How to Use the Pomodoro Study Technique to Master Spanish Fluency
Have you heard of the Pomodoro technique? It’s a time management method that helps you study with greater efficiency and concentration.
This focus technique has grown in popularity lately, thanks to the pandemic and the related increase in people who work and study from home.
But can the Pomodoro technique really help you master Spanish fluency? How does it work, and is it effective for studying?
Read this blog post for the answers to these questions and more!
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What is the Pomodoro Technique?
Created and developed by Francesco Cirillo, in the late 1980s, the Pomodoro technique is useful in a variety of situations, including studying and working on projects and tasks.
When he began to experiment with this technique, Cirillo used a kitchen timer in the form of a tomato—a “pomodoro” in Italian. That’s where the technique got its unusual name.
The method divides long working or study sessions into manageable blocks of time, with brief “rewards” or breaks built in between each session.
While it may seem like working long hours is the best way to be productive, the truth is actually just the opposite. Studies show that short work sessions broken up by short breaks are better for concentration and efficiency than long work sessions.
How can this be? Let’s learn a bit about the science behind this revolutionary procedure.
The Science behind the Pomodoro Technique
According to several trustworthy sources, the attention span of a fully grown adult is around 20 minutes. After that, lapses in attention tend to occur. While most people can refocus their attention on the subject they are working in or studying, it is easier said than done.
Losing your attention in the middle of a studying session is problematic. Paying attention feels more like a chore or an obligation, instead of a natural process.
For that reason, the Pomodoro Technique is revolutionary. Check out some of its scientifically proven benefits:
- Better concentration
- Improved motivation
- Less decision fatigue
- Reduced stress
- Minimizes the need to multitasking
- Limit distractions
Learning more about the science behind the Pomodoro technique.
Hand-picked for you: 5 Easy Strategies That Actually Make You Fluent
How Does the Pomodoro Technique Work?
First things first. A “pomodoro” is a 25-minute interval of time. A set consists of four pomodoros.
When starting out with the Pomodoro technique, the first step is to choose your task for the session. As a Spanish student, your task will involve a specific method of studying Spanish, such as reading, listening to a podcast, or watching a video lesson in Spanish.
Once you have your objective task, it’s time for your first pomodoro. Set a timer for 25 minutes.
Study with all your concentration on the task at hand. When the timer goes off, record what you did during your first pomodoro on your phone, planner or notebook.
Next, take a 5-minute break. Take a rest to stretch, go to the bathroom, get a drink of water, or go for a short walk. Try to avoid being on your phone or computer to make it a real break. Simply scrolling on social media for five minutes will probably not refresh your mind as much as breathing fresh air and not looking at a screen.
Repeat the pomodoro-break process three more times. After your fourth pomodoro, take a longer break, for 30 minutes to an hour.
Congratulations, you just completed your first pomodoro set!
Summary of the Pomodoro Method
These steps are known as the core process:
- Choose your task for the session
- Set your timer and work for 25 minutes
- Make note of your work session
- Take a 5-minute break
- Repeat 3 more times
- Take a longer break
For more in-depth information about the core process, watch this video.
See also: 5 Tips to Learn Basic Spanish Faster
Why Use the Pomodoro Technique to Learn Spanish?
We’ve talked about how easy it is to work in pomodoros, and how helpful it is for time management. But, what are the benefits of the Pomodoro technique?
Starting is Simple
All you have to do is download an app, set an extension in your browser, or set your timer—and it’s pomodoro time!
If 25 minutes of uninterrupted study seems intimidating, shorten it to 15-20 minutes. Once your brain gets used to focusing, you’ll be surprised how fast 25 minutes go by! You may even want to increase your pomodoro time to 30 minutes, but no more than that.
Fewer Distractions and Interruptions
The brilliance of the Pomodoro technique is that it helps you avoid distractions. Answering that text message or email can wait. According to the rules, once you set a timer, you have to work until it goes off.
Improve Your Productivity
Like any other study technique, getting used to the Pomodoro method takes time and effort on your part. With practice, you’ll be able to study and immerse yourself in Spanish for a longer overall period using this time-management method.
Soon, studying and focusing will become second nature, and you’ll be able to plan your Spanish learning sessions knowing what needs more of your attention and where you have to put your efforts.
Pomodoro Technique Resources
Pomodoro technique inventor Francesco Cirillo encourages a low-tech approach to the Pomodoro technique. In other words, he suggests using paper, pencil, and a mechanical timer rather than an app. Remember to download our FREE Pomodoro technique planner above!
Or, if you prefer digital tools, check out these online Pomodoro technique resources:
- Pomodoro Timer
- Marinara is a free Chrome extension
- Forest app
- Focus To-Do planner and timer
Focus on Learning Spanish
Just like the Pomodoro Technique, learning Spanish helps you to improve your cognition and decision-making abilities. In the competitive world we live in today, it’s essential to stand out from the crowd, and being bilingual is a surefire way to do just that. Fluency in Spanish helps you not only to get better and cooler jobs but also to earn more money.
When it comes to studying Spanish, time management is half the battle! The other half you can conquer with the help of a professional, native Spanish-speaking instructor in 1-on-1, interactive Spanish classes. To see for yourself how productive our method is, sign up for a free trial class today at Homeschool Spanish Academy!
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