The science behind spaced repetition

Spaced repetition is a learning method where information is reviewed at increasing intervals over time. It is based on the psychological principle known as the forgetting curve, which shows how quickly we forget information without reinforcement.

By reviewing a word just before you are about to forget it, you strengthen memory retention dramatically.

Why spaced repetition is ideal for languages

Language learning involves memorising thousands of words, phrases, and structures. Spaced repetition helps by:

Reducing total study time
Preventing over-review of easy items
Focusing effort on words you are about to forget

This makes it far more efficient than traditional cramming.

Active recall vs passive review

Spaced repetition systems usually rely on active recall—forcing you to remember a word before seeing the answer. This is significantly more effective than passive reading or re-listening.

Spaced repetition in modern language apps

Most high-quality language learning apps use a variation of the SM-2 algorithm, originally developed for memory training. These systems adapt review timing based on your performance, ensuring optimal learning efficiency.

Spaced repetition is not just a productivity trick—it is one of the most evidence-based tools available for long-term language retention.