Combine the aphorisms that “practice makes perfect” and “timing is everything” into one and you might get something resembling findings published in this month’s issue of Psychological Science. Proper spacing of lessons, the researchers report, can dramatically enhance learning. And larger gaps between study sessions result in better recall of facts.

Conversely: Cramming – whether it’s math for a midterm or a foreign language in anticipation of a trip abroad – is not effective in the long haul.

That’s it! I haven’t been failing to study as much as I used to, I’ve just been spacing out my lessons for longer retention…

This makes me wonder though: Would you be better off spacing your Pimsleur lessons or is the new material/recycled material division already factored in?

That is what I have been telling my ESL students in China. But I don’t know if they’re listening!