Most people see talking to yourself as a quirky habit, something you do when you’re nervous, frustrated or trying to remember where you left your keys. But when it comes to learning, self-talk isn’t something to hide. In fact, it can be one of the most powerful tools a student has.
Psychologists call it verbal self-explanation and it plays a key role in strengthening memory and understanding. When a student talks through a problem aloud whether it’s a maths equation, a paragraph of English analysis or a science concept the brain processes the information more deeply. Speaking forces ideas to become organised, structured and logical.
It’s the same reason people often say; “It makes more sense when I say it out loud”.
Self-talk helps students identify gaps in their understanding. When something doesn’t quite make sense, it becomes obvious the moment they try to explain it. This gives them a chance to correct misconceptions before those mistakes become ingrained.
Tutors can incorporate this by encouraging students to “think aloud” during sessions. Instead of silently working through a problem, students verbalise each step such as; why they chose a method, what they expect to happen and how they know if the answer is correct. This turns invisible thinking into visible learning.
Self-talk is also incredibly useful for revision. Students might walk around the room explaining a topic as if delivering a mini lecture or they might talk through an exam question as though coaching themselves. The act of speaking creates stronger memory cues because multiple parts of the brain such as auditory, linguistic and cognitive are activated at once.
Of course, students don’t need to perform a full monologue in the library. Even whispering or quietly mouthing explanations can have the same effect. The point isn’t volume, it’s clarity.
So next time a student feels stuck, overwhelmed or unsure where to begin, the solution might be unexpectedly simple, say it out loud. Sometimes the best study partner isn’t a friend or a tutor, it’s your own voice guiding you through the thinking.
Isabella Naumovski