Repetitio est mater studiorum.
(Anonymous)

Repetition is the mother of learning.

Pron = reh-peh-TEE-tee-oh ehst MAH-ter stoo-dee-OH-room.

Comment: This anonymous line has probably been used in more Latin
classrooms than one can imagine--taught to Latin students as the
reason for why they must memorize their "endings". Like so many
things, it sounds so right--especially if we keep repeating it, and
especially if the "experts" keep repeating it. I suspect that it has
also been used in other classes over the years: math classes, English
classes, social studies classes (multiplication tables, vocabulary and
definitions, states, capitals, presidents, etc).

With language study, repetition does help if what is being repeated is
comprehensible--that is, understandable, meaningful and that which
communicates. Otherwise, repetition simply creates a meaningless set
of structures that can actually get in the way of learning the
language. If I had a dime for every person I run into who can chant
Latin verb endings from their 3, 4, 5, or 6 years of Latin study, but
who cannot read a meaningful sentence of Latin literture, I would
retire tomorrow. What's worse, they think that knowing all those
endings means that they know some Latin.

There is a life lesson here. Very often in relationships and simply
living life, we repeat patterns, attitudes and activities because
someone of some authority told us that we should. Nevermind that
these patterns don't work for us, are not very meaningful, and
actually get in the way of living a fulfilling life. Repetition can
be the mother of learning, if we are repeating meaningful,
comprehensible patterns. Otherwise, it's just another name for
dysfunction.