Thanks to countless research into learning methods, students today are lucky that they have more information and awareness about techniques and tips to be better at studies. While some of the theories and recommendations put forward by experts are totally groundbreaking and new, among them are some fundamental principles about the learning process that have been recommended and followed forever.

One such learning strategy is learning by teaching — students who teach what they’ve learnt show better understanding and knowledge retention than students who only re-study what they learnt.

Thus, one of the most effective ways to master a subject is by teaching it to others, as reflected in Joseph Joubert’s saying, “To teach is to learn twice”. And teaching does not mean to actually take up a teaching job or tuition, but it simply means to teach the concept to fellow classmates, friends, family, or just about anyone you can get hold of to listen to you.

There has been countless research on this subject, and one such paper discussed in Psychology Today states that students who tutor others “work harder to understand the material, recall it more accurately and apply it more effectively. Student teachers score higher on tests than pupils who are learning only for their own sake.”

And this process has been given a name — the protégé effect. So, by actively teaching, you’re not only helping others learn, but you’re also enhancing your own understanding and retention of the material.

Let us look at the benefits of learning through teaching, and how you can use this technique to do better at studies.

Develops deeper understanding of the topic: To teach a concept to someone else, one needs to really know the topic well. This means breaking it down into its fundamental parts, then trying to understand it deeply so you can answer any questions or clear up any confusion that might come up.

On the other hand, if you had been studying the topic only for yourself, you would stop when you felt that you have understood it, without bothering to look at it from different angles and spot other points that need pondering over.

Reinforces knowledge through repetition: When teaching something to someone else, a person has to basically go over that material multiple times, until the other person understands it. This repetition is a practice that makes that knowledge firmly settled in your own memory. It’s like remembering the lyrics of a song that you hear several times. Teaching works in a similar way. The more you go over it, the more solid and long-lasting your understanding becomes, making you remember and recall the information when you need it in the long-term.

Improves critical thinking and problem-solving skills: When you are teaching, you are expected to answer questions from students, and also give reasons and explanations for that answer. The questions or challenges might not always be what you can anticipate, so you end up preparing better for the lesson. This is really a good thing because it makes you think deeply about the subject, look at it in different ways and come up with creative ways to explain or solve problems.

This process of thinking critically and finding creative solutions not only helps the learner, but it also deepens your own understanding of the topic.

Enhances recall: Active teaching of a topic results in better retention of it than passive methods, such as simply reading or listening to a lecture. When you take on the role of explaining and elaborating on a topic, you reinforce the memory of that information. You need to not only understand the material yourself, but also organise and present it in an understandable way for others. This mental effort makes it more likely to retain it in the long-term.

A study, published in the journal Memory & Cognition by John Nestojko, a postdoctoral researcher in psychology, based on a series of reading-and-recall experiments showed that “When compared to learners expecting a test, learners expecting to teach recalled more material correctly, they organised their recall more effectively and they had better memory for especially important information.”

Fosters a deeper connection: Teaching leads to dynamic interaction and a connection between the teacher and the student. This relationship involves mutual exchange of ideas, questions and insights, which contributes towards the richness of the learning experience. This process also creates a sense of shared intellectual growth, leaving a lasting impact on both the instructor and the student.

Improves communication skills and confidence: Effective teaching requires the teacher to make an effort to attune their teaching style to the unique needs and learning preferences of the student, while the student feels confident enough to ask questions and even offer their perspectives. This hones your communication skills and makes you a more versatile and impactful communicator.

Richard E. Mayer, an education psychologist, says in an article, Want Students to Remember What They Learn? Have Them Teach It, “If students feel confident enough to explain it to someone else, they might develop a higher self-efficacy. That’s going to be motivating to see themselves as competent learners.”

It creates a supportive and encouraging environment that promotes open communication, trust and mutual respect. As a result, both the teacher and the learner are more inclined to collaborate and explore complex concepts.

Improves social skills: Teaching helps students learn valuable social skills. Generally, students are used to communicating with people they trust, in an environment they are more comfortable and confident. But teaching may require them to come out of their comfort zone, interact with others on a level where they are in charge.

This requires them to articulate their thoughts, listen actively and adjust their communication style to ensure understanding. These skills are essential for successful social interactions.

Builds patience and tolerance: Since not all students learn at the same pace or in the same way, a teacher develops patience and tolerance to keep explaining concepts in different ways until the students grasp it.

Improves empathy and understanding: When you take on the role of a teacher, you try to be more understanding about the needs of the learner, and consider how the information might be perceived by someone who is learning it for the first time. This fosters a greater understanding of the challenges others face and you try to come up with solutions to those challenges.

Builds confidence and leadership quality: Teaching puts you in a leadership position, where you have to take charge of a situation and guide others towards understanding a topic or subject. Since students expect a teacher to have all the answers and solutions, you try to make yourself capable enough for this, through thorough understanding of what you are teaching. Knowing that you have the knowledge to guide and educate others enhances your confidence and leadership abilities.

By embracing the role of a teacher, while you are still a student, you can greatly improve not only in your studies, but also enhance various other important skills needed to do well in life.

Knowledge grows by sharing, so share what you want to learn and see how it enriches your academic journey. Happy learning and teaching!

Published in Dawn, Young World, October 7th, 2023