The Power of Practice: Why Memorization Matters at Every Proficiency Level

In this LARC Book Club session, we explore how language learners move from memorized, formulaic utterances—the hallmark of the Novice level—toward increasingly flexible, spontaneous, and expert-like communication. Cognitive science reminds us that memorization is not merely a beginner’s shortcut; it is a necessary and productive pass-through stage that lays the foundation for later proficiency. But it doesn’t end there. Even Intermediate and Advanced learners benefit from deliberate, ongoing memorization—acquiring new lexical chunks, syntactic patterns, discourse routines, and culturally grounded expressions that expand what they can say with ease. We’ll discuss how intentional practice, meaningful repetition, and structured routines help learners automate essential building blocks, freeing cognitive space for higher-level thinking, creativity, and real communication. Rather than viewing memorization and drills as outdated, we’ll reframe them as strategic tools that support learners throughout the entire proficiency journey.

Chapters 5 & 6 of Why Don’t Students Like School? : A Cognitive Scientist Answers Questions about How the Mind Works and What It Means for the Classroom 2nd Edition.

Why don’t students like studying a language? What does cognitive science reveal about memory, motivation, and meaning in learning—and how can these insights transform our teaching?

Join us for a five-session book club on Daniel Willingham’s Why Don’t Students Like School? : A Cognitive Scientist Answers Questions about How the Mind Works and What It Means for the Classroom 2nd Edition.

Together, we’ll connect research on how the mind works with the aims of a BYU education, asking how we can make language teaching both intellectually enlarging and spiritually strengthening.

4010 JFSB

12:00–12:50 p.m.

• January 7 – Is Drilling Worth It? & Thinking Like Experts (Ch. 5–6)
• February 4 – Different Types of Learners & Helping Slow Learners (Ch. 7–8)
• March 4 – Technology & Learning & What About My Mind? + Conclusion (Ch. 9–10)

• Lively discussion of two chapters per session
• Practical connections to foreign language teaching
• Big-picture reflection on how our courses align with BYU’s educational aims
• Community of practice with colleagues who care about meaningful, spiritually strengthening teaching

Book Access: Why Don’t Students Like School? (2nd edition) – EbookCentral link

BYU Aims: aims.byu.edu