When we were children, thinking aloud—vocalizing our thoughts—helped us grasp new concepts and practice communication.
Known as private speech, this behavior played a key role in how we learned to speak, understand, and process information.
While we tend to internalize this process as we grow older, private speech continues to be a powerful tool, especially in unfamiliar or challenging situations.
It helps us solve problems, regulate emotions, and guide our actions.
This article will explore private speech, its importance, and how you can use it to boost your learning efficiency.
What is private speech?
Private speech is a form of self-directed talk that we use to process thoughts, solve problems, and manage tasks. It’s a way to structure your thinking by verbalizing it, either aloud or in your head. While we often associate it with early childhood, private speech remains important throughout our lives.
In childhood: As children, we use private speech to practice language, form sentences, and work through problems.
For example, children might say, “I need to put the blocks here” when building something. It helps them understand the world and perform tasks.
As adults: Even though we stop verbalizing our thoughts as frequently, we still use private speech to help us navigate challenging or unfamiliar situations. Think about the last time you faced a tough task—perhaps you found yourself talking through the steps out loud or mentally guiding yourself through a decision.
In learning: Whether learning a new skill or reviewing material, private speech remains an important cognitive tool. It helps you make sense of difficult information by breaking it down into smaller, manageable parts.
Why is private speech effective?
Private speech works because it engages multiple areas of the brain, activating both verbal and cognitive functions. When you speak, you also hear, process, and respond to your own voice. This multi-sensory engagement strengthens memory, focus, and understanding. Here’s why it’s so effective:
Improved focus: Talking yourself through a task forces you to focus on each step, reducing distractions and keeping you on track. It’s like having an internal guide.
Enhanced memory retention: Verbalizing your thoughts reinforces learning by combining auditory and cognitive functions.
For example, repeating vocabulary out loud when learning a language helps cement those words in your memory.
Clarification of thoughts: Complex tasks can feel overwhelming. Breaking them down verbally helps simplify the steps and makes it easier to understand the overall process.
Emotional regulation: Private speech is not just for intellectual tasks. It also helps manage emotions. When faced with stress or frustration, speaking aloud can calm you and restore focus.
For instance, telling yourself, “Stay calm, I can do this,” provides a reassuring and motivational boost.
Examples of private speech in everyday learning
Private speech is used more often than we realize, even in adulthood. Below are common situations where we rely on it:
| Situation | How Private Speech Helps |
|---|---|
| Learning a new language | Repeating vocabulary aloud helps with memorization and pronunciation. |
| Solving math problems | Talking through each step aloud clarifies complex equations. |
| Editing an essay | Reading the text out loud helps catch grammatical errors and awkward phrasing. |
| Practicing a presentation | Speaking out loud improves fluency, confidence, and timing. |
| Managing stress | Talking to yourself can calm nerves, reduce anxiety, and improve focus. |
Insight: Why hearing matters
The auditory component of private speech plays a significant role in reinforcing learning. When you hear your own voice, your brain processes the information differently than when it is only internalized. This is why verbal repetition—such as repeating key points aloud when studying—can make information stick more effectively. Engaging auditory processing is like using another layer of reinforcement to boost retention.
How private speech supports learning
Let’s dive deeper into how private speech helps enhance learning in practical ways. It’s not just about talking—it’s about how it helps us navigate challenges, focus our efforts, and retain what we learn.
1. Planning tasks
Private speech helps you plan by vocalizing each step of a task. When you hear yourself outline the task, you solidify your mental roadmap, making it easier to execute.
Example: Before writing an essay, saying aloud, “First, I’ll outline the introduction, then move to my main points,” gives structure and reduces the overwhelm of starting from scratch.
Extra insight: Saying tasks out loud creates a sense of commitment. By verbalizing your intentions, you reinforce your focus and make it more likely that you’ll follow through with the plan. This is especially helpful when managing large projects or assignments.
2. Monitoring progress
Private speech provides real-time feedback as you work, keeping you aware of your progress and any challenges. By verbalizing your thoughts, you stay focused on your goals and can quickly identify areas that need attention.
Cognitive benefits:
Speaking aloud activates metacognition, helping you reflect on your performance and make adjustments. This active monitoring improves self-awareness and ensures you’re staying on track.
Example: While studying, you might say, “I understand this section, but I need to review the next part,” helping you shift focus to where it’s needed.
Real-time course correction:
Verbalizing progress allows you to catch problems early, preventing time wasted on concepts you already know or silent struggles.
Motivational boost:
Private speech also acts as a motivator. Saying, “I’m almost there” or “I’ve got this” encourages you to push through tough or lengthy tasks, keeping your momentum strong.
3. Problem-solving
Private speech is an invaluable tool for problem-solving because it allows you to break down complex tasks step by step. By vocalizing each part of the process, you externalize your thinking, making it easier to track your progress and evaluate your approach.
Improves attention and focus:
Verbalizing steps helps maintain focus by reducing distractions and keeping you grounded in the task at hand. It narrows your attention to the immediate issue, preventing your mind from wandering or becoming overwhelmed by the overall complexity of the problem.
Example: When troubleshooting a computer issue, saying, “First, I’ll check the power, then I’ll review the settings,” keeps your mind anchored on the immediate task rather than spiraling into worry over the final outcome.
Facilitates deeper understanding:
Speaking through each problem-solving step helps you internalize the logic behind each action. By explaining the problem out loud, you engage in active learning, reinforcing the concepts and methodologies that underpin the solution.
