To Learn Something, Explain It to Yourself Out Loud

Talking to yourself can get you funny looks from other people. But muttering under your breath can be a helpful way to learn a new concept or skill. When you’re studying something new, either reading about it or listening to others explain it, take the time to pause and summarize out loud what you’re learning. This serves two purposes: First, it slows you down — and when you’re more deliberate, you gain more from the learning experience. Second, it cements the new knowledge by forcing you to consider questions like “What do I find confusing? Do I really know this well enough to explain it?” Whether you hit the pause button while listening to a podcast, or stop to reflect while reading a manual, tell yourself what you’re learning — maybe just don’t do it in public.

Adapted from “Talking to Yourself (Out Loud) Can Help You Learn,” by Ulrich Boser