If you sometimes struggle to remember things, then a simple trick could help: all you have to do is read it out aloud…
Yep, it’s the sort of tip you might not have tried since trying to recall your times tables at primary school, but scientists have found that speaking and reading out aloud helps words stick in your long-term memory.
That’s according to a team at the University of Waterloo in Canada, who found that the dual action of speaking and hearing yourself talk has the most positive effect on memory.
‘This study confirms that learning and memory benefit from active involvement, study co-author Professor Colin MacLeod wrote in the journal Memory.
‘When we add an active measure or a production element to a word, that word becomes more distinct in long-term memory, and hence more memorable.’
The team concluded this after getting 95 volunteers to test out four different types of learning: reading silently, hearing someone else read, listening to a recording of themselves reading, and reading out aloud.
And, results showed that the final method produced the best memory recall.
MacLeod added: ‘When we consider the practical applications of this research, I think of seniors who are advised to do puzzles and crosswords to help strengthen their memory.
‘This study suggests that the idea of action or activity also improves memory. And we know that regular exercise and movement are also strong building blocks for a good memory.’
So, next time you really need to remember a new password or pin code, you know what to do…