Encourages reflective thinking:
Private speech fosters reflective thinking by prompting you to question each step as you verbalize it. By hearing yourself explain the process, you become more critical of your methods, which encourages you to evaluate whether your approach is effective or if adjustments are needed. This reflection leads to higher-quality problem-solving.
Example: During a team project, you might say, “If we choose this approach, it will save time but might reduce quality. Let’s think through the trade-offs.” This promotes thoughtful consideration of options, leading to more informed decisions.
Collaborative problem-solving boost:
Even in solo tasks, private speech can simulate collaboration. By speaking through the problem, you mimic the benefits of explaining it to someone else. This can deepen your understanding, as explaining ideas out loud—even to yourself—improves clarity and retention.
4. Self-regulation
Private speech is a powerful tool for managing behavior and emotions, especially in moments of stress, distraction, or frustration. By verbalizing positive self-talk, you can regain control, focus, and motivation, turning overwhelming situations into manageable tasks.
Behavioral and emotional control:
When you’re emotionally overwhelmed, private speech creates a mental buffer between feeling and reaction. By verbalizing your thoughts, you slow down impulsive responses, giving yourself time to reflect before reacting. This pause allows for more rational decision-making, as you verbally guide yourself through the emotional process.
- How it works: Instead of reacting immediately to stress or frustration, saying something like, “Let’s take a deep breath and tackle this one step at a time,” can ease emotional tension and prevent rash decisions. This type of self-talk provides emotional grounding, giving you the space to choose a calmer, more deliberate course of action.
Preventing procrastination:
Private speech can counter procrastination by shifting your focus from the anxiety of the task to the action required. By speaking your intentions out loud, such as “Let’s start with the first step,” you break the mental barrier that often leads to procrastination. This reframing turns what seems like an intimidating task into something that feels manageable.
- Why it works: Procrastination is often driven by fear or avoidance of the task. Private speech reframes the task in a positive or neutral light, reducing avoidance by focusing on immediate actions rather than the entirety of the work. By verbally guiding yourself through the initial steps, you create momentum that reduces the mental resistance to starting.
5. Learning new skills
Learning something new can be challenging, but private speech makes the process more manageable by breaking down complex tasks into smaller, more digestible steps. Verbalizing instructions helps reinforce understanding and guides you through unfamiliar territory, reducing cognitive strain.
Cognitive structuring and clarity:
When learning a new skill, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the number of unfamiliar elements you need to remember. Private speech simplifies this by externalizing the steps, allowing your brain to focus on each one individually. This verbal structuring helps clarify what needs to be done at each stage, reducing the mental load of juggling multiple tasks at once.
Example: When learning to drive, you might say, “Check the mirrors, put on the signal, now turn the wheel.” This guides your actions step by step, preventing the process from feeling too chaotic.
Engages multiple cognitive systems:
Verbalizing the steps out loud engages both your auditory and motor systems, strengthening your ability to retain and execute new skills. Speaking instructions as you perform them reinforces muscle memory and helps you mentally rehearse each action, making it easier to repeat successfully in future attempts.
Using private speech in different learning environments
Private speech can be a valuable tool across various learning settings, from traditional classrooms to online courses and group discussions. Here’s how it can be applied in each environment:
| Learning Environment | How to Use Private Speech | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Classroom learning | Use private speech to paraphrase difficult lessons or instructions. | In a history class, saying to yourself, “The revolution started due to unfair taxes,” helps solidify key points. |
| Online learning | Verbalize instructions or key concepts to stay engaged in remote study. | While watching an online lecture, saying, “The key formula here is X = Y + Z,” reinforces learning. |
| Collaborative learning | Use private speech to clarify your thoughts before group discussions. | Before contributing to a group project, say, “I’ll suggest we use this approach because it’s more efficient.” |
Private speech enhances learning across these environments by helping you stay engaged, clarify thoughts, and reinforce understanding, no matter the setting.
Practical strategies for using private speech
To maximize the benefits of private speech, try incorporating these strategies into your study habits:
- Say it out loud: Speak through the steps of a task or assignment.
For example, when solving a math problem, talk through each operation.
- Mentally guide yourself: If speaking out loud isn’t practical, use inner dialogue to guide your thinking. This works well during exams or quiet settings.
- Create reminders: Use private speech as a way to remind yourself of key points or next steps.
For instance, if studying history, you might say, “Remember, the Civil War began in 1861 because…”
- Mix it with visuals: Combine private speech with visual learning by describing diagrams, images, or graphs out loud.
Engaging multiple senses in learning
Private speech is even more powerful when combined with other learning techniques. The more senses you engage, the stronger the learning experience. Here’s how to do it:
- Visual learners: Try saying things out loud while drawing diagrams or flowcharts.
For instance, describe each step of a science experiment as you sketch the process.
- Kinesthetic learners: Pair private speech with movement.
For example, you might use gestures or physically walk through a process while talking through it. Actors often use this strategy by acting out scenes while vocalizing their lines.
- Auditory learners: Read material out loud or engage in discussions where you can process information by hearing it.
Final thoughts
Private speech is a valuable, often overlooked tool that can significantly enhance your learning process.
Whether you’re solving problems, planning tasks, or regulating emotions, talking through your thoughts engages multiple parts of the brain, making learning more effective.
Combine private speech with other strategies like visual aids or collaborative discussions to further boost understanding and retention.
The next time you’re faced with a challenge, try thinking aloud—it might just be the key to unlocking deeper learning and clearer focus.