One of the most common questions from Arabic learners is: "Should I spend more time reviewing old material or learning new content?" The answer is both, in the right ratio. Getting this balance right is crucial for steady, sustainable progress.
A good rule of thumb is the 70/30 rule: spend approximately 70% of your study time on review and reinforcement, and 30% on new material. This might seem like a lot of review, but remember — learning is not about exposure, it's about retention. What good is covering 100 grammar rules if you can only remember 20?
Ilm Al Lughah's spaced repetition flashcards handle much of the review work for you. Your daily flashcard session automatically surfaces cards that need reinforcement, ensuring you don't forget what you've already learned. With this system in place, you can confidently dedicate your remaining study time to new lessons without worrying about old material slipping away.
As you advance, the ratio may shift naturally. Beginners might spend more time on new material (perhaps 50/50) since everything is new and there's less to review. Advanced learners might spend 80% or more on review, since they have a vast knowledge base to maintain. Listen to your flashcard analytics — if your accuracy is dropping, you need more review time.
Practical tip: Start each study session with flashcard review (the "review" portion), then move on to a new lesson (the "new" portion). This order ensures you never skip review in favor of the more exciting new content, and it warms up your brain for absorbing new information.