How Teaching Others Can Help You Learn Better

Sometimes, the best way to understand something well is to explain it to someone else or just out loud to, teaching yourself. That’s the idea behind learning through teaching, known commonly as the Feynman Technique. It’s a powerful way to understand what you really know and what you think you know.

If you want to master something, teach it.

Richard Feynman

The method is simple but very effective, pick a concept you’re studying, and try to teach it using simple language, as if you were explaining the concept to a child. The goal is to break the idea down clearly and avoid jargon. When you stumble or find gaps in your explanation, it’s your sign to go back and review the topic, but if you succeed in breaking down the concept well, it means you’ve got it.

If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.

Albert Einstein

This approach works well because it forces you to engage actively with the material. You’re not just reading or listening—you’re processing the information in your own words, which strengthens memory and comprehension, making the information you gain meaningful. It’s also great for building confidence before exams or especially presentations.

Teaching what you've learned also boosts your confidence. It trains you to speak and think clearly and critically, and respond to questions in real time. These skills are not only valuable for academic success but also essential in real-world communication and problem-solving.

The true teachers are those who help us think for ourselves. 

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

If you ever find yourself stuck on a difficult topic, try teaching it. Grab a friend, speak to an imaginary student, or even write it out on paper as if you were preparing a lesson. You’ll quickly notice which parts you’ve mastered and which ones need more work. And often, in the process of teaching, you’ll make new connections and discover insights you might have missed before.

Teaching isn’t just a way to help others it’s one of the smartest ways to help yourself learn better.