Chunking method: How to learn languages more efficiently

Learning long lists of vocabulary frustrates you? Feeling that you recognize words when someone else says them, but have no idea how to use them yourself?
It’s all too common for English learners to become overwhelmed by the vocabulary they are expected to know. And hours of memorizing vocabulary rarely pays off when you’re out in the real world. But there is an easier and much better way to learn new languages. It’s called chunking. This method entails learning languages in chunks. But how can you practically apply this method while learning? Let’s find out:

• What is chunking?
• What are the benefits of the chunking method?
• How to use chunking in language learning?
• When to use chunking?

---

What is chunking?

Generally speaking, chunking is the process of dividing large pieces of information into smaller ones to facilitate the retention of them. Examples of that can be found:

• with phone numbers – sequences are usually grouped in bits of 3
• when pairing items – remembering one will most likely trigger the memory of the second
• with acronyms and mnemonics – using a sentence or a group of letters to remember something

When applied to language learning, the goal of the chunking method is to learn a language in context. It means learning phrases or groups of words, rather than single words. These chunks of language could be things like fixed phrases and other lexical chunks. Some examples are “by the way” and “a sense of humor”.

What are the benefits of the chunking method?

Chunking in the context of language learning lets us take small bits of information – new words – and put them together so we have one larger phrase. A phrase is more meaningful than single words. So, it is much easier to remember.

Why is that? Technically speaking, our brains are naturally designed to see and form patterns. By feeding it chunks of language we are simplifying things for it. In turn, our brain does a wonderful job and actually remembers those chunks. Through the chunking method, many more useful phrases are available on hand when we have conversations in a second language, rather than having to fish individual words. This makes our speech much faster and more fluent.

How to use chunking in language learning?

Learners have a tendency to want to know what every single word in a phrase means. But that just isn’t helpful sometimes. Here are some examples of chunks of vocabulary:

• “what’s up?” : This is commonly used to ask “how are you?” or “what’s wrong?”. But if you were to break it down and take every meaning separately, the same phrase might make you stare at the sky, looking for planes and clouds. Or it might feel like a very philosophical question. What is up? What is down? Where am I? Learning it as a chunk, though, will ease things for you. 

or, breaking down the sentence: “I used to go to the beach every weekend when I was a kid”

• “(I) used to”: It means someone did something often in the past but doesn’t anymore. It can also be used to talk about states, so it’s very versatile. (“I used to meet my friends every Saturday morning.” or “I used to love McDonald’s when I was younger.”)
• “…when I was a kid”: This is a very natural phrase that native speakers use to talk about when they were younger.

These chunks of language stick to your memory, ready to be used whenever you need them.

*Note: Chunking facilitates it with grammar structures too. Instead of figuring out the right declination, tense or use, a phrase is already “precooked” for you with the right parameters. All you need to know is to place it appropriately.

When to use chunking?

You can use chunking every time you read or hear something in a foreign language. Break down what you hear not into single words but into chunks, some of which you have probably heard before. 

• “What are you up to today? It depends on the weather.”
• “If I were you, I’d check the forecast.”

There are three excellent chunks in just this short exchange.

---

Chunking has never been easier

Chunking is for all language learners at all levels. Beginners shouldn’t be afraid to learn very useful full sentences and questions. “Can you help me?” works much better than “Help!” and “Can I have a pint of beer, please?” is far nicer than “Beer, please.” Do beginners need to understand the nuances of the modal verb can before they use it? Not in these chunks of language, no. 

---