Memory Tricks For Language Learning

Learning a new language is hard work and often the toughest part is just remembering things.

I naturally have a dreadful memory and I really struggle with my languages at times. However, it doesn’t matter who you are, with time and practice you will remember everything, just like how you can in your native language.

I will be going through some of the tips and tricks you can use to help things stick a little faster, but really the key is lots of repetition. So long as you do this everything will be fine.

Don’t Worry About Remembering

I think probably the best trick you can use for your memory …is to just not care.

This might sounds quite counterproductive and I am sure you can here for some actual tips (they will come) but the reality is that language learning is a weird experience. Things come and go from your memory as well some things will stick super easily and others will not. Basically it’s a very non-consistent experience.

We tend to have this image in our minds that we build our language skills like a house. We build the foundations and work our way up, but this isn’t actually how it works. There really is nothing solid about it all and it is probably better compared to something like a jelly for a long, long time before it firms up.

This means really simple or important things you need to know, or have actually learned are not set in stone, they can easily get lost and you end up learning the same things multiple times, this is just how language learning works.  

The important thing to know is that if you expose yourself to enough of the language through immersion then you will see and hear everything you need to know enough times for it to eventually stick.

Basically don’t worry about remembering, you will remember naturally over time.

(You can read more about – How To Immerse Yourself In A New Language)

Now let’s get on with the tips, since these can be useful at times too.   

Learn New Words In Context To Remember Them Better

Learning lists or just random words from your new language on flash cards can work, but you will find you have much greater memory retention when you can see the words in context.

You might often hear this called association or linking, but it’s really all the same thing.

The best way to see words in context is through reading in your language. Having an unknown word surrounded by words you do know gives it more meaning; you can link it to something and give it an association with the rest of the words.

If you where to see the word on its own a few days later, you might struggle to recall it. However, seeing the word again in a sentence will make it click a lot easier.

Imagine it’s like me showing you a man’s face and saying “this man is a policeman” then a few days later I show you the face and say …what this man does? You probably won’t remember.

Now imagine I show you a picture of man, and he is wearing a police uniform,  and I say “this man is a police man”  …a few days later when I ask you again what he does, you will look at his face, maybe you will say “hmm I have seen him before”. However, you then look at the uniform and think “ah yes, the police man”

That’s basically a very simple version of how having context can help you remember something better. It sounds a bit silly, but it works.

If you read a lot in your new language, you will hopefully come across the new word again fairly soon. You will find the next time you see it, you can remember it a little better.

Obviously the more you see it, the more you will start to recognise it and start adding it your long term memory.  

Hear and See The Language You Are Learning

Another simple trick is to just hear and see the words at the same time. Have subtitles on a video, reading the word out or writing it down as you say it can all make a difference. It doesn’t really matter what way you do it, so long as you can hear the word and see it at the same time.

Having this double input will strengthen your association with the new words in a language you are learning.

This is can be very beneficial for a language learner, often the word might be written slightly different to how it is pronounced and having the visual and the audio together is going to help to reinforce how it should be in your mind. 

Focus On Words You Need When Learning A Language

When you learn a language you will never learn every word. Even in your own language, you don’t know every word, It’s impossible.

So use this to your advantage and focus on the words and phrases you are likely to use. Think about what you like to talk about and think of the things you would want to say or communicate.

These are the words you need to focus on. It is not so much that you will be able to remember these any better than a topic you have no real interest in, as words are words, we learn them all the same way.

However, you are going to using words you are interested in. You are probably going to say them a lot if they are from topics you really like. The more you use the words, the better you will remember them.

Focus on the things you want to say and then say them lots. It really is that simple. Once you master these, it will become like second nature to you, kind of like how speaking in your own language doesn’t really take any memory recall. 

Repetition Is key For Language Learning

For me repetition is the best way to learn anything, especially a language. Let’s be honest though, it’s not efficient, but it certainly works.

There are two ways to use repetition when learning a language; there is the fast direct way and the slow subtle way. 

Slow Repetition

You are probably already doing the slow subtle way. It’s called immersion.

