Spaced repetition: remember new words for longer

Spaced repetition means reviewing a new word just before you would forget it, and then waiting a little longer each time. A word you review at growing gaps moves from short-term memory into long-term memory. It is the most reliable way we know to learn vocabulary.

Why we forget new words #

In 1885, Hermann Ebbinghaus tested his own memory with lists of made-up syllables. He found that we forget most of something new within days, unless we review it. His result is known as the forgetting curve. Each review makes the curve flatter, so the next gap can be longer.

How spaced repetition works #

You review a word soon after you learn it. If you remember it, the next review comes later. If you forget it, it comes back soon. Over weeks, the gaps grow, and you spend your time on the words you find hard, not the ones you already know.

You can do this with paper cards in boxes, moving each card to the next box when you get it right. Or you can use an app that schedules the reviews for you, such as Anki, which is free on most devices.

Make good cards #

• One word or phrase per card. A card with three meanings gets marked wrong for the wrong reason.
• Put the word in a sentence. "Book a table" teaches more than "book" alone.
• Add a picture or a sound when you can. A card with only a translation is the easiest to forget.
• Watch for words that look like English. Many of them are false friends, and a card is a good place to catch them.

Keep spaced repetition short and daily #

Ten minutes every day beats an hour on Sunday. Do your reviews at the same point in your day, such as with your morning coffee. Our post on building a daily study routine has more ideas for making that stick.