How to Build a Memory Palace to Improve Your Business English Skills
The Memory Palace technique or Method of Loci can help you learn new words and phrases. Read on to find out how:
Do you struggle to recall the right English words and phrases during meetings, presentations, or networking events? You’re not alone! Many German-speaking professionals find it challenging to remember business vocabulary when it matters most.
One powerful solution is the Memory Palace Technique (Method of Loci), an ancient memorisation method used by learners, public speakers, and even memory champions. But did you know it can also help you improve your business English communication skills? In this post, you’ll learn how to apply this technique effectively, so you can confidently use the right phrases in the right situations.
What is the Memory Palace?
The Memory Palace is a mental technique that helps you store and recall information by connecting it with locations in a familiar place. For example, your home, office, or even your daily commute. Since our brains are naturally wired to remember places and images, this method allows you to organise and use language more efficiently.
For business professionals learning English, the Memory Palace can help with:
Remembering key phrases for meetings, presentations, or job interviews.
Expanding business vocabulary in a structured way.
Collecting relevant words and phrases.
Reducing hesitation and increasing confidence when speaking English.
Step-by-Step Guide: Using the Memory Palace for Business English
Follow these five steps to create your own Memory Palace for learning English for your job:
1. Choose Your Palace 🏰
Pick a location you know well: your office, home, or even a favourite café. The more familiar the place, the easier it will be to recall information later.
2. Identify Key Locations 📍
Break your Memory Palace into clear areas that represent different categories of business English. For example:
Reception Area → Greetings & Introductions
Meeting Room → Discussion & Negotiation Phrases
Coffee Machine → Small Talk Expressions
Desk → Email Phrases
Imagine a space you know well (your office, for example). Connect words or phrases you want to learn with rooms and objects. Then mentally ‘walk’ around your space remembering and using the words as you go. Practise this regularly and the words will stick in your mind!
3. Assign Business Vocabulary and Phrases 📋
Now, connect each location with relevant English expressions. For example:
Reception Area: Picture a receptionist saying, “Nice to meet you. How was your journey?”
Meeting Room: Imagine a PowerPoint slide with “Let’s go over the agenda.”
Coffee Machine: Visualise a steaming cup with the words, “How was your weekend?”
Desk: Picture a sticky note with “Looking forward to our next steps.”
4. Create Strong Mental Connections 🔗
To make these connections stronger, use creative visualisation:
Imagine a giant coffee cup overflowing with small talk topics. ☕
See your meeting room covered in post-it notes with discussion phrases. 🗈🗈🗈🗈🗈
Picture your computer screen displaying a new email closing phrase. 🖥️
The more unusual and vivid the image, the easier it is to remember!
A delicious cup of coffee, with some delicious conversation starters - store this visualisation by the coffee machine in your memory palace. I borrowed these conversation starters from a TED talk by Vanessa Van Edwards.
5. Walk Through Your Memory Palace Regularly 👣👣👣
To reinforce learning, mentally walk through your Memory Palace daily. Visualise the locations, recall the phrases, and even say them aloud. Over time, they will become second nature in your real business interactions.
Example: Preparing for an English Business Meeting
When you have an important meeting in English, you can use the Memory Palace to remember key phrases:
Walking into the office lobby → You recall “Good morning, nice to see you again!”
Sitting at the conference table → You remember “Let’s start with a quick overview of today’s agenda.”
Grabbing a coffee during the break → You ask, “What’s your opinion on the new project?”
Closing the meeting → You say, “I appreciate your time today. Looking forward to the next steps.”
By mentally practising this scenario in advance, you’ll feel more prepared and confident during your real meeting.
Practical Tips for Success
Need to learn a few key words for your next presentation, then why not keep them in your memory palace’s houseplant? (Just don’t forget to water it! 💧💧)
Make your visualisations exaggerated and fun, your brain remembers unusual images better!
Practice recalling phrases while walking, engage both body and mind.
Combine the Memory Palace with real-world practice, use your phrases in conversations and emails.
Review regularly, repetition strengthens long-term memory.
The Memory Palace technique is a memory game-changer for business professionals learning English. By linking key phrases to familiar locations, you can boost fluency, reduce hesitation, and feel more confident in meetings, presentations, and networking situations.
Why not try making your own Memory Palace today? I’d love to know what phrases you store in each room.
If you’d like more personalised coaching on how to use this technique for Business English fluency, get in touch for a free discovery call!
Hello,
I’m Jane Carvell, a business English trainer, language coach and visual thinking enthusiast. I help German-speaking professionals improve their English communication skills, so that they can build better connections to grow in an international working world.
