If you are like most learners, you may have faced such a situation: You think you understand a topic. Yet, when asked to use what you have learned, you are not able to remember the information. Not being able to retrieve new ideas could happen on a test or even in a conversation.
Sarah Lynn, an educational consultant and teacher, thinks English learners can improve their ability to remember and use new words by testing themselves. She adds that self testing improves retrieval (数据检素) — the ability to use and remember new words.
Learning takes effort. It takes effort because the learning process changes the brain, says Sarah Lynn. One way it changes the brain is by creating connections, which are called dendrites (树突). Lynn suggests that dendrite connections are important for retrieval. There are three main ideas about how to grow dendrites and improve retrieval, making connections, using repetition and testing yourself.
Lynn recommends that learners test themselves by getting away from what they are studying. Then, they should test themselves by thinking about what they have learned. She recommends that learners make themselves write or speak something. Lynn suggests reading something or watching a video on the topic, then getting rid of the reading or audio material and summarizing it. This will allow learners to test what they know.
The benefits of such practice, Lynn says, are not just improving your ability to remember information. By testing yourself, you can build confidence in the skills you have developed. When you test yourself, Lynn says, you will see how much progress you have made. This progress will satisfy and encourage you to do more in the future.
Next time you are studying English, try to test yourself. A simple way to test vocabulary is to create flashcards with clues on one side and the answer on the back. Another way is to use online services to create digital flasheards, through which learners can do a variety of activities based on one set of new words or information. You can match words with meanings, write a word after looking at a picture, or listen to a word and write it. You can also play games with the new words and meanings. Another way is to ask yourself questions at the end of the day, at the end of a study session, or at other times. Lynn recommends that learners ask themselves questions such as, “What did I learn today? What were those words that I thought were interesting? What was that verb tense I learned? How does it work?”
The important point is this: Effective learning takes time, effort and practice. Do not just assume that you can read something once or twice and fully understand it. Even if you highlight important points or take notes in a class, you probably do not fully understand what you learned. Successful language learners practice as much as they can, and test themselves to improve their skills.
Self-testing is one way to improve your retrieval and inform your future course of study. Give it a try, and let us know how it works for you.
12. According to Sarah Lynn, what’s the common situation faced by English learners?
A.They are always forgetting what they have just learned despite their effort. |
B.They have to improve their ability both on a test and in a conversation. |
C.They don’t learn something as well as they thought they did. |
D.They don’t master ways to improve their skills on a test. |
13. What’s one benefit of self-testing?
A.Develop people’s interest in their study. |
B.Improve people’s psychological quality. |
C.Focus people’s attention on their study. |
D.Help people think more critically. |
14. Which saying contradicts the idea of the underlined sentence?
A.Early bird catches the worm. |
B.You reap what you sow. |
C.Rome wasn’t built in a day. |
D.Haste makes waste. |
15. What’s the best title of the passage?
A.Learning actually takes effort most. |
B.Trying your best to memorize more new words. |
C.Making connections, using repletion and testing yourself. |
D.Improving your English by testing yourself. |