What is Memrise and why should I use it?

With Memrise.com , you can either taking existing courses to help you learn new vocabulary or build your own. The reason that it is so effective is due to the use of visual memory aids. These memory aids help to ensure that whatever you are learning is stuck in your mind and is easy to recall when necessary.

As an example, let’s say that you are a student learning IELTS vocabulary. You can do it the old way by reading through a list of words and constantly drilling yourself through quiz after quiz. The other way is to use Memrise and one of their IELTS lists already built and ready to go for learners like you. Get a free account at Memrise.com and then login. Go to this IELTS  vocabulary course to take a look. Once you are in you will see the following:

Now all that you need to do is click on the continue learning button to start the course. As you move along you will select the memory aids that work best or create your own for each word that you see. Here is one example:

Now I can select from a series of different “mems” to help me remember or upload my own.

It really is as simple as that. And it is 100% free. There are more free IELTS courses as well.

If you are taking the TOEFL, there are many different free TOEFL vocabulary courses as well.

Here is more information take directly from the Memrise site:

Memrise is based on several important scientific discoveries about how we learn. First, our system of mems (mnemonics and memory aids) promotes elaborate encoding- encouraging the learning brain to do more by engaging the imagination, and thus helping lay down stronger, more durable memories.

Secondly, Memrise makes use of Spaced Repetition, helping you review items at expertly spaced intervals to help you maintain them in memory in the most efficient manner possible. Reminders space out in time as your knowledge for an item gets deeper, meaning you don’t forget, but don’t waste time reviewing what you already know.

Third, Memrise systematically exploits the Testing Effect, which shows that by actively recalling a memory, you strengthen it. Because the degree of strengthening to a memory correlates with the difficulty of the test, Memrise automatically makes the tests more difficult over time, again helping you boost your learning in the best way possible.