Spaced Repetition: A Powerful Tool for Vocabulary Learning
Learning a new language, especially vocabulary acquisition, can be a daunting task. Traditional methods often fall short in fostering long-term retention. Spaced repetition, an evidence-based learning technique, offers a compelling solution. This article explores the principles of spaced repetition, its application in vocabulary learning, and the use of digital tools like Anki and Mochi to enhance the learning process.
The Science Behind Spaced Repetition
Spaced repetition is a learning method that involves reviewing information at increasing intervals over time. This technique is rooted in the work of Hermann Ebbinghaus, a German scientist who, in the 1880s, conceived the method of spaced repetition. Ebbinghaus studied memory and discovered the "forgetting curve," which illustrates how quickly we forget newly learned information if we don't revisit it. His work demonstrated that memory retention is significantly improved when learning is distributed over time rather than crammed into a single session. The testing effect and spaced repetition can be combined to improve long-term memory.
The idea that spaced repetition could be used for improving learning was first proposed in the book Psychology of Study by C. A. Mace in 1932.
Spaced repetition is a method where the subject is asked to remember a certain fact with the time intervals increasing each time the fact is presented or said. If the subject is able to recall the information correctly the time is doubled to further help them keep the information fresh in their mind to recall in the future. With this method, the patient is able to place the information in their long-term memory. Throughout the development of spaced repetition, they have found that patients using this technique with dementia are able to recall the information weeks-even months-later.
Spaced repetition is widely accepted as a performant learning strategy in a number of domains, with many researchers suggesting implementing this method in formal education.
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Cognitive Salience and Long-Term Memorization
Multiple exposures to a vocabulary item through spaced repetition are likely to help the process of that item ending up in long-term memory. Long-term memorization is more likely to take place when the item is embedded and encountered in some sort of memorable context.
Spaced Repetition vs. Massed Practice
For more than 100 years, research has proven the effectiveness of spaced repetition study as superior to massed practice (i.e., “cramming”) for learning information and skills for the long term. Unlike hurriedly cramming in your revision the night before an exam, spaced repetition spreads learning out over time.Spaced repetition improves your long term memory. It’s easy to forget information if you haven’t used it in a while, but periodically reviewing it helps you make it stick. The interesting thing is that it doesn’t just matter how many times you review it-it also matters when you review it.
Instead of one bigger block of studying, break up your studying into multiple smaller chunks with some space between them.
How Spaced Repetition Works
The core principle of spaced repetition is to review information at increasing intervals. Newly introduced and more difficult flashcards are shown more frequently, while older and less difficult flashcards are shown less frequently in order to exploit the psychological spacing effect. The software adjusts the repetition spacing interval to enable the user to reach a target level of achievement (e.g. 90% of all material correctly recalled at any given time point).
To get the biggest benefit, you should aim to practice things right before you’re about to forget them-that really helps fortify the connections between ideas in your brain.
Read also: Mastery Through Repetition
Expanding Intervals
The data behind this initial research indicated that an increasing space between rehearsals (expanding) would yield a greater percentage of accuracy at test points. There is evidence that the popular method of "expanding intervals" (when the interval between the repetitions increases with each repetition) performs as well as or better than uniformly spaced repetitions. Several mechanisms were suggested for expanding intervals providing an additional benefit; the most notable one is that one of the core tenets of spaced repetition is that spacing increases the effort for retrieval, and that expanding intervals allow to gradually increase that difficulty.
Spaced repetition with expanding intervals is believed to be so effective because with each expanded interval of repetition it becomes more difficult to retrieve the information because of the time elapsed between test periods; this creates a deeper level of processing of the learned information in long-term memory at each point. Another reason that the expanding repetition model is believed to work so effectively is that the first test happens early on in the rehearsal process. The purpose of this is to increase repetition success.
Spaced Repetition in Vocabulary Learning
Learning vocabulary - the task at the heart of language learning - necessarily entails a lot of memorization, and it makes sense for this to be done, as much as possible, outside the classroom. In fact, it has to be done outside the classroom, as there will simply never be enough time to do it in the classroom. Deliberate learning of vocabulary through the use of word cards is well supported by research.
The Benefits of Deliberate Learning
Every piece of research comparing deliberate learning with incidental learning has shown that deliberate word learning easily beats incidental vocabulary learning in terms of the time taken to learn and the amount learnt. The deliberate learning studies also show that such learning lasts for a very long time.
Word Cards: A Traditional Approach
Using word cards, whether physical or digital, is a common method for deliberate vocabulary learning. The current crop of digital word cards simplify the learner’s task enormously by allowing sets of words to be imported into the programs, by automatically calculating the intervals between repetitions / exposures, and by offering a range of task types and gamification elements to help motivation.
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Limitations of Traditional Word Cards
Despite their effectiveness, traditional word cards have limitations. The first of these is that the majority of word cards do not contain enough information. Typically, there is just a translation; possibly a key to the part of speech, an example sentence and access to a recording of the word. There is only very rarely information about collocations, connotations or cultural background.
