Jens Voigt's ALMUT lists

Jens Voigt's ALMUT Lists (in German): Origin, Function and Instructions for Use

The ALMUT lists , created by Jens Voigt of Fürstenwalde, Germany, have become a benchmark in the field of modern memorization methods. Their effectiveness is based on an ingenious synthesis of several proven mnemonic techniques, suitable for both children and adults wishing to improve their memory in a fun and lasting way. This article offers an in-depth exploration of the genesis of these lists, how they work, as well as practical advice for incorporating them into your daily learning.

Who is Jens Voigt and where do the ALMUT lists come from?

Jens Voigt, a graduate in education and a teacher since 1984, has been passionate about developing memorization and brain jogging methods since 1995. After years of experimentation and discussions with experts such as Vera F. Birkenbihl, he founded the "Akademie für Lernmethoden" in Fürstenwalde in 2006, where he developed and perfected his own learning tools, including the ALMUT method, created in 2005.

The ALMUT method (for "Alphabet" and "mutare," from the Latin "to change, to traverse") aims to make learning accessible, effective, and fun. It draws inspiration from both the method of loci (ancient Greek memory palaces) and Birkenbihl's ABC method, combining spatial visualization and alphabetical organization.

Foundations and principles of ALMUT lists

1. A tool for both hemispheres of the brain

The ALMUT method simultaneously engages the left hemisphere (logic, language) and the right hemisphere (creativity, images), strengthening memorization. Each element to be remembered is associated with an image and a keyword, allowing for the creation of powerful mnemonic links.

2. An alphabetical and pictorial structure

Each ALMUT list is made up of 25 images, each corresponding to a letter of the alphabet (from A to Z, sometimes without X or Y). These images serve as "hooks" or "anchors" on which we attach the information to be remembered: a word, a date, a concept, a task, etc.

Example :

- A = Acrobat

- B = Balloon

- C = Hat

- D = Dolphin

- E = Elephant

...up to Z.

3. The association of images and words

The originality of the method lies in the systematic association of a word and an image for each letter. This double association helps strengthen the memory trace and avoid confusion, even when the same list is used for different contents to be memorized.

How do ALMUT lists work?

1. The alphabetical mental journey

The user mentally "goes through" the list, from A to Z, visualizing each image and associating it with the information to be remembered. This journey functions like a walk along a path marked with familiar images, on which one "pins" the elements to be memorized.

2. Combining several thematic lists

Jens Voigt has developed over 25 ALMUT lists, each tailored to a specific area or theme: baking, cooking, doctoring, farming, clothing, gastronomy, etc. Each list is organized alphabetically and illustrated, making it easy to anchor information specific to each area.

3. The number system and memorization of numbers

To learn multiplication tables or memorize dates, the ALMUT method uses special lists (month list, daily list) that allow each number to be associated with a specific image. For example, to remember 18, we combine the image of the ten (10) from the daily list and that of the unit (8) from the month list.

Examples of concrete use

1. Memorizing a shopping list

Let's say you need to remember the following: bread, milk, apples, eggs, cheese.

You associate each item with an image from the ALMUT list:

- A (Acrobat): Bread (imagine an acrobat holding a baguette)

- B (Balloon): Milk (a balloon splashed with milk)

- C (Hat): Apples (a hat filled with apples)

- D (Dolphin): Eggs (a dolphin juggling eggs)

- E (Elephant): Cheese (an elephant eating cheese)

By mentally scanning the list from A to E, you can easily find each item on your shopping list.

2. Learning multiplication tables

To memorize 4 x 8 = 32, the ALMUT method suggests using the "Habits" list (H, 8th letter) and associating position 4 (D, bed sheet) with the image of the number 32. We then imagine a scene where the bed sheet (D) is torn by triangular pants (image of 32), thus creating a memorable visual story.

3. Learning historical dates or sequences

To remember the date 1789 (French Revolution), you can use the month list for the units, the daily list for the tens, and colors or other codes for the hundreds and thousands. Each number is transformed into an image, then linked by a visual story, facilitating long-term memorization.

Why is the ALMUT method so effective?

- Double coding (image + word) : Calls on both cerebral hemispheres, reinforcing memorization.

- Alphabetical organization : Facilitates sequential recall and avoids forgetting or reversing.

- Active visualization : Imagination and story creation make learning lively and motivating.

- Versatility : Applicable to all types of content (vocabulary, numbers, dates, lists, sequences, etc.).

- Unlimited reuse : Lists can be “reprogrammed” for new content without confusion, thanks to the power of visual associations.

How to learn and use ALMUT lists?

1. Appropriate the images

Start by printing or drawing your chosen ALMUT list. Take the time to memorize each image and its associated keyword, from A to Z. You can do this as a game, inventing mini-stories for each image-word pair.

2. Practice going through the list

Repeat the mental process through the list several times, visualizing each image in alphabetical order. The more you practice, the more automatic and rapid the process will become.

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