at increasing intervals over time to enhance long-term retention.

This method is based on the principle that people are more likely to remember information if they review it periodically, rather than cramming it all at once.

By spacing out study sessions and revisiting material just as it is about to be forgotten, learners can reinforce their memory and improve their ability to recall information.

This technique is often used in language learning, flashcards, and other educational tools to help with effective and lasting memorization.

Spaced repetition. (2024, May 13). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaced_repetition

Exercise: Using Spaced Repetition to Learn English Vocabulary

Objective: Learn and retain 50 English vocabulary words over one month.

Week 1: Initial Learning and First Review

  1. Day 1: Select 10 new English vocabulary words (e.g., “gregarious” (sociable), “ephemeral” (short-lived), “ubiquitous” (everywhere), etc.). Write each word on a flashcard, with the English word on one side and the definition on the other.
  2. Day 2: Review the 10 flashcards from Day 1. Try to recall the definition before flipping the card. Spend about 10 minutes on this.
  3. Day 3: Add 10 more new words to your flashcard deck. Review the original 10 words first, followed by the new 10 words. This review should take about 20 minutes.
  4. Day 4: Spend 10 minutes reviewing all 20 words. Focus on the words you struggled with the most.
  5. Day 5: Add another 10 words to your deck. Review all 30 words, spending about 30 minutes.
  6. Day 6: Spend 20 minutes reviewing all 30 words. Again, focus on the ones you find difficult.
  7. Day 7: Rest day. No new words. Spend 10 minutes reviewing the 30 words.

Week 2: Continued Learning and Spaced Reviews

  1. Day 8: Add another 10 words. Review all 40 words. Spend about 40 minutes on this.
  2. Day 9: Spend 20 minutes reviewing the 40 words. Focus on retention.
  3. Day 10: Add the final 10 words, making a total of 50 words. Review all 50 words. Spend about 50 minutes.
  4. Day 11: Spend 30 minutes reviewing the 50 words. Pay extra attention to any challenging words.
  5. Day 12: Spend 20 minutes reviewing. Focus on the words you frequently forget.
  6. Day 13: Rest day. Spend 10 minutes reviewing the 50 words.
  7. Day 14: Review all 50 words for 30 minutes. Check for improvement in recall speed and accuracy.

Week 3: Increasing Intervals Between Reviews

  1. Day 15: Spend 20 minutes reviewing the 50 words.
  2. Day 16: No review.
  3. Day 17: Spend 20 minutes reviewing the 50 words.
  4. Day 18: No review.
  5. Day 19: Spend 20 minutes reviewing the 50 words.
  6. Day 20: No review.
  7. Day 21: Spend 10 minutes reviewing the 50 words.

Week 4: Final Phase and Long-Term Retention

  1. Day 22: No review.
  2. Day 23: Spend 20 minutes reviewing the 50 words.
  3. Day 24: No review.
  4. Day 25: Spend 10 minutes reviewing the 50 words.
  5. Day 26: No review.
  6. Day 27: Spend 10 minutes reviewing the 50 words.
  7. Day 28: No review.
  8. Day 29: Spend 10 minutes reviewing the 50 words.
  9. Day 30: Final review. Spend 30 minutes reviewing all 50 words to assess your long-term retention.

Flashcard Content Examples

Vocabulary Words:

  1. gregarious
    • Definition: sociable, enjoying the company of others
    • Sentence: “She was a gregarious and outgoing person, always surrounded by friends.”
  2. ephemeral
    • Definition: lasting for a very short time
    • Sentence: “The beauty of the sunset was ephemeral, fading away in moments.”
  3. ubiquitous
    • Definition: present, appearing, or found everywhere
    • Sentence: “Smartphones have become ubiquitous in modern society.”
  4. ameliorate
    • Definition: to make something better
    • Sentence: “She took steps to ameliorate the situation by addressing the complaints.”
  5. quintessential
    • Definition: representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class
    • Sentence: “He was the quintessential gentleman, always courteous and respectful.”

Explanation:

  • Initial Learning: Begin with a small set of words and gradually increase the number, ensuring consistent review and reinforcement.
  • Spaced Reviews: Increase the intervals between reviews over time to reinforce memory just as you are about to forget.
  • Focused Practice: Pay special attention to words that are difficult to recall to ensure better mastery.
  • Rest Days: Include periodic rest days to give your brain a break and test recall after longer intervals.

By the end of the month, repeated exposure to the vocabulary words at spaced intervals will help ensure that you remember them long-term. This method leverages the forgetting curve and strengthens your memory each time you review the words.

What are the drawbacks of the Spaced Repetition Learning Technique?

While spaced repetition is a powerful tool for learning and retaining information, it does have some drawbacks.

Setting up a spaced repetition system can be time-consuming, requiring consistent effort to create and maintain materials.

There is an initial learning curve, as understanding how to use the technique effectively takes time, and regular practice is crucial for success.

Missing review sessions can disrupt the learning schedule and diminish the technique's effectiveness.

Moreover, spaced repetition primarily focuses on memorizing discrete pieces of information, such as vocabulary, and may not be as useful for developing a deeper understanding of complex problem-solving skills.

This can lead to a lack of contextual understanding, as learners may remember individual words or facts without grasping how to use them in context.

The repetitive nature of spaced repetition can also become monotonous, potentially reducing motivation and leading to burnout over time.

Additionally, the technique may lead to an over-reliance on memorization, neglecting other important language skills such as speaking, listening, and writing.

The effectiveness of spaced repetition heavily depends on the quality of the materials used, and poorly designed flashcards or incorrect information can reinforce incorrect knowledge.

Finally, if too many items are added at once, it can cause cognitive overload, making it difficult to keep up with the review schedule and leading to potential burnout.

Despite these drawbacks, many learners find spaced repetition to be a valuable tool when balanced with other study methods.

More on this topic:

Powerful Approaches to Language Learning for Fast & Massive Improvement

How to learn languages 5 Times Faster. Accelerated Mastery

Unlocking the Secrets to Vocabulary Learning: Better Memory Tips

Powerful Techniques for Effective Language Learning: Quick & Lasting Results

Top Apps For Brain Training: How to Study Faster

Final Thoughts

Based on my observations and experience, two main points stand out: first, how to learn faster and be more productive, and second, how to remember and retain what has been learned.

While spaced repetition is a highly effective method for memorizing information and improving long-term retention, it has some drawbacks such as time-consuming setup, potential monotony, and a focus on memorization over deeper understanding.

Developed by Hermann Ebbinghaus, this technique remains a valuable tool when used in balance with other learning methods to enhance overall language skills and knowledge retention.

Thanks for reading,

M.K.

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