Spaced repetition for language learning
Spaced repetition means reviewing material at increasing intervals so you see it again right before you would forget it. It’s one of the most efficient ways to move vocabulary and phrases into long-term memory. Here’s how to use it well.
1. What makes it work
Your brain forgets new information quickly at first. Each time you successfully recall something, the memory strengthens and the next ideal review gets pushed further out. Spaced repetition algorithms (like those in Anki) try to schedule reviews at these "forgetting curves" so you spend time on what you’re about to forget, not on what you already know.
2. SRS apps vs natural repetition
You can get spaced repetition in two ways. SRS apps (Anki, Quizlet, Memrise) use flashcards and algorithms to schedule reviews. They’re good for discrete items: words, phrases, grammar rules. Natural repetition happens when you re-read stories, re-listen to podcasts, or encounter the same words in new texts. No algorithms; the content itself brings words back. Both work. Many learners combine them.
3. Keep cards simple
If you use Anki or similar, avoid long sentences and multiple pieces of information per card. One word or one phrase per card makes reviews faster and recall clearer. Add a full sentence on the back for context, but test on the single item. Simpler cards mean less cognitive load and better long-term retention.
4. Add cards from real content
Don’t pull vocabulary only from word lists. Add cards from books, articles, and conversations you’ve had. When you see a word in a sentence you understood, that sentence becomes powerful context. You’re not learning isolated words; you’re reinforcing words you’ve already met in use.
5. Don’t over-add
Twenty new cards a day can quickly become 100+ reviews as intervals grow. Start with 5 to 15 new cards per day and see how the review load feels. It’s better to add fewer high-value words than to burn out on hundreds of low-use items.
6. Reviews before new input
Do your SRS reviews first, then read or listen. That way reviews stay manageable, and when you encounter the same words in context later, you reinforce them naturally. Let reading and listening do part of the spaced repetition for you.