Almighty Dad | A stay at home dad blog

I just have one point to make this week about language learning, something I’ve discovered greatly helps language retention.  Remember that book I was talking about a few weeks ago that was written in 1889, The Gastineau Method?  Rather than learning a language an hour or two at a time every day, Mr. Gastineau suggests breaking your lessons into short, 15 minute or less sessions and to do as many of them throughout the day as you can.  I tried that technique this past week, and it works beautifully!  Here’s the key though: most of us are busy people, and finding time is a problem; being prepared is the key.

Make a Daily Plan:

I’ve found it necessary to make a daily plan for myself so that I can more easily have with me all the tools necessary to do my lessons no matter where I am as the day progresses.  For instance, if I know I’m going to be spending most of the day hurriedly running errands, I bring an mp3 player loaded with German audio books  – hands free.  I pop the earbuds in for a few minutes at a time throughout the day as time permits.  You’d be surprised how much learning can add up by filling in down time over the course of a day.  If I know I’m going to be waiting in lines or waiting in the bleachers at some sporting event of my kids, I bring my workbook and a dictionary.  I spend 10 minutes doing a lesson and 10 minutes watching my kid.  It’s not like he’s out there breaking records anyway.

How it Helps:

When you spend an hour at a time studying, the last 30 minutes (or so) are less effective.  Your brain starts to wander, and you lose the ability to remember most of what you study.  If you break everything into short bursts, you retain much more.  It’s that simple.  This is the same principal used for mastering a musical instrument.  Guitar instructors these days do not recommend long practice session anymore.  They say it’s better to pick up your instrument as the mood strikes you throughout the day and play for a few minutes at a time.  I had an instructor who told me to practice while watching TV.  He said “Just sit there and be a vegetable and when a commercial comes on, put the TV on mute and practice your guitar.” He was right.  It works.

That’s the only suggestion I had today.  Practice in short bursts.

Related posts:

1. Learning German Week 10: Why?
2. Learning German Week 6: Have Some Fun
3. Learning German or Learning Anything: Week 1
4. Learning German Week 9: Use Multiple Tools
5. Learning German Week 8: Achieving Immersion