One of the fastest ways to find out if you truly understand something? Try teaching it.
The “Teach Back” method—also known as the Feynman Technique—is a powerful, low-effort strategy for deepening your understanding and identifying knowledge gaps.
What Is the Teach Back Method?
The idea is simple: after learning a new concept, you try to explain it in your own words, as if you were teaching it to someone with no background on the subject.
This could be:
- A friend or study partner
- An imaginary audience
- Yourself in the mirror
- A blank page in your notebook
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s clarity. If you stumble, oversimplify, or get stuck, that’s a signal to revisit and reinforce that part of the material.
Why It Works
Teaching forces your brain to:
- Retrieve information (boosting memory)
- Organize your thoughts
- Make connections between ideas
- Spot what you don’t fully understand yet
This method also builds confidence and encourages active learning—two key components of long-term academic success.
When to Use It
Try the Teach Back method:
- After reading a textbook chapter
- Following an online lesson or video
- As a study tool before an exam
- When reviewing complex topics
It’s especially helpful for subjects like science, math, and history—anything that requires both understanding and explanation.
Final Thought
If you can teach it, you truly know it.
The next time you finish a study session, close your notes and try to explain the material to someone—or even just to yourself. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your comprehension improves.