Spaced Repetition In Language Learning: Is It Effective?

Learning a language takes willpower and motivation, not just time and resources. If you’re struggling to find the will and motivation to learn a new language, maybe Spaced Repetition System is for you.

There are certain things that are easier the second time around - and language learning is not one of those. Reaching the native proficiency level is possible in any language, but it is not an easy task.

For many people, the sheer difficulty of learning a second or third language can cause learning excuses. In light of this problem, is there a “proper” way to learn a new language quickly? 

There are plenty of factors that affect someone’s language learning. Age and native language can indeed affect how you learn another one.

However, with enough effort and time, anyone can learn any language in the world  (regardless of age, native language, and other factors). It all boils down to how you learn the language and how you immerse yourself in your study to reach fluency. 

Each person has his or her unique way of learning.

For some people, studying and learning the same thing or concept over and over again does the trick.

To acquire new vocabulary and memorize grammar, you need to make sure it remains in your head for a long period of time. The Spaced Repetition System (SRS) makes this possible. 

How Do We Learn A Second Language? 

Before diving into SRS, we should know how learning a language works.

According to the University of North Carolina, there are three key principles when it comes to learning languages. When the concepts are followed correctly, it will make language acquisition easier and more effective.

Here are the three elements in learning a new language. 

Comprehensible Input - refers to how a learner is exposed to learning materials. All the materials (audio, video, written, or real-life conversations) you acquire while learning a language are considered comprehensible input. 

To use this concept properly, you need to use materials that are within your level. There’s nothing wrong with reading a children’s book if that’s where your level is. If your input matched your current level, you would likely have a better comprehensible output. 

Comprehensible Output - refers to your ability to create something with the language you learn. It can be in the form of speaking or writing.

Your output quality is hugely affected by how you understand your input. If you understand your input well, you can use these new-found words and phrases in a better way.

Review/ Feedback - This is the overall response or feedback you get from your listeners. These are often corrections on your grammar and pronunciation.

Unsurprisingly, the more you try to speak in your target language, the more errors you will get as feedback. However, feedbacks are essential if you want to be good at communicating in your new language. 

With these language learning principles, you must be in an “If we study more, we learn more” line of thinking. After all, the more words we know, the more complex our sentences become.

And the more variety in our vocabulary means, the better we express ourselves. It creates fluency and a more concrete understanding of the language we’re trying to learn.

It kind of makes sense, right? Unfortunately, this is not the case in language learning. If you want to learn fast and easy, cramming is not the way to go. 

Why Is Cramming Ineffective In Language Learning? 

Cramming is defined as a practice in which someone tries to memorize a huge amount of data at one go. It is common for students, especially college students, before an important exam.

This method is known for its short-term memory boost. However, all the memories and lessons learned with this method will likely be gone after the test date. 

Seattle Pi pointed out that cramming is an emotional response. Students are often forced to go on cramming sessions as a response to the pressure to succeed. Hence, acquiring memories from cramming is not considered “learning.” 

Tons of negative things happen when you’re cramming. It limits long-term memory capacity because all the brainpower is focused on the short-term ones. Besides, the lack of sleep will give more harm than benefits physically and mentally.

According to a study from the Louisiana State University Shreveport, this phenomenon is called the “The Cramming Effect.” It is also why you forgot everything after an exam and why it is an ineffective strategy to study.

For example, you can try and cram tons of witty words in one night for an exam. During these hours, your short-term memory of those witty words is high because they’re fresh. However, you can likely only remember half or less once the exam is over because nothing is left in the long-term memory. 

You can’t use cramming in language learning. The reason being, at the end of the day, what you get from cramming will not be retained in your long term memory.

In the past few years, language instructors had developed a system that promotes distributed learning instead of cramming. This system is called the Spaced Repetition System or SRS. 

What Is The Spaced Repetition System, Or SRS? 

The Spaced Repetition System or SRS is a method of learning which prioritizes long-term gains over short-term memory. It is achieved by repeatedly studying a set of materials, taking a break, and studying it once again.

