Lesson Transcript

Intro

Chigusa: Listeners, what was the last word or phrase you learned?
Peter: Do you remember? If you do...
Chigusa: ...then you’re about to find out one of the best ways to learn and remember your target language.
Peter: In today’s Sunday News, you’ll find out all about “active recall”...
Chigusa: Why this method works...
Peter: How to use questions to strengthen your memory...
Chigusa: 7 specific ways to apply this with our program...
Peter: ...and we’re giving away a free PDF cheat sheet with bonus learning tactics at the end.
Chigusa: Welcome to Innovative Language Learning Sunday News! I'm Chigusa and I'll be hosting today's Sunday News with my co-host, the founder of InnovativeLanguage.com... Peter Galante!
Peter: Hi everyone! Peter here.
Body
Chigusa: So, listeners, what was the last word or phrase you learned?
Peter: If you’re on the site, leave us a comment and tell us what it is.
Chigusa: Peter, just so everyone knows, why are we asking them to do this?
Peter: That’s a great question, Chigusa. So, the key to learning and actually remembering what you’ve learned… is something called “active recall.”
Chigusa: Active recall. Like, forcing yourself to remember what you’ve learned?
Peter: Exactly. Chigusa, this may be one of THE most effective ways to study. At least, there are a lot of studies and evidence in favor of it.
Chigusa: Hmm, can we have an example?
Peter: Okay. For example, let’s say you’re reading a textbook and you learn that hello in Japanese, Chigusa, just help me with this, how about hello in Japanese?
Chigusa: konnichiwa.
Peter: So, just reading alone is passive. That word or phrase won’t last very long. So, passive we mean that you’re just reading over it and you kind of say the word in your head. And this doesn’t help as much.
Chigusa: Ok, then if you ask yourself, “okay what is hello in Japanese?”
Peter: ...that is “active recall.” When you try to remember without looking at the answer.
Chigusa: So, what’s special about this? I feel like most people could think it’s obvious.
Peter: You wouldn’t be wrong. It’s obvious BUT, here’s a question for you, Chigusa. How did you study for tests in school?
Chigusa: Hmm, I’d re-read my textbooks. I’d take notes. I’d highlight and re-read some more.
Peter: That’s a very good way. But you’re still looking at the answers and passively going through them, right?
Chigusa: Right, I guess.
Peter: So, the problem is… Most people think when you’re reading or hearing something… that is when you’re growing.
Chigusa: Is it not?
Peter: According to studies, it’s only when you force yourself to remember. THAT is when you’re actually strengthening the neuron connections in your brain and improving your memory. So, active recall sounds obvious….
Chigusa: ...Yeah, but it seems like very few people do it on their own.
Peter: Exactly. It’s much easier to re-read some more instead of actually trying to remember it.
Chigusa: So, the actual strengthening happens when you force yourself to remember.
Peter: That’s it. It’s when you flex those muscles, or maybe neurons in this case.
Chigusa: So, how do we apply this to language learning?
Peter: Chigusa, I just thought of something. So, Listeners, you can try this right now. Tell us what the last phrase or word you learned in your target language was… you can write it in the comments section, or just think of it in your head right now. Or, try to at least.
Chigusa: And second, ask yourself questions. After you finish a lesson, ask yourself, “what did I learn in this lesson?”
Peter: Then go ahead write down - as much as you can remember.
Chigusa: You can also ask yourself, “what grammar rule did I learn here?”
Peter: Or, “what was the conversation?” and try to recall the dialogue.
Chigusa: Do this for every lesson. But don’t look at the answers. The point is to recall as much as you can.
Peter: Third, take notes from memory. Again, don’t look at the answers.
Chigusa: Yes, There’s a note feature in every lesson to help you do just that. Or, use a notebook.
Peter: Fourth, take our assessments. You’ll get these after every few lessons in the learning pathway.
Chigusa: Actually, taking tests or quizzes is a great exercise in active recall. Since you’re forced to remember just to answer the questions.
Peter: That’s a great point. Fifth. Use our Spaced Repetition Flashcards to master words and phrases.
Chigusa: Spaced Repetition Flashcards quiz you on words and you have to mark whether you know them or you don’t.
Peter: If you know the word, you’ll see it again in a few days.
Chigusa: And if you don’t know a word, you can flip the card, get the answer… but you’ll get quizzed on it again and again, until you get it right.
Peter: And the sixth one is a free PDF Lesson Checklist. .
Chigusa: ...but you can get it only if you leave a comment.
Peter: Again, this gives you the questions you should ask and answer…
Chigusa: ...when you’re done with a lesson.
Peter: ...And the more you use it, the better the conversations, words and grammar rules will stick in your brain.
Chigusa: So, if you want it, leave a comment and we’ll reply with the link.

Outro

Chigusa: Okay, well that’s going to do it for this edition of Innovative Language Learning Sunday News!
Peter: Bye everyone!
Chigusa: Thank you for listening, and we’ll see you all next time.

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