When I provide coaching to people studying for their licensure exams, I strongly emphasize the importance of doing additional steps beyond just reading. If you are like me (and the majority of most people) reading can be a passive form of studying--meaning that my eyes can read over the words, and meanwhile I'm thinking things like "What am I going to make for dinner?" or "I need to catch up on my laundry." So that when I close my book I have no idea what I just read. So how can we change reading from a passive form of studying to an active form of studying? Look at this image below, developed and revised by Bruce Hyland from material created by Edgar Hale. It is a great illustration of how "we tend to remember our level of involvement" with how we study.
https://platosacademic.wordpress.com/tag/bruce-hyland/
So create flash cards, take notes, record your own voice as you read aloud, and/or write down what you're reading. It will force your brain to stay engaged. A great way to test yourself on your knowledge...teach it to someone else (a partner, a friend). I can remember getting in front of the mirror and trying to teach different concepts. If I was pausing too much, tripping over words, and teaching it terribly then that was an indication to me to go back and strengthen that material. Other times I could teach a certain concept flawlessly and would realize I knew that material well. That was also a great confidence booster!
What are some great active forms of studying that you would like to share?
It is true; repetition and expanding cues with a daily mantra of recognition works. I have a process for teaching, mirroring and leading by demonstrating foreign language and to engage others with what we often think we don't know, but in fact we do know. If I recall the wisdom of poets like Gloria Sanchez correctly, who also says or the gist is that "poetry is what we thought we didn't know but we knew all the long." We find that we know more than we think, and if not, it returns from the sense of familiarity. By familiarizing ourselves with content it has a way of returning to our mindset. Looking at such content daily helps to train our brain to recognize the material. Memory sets in and bam. There you go: in this case, languages become a part of our capacity to learn while developing skills and a unique repertoire of content.
Yes I agree Imani Maryahm. Familiarity is key! I really like your explanation above. Thanks for sharing!
Greetings all, Kind reminder first name 'Imani Maryahm'. Thank you. Enjoy our solstice season...