If the brain frequently encounters a word or a phrase, it will consider it an “important memory” and starts saving it for the long term. 

This concept is based on Benedict Carey’s “Forget to Learn” theory. According to this theory, you need to forget something to re-learn it again. And the more you relearn something, the quicker you can retrieve information about it from your memory.

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Basically, SRS is similar to cramming, but with repeated review sessions on the mix. It is about studying the material over and over again within a period, with breaks or spacing included in between. 

You’re learning the lesson, forget it for some time, and re-learn it again. After some repetition, your brain will finally consider these pesky words and phrases important. It will keep them as long-term memory.

As you study the materials over and over, the breaks will. Here’s an example of a spacing schedule:

• Review again after one day

• Review again after seven days

• Review again after 16 days

...and so on. 

Benedict Carey suggested that there should be a given test date, to test yourself if you get your lessons properly.

For example, if you decided to have a weekly test date, you should review your materials within 1-2 days. If you want an annual test date, you should widen your gap to a 1-month review per repetition. 

Can you use any method of reviewing?

Yes, you can. In fact, you can use any methods that had worked on your study in the past. If flashcards are your thing, go for it. If making a list gets you into the mood, do so. As of now, the most popular method is using a mobile app, as you use devices every day. 

This method aims to acquire robust and long-term memory instead of weak ones you got on cramming sessions. Upon repeated encounters, your brain will start etching the words and phrases for long-term memory.

Deciding the gap interval is the hardest challenge in this learning method. If the spacing is too frequent, your mind will get the cramming effect instead, as your brain starts to learn passively.

However, if the gap is too long, your brain would forget the material by the time you’re reviewing it. This problem gets trickier once you factor in the different learning factors for each individual. 

How To Utilize Spaced Repetition System In Your Language Study?

The aforementioned problem above can be remedied with mobile applications for language learning.

These apps use algorithms to find out what spacing interval works best with the user’s learning style. It also makes the manual task of remembering review schedules automated, and therefore, more convenient. 

Another method is using by using the classroom approach, in which a teacher or a tutor facilitates your reviewing schedule.

He or she will also give immediate feedback on your study and point out areas you need to improve.

Take note: the more errors you make, the better you become in speaking and writing a foreign language. Don’t consider your mistakes as a sign of failure. 

Additionally, the SRS system only works at its best if you balance it with other study areas. After working on vocabulary, you should seek balance by improving your pronunciation.

Even if you use fancy words, your listener might not understand you if you have a thick accent. Don’t also forget to train your ear with audio and video materials. 

When learning with SRS for language learning, keep your spacing intervals spread out. This is to make sure that you’re “keeping the memory alive” in a reasonable time.

Most learners use a regular schedule (vocab on Thursdays, ear training on Fridays, speech on Saturdays, etc.) because it works best for them. SRS is a great method for improving vocabulary. But it is not the only thing to improve in language learning. 

And last but not least, avoid any “memory killers” that can disrupt your language learning. Your ability to retain useful memories is also affected by many factors, including your learning style.

Most of the notorious memory killers are often overlooked by learners worldwide (not just in language study). 

• Stress - if you’re stressed, consider taking a break. You will learn more effectively if there is no external trigger that reduces your ability to make new memories. 

• Lack of sleep - sleep deprivation affects a large area of our cognitive ability. When you don’t receive enough sleep, your brain will suffer in retaining new words and ideas. 

• Information Overload - avoid this at all costs. It triggers the cramming effect and affects your overall focus. 

• Multitasking - don’t divide your focus when studying a language. Even if you can handle multitasking in other tasks, don’t do so when you’re learning new words or concepts. Chances are, the information you learned will just pass through from one ear to another because the focus is not there. Focus is essential to retain a memory. 

Final Thoughts

Studying a language alone can be quite tricky. But adding SRS and good study habits can make your life easier.

SRS can help in improving your vocabulary and spelling, but what about sentence structure language concepts? 

If you’re struggling with other language learning areas, don’t hesitate to ask an online tutor from Justlearn!

Good luck and happy language learning.