Word cards are also static. Once the card has been prepared with a translation and an example sentence and so on, this tends to remain fixed. The problem here is that learning is strengthened if the learner meets or uses the input again in a way that involves some change to the form and use of the word. This is called ‘generative use’.
Overcoming the Limitations
Learners can be helped by their teachers to produce or edit fuller, more useful cards, but this entails training. Time (and motivation) is also needed to prepare the cards. The effort involved in producing (and subsequently editing) one’s own cards will have a pay-off in long-term memorization. In order to be able to use the words of a target language, confidently and fluently, learners will need opportunities to use them, meaningfully and communicatively. They will also benefit from feedback on how they are using them.
Word Lists and Initial Learning
It should not be assumed that learning from word lists or word cards means that the words are learned forever, nor does it mean that all knowledge of a word has been learned, even though word cards can be designed to include a wide range of information about a word. Learning from lists or word cards is only an initial stage of learning a particular word. It is, however, a learning tool for use at any level of language proficiency.
Digital Tools for Spaced Repetition
The digital era has brought forth numerous tools that leverage the principles of spaced repetition. These tools, often referred to as "smart flashcard" apps, offer features like automated scheduling, progress tracking, and gamification to enhance the learning experience.
Anki: A Powerful and Customizable SRS App
Anki is one of the oldest, most well-known, and most powerful SRS apps. It is free for desktop computers, web browsers, and Android phones. Anki offers free synchronization of flashcard decks between devices and gathers a large collection of user-created, shared decks for many languages available for download.
Mochi: A Minimalist and User-Friendly Alternative
Mochi is representative of a number of new SRS apps that prioritize aesthetics and ease over intricacy, while still touting many of the same flexibility and features of Anki and other older SRS apps. It is free for all platforms but synchronization between devices costs $5 per month. A distinguishing feature of Mochi is the minimalist design and simple interface.
Features of SRS Apps
SRS programs are especially well-suited for building and maintaining vocabulary knowledge, an aspect of language learning that we think is often not emphasized enough in classrooms.
While vocabulary learning is the most common use of SRS applications, they can also be used to practice vocabulary in context (flashcards with complete sentences) and listening comprehension (flashcards with audio clips). Learners can track their studying with the “statistics” feature of the apps; cards can be grouped via tags to emulate the themed vocabulary lists of textbooks that students are familiar with.
Customization and Complexity
While customizability is a defining feature of SRS apps, this comes at the cost of complexity. Teachers who wish to have their students use an SRS application will first need to become familiar with the application themselves, so that they can guide their students to use it well.
Gamification and Motivation
Gamified gap-fills and matching tasks, score cards and progress charts cannot replace meaningful communication and feedback. Depending on the classroom dynamic, the teacher can choose to have these goals be individual, collaborative, or competitive. For example, you could present a “leaderboard” with the students who have the longest daily study streak, or you could make a collaborative “class goal” of SRS usage.
Challenges and Considerations
While spaced repetition is a powerful technique, it's not without its challenges.
Motivation and Habit Formation
Even when students are equipped with digital word cards and instructed on how to use them, sufficient motivation may be lacking. The benefits of SRS flashcards are dependent on the user maintaining a habit of using the program regularly, ideally every day.
Dissonance with Conventional Syllabi
Terms such as “independent learning” and “differentiation” can become empty buzzwords when our syllabi are designed around textbook chapters and our assessments are quizzes and tests that expect all students to be progressing at a uniform pace.
The Importance of Context
SRS study of decontextualized vocabulary items is certainly not enough on its own - students still need to apply other study strategies such as developing their own mnemonic devices and practicing words in context.
Alternatives
When most people think of flashcard apps, they think of Quizlet. While Quizlet has the benefit of being very easy to use and user friendly, it no longer offers spaced repetition study, as it discontinued its “Long Term Learning” feature in 2020. Duolingo, the most popular language learning app, similarly abandoned its flashcard spinoff, “Tinycards” the same year. While Duolingo still uses the concept of spaced repetition in its lesson design, it is effectively a closed system.
Spaced Repetition Algorithms
To optimize review schedules, developments in spaced repetition algorithms focus on predictive modeling.
Practical Tips for Implementing Spaced Repetition
Here are a few tips for applying spaced repetition to your own learning.
Space Out Your Learning
Instead of one bigger block of studying, break up your studying into multiple smaller chunks with some space between them.
Increase the Spacing Over Time
Remember, review newer information more frequently, and older information less frequently.
Review Harder Concepts Sooner
As you practice, you’ll want to consider how well you know the concept, as well as when you last reviewed it. Review things you got wrong sooner, and you can wait a little longer to review concepts you got right.
Keep it Active!
Spaced repetition works best when paired with active recall. This means practicing by trying to recall the information (retrieving it from your own memory), rather than doing something less active like re-reading or watching a video. If you’re using flashcards, make sure you try to remember the answer yourself before peeking at the back. Or even better, have a friend test you!
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