The Art of Teaching with Repetition

 

I have spent years teaching international students who transition from different educational systems into the English education system. The English system is designed to foster discovery, individual learning, and growth. The more curious you are about learning, the better you become. It is also based on the principle that learning is like building blocks, the more you learn, the more you build on previous knowledge, and the stronger your foundation becomes. However, many international students struggle to understand this concept.

One of the techniques I frequently use in my teaching is repetition. In education, repetition involves reinforcing key concepts by restating or revisiting them multiple times. It is an essential tool that helps students grasp and retain information. As an art, repetition is a deliberate strategy teachers use to reinforce learning, ensuring students absorb important concepts effectively.

The Role of Repetition in Teaching

Repetition can be applied in various ways for the following purposes:

·         Serving as a Reminder: The effectiveness of repetition depends on the level of students you are teaching. When introducing new concepts, repetition helps remind learners of the key ideas being taught, keeping them focused. Reiterating lesson objectives ensures that students understand where they are in the learning process and where they are headed. Without this reinforcement, they may lose track, especially if the lesson is complex or lengthy.

·         Emphasizing Key Points: Repetition is useful for emphasizing critical aspects of a lesson. When a concept is central to understanding an entire topic, repeating it reinforces its importance and helps students remember it.

·         Facilitating Rote Learning: In some cases, repetition serves the purpose of rote learning, getting students to repeat key information until it sticks in their memory. This method is beneficial when memorization is necessary, such as learning definitions, formulas, or language structures.

I have found that repetition is especially effective for learners who are unsure about what they need to focus on, those adjusting to a new education system, or those transitioning from one discipline to another. By reinforcing concepts through repetition, teachers can give learners the confidence and clarity they need to navigate their learning journey successfully.

What teaching strategies work best for your learners? Share your experiences in the comments!