Spaced Repetition for Thai Vocabulary
Why we forget, when to review, and what makes Thai vocabulary different. The science behind effective flashcards—and why generic apps fall short.
The Forgetting Curve
In 1885, Hermann Ebbinghaus made a discovery that changed our understanding of memory: forgetting follows a predictable exponential curve.
The Spacing Effect
Spreading reviews over time is dramatically more effective than cramming. This isn't intuition—it's one of the most replicated findings in cognitive psychology.
Massed Practice (Cramming)
- Feels productive in the moment
- Good for tomorrow's test
- Poor long-term retention
- Wastes time re-learning
Spaced Practice
- Feels harder initially
- Requires planning
- 50-100% better retention
- Builds lasting knowledge
Jam Kham's 3-Layer System
Most flashcard apps only use one layer of spacing. We use three—because Thai demands more.
Within-Session Micro-Spacing
New words appear 3 times per session in different formats, spaced by 2-5 other cards.
Long-Term SM-2 Scheduling
The proven SuperMemo algorithm schedules reviews across days and weeks—1 day, then 3, then 6, then adaptive.
Curriculum Sequencing
Smart ordering balances skill types (40% comprehension, 30% production, 20% listening, 10% tone) and interleaves lessons.
Why Thai Requires Specialized Features
Generic flashcard apps work fine for French or Spanish. Thai has challenges they don't address.
Tones Change Meaning
The word "mai" has 5+ different meanings depending on tone. Generic flashcards treat tones as optional.
No Word Boundaries
Thai script has no spaces between words. "ฉันกินข้าว" looks like one unit but is three words.
Classifiers Everywhere
Thai uses classifiers for counting—you can't just say "three dogs." It's "dog three classifier-for-animals."
Production vs. Recognition Gap
Reading Thai is easier than producing it. Most apps only test recognition.
The Research Behind Spaced Repetition
Our approach is grounded in over a century of memory research.
Memory decays exponentially without review. 70% of new information is forgotten within 24 hours.
Memory: A Contribution to Experimental PsychologyIntroduced the concept of graduated interval recall—reviews spaced at increasing intervals.
A Memory ScheduleMeta-analysis showing distributed practice (spacing) produces a large effect size (g=1.01) compared to massed practice.
Distributed Practice in Verbal Recall TasksTesting effect: retrieval practice produces 50% better long-term retention than re-reading.
Test-Enhanced LearningRanked practice testing as the #1 most effective learning technique out of 10 studied.
Improving Students' Learning With Effective Learning TechniquesFrequently Asked Questions
How many new words should I learn per day?
Research suggests 10-15 new words per day is sustainable for most learners. The limiting factor isn't learning—it's the review queue that builds up. Too many new words creates an unmanageable backlog within weeks.
Why does spaced repetition feel harder than re-reading?
Desirable difficulty. Active recall is cognitively demanding—that's exactly why it works. The effort of retrieving information strengthens the memory trace. Re-reading feels easy but creates weak, recognition-only memories.
Should I review every day?
Consistency matters more than duration. 15 minutes daily beats 2 hours once a week. The algorithm is designed around regular sessions—skipping creates review pile-ups that undermine the spacing benefit.
What if I keep failing the same card?
That's normal and useful. Difficult cards get more frequent reviews until they stick. Jam Kham also identifies patterns—if you consistently fail tone-related cards, you might need dedicated tone practice before more vocabulary.
Start Building Vocabulary That Lasts
Experience the 3-layer system for yourself. Start free with 50 core Thai words.