How memory and concentration training improves English language learning

How we improve English teaching at The Bridge: mnemonics, memory training, and concentration

When teaching English to adults (in companies and public courses), we often see the same thing: people are skilled and motivated, but they are held back by an overloaded mind, scattered attention, and the feeling that they “can’t remember anything.” As the director of The Bridge language school, I have therefore long been interested not only in teaching methodology, but also in how memory, attention, and learning work, and how we can apply this knowledge to make lessons more effective and enjoyable.

In January, I completed an Erasmus+ mobility program in Prague at the Czech Society for Memory Training and Brain Jogging (ČSTPMJ). The goal was clear: to bring home proven techniques that could be immediately put into practice and then passed on to our teachers as part of internal training.

Why do we focus on memory and cognitive functions in language learning at The Bridge?

Learning a language is not just about textbooks and vocabulary. It is also about how we store information, how we can retrieve it at the right moment (for example, at a meeting), and whether we can concentrate even after a hard day’s work.
That’s why at The Bridge we work with an approach that combines:
– language methodology (communication, systematic skill building),
– memory and concentration training (practical techniques in class), and mental “simplification” of learning (so that students aren’t overwhelmed with too much at once).
The result? Less frustration, more “aha” moments, and faster progress, whether it’s business English, conversation, or general English for the public.

What Prague gave me: memory training in practice, not just theory

ČSTPMJ has been working systematically for many years to train memory as a practical skill, not as a “talent.” This approach is very close to my heart.
Every day was intense and very practical. From the very first minute, we tried out the techniques on ourselves.

We trained:
– associations and imagination,
– connections (how to create “hooks” in your head),
– attention and working with distractions,
and simple combinations of movement + thinking that improve concentration.

The training was inspiring not only in terms of content, but also in terms of the trainers. Ms. Danuše Steinová, Diana Chrástková, Petra Hirtlová, and Kleplová Věra were fantastic lecturers, not only as experts, but also as people.
There were also several “wow” moments. When you realize in a short time that you can remember much more than you thought, your attitude towards learning as such changes. Learning languages is really not about talent, but about the time and energy we put into the process.

What I teach our instructors so that we can transfer my knowledge and experience into English language teaching (corporate courses and the general public)

I have learned specific techniques that increase the effectiveness of English lessons and can be used without turning the lesson into a lecture on the brain.

1) Attention and concentration
It is no longer just corporate courses that are attended by tired people with reduced ability to concentrate. Teenagers and children also have this problem. We have incorporated short concentration “starts” into our teaching, which improve the quality of the lesson and reduce feelings of fatigue.
We include simple, inconspicuous elements:
– short focus exercises,
– alternating activities so that the brain does not burn out,
– gentle connection of movement and thinking (for example, finger gymnastics lifts the mood and concentration).
2) Use of pictures, mnemonics, and visual maps
Vocabulary is important for English. Simple exercises with pictures and mnemonics help create a “hook” that retains information.
– quick associations for new expressions,
– mini-stories for collocations (make a decision, take responsibility…),
– visual maps on topics (meeting, sales, HR, travel).

The training inspired me to create a new course for English teachers, which I now teach as part of our internal training program. We focus on the cognitive health and cognitive capacity of our students—that is, how to make the best use of their attention, energy, and potential when learning a language.

Our teachers are trained in coaching techniques and emotional intelligence. They know how to respect the individual needs of students, tune in to them, and build on their strengths. Now we are adding another level to this – the conscious use of knowledge about how memory, movement, and senses work in learning.

This course is also extremely interesting for me as a trainer. Not only do I share my experience and knowledge, but I also learn from my colleagues in the field. Together, we seek answers to questions such as: How can we keep students’ attention? How can we help them remember more? How can we incorporate movement and the senses into teaching? How can we respect the cognitive capacity of different people at different times of the day or stages of life?

The goal is simple: more effective English lessons in which people learn more easily and remember more.

If you are learning English and feel that you just can’t seem to grasp it, it is often not a question of ability, but rather the methods and approaches chosen by your teachers. At The Bridge, we put the principles of effective learning into practice in a way that is natural and useful. We value teachers who are not only excellent English speakers, but who also know how to teach with respect for the student, their pace, goals, and current needs.

Edited by: Klaudia Bednárová / Vanessa Kimličková

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Národná agentúra programu Erasmus+ pre vzdelávanie a odbornú prípravu (SAAIC). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.