Introduction
Learning English can sometimes feel like wrestling with a puzzle that has too many pieces.
You study the grammar rules, try to remember endless vocabulary lists, and then someone uses an idiom you’ve never heard before.
And just like that, you’re lost again.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Most learners hit this wall at some point.
The trick is finding a way of learning that makes things clearer, not more complicated.
That’s where the Feynman Technique comes in.
Originally developed by Richard Feynman, a brilliant but down-to-earth Nobel Prize–winning physicist, it’s a simple idea: if you can explain something in plain words, you’ve really understood it.
And yes, it works beautifully for learning English.
Let’s take a closer look and see how you can use it to improve your English.
What Is the Feynman Technique?
At its heart, the Feynman Technique is just four steps:
Pick something to learn. It might be a grammar rule, a new word, or a confusing phrase.
Explain it simply. Imagine you’re teaching a child—or even better, a friend who has never studied English.
Notice where you get stuck. That’s the gap in your understanding.
Go back, review, and simplify. Each round makes your explanation clearer.
It’s almost like polishing a stone. With each step, you take away rough edges until the idea shines.
Why Bother With This for English?
English is tricky because it’s not just a set of rules—it’s a living language.
Textbooks can only take you so far.
The Feynman Technique pushes you to use English actively, instead of memorising passively.
It helps you think in English instead of constantly translating.
It forces you to simplify grammar into explanations you actually understand.
It makes new vocabulary stick, because you explain it in your own words.
And perhaps best of all, it gives you confidence—you’re no longer just a learner, you’re the teacher of your own knowledge.
Real-Life Examples
Grammar: Present Perfect vs Past Simple
When I was teaching a group of students, I noticed they often mixed up the Past Simple and the Present Perfect. So I asked them a simple question:
“Have you ever been to Beijing?”
Some replied, Yes, I have been to Beijing. Others said, Yes, I went to Beijing last year. Both were correct, but they meant different things.
So I explained it like this:
Present Perfect: connects past and now. I have been to Beijing means at some point in my life, I went there. It doesn’t matter when.
Past Simple: tells us when something happened. I went to Beijing last year means it happened in the past, finished, and the time is clear.
I could see the moment it clicked for them.
Instead of memorising long grammar explanations, they just needed a simple way to separate the two: one is about life experience in general, the other is about a finished past action with a time reference.
That’s the Feynman Technique in action—break it down, explain it simply, and suddenly everyone gets it.
Vocabulary: Serendipity
Rather than repeating a dictionary definition, say:
“Serendipity is when something good happens by accident. Like finding money on the street.”
That’s the kind of definition you’ll never forget.
Idiom: It’s raining cats and dogs
You could say:
“It just means heavy rain. Example: Don’t go out—it’s raining cats and dogs.”
No need for long explanations.
How To Practise With the Feynman Technique
Keep a small notebook. After class, write down one new thing you’ve learned, and explain it in your own words.
Talk to yourself. It sounds strange, but saying an explanation out loud makes it stick.
Teach someone—your friend, your partner, even your pet. If they “get it” (or at least if you can explain without hesitation), you’ve mastered it.
Each time you repeat it, make your explanation shorter and simpler.
Watch Out for These Mistakes
Many learners fall into traps when they first try this method:
They translate everything back into their first language. That breaks the flow.
They use complicated words to “sound smart.” That defeats the purpose.
They skip the review step. But the review is where real learning happens.
Remember: the simpler your explanation, the stronger your understanding.
Beyond English
The best thing about the Feynman Technique is that it doesn’t stop at English.
Once you practise it, you’ll notice it helps with everything—from studying for exams to preparing for job interviews.
You’ll be able to break down big, confusing topics into clear, bite-sized explanations.
Conclusion
Learning English doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
If you can explain a grammar rule, a new word, or an idiom in simple, clear language, you’ve done more than learn it—you’ve mastered it.
So here’s a challenge: today, choose one piece of English you’ve always found tricky.
It could be the Present Perfect, an idiom, or even just a difficult word.
Now try explaining it, simply, as if to a child.
If you can do that, congratulations—you’re already thinking like a fluent English speaker.
