How to memorize English words forever: the method of interval repetitions
Today we talk about the method of interval repetitions, which allows you to memorize foreign words so that they never leave your head.
Interval repetitions ( spaced repetition ) - mnemonics, it is based on the repetition of words at intervals.
The method was developed by American linguist Paul Pimsleur (Paul Pimsleur) in 1967. Pimsler noticed that the brain forgets words after memorizing almost instantly. But if you repeat the words before they are erased from memory, the time of “forgetting” will increase exponentially.
Such intervals were advised by Pimsler: 5 seconds, 25 seconds, 2 minutes, 10 minutes, 1 hour, 5 hours, a day, five days, 25 days, four months, two years.
Yes it works. This was proved by the German psychologist Herman Ebbingauz in one of the experiments : he taught Byron "Don Juan" using interval repetitions and mechanical learning. With intervals it turned out 9 times faster.
Collect the base you will learn. Collect phrases, sentences from articles, books, films and TV shows. Copy in kindle, evernote or write it down on paper right away (and you can also in our dictionary ).
Prepare cards: a phrase in English, translation and, if necessary, transcription. Write clearly and large.
Learning phrases is easier and more effective. And that's why:
- phrases easier to use in conversation;
- they already contain information that is usually sought in addition: prepositions, articles, spheres of use;
- the phrase is an image, it is easier to remember.
Pimsler advised repeating the phrase 11 times. You can make it easier and get by with nine approaches: read, repeat after 30 minutes, then the next morning, then three days, a week, a month, three months, six months, and a year later.
If you repeat the phrase for 10 seconds (two dubbing for five seconds), then it will take a minute and a half per year.
In order not to be confused, write down the date of the next repetition on the card the words and put everything in folders or boxes.
There is. For example, Seinfeld Calendar . It can program goals, intervals and monitor progress.
Instead of cards or stickers, try the following applications: Anki , Mnemosyne , Supermemo , Quizlet , you can write new words in them, set intervals for repetitions and create libraries. We have the word training services - to repeat the words added to the dictionary, Danet by dictionary is a game in which you see the translation of the word and choose whether it is correct or not, and Exam mode for training a specific list of words.
The method is based on regular repetition, so the main thing is a systematic approach and motivation. About the systematic approach, we have already told. And so that motivation does not fade, it needs to be fed:
- use new words in conversations or correspondence,
- write down short stories in English with memorized phrases, and then listen to them until you memorize all the words you have passed,
- make notes of articles and lectures , listened in English,
- share knowledge in social networks or start a telegram channel of learned words.
Engage in a pleasant and quiet environment. This makes it easier to perceive new information, and a steady positive association “learning is pleasant and easy” will appear in your head.
Readers of the blog give a coupon for 500 rubles for the purchase of a subscription, which includes 8 types of training and weekly mailings about English grammar and vocabulary - "Vitaminki" and "Buns".
And for unlimited and perpetual access to all features of the site there is an “All Inclusive” tariff (the discount does not apply).
What kind of equipment?
Interval repetitions ( spaced repetition ) - mnemonics, it is based on the repetition of words at intervals.
The method was developed by American linguist Paul Pimsleur (Paul Pimsleur) in 1967. Pimsler noticed that the brain forgets words after memorizing almost instantly. But if you repeat the words before they are erased from memory, the time of “forgetting” will increase exponentially.
Such intervals were advised by Pimsler: 5 seconds, 25 seconds, 2 minutes, 10 minutes, 1 hour, 5 hours, a day, five days, 25 days, four months, two years.
It works?
Yes it works. This was proved by the German psychologist Herman Ebbingauz in one of the experiments : he taught Byron "Don Juan" using interval repetitions and mechanical learning. With intervals it turned out 9 times faster.
How to start?
Collect the base you will learn. Collect phrases, sentences from articles, books, films and TV shows. Copy in kindle, evernote or write it down on paper right away (and you can also in our dictionary ).
Prepare cards: a phrase in English, translation and, if necessary, transcription. Write clearly and large.
Why phrases, not words?
Learning phrases is easier and more effective. And that's why:
- phrases easier to use in conversation;
- they already contain information that is usually sought in addition: prepositions, articles, spheres of use;
- the phrase is an image, it is easier to remember.
How many need to repeat to learn?
Pimsler advised repeating the phrase 11 times. You can make it easier and get by with nine approaches: read, repeat after 30 minutes, then the next morning, then three days, a week, a month, three months, six months, and a year later.
If you repeat the phrase for 10 seconds (two dubbing for five seconds), then it will take a minute and a half per year.
In order not to be confused, write down the date of the next repetition on the card the words and put everything in folders or boxes.
I'm too lazy to write on paper, is there something else?
There is. For example, Seinfeld Calendar . It can program goals, intervals and monitor progress.
Instead of cards or stickers, try the following applications: Anki , Mnemosyne , Supermemo , Quizlet , you can write new words in them, set intervals for repetitions and create libraries. We have the word training services - to repeat the words added to the dictionary, Danet by dictionary is a game in which you see the translation of the word and choose whether it is correct or not, and Exam mode for training a specific list of words.
How to back up the result?
The method is based on regular repetition, so the main thing is a systematic approach and motivation. About the systematic approach, we have already told. And so that motivation does not fade, it needs to be fed:
- use new words in conversations or correspondence,
- write down short stories in English with memorized phrases, and then listen to them until you memorize all the words you have passed,
- make notes of articles and lectures , listened in English,
- share knowledge in social networks or start a telegram channel of learned words.
Engage in a pleasant and quiet environment. This makes it easier to perceive new information, and a steady positive association “learning is pleasant and easy” will appear in your head.
For those who want to pump English
Readers of the blog give a coupon for 500 rubles for the purchase of a subscription, which includes 8 types of training and weekly mailings about English grammar and vocabulary - "Vitaminki" and "Buns".
And for unlimited and perpetual access to all features of the site there is an “All Inclusive” tariff (the discount does not apply).
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