10 Must-Try Memory Boosters for Language Learners

Must-Try 10 Memory

Boosters for Language Learners

When it comes to languages,

your memory is like a suitcase.

Image © Gideon | flickr

Image © Shockingly Tasty | flickr

You want to fit as much in there as you possibly can.

But you also want to be able to access the contents quickly

and easily.

Image © body_pixel | flickr

Fortunately, there are a few things everyone can do to optimize how they pack and unpack a language within

their memory.

Image © Cea. | flickr

CHUNKING

The average person can store between 4-7 items in their short-term memory at any given time. Push that limit with

the chunking technique.

Image © InSapphoWeTrust | flickr

By grouping together several smaller items into one larger,

more meaningful item, you’ll be able to store more

information.

Image © InSapphoWeTrust | flickr

Focus on learning meaningful chunks of a language as a whole, rather than dissecting and

memorizing the individual parts.1

Take the expression “to pay out of

pocket.”

It may seem easier to break it down into its parts, but that

will not help you establish the meaning. It’s better to

learn idioms and collocations as whole

chunks.

Image © danielmoyle | flickr

Image © certified su | flickr

The more chunks you acquire, the more you’ll begin to recognize grammar patterns.

MNEMONIC DEVICES

Paint vivid illustrations in your mind to link a new

foreign word to its meaning in your native language.

Image © katerha | flickr

Image © brunosan | flickr

Take the German word for parachute: Fallschirm.

Image © William Warby | flickr

The word looks and sounds a bit like “fall chimp,” which presents a unique, memorable visual. Next time you need to think of the German word for parachute, you’ll picture a chimp in freefall!

TAKE A HIKE

Improving your memory isn’t all about creative brain tricks. Lifestyle changes, like exercising more often, have considerable effects on brain health.

Image © timtak | flickr

Exercising one hour a day, three days each week reduces the cognitive and biological

effects of aging and improves memory.2

Image © Ed Yourdon | flickr

Get out there, go for a walk, take a hike, ride your bike, or join a gym. Take care of your body, and your

memory and language skills will follow.

CATCH SOME Z’S

While on the subject of lifestyle changes, getting a solid 7-8 hours of sleep each night

works wonders for your memory.

Image © Morgaine | flickr

While you sleep, your brain commits new information into your memory through a process called memory consolidation.3

Image © Elaine with Grey Cats | flickr

Newly learned material, such as a list of vocabulary words, is very vulnerable at first.

Memory consolidation strengthens connections in the brain, preserving new information to be

used when you wake.3

Image © thebittenword.com | flickr

So catch some z’s and give your brain a chance to store that new language-y

goodness you’re learning.

Image © ingodibella | flickr

DON’T CRAM

If you’re learning for a specific deadline, like

before a test or a trip overseas, you may be tempted to cram the night

before.

Image © liewfc| flickr

If you’re learning for a specific deadline, like

before a test or a trip overseas, you may be tempted to cram the night

before.

Image © liewfc| flickr

DON’T!

Image © cstrom | flickr

Cramming too much information at once forces you to commit it to your short-term memory instead of

your long-term memory, from which it could be pulled much later on down the road… like when you

actually need it.

You may be able to regurgitate the words for

50 fruits and veggies on a quiz the next morning, but

that information will disappear shortly

thereafter. When you actually need to buy

bananas at the market someday, you may find

yourself at a loss.

Image © keepon | flickr

Language learning is not a race. Take it slow

and learn (and review!) only one new grammar rule or a

dozen vocab words at a time.

Image © IvanWalsh.com | flickr

FOCUS

Even if you’re a great multi tasker, language

learning requires

extreme focus.

Image © Jeffrey Beall | flickr

No matter how much sleep you get or how creative your visualization techniques are, you’ll never remember what you’re

learning if you don’t pay attention to it in the first place.

Avoid studying in distracting environments. Turn off the TV, put in ear plugs, shut the door to your office, turn off your phone, close the blinds, and just focus.

Image © Emilian Robert Vicol | flickr

RELATE NEW TO OLD

When learning a new word or grammar rule, think about how it relates to parts of the language you already know.

Image © katerha | flickr

By establishing a connection between newly learned information and existing memories, you can increase your chances of remembering it.

Image © Bruce Guenter | flickr

Relate new target language terms to terms in your native language.

For example, the French expression “quand on parle du loup” (speak of the wolf) is used the

same way as the English expressions “speak of the

devil.” There’s an easy connection to establish this new expression in

your memory.

Image © Serge Melki | flickr

Or, relate new target language terms to target language terms you know well.

For example, the Spanish word for “scarecrow” is espantapájaros, which is

much easier to remember when you relate it to the more common Spanish words

“espantar” (to scare) and “pájaros” (birds).

Image © Peter Pearson | flickr

SAY IT OUT LOUD

According to a study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology4, speaking a word out

loud improves your ability to remember the word by increasing its distinctiveness.

Image © SparkCBC | flickr

That doesn’t mean you can read an entire passage out loud and memorize it. That approach lacks that distinctiveness we mentioned. But voicing the key

words will help you remember them.

Image © photosteve101 | flickr

Considering you’re learning a new language, practicing your speaking and pronunciation skills is a must, so this really kills two birds with one stone!

Image © darrenleno | flickr

TEACH

One of the best ways to make sure you understand a grammar concept that

you’ve been studying? Try explaining it to someone else.

Image © Tulane Public Relations | flickr

Teaching language concepts to your child, friend, or sibling gives you an opportunity for active repetition, and it’s a big confidence booster.

Image © udeyismail | flickr

Not to mention it gives you someone to use the language with! This relationship will help you

build fun, lasting memories of learning the language, which will also improve retention.

RINSE AND REPEAT

Here’s the truth you may not want to hear:

Here’s the truth you may not want to hear: (Are you ready for it?)

Here’s the truth you may not want to hear: (Are you ready for it?)

REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW!

Yes, that requires a lot of effort and time on your part. But repetition moves information from short-term to long-term

memory. So don’t take that flashcard from the stack until you’ve used it successfully several times.

Image © xikita | flickr

Use these 10 techniques to pack your memory

well. That way you’ll have the language with

you on your next trip overseas, where you

can put it to good use.

Image © emmamccleary | flickr

For more advice on all things foreign language, connect with Transparent Language:

www.transparent.com