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> Rule: Understand First Good in theory. Sometimes time crunches don't allow that, and to be honest after having used Anki for many years there are quite a lo
by michaelcampbell 4y ago
> Rule: Understand First
Good in theory. Sometimes time crunches don't allow that, and to be honest after having used Anki for many years there are quite a lot of times where I rote-memorized a card and as I learned more about the subject the understanding came later.
Usually this is when there are several cards hitting different aspects of a given topic; as I gain understanding in one area, it comes in another.
So this is very much a "nice to have" rule of thumb.
For me, people vary. But I'd rather have the card and come to understanding than not have it.
- jbstack 4y agoI've found a similar logic applies to language learning. There's plenty of advice out there dismissing book / flashcard learning and saying you just need to get out and practice speaking with natives. In reality, you can't understand someone or form a sentence in reply if you don't know any of the words. Memorising thousands of words / phrases might not make you fluent but it's an important first step. When you're confronted by a real situation you'll now be able, with a lot of struggling, to put together a vaguely correct sentence. Eventually it will come naturally.