Memorization is a technique that involves repeating information over and over again until it is stored in one’s memory. Memorization is often used by students who want to learn English as a second or foreign language, especially for vocabulary, grammar, spelling, and pronunciation. Also, many teachers encourage students to use this learning strategy. However, memorization has both advantages and disadvantages for English learning, depending on how, when, and what one memorizes.
Some of the advantages of memorization for English learning are:
Training your brain
It can help your brain remember information. Memorization challenges and expands the brain’s capacity to retain and recall information. By memorizing words, phrases, sentences, or passages, one can improve one’s memory and mental abilities.
Accurate memory
Memorization can help one master the basic elements of the English language, such as the alphabet, the sounds, the rules, and the exceptions. By memorizing these elements, we can avoid or correct common errors and speak or write more accurately and fluently.
Future learning
Memorizing can provide a foundation for further learning and understanding of the English language. By doing it, we can remember the essential facts and figures, freeing up the brain to focus on more complex and creative aspects of the language.
Now, not everything is positive, so here we have some disadvantages.
No comprehension
Memorization does not necessarily mean understanding or using the information. One can memorize a word or a rule without knowing its meaning or context. Memorization does not help us communicate effectively or appropriately in different situations. That’s why, if we choose to use it, we must also analyze the information we memorized in order to really understand it.
It can be boring
This strategy can make learning English a dull and tedious task, especially if we rely on it too much or use it for the wrong purposes. Memorization can reduce one’s interest and motivation in learning English, as well as one’s ability to think critically and creatively.
It can be confusing
If we do not review or use the information regularly, we can easily forget it. Memorization can also cause confusion if one memorizes conflicting or outdated information. Memorization can interfere with our natural learning process and style.
Finally, memorization can be a useful and effective technique for English learning, for instance, when learning irregular verbs, but only if we use it wisely and in combination with other strategies. Memorization should not be the only or main method of learning English, but rather a supplementary and complementary one. It should be combined with other techniques, such as reading, listening, speaking, writing, and interacting, to achieve a balanced and holistic English learning experience.