Internalisation is the process of learning something so that it can be used as the basis for production.

A Vietnamese student reading in a library

Once language is internalised, it can then be retained and retrieved when needed for communication.

Example
A learner finds that using a spidergram helps them record a new lexical set on words that describe emotions effectively and so internalising this new vocabulary is easier.

In the classroom
A learner discovering for themselves what the meaning of a new word is by using context will internalise this information more deeply than a learner being told what the meaning is. This kind of processing is key to techniques such as guided discovery, learning strategies such as the example above, and task-based learning.

Further links:

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/drilling-1

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/make-no-mistake

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/core-activities-using-chart-integrate-pronunciation

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/lexical-approach-2-what-does-lexical-approach-look

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