How to Learn English Using the Power of Flashcard Overload

Scientific research indicates the subconscious mindvocabulary.
is immensely powerful. One estimate is that onlyUse Slideshows
0.01% of all the brain's activity is experiencedNow with computer assisted tools, it is possible to
consciously. Put into everyday terms, that'screate a slideshow version of the flash card
comparable to 10,000 movies playing in the mindsystem using software such as Microsoft
all at the same time while the individual is onlyPowerpoint.
conscious of one of them.Here is where the principles from PhotoReading
In "The Speed Reading Book", Tony Buzan drawscan be utilized. While a slideshow staged at 1 slide
attention to the huge potential of the brain toevery few seconds can be very effective,
receive and retain information through reading. Heimagine assembling 120 flashcards into a slideshow
said: "Great artists, thinkers, scientists and evenand setting the speed at 1 per second. Within 2
some Presidents read at speeds of over 1,000minutes a student will have been exposed to 120
words per minute. So can you." (Chapter 7 p. 69.)different words and phrases.
Introducing PhotoReadingWhile they would not of course be able to recall
A method called PhotoReading has now gonethe 120 words or phrases, their eyes have taken
even farther, asserting you can train yourself tosnapshots and the information has gone into the
read 25,000 words a minute.subconscious mind.
Here is where the power of the subconsciousIf this is done repeatedly the mind quickly begins
mind comes in. Those using the PhotoReadingto absorb a large amount of information. This
method take a mental picture or snapshot of anexercise can be used as a 'softening up' process
entire page at a time leaving it to theto prepare the mind for more detailed
nonconscious mind to record and store theconsideration later.
information.Once a student has had a flashcard overload
That truly is information overload but amazingly,session, the slideshow can then be slowed down
numerous testimonials indicate this method worksso each slide is seen in detail. Explanation can be
for many people. Flooding the brain with whatgiven if needed on the meaning of the word or
appears to be more information than it canphrase.
reasonably absorb taps into the huge potential ofUse The Saturation Technique
the brain so it retains far more information thanBy understanding the huge potential of the brain,
reading at a steady pace.a teacher can saturate the minds of the students
Applying Photoreading Principles to Flashcardswith vocabulary knowing they will retain a
This has major implications for using visual aidsreasonable percentage of it after repeated
when teaching language. Flashcards have been anviewings.
extremely useful tool over the years for teachingOf course, a teacher will want to use discernment
words and phrases. Babies and very youngwith this method so as to avoid tiring the
children especially seem to learn quickly throughstudents, and not overuse it.
this method.At the same time, pushing the mind to operate at
Traditionally, a student is exposed to a series ofnew and higher levels will yield wonderful results in
cards containing words or phrases with or withoutthe future, not only with language learning, but
pictures. Each card is flashed before the studentwith anything a student chooses to apply their
for a few seconds and repeated perhaps two orthinking processes to.
three times during the day. This method in itself isIn conclusion: How to learn English? Use the power
very productive in getting students to rememberof flashcard overload!