Do you have a movie, book, or song (or all!) where you can remember every scene, word, and moment? There’s a good reason why your memory works so well in certain instances and not others, and it’s not dementia.
Our memory works better when something touches us emotionally. When it connects to our human experience, something about that movie you watch over and over sparks an emotional reaction in you. You feel connected to the character, almost like they’re telling your story.
Once you connect, your memory gets a power thrust and works at its highest potential. We can use this in learning English to help us remember new words, phrases, and grammar rules.
The Problem with Traditional Textbooks
One problem I always had when teaching at schools were the textbooks. Most of the time, they try to stay inoffensive. They tell general stories that are dry and, as a result, they lack emotional connection. I’ve never met a student who was inspired by their textbook in English!
It’s also the same reason why the news is always full of drama and bad things. It puts our amygdala on high alert and keeps us watching.
Drama. Tension. Connection. Entertainment. They are your gateways to a great memory.
How Emotions Help You Remember
Our brains have a special part called the limbic system, which is responsible for emotions and memory. When you feel a strong emotion—happiness, sadness, or surprise—the limbic system helps mark that information as important.
Imagine your emotions are like a highlighter for your brain. The more emotion you feel, the brighter the highlight on that new word or phrase. This process, called the “emotion-enhanced memory effect,” is why you can recall the lyrics to your favorite song instantly, but might forget a word from a textbook list.
This is why meaningful learning is so important. When you connect with a story, you don’t just read the words; you feel what the characters feel. This makes the language stick in your memory.
The Power of Stories in the Classroom
This is why I love teaching with literature. Students go home with much more than just new vocabulary. They go home with revelations, deeper understanding, and wider perspectives. And a better memory for their English.
My book series, the Rise of the Baker’s Dozen, teaches English through literature by using universal themes that affect us all. From bullying to egoism, death and rebirth, body image and self-esteem.
Students don’t have to like the story, but I can guarantee they’ll have something to say about the theme. And with a bit of luck, they’ll discover something about themselves they didn’t know before.
You can find my stories and many activities on: https://avatarenglish.com/short-stories/
Book a free 30-minute session with me to see how learning with stories can teach you much more than just English.