Active Recall: The Secret Behind Luna's English Success

We are lucky enough to have recruited the wonderful Luna from our student ranks. Luna was a model student and already spoke several languages so we were very happy she wanted to stay on and work with us here at ABC!

I’d wondered what made Luna such an effective learner and after our first day together it was easy to see why. What I discovered was a method she’d developed for herself, one that uses active recall in a super effective way. Every day, Luna creates her own word list, focusing on vocabulary she’s encountered through her daily work and in conversations. Once she’s got her list, she doesn’t just look at it passively — instead, she tests herself on the words, trying to recall both their meanings and their correct usage in context.

This method is a key part of her routine. Whether it’s reviewing vocabulary or trying to recall phrases, she’s actively engaging her memory. What I find especially impressive is that she doesn’t use flashcards or apps; she simply relies on her own self-generated word lists and tests herself regularly. It’s a fantastic example of active recall in action, and her progress is nothing but remarkable.

And it turns out Luna’s success with this method isn’t just theoretical. The difference in her fluency and confidence in English over the past few months is clear. Her approach shows how you don’t need fancy tools — just a little time, commitment, and the ability to challenge yourself.

Seeing it work so well for Luna has reinforced for me just how powerful active recall can be for English learners. It’s simple, it’s effective, and it’s something anyone can do!

Daniel Studholme