Have you ever spent hours learning a list of new foreign words, only to realize a week later that you’ve forgotten almost all of them?

It’s frustrating, but it’s not your fault. It’s how the human brain is wired.

The good news is that there is a scientifically proven method to "hack" your brain and move words from short-term memory to long-term memory. It’s called Spaced Repetition (or SRS), and it is the foundation of effective language learning.

Here is how it works and why it is the fastest way to build your vocabulary.

The Problem: The Forgetting Curve

To understand why Spaced Repetition works, we first need to look at why we forget. In the 19th century, a German psychologist named Hermann Ebbinghaus discovered the "Forgetting Curve."

He found that our brain aggressively deletes information it considers useless.

1. After 20 minutes: You forget ~40% of what you learned.
2. After 1 day: You forget ~70%.
3. After 6 days: You forget ~75-90%.

This is why "cramming" (studying hard for one night) doesn't work for learning a language. You might pass a test the next day, but a week later, the words are gone.

The Solution: Interrupting the Curve

Spaced Repetition is a technique where you review information at gradually increasing intervals.

Instead of repeating a word 20 times in one minute (which is useless), the system schedules reviews based on how well you know the word. For a new word, the intervals might look like this:

1. 15 minutes later.
2. 2 hours later.
3. 12 hours later.
4. 1 day later.
5. 3 days later.
6. 8 days later. ...and so on, eventually reaching weeks and months.

Every time you review a word just before you are about to forget it, your brain receives a signal: "This information is important. Keep it."

Why Traditional Flashcards Aren't Enough

You can try to do this manually with paper flashcards using the "Leitner System" (moving cards between different shoeboxes), but it is messy and time-consuming.

1. You have to calculate the days yourself.
2. You carry around piles of paper.
3. Crucially: Paper cards don’t have audio.

This is why digital apps like My Lingua Cards are superior.

How My Lingua Cards Automates the Process

We built our platform specifically around the Spaced Repetition algorithm so you don't have to worry about when to study. You just focus on what to study.

Here is why our approach works better than manual lists:

1. The Algorithm Does the Math

Our system tracks every single word you learn. If you know a word well, we won’t show it to you for a week. If you struggle with a word, we will show it to you tomorrow. This ensures you spend time only on the words that are difficult for you.

2. Active Recall + Context

Spaced Repetition works best combined with Active Recall. When you see the front of a card, your brain has to "work" to pull the meaning out. Unlike simple word lists, My Lingua Cards provides:

1. Visuals: To create associative memory.
2. Context: Sentences showing how the word is actually used.

3. The Importance of Audio

Language is sound. Memorizing the spelling of a word without knowing its pronunciation is only doing 50% of the work. Our flashcards include high-quality audio so you train your listening skills simultaneously with your vocabulary.

Summary: How to Start Learning Effectively

If you want to learn a language fast, stop cramming. Consistency is key.

1. Study daily: Even 10-15 minutes is enough.
2. Trust the system: Review the cards the app suggests for you today.
3. Test yourself: Don't just flip the card; say the answer out loud before checking.

Ready to stop forgetting and start mastering a new language?