How to Improve Learning Skills

I recommend R. Aryeh Carnel’s “siyata legamara,” known as the “little white book” in yeshivos. It has a great list of common terms which if memorized, make learning gemara a lot easier.

Also, slow down a lot. You’re not mechuyav to do daf or amud yomi; I found with myself and my talmidim that the more times you go over the gemara, or the sefer you’re learning, the clearer it becomes both in translation and pshat.

What might have come to you quicker in your yeshiva/kolel days might take longer now, if your mind is on other things, but be patient with yourself.

You also need to completely clear your mind of other considerations when you approach your seder; when you were in yeshiva, most likely the only thing you had to worry about was whether or not the cook would serve one of the “bad suppers” that every yeshiva has, forcing you to order pizza if you wanted a meal that evening. I’m exaggerating, as everyone has a “pekel,”but in general, a yeshiva bochurs mind is a lot clearer than when one needs to go to work. So before you start, picture yourself in beis medrash with nothing but the blatt gemara mattering to you. Your work is done, your mortgage and car are paid, your kids and wife are asleep, your boss gave you a paid sabbatical – there’s nothing that you need to do now but this seder.

The chofetz chaim says there’s a remez to this on the pasuk of vehayu hadvarim hae’leh – a person might think, there’s so much to learn! How can i even begin? So the pasuk says ha’eleh – only these words, this daf,this sugya, only this matters now, then the yatzer hora tells you all of your daagos, and for this, the pasuk says hayom – only today, only this seder exists,, nothing else.

Please don’t be offended, but you might find it helpful to learn with a Rebbe who can focus on translation with you.

If gemara aramaic is an issue, I will offer a suggestion I’ve given to others over the years that has proven successful at different levels for different people. Be Maavir sedra – shnayim mikra v’echad targum. And PAY ATTENTION to the language of both passuk and Targum when you are saying the targum. That will help you develop a familiarity with the Lashon Arami used by our Chazal.

B”H I have been a teacher for over 20 years in various Yeshivos focusing on skills improvement. What I am writing is from advice I give to students and try to apply in my teaching. I cannot be certain that my advice here is relevant to your specific case since it is unclear what skill set needs improvement. But I hope what I write can be somewhat helfpul. B”H we live in an era where many quality works have been published focusing on skills in reading. For Loshon Hamikra a refresher on dikduk is often helpful. Whereas any longtime learner will know the basics, often precise knowledge of בניניים, לשון זכר ונקבה יחיד ורבים, Subject, Verb, Object and recognizing how to detect the שורש makes the difference between “basically getting it” to “precise translation”. I highly recommend “The Guide to Lashon Hakodesh” by Nachman Marcuson, Vol. I & II. Perhaps Volume II which is more advanced will be helpful to the more seasoned students who have not mastered dikduk but know the basics and more.
For Aramaic, besides R. Carmell’s work mentioned earlier in the comments, I recommend “Understanding the Talmud: A Systematic Guide to Talmudic Structure & Methodology” by Rabbi Feigenbaum and Rabbi Frank’s “Practical Talmudic Dictionary”. Both works focus on Gemara structures and keywords, and important skill to smoother Gemara reading. The seasoned student will know a lot, but still might be missing some important vocabulary or precision in what they do know. A search under “Gemara skills” or “Chumash skills” etc. on the internet will also bring up many useful resources. Hatzlacha Rabba!