The course I’m doing at the moment is a ‘no typing’ couse. The content of the course is good but I find it’s taking me ages to learn and some of it is just not sticking.
Typing is a pain, but I find I learn better with it. Perhaps it’s because it helps me focus on the sentance structure, perhaps because I have more time.
It would be great if the neccesity for typing was an option for those who like it/dislike it.
I think in general it is very difficult to learn from no-typing courses. Additionally, I think even with typing, it is hard to learn unless we take our learning outside of Memrise, even in a minimal way. If I get some flashcards wrong, I always write it down on a sheet of paper and quiz myself on it later. Usually before sleeping. Additionally, before I start learning new words, I always write them down first instead of using only Memrise. This has really helped me increase my recall rate. It may seem annoying at first, but you end up saving much more time and frustration when the new memories “stick” faster.
My experience has been a little different. I’ve found Memrise very efficient for learning new languages and have successfully used other sentence-type courses for grammer. I see typing as just an alternative media to writing.
It’s a case of ‘horses for courses’ I suppose.
I really want to do this course, but without an option to type, I shall be doing the same as you in writing things down. Time to recycle those old envelopes!
I agree, language learning theory (Meryl Streep, if I recall correctly) says that OUTPUT (i.e. typing) is just as essential as INPUT (i.e. being exposed to, hearing/seeing the language) in language learning. If you are not making the demand on your brain to PRODUCE what it knows, then you are slowing your learning down.
Just as @roflcopterlol says, this is also a limit for memrise which can’t be lifted without going out there and speaking the language with native speakers. Being able to recall vocabulary and grammar within the memrise environment is a good start (and is good for exam practise!), but unfortunately you’ll never become even “conversational” in a language this way. You must take what you’ve learnt and put it to good use!
I can’t count the number of times I’ve been in a situation where I KNOW the word (I’ve learnt it in Memrise and always get it right!) but at that moment when I’m standing in a shop, staring at a native speaker of my target language and trying to express myself, that word JUST WON’T COME (at least, not until 10 seconds later, after I’ve already made a fool of myself and left the shop - THEN I can recall it). However it is THAT act of failed recall that really helps to cement the word for next time you need to look like a darn idiot.
Agree entirely. I’m lucky and have a very active Spanish Intercambio group here. In addition, I have coffee once a week with a Spanish girl learning English. We alternate Spanish and English.
But that wasn’t my point in starting this thread. Within the bounds of Memrise, I would like very much for typing/no typing to be an option.
is it not input and output: in the psychology of learning it is the very old distinction between recall (producing yourself the target item when prompted) and recognition (simply seeing the item, hearing it etc)
Recall - more difficult for the (untrained) brain - gives a true learning rate above 80% after being performed at least 7-8 times in the first stage, and several times at various intervals (to recall afterwards could mean also writing an email/essay, using it in conversation etc). Recognition a mere 10%, max 20%, above that means you met the items before, in fact.
I am using no-typing only for languages I’ve already know somehow, and for audio comprehension, for languages in which I have major problems understanding real-time conversation (Mandarin, etc)
I know nothing of the psychology of learning but what you say makes sense Hydroptere.
I’ve been looking for the course creators (EasyAcadamy) to see if they will switch typing on but I haven’t find them yet in the new forum.
@Hydroptere I believe that “recall and recognition” is applicable to all types of subjects learnt, whereas “comprehensible input and output theory” is specific to language learning
(see Krashen, S. D. (1985). The input hypothesis: Issues and implications; and
Swain, Merrill. “The output hypothesis: Theory and research.” Handbook of research in second language teaching and learning 1 (2005).)
Being able to “recall” 100 relevant vocabulary words is frequently meaningless in the context of making meaning. Language acquisition is very complex and involves a large number of different mental processes beyond “recall”.
@silverbear If you are inquiring about a situation with a specific course perhaps you need to post in the specific forum for that topic (Spanish??). This is the general discussion forum hence I thought you were interested in having a more general discussion regarding the effectiveness of typing/no typing.
Grace, 1985 is a bit old 
. 2005 as well. Think about the very method we’re using on memrise now, and 1985…
But you’re right when you point out I did not speak only about languages, I’ve used “items”.
As secondary note, please take into account the volume of research in this domain is huge, and the US/UK have no monopoly on it; also that the experimental psy in States is dominated by silly experiments in which researchers infer rom 20-60-120 college students over 3 months to whole (and very different) populations. Not the best practice, I’d say (I’m not a psy, but received years of training in th of science).
There was in Leiden a very good experimental psy lab, at a certain moment… but I don’t have the files in here… or whas is Leuven???
@silverbear You can maybe spell the word to yourself before you look at the choices. You don’t have to look at the options rightaway.
I agree but it’s kind of just the course your on, maybe suggest it to the course maker? Though an option for taking out typing like you can with audio might be neat.
If you can you should probably write stuff down too.