SESSION #4: STUDY TECHNIQUES
People have different learning styles, different experiences, and different levels of motivation and interest. That's why there are activities that fit various learning styles. You don't have to do them all, but I encourage you to pay attention to which activities work the best for you and your family because those are the ones that will get you the results you want in the least time during this lesson and during future ones. Don't assume that everyone in your family will learn the same way--but do remember that sometimes it can be good to learn things using our less-dominate learning styles.
People have different learning styles, different experiences, and different levels of motivation and interest. That's why there are activities that fit various learning styles. You don't have to do them all, but I encourage you to pay attention to which activities work the best for you and your family because those are the ones that will get you the results you want in the least time during this lesson and during future ones. Don't assume that everyone in your family will learn the same way--but do remember that sometimes it can be good to learn things using our less-dominate learning styles.
IF YOU CAN'T REMEMBER THE WORD...
- Over-the-top Story Time - We remember what is outrageous. What makes us laugh, makes us cry, makes us mad. If you have a word you can't remember, make up a very short story using that word and make it outrageous. I can give you an example...but what makes it memorable is the fact that it's relevant for you, so your story would be different than mine. I'd love to hear your stories, however. Share them through the contact page or via Facebook. An example: "mil" = thousand. The mill-keepers daughter was cursed by a wicked witch and imprisoned in an ancient mill for 1000 years. (Obviously when she was rescued she cried out "¡Mil gracias!")
- Make it Relevant Over Time - We remember what we know we will need for the future. There are lots of ways to make a word relevant for the future. One way is penny punishments / penny rewards. Determine the words everyone in the family is having trouble with and make a list of them. Each family member is responsible for randomly and unexpectedly quizzing the others at various unannounced points in the day. If the other person answers correctly they earn a penny. (Variations would include losing a penny for incorrect answers, having a family penny jar where all of the earnings are kept together for a family-wide reward, etc.) Another way involves setting a timer for 10 to 15 minutes past your focused study session. End your study session by thinking of the words you are struggling with and reminding yourself you'll be tested again when the timer goes off. When the timer goes off, quickly test yourself on the words and then reset it. Repeat the process until you are easily remembering all of the words.
- Slow Down and Look - Frequently when we don't remember something it's because we didn't really hear it or process it in the first place. Slow down and really look at the word or phrase. Focus your full attention on it. What does it look like? What does it sound like? What does it mean? Imagine the letters as 3D objects you can touch and feel. Sound out each letter. Think about a situation where you would use it.
- 20 Connections - When we learn new things we learn them because they have build connections into our lives. If you have a stubborn word or phrase, intentionally create 20 connections between it and your life or knowledge you already have. For example, if it's a kitchen related phrase (like "Gracias por la comida") and you go stand in the middle of your kitchen and say it at the top of your lungs, you've just built a connection. If you remind yourself that the word "gracias" sounds a bit like "grateful" that's a connection. If you imagine yourself saying "Gracias por jugar tranquilo" to a lion after rough-housing and emerging unscratched, that's a connection. It takes a while to build 20 connections, but it's definitely something that will help!
IF YOU CAN'T SPELL THE WORD...
- The Gobble-Gobble Spelling Sheet - Practice sheet + Instructions Just slip the instructions into a sheet protector and use them again and again. Plus, save paper by printing the practice sheet two-sided.
- Practice Your Pronunciation - Unlike English, Spanish words are almost always pronounced just like they are spelled. If you are having trouble spelling a word, chances are you are having trouble pronouncing it as well or you are making a repetitive error in your pronunciation. Go through the introductory activities again focusing on repeating after the speakers or go visit the www.wordreference.com, search for the word(s) you are having trouble with, and practice pronouncing them slowly and carefully.
IF YOU AREN'T FAST ENOUGH WITH THE WORD...
- Internet Games - Virtual flashcards, Space Race, Matching and More. Lesson 1 Just Words, Lesson 1 Full Phrases
- Circle Slap or Regular Slap - Take all of the words you and your family struggled with and put them on little cards. Put the cards out on the middle of a table so you can see either the Spanish side or the English side and then have one family member call out words and see who can grab the card the fastest. If you have the Spanish side up, they would call out the English words and vice versa. Whoever wins calls out words during the next round! Circle Slap is similar, but can be played just with a sheet of paper. Randomly write the words that you need to study all over a piece of paper. Put some of them upside down, right side up, angled, etc. All over the place! Then, give all the participants (usually three is about the max) different colored writing implements. Their goal is to be the first person to fully circle the word that's called out.
- Tight Timer - One of the best things you can do is to study with time pressure--after all when you use the words, you'll be using them in the flow of conversation and that comes with time pressure. Start slowly...if it takes you 30 seconds to think of a phrase, cut down the time you allow yourself to 20 seconds or 25 seconds. Then cut down the time even more. Do the same with how fast you say the word.
