SRS: The Language Learning Game Changer

One thing that discourages many people from learning a language is the amount of time that it takes. According to language learning site FluentU, it takes approximately 3,000 words to be considered conversationally apt in certain languages. Furthermore, fluent speakers are considered to have approximately 10,000 words in their active vocabulary bank.

Considering those numbers, I’ll say what we’re all thinking… that’s a lot of words and a lot of time to commit.

Moreover, learning vocabulary can sometimes like an unending venture of forgetting and relearning. I’ve experienced the heartache of looking at a word in my target language and knowing that I’ve studied it before and even used it. The feeling of wracking your brain to remember a word is all too familiar with me. I know I can’t be the only one who runs to a dictionary to alleviate the anxiety of having the word just on the tip of my tongue.

For a language learner, the process of learning and forgetting can seem tortuous and sometimes is. Studying and retention takes time yes, but what if I told you that you can maximize your time through one simple method.

What is SRS?

The solution is called spaced repetition software (SRS). By introducing time intervals between your study sessions, you can retain more with less hours of cramming vocabulary words. Spaced repetition is a proven learning technique that is usually performed with flashcards. New and challenging flashcards are shown more frequently while older and less difficult flashcards are shown less frequently. So, you might see a word again a few minutes after being initially introduced to it, then a few days later, then a few weeks later etc. These words are shown at the perfect time to ensure that they’re constantly fresh in your mind. The psychological spacing effect shows that learning is more effective when study sessions are spaced out. Also, information is encoded better into long-term memory by spaced study sessions rather than by cramming. For the long-term benefits of spaced repetition to be experienced, frequency is key!

The History of Spaced Repetition and Memory

The spacing effect in psychology was first suggested by Hermann Ebbinghaus, a German psychologist that would become known for his empirical study of memory in 1885. Ebbinghaus explored memory and learning and the relationship of exposure to inputs and recall ability. He discovered that new information is forgotten over time, but in a nonlinear process. In essence, we forget things faster immediately after its introduction rather than after a while. Ebbinghaus represented this idea graphically with what he called a forgetting curve. SRS challenges the forgetting curve by introducing intervals of repetition at the perfect time. This is how you’ll get that word to stick and never forget it!

Anki

Anki is a flashcards app that uses spaced repetition algorithms and active recall to help you remember information effectively. The best part is that Anki can be used to put any information in long-term memory. This means that even medical students, law students and engineers can keep up with their information intake.

Anki can be formatted to include visuals and audio segments that wouldn’t be available on a tangible flashcard. This technology opens up the floodgates for fun learning and retention. This video provides an in-depth breakdown of Anki and the process of creating steps, altering intervals and customizing decks.

How to Start Using Anki

Anki is available on IOS, android and computer software. To download Anki on your computer, head over to AnkiWeb and download Anki. At first glance, the program can seem archaic and non-user friendly. However, as the platitude says, we mustn’t judge this book by its cover. The great thing is that decks can be personalized or shared on the community Anki Site. From here, an account can be created and users can search for existing decks. These community decks can be downloaded and customized to further tweak your learning needs. I have found Arabic decks and fine-tuned them to include pictures and audio. If that wasn’t a great perk, these decks can be uploaded back on the AnkiWeb shared site for fellow language learners to benefit from. This is what I call it taking a village to learn a language.

My Anki Experience

I began to seriously use Anki after returning from my study abroad experience in Cairo. I needed a platform that was proven effective and navigable.

In this example, I was given the word for fork to review. For this particular deck, I customized it to show me 10 new words every day while reviewing 20 past words. These old words are reintroduced based on the algorithmic interval, recognition time, and your personal association rating.

Before displaying the correct translation, only the Arabic version is shown. At the bottom of the screen, I can choose whether the difficulty and familiarity of this word was either hard, good, or easy. I can also decide to see this word again in the next ten minutes.

Because I have seen this word multiple times, the intervals differ and allow me to retain the word in long-term memory. In this case, I would select easy and not see ‘fork’ again for another ten months.

If you’re a person that wants the freedom to customize decks with a smart SRS system, Anki may be for you!

Memorizing with Memrise

Memrise is another language learning platform that uses spaced repetition to increase retention. This application makes language learning like a game. It offers an interactive approach to language learning with Speed Review, Listening Skills, Difficult Words and Classic Review. Users can create their own decks or piggyback off of other users. I love that this application displays a leaderboard for those who thrive off of a competitive thrill. The leaderboard allows for those studying the same deck to see the amount of words they’ve studied, words that have been retained, and points earned during game rounds. This positive reinforcement gives users a sense of progression and improvement.

Memrise can be found on IOS, android and is available on computer browsers. This application offers a modern and user-friendly approach to language learning. Before using Anki, Memrise was my go-to application for a quick and fun lesson between classes, during transport and even in the bathroom. I mean hey, we are in the business of time maximization here.

In contrast to Anki, users are unable to configure much of the SRS technicalities. You can’t change the steps or graduated intervals that new words are displayed in. Memrise’s algorithm does all of the processing for you. However, users can choose the amount of words they want to learn for each day by setting a time goal. If Anki is too much of a tech-savvy platform for you, Memrise offers a similar learning platform with less self- customization.

These are a few of my favorite community decks that include audio and interactive learning games with English translation:

• Egyptian Arabic Vocabulary

• Common Egyptian Arabic Words

• A1/A2 Beginners Egyptian Arabic (with audio)

One of my favorite features in Memrise is the ability to add friends and create groups. This is perfect for having friends keep you accountable on your learning journey! And if you don’t have any friends who are learning the same language as you, make some in a community language group on Memrise!

Now that we’ve talked about the benefits of SRS, do yourself a favor and download a SRS platform. Your retention will surely increase and you’ll thank me later. Please comment below if you’ve tried either platform listed above or others that have completely changed your life.