Every time you are reading or watching something you will be getting repeatedly exposed to the same words over and over again.  

However, if you are also practicing output, you will be getting some slow repetition too. You will be writing or saying a lot of the same words and phrases time and time again. Over time, this all builds up and you get better and better. Its why the saying “practice makes perfect” is true.

Fast Repetition

If you want to speed things up a little bit, you can do some fast repetition, but I will warn you, it’s not fun and it’s not commonly used.

This  technique was something I was taught in school (I know right!  I actually took something useful from school!). I can’t remember why I was taught this, but I have a feeling it was for spelling, so basically language learning, even if it was my native tongue.

The technique is very simple, you write down the word you want to learn. Then look at it. Put your hand over the word and now write it down.

Lift your hand up and see if you got it correct. If you didn’t, just keep looking and covering until you get it perfect. It might take a few goes. (Remember to say it while you read, as hearing and seeing is more powerful).

I find I will make the same mistake a few times, I might get some letters jumbled up, but after a few times it will click and I will be self aware of the mistake I am about to make and avoid it.

I find this method is the most effective for me to learn something quickly,. If I learn a word this way, it tends to stick. When I come back a few hours later or the following day my success rate is pretty high. I also use this method to learn simple phrases too. 

The Problem With Rote Learning

The biggest issue with the process I just described is that it is just rote learning. It allows me to memorise things, but I still may not understand them.

It is also a very slow process and can take a lot of time. If you are sat focusing on one word for a few minutes it can take a while to get through a couple of words. However, in the grand scheme of things, it’s pretty quick, especially compared to how long it can take with immersion.    

There is also the problem of volume. You can’t sit and do this for 100 words. You would go mad. I can only do it for a handful of words or my brain will get overloaded.

Although is there any technique where you can quickly learn 100 words and have them stick to your memory? I don’t think there is. Language learning is all about the slow and small little steps to reach the bigger goal. Even if you did this technique with 5 words every day, that for me would be exceptional progress.

For me language learning is slow and it is hard. I am happy to accept that, and if I have to use a pretty slow method like immersion to achieve it, then I’m okay with it, as I know it will work for me in the long run.   

Mnemonics/ Memory Palace and Language Learning

Two very common memory tricks that are used are Mnemoics and a memory palace. I know people find these really useful and powerful techniques for learning a language. However, for me, they don’t work.

I am fairly sure I am doing them wrong, so don’t think I am telling you to avoid them. You should always try things and see how they work for you. 

Mnemonics

This is when you take the first letter of a number of words you need to learn, and make these letters into its own word.  

This isn’t really any use for just learning words, but can be useful for rules.

For example in French, There is a special rule that only applies to 13 words. The idea is that if you learn these 13 words, you can use the special rule, then for any other word, carry on as normal.

To remember these 13, they have made the mnemonic MS.VANDERTRAMP. So each letter stands for an individual word.

I think this is okay if you need to recite all 13 words. Remembering MS.VANDERTRAMP can make sure you tick them all off, but for general speaking, it’s not ideal. There is no way I can sit and think of this before saying a word in the middle of a conversation, but I guess it can help in general. 

Memory Palaces

This is when you remember things by creating an image in your mind. You then associate that image with the word. You then build up all these words/ images and start putting them in your “palace”, which you have built in your head.

I can’t really get into this technique, as honestly, I just can’t do it.

I really want to say that this works and it’s amazing, but my mind is just not set up in this visual way.

So sadly I can’t really explain to you how this works, but please give it a go if you think you can benefit from it.

Many language learners have said it helps them massively when it comes to remembering things and I don’t doubt that and maybe you will have the same success too.

Conclusion

Memory is a huge part of learning a language and you need to find the technique that works best for you, although if you just sit back and let the immersion do its work you will end up remembering what you need to remember.

Just put the time and effort in while practicing your new language and your memory will store everything over time.

You can try the techniques I’ve set out here, but always remember that you can’t really force your brain to go any faster than it can, so do not get too caught up with it if it’s taking a while, you will get there eventually.