Why Do You Keep Forgetting Words? Because Your Approach to Language Learning Has Been All Wrong from the Get-Go.
Ever had this happen? You spend a few nights, finally managing to get a long list of words down pat. But just a few days later, they've vanished without a trace, as if they were never even there. You're ticking off lessons on apps, slogging through textbooks, but trying to learn a language feels like pouring water into a leaky bucket – a hell of a lot of effort for next to no results.
Why does this happen? Is it because, as adults, our brains have gone a bit rusty?
Nah, not even close. The problem is, we've been going about it all wrong.
Stop Just "Reading" Recipes – Get Stuck In and Cook Something for Once
Imagine you want to learn how to cook a dish, say, Red Braised Pork. Do you just sit there with a cookbook, endlessly reciting 'chop, blanch, caramelise, slow cook', or do you actually head into the kitchen and give it a go yourself?
The answer's a no-brainer. It's only when you're actually slicing the meat, feeling the oil heat up, and smelling the soy sauce aroma that your body and brain truly 'get' how to make the dish. Next time you cook it, you probably won't even need the recipe.
It's the same deal with learning a language.
We often think learning a language is just about 'memorising words' and 'cramming grammar rules', like trying to follow a cookbook you're never going to actually use. But language isn't just a body of knowledge; it's a skill, and one that needs your whole self to get stuck into.
That's why little kids pick up languages so quickly. They're not 'studying'; they're 'playing'. When Mum says 'cuddle', they reach out their arms; when Dad says 'no-no', they pull back their little hands. Every single word is tightly linked to a specific action or a real feeling.
They're 'cooking' with their bodies, not just 'reading recipes' with their eyes.
Your Brain Loves Memories That Get You Moving
Science tells us our brain isn't just a 'filing cabinet' for words; it's a vast 'network' of countless neurons.
When you just silently read the word 'jump', there's only a faint signal buzzing in your brain. But when you say 'jump' and actually jump at the same time, it's a whole different ball game. Your visual, auditory, and motor cortices all light up at once, weaving together a much stronger, more solid memory network.
This action is like laying down a 'superhighway' for memory pathways, allowing information to travel faster and be much harder to forget.
That's why years down the track, you might forget a line of poetry, but you'll never, ever forget how to ride a bike. Because riding a bike is a physical memory, etched into your muscles and nerves.
How to Learn a Language Just Like You're Cooking?
The good news is, every single one of us still has this powerful learning ability hardwired into our brains. Now, you just need to wake it back up.
Forget those boring word lists; give these methods a whirl:
- Act out the words: When you're learning 'open the door', actually go and open a door. When learning 'drink water', grab a cup and take a sip. Turn your room into an interactive stage.
- Play 'Simon Says': Grab a mate and play 'Simon Says' in the language you're learning. For example, 'Simon says, touch your nose'. It's not just a good laugh; it'll help you react quickly without even thinking.
- Tell stories with your body: When learning a new story or dialogue, try performing it with exaggerated body language. You'll find the storyline and words stick like glue.
The core idea is simple: get your body involved.
When you turn language from a 'mental workout' into a 'full-body exercise', you'll find it's no longer a chore, but a genuine joy. Memories won't need to be forced; they'll just happen naturally.
Of course, once you've got a handle on basic vocabulary and the general 'feel' of the language through physical engagement, the next step is to use them in real conversations. But what if you don't have a language partner kicking around?
That's where technology can really lend a hand. A chat app like Intent comes with built-in AI real-time translation, letting you chat away with people all over the world without a hitch. You can confidently use the words and actions you've just picked up, and even if you muck it up, the other person will still understand you through the translation, and you'll immediately see the most authentic way to say it. It transforms language practice from a nerve-wracking 'exam' into a relaxed, enjoyable, and real conversation.
So, stop whingeing about your memory being crook. It's not your memory that's crook; you've just been using the wrong approach.