How to Keep Your English Alive (and Avoid the Summer Slide)
How to Keep Your English Alive (and Avoid the Summer Slide)
Have you ever learned something… only to feel it slip away weeks later?
Yesterday, we talked about the summer slide, that sneaky skill-loss that happens when we step away from regular practice for a couple of months.
"The Summer Slide"
Psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus studied this phenomenon in the 19th century and called it the Forgetting Curve. His research showed that:
Our memory of new information starts to fade almost immediately
The drop is steepest in the first few days or weeks
Without review or practice, most of what we learn disappears quickly
As you can see, the solution isn’t cramming information or studying non-stop.
It’s consistent recall and repetition.
✅ Recall: Actively bringing a memory back, like trying to remember a word before checking it ✅ Repetition: Re‑exposing yourself to the same material at spaced intervals
Every time we do this, the forgetting curve flattens. Our memory strengthens. Learning sticks.
This is especially important in summer, when our routines are lighter and “mental vacations” are tempting. Without a bit of practice, our vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, grammar, and pronunciation can slide.
The professional version of the summer slide kids experience on school break.
Good news: You don’t need to study for hours to avoid it.
Consistency + fun is the winning formula. Here are some ideas to keep your English active this summer, without feeling like you’re back in school.
1. 🎧 Listen While You Lounge
Podcasts and audiobooks are perfect for light summer learning.
Podcasts: The English We Speak (BBC), All Ears English, Grammar Girl, The Non-Native leader
Audiobooks: Pick a story you already love in English (Harry Potter works wonders!). Or use these websites for free audiobooks for all levels: Digitalbook, Openculture, YouTube
Pair it with your walk, commute, or sunbathing session no desk required.
2. 📖 Read Short & Sweet
Long textbooks? No thanks. Summer is for bite‑sized reading.
News summaries: BBC Learning English News Review. use the news to practice your English
Short stories: Storynory (they are for kids... but I'm sure we can all find something interesting here; English E-Reader, divided by level (some even have audiobook available)
Apps like Blinkist for 15‑minute nonfiction summaries
Why this works: The brain is structured to remember narratives. Studies show that stories and emotions help information stick. If it makes you feel something, you’re more likely to remember it.
3. 🎮 Turn Learning Into a Game
Gamification makes practice fun and addictive:
Duolingo or LingQ for daily vocabulary challenges
LyricsTraining — turn your favorite songs into listening practice. Listen to the songs and fill the gaps as fast as you can
The secret? A little bit every day. These “mini wins” add up.
4. 💬 Join the Conversation (Even Solo!)
Record yourself telling a short story in English
Leave comments on LinkedIn posts in English
Try language exchange apps like HelloTalk or Tandem for 5‑minute chats
Repetition and re-exposure flatten Ebbinghaus’ Forgetting Curve and keep your brain primed.
5. ... and what about Overlearning?
Psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus discovered that if we practice more than necessary, the forgetting curve flattens dramatically.
Think about the songs you cannot forget, like… “Baby Shark.” You didn’t just hear it once. Or twice. Or three times. And I’d bet you could still sing it 10 years from now.
16 Billion views...
That’s overlearning in action. So don’t be afraid to revisit your favorite podcast, article, or song multiple times, it’s how knowledge sticks for life.
📝 Key Takeaway
Consistency beats intensity. Even 10–15 minutes a day of light, fun English practice will keep the summer slide at bay and you’ll return to September sharper than ever.
P.S. if you're afraid you'll forget everything about the forgetting curve, try this online activity "An infographic on the forgetting curve". Best way to remember!
P.P.S. what's your favourite activity to keep your brain active during the summer? Let me know!
Resources:
Ebbinghaus' Forgetting Curve:
https://www.indegene.com/what-we-think/reports/understanding-science-behind-learning-retention
