When is the most effective time to learn a foreign language?
I recently read an interesting article about the best time to study languages. It’s not a topic I had thought much about, but the research results were surprising: studying in the evening and getting enough sleep is far more effective. Today, I’ll share how sleep and foreign language learning are connected, based on the findings of this study.
How Sleep Affects Foreign Language Learning
Researchers at the University of South Australia (UniSA) conducted a fascinating experiment with 35 adults. Participants were tasked with learning a constructed language called Mini-Pinyin. This artificial language was based on Chinese but included grammar rules similar to English, making it ideal for the experiment.
The Experiment:
- Half of the participants learned the language in the morning and were tested in the evening.
- The other half learned it in the evening, got 8 hours of sleep, and were tested the following morning.
The Results:
The group that learned the language in the evening and slept afterward performed significantly better! Researchers explained that during sleep, the brain’s specific electrical activity helps transfer learned information into long-term memory.
The Brain’s Secret During Sleep: Slow Oscillations & Sleep Spindles
According to the study, two types of brainwave activities during sleep play a critical role in language learning:
- Slow Oscillations
- Sleep Spindles
These activities occur during NREM sleep and effectively transfer information between the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. This process helps store new vocabulary and complex grammar rules into long-term memory.
In short, getting sufficient sleep at night allows the brain to “organize” and “strengthen” what you’ve learned. Even though you’re resting, your brain remains highly active, working to transform your memories.
When Should You Study?
Based on this research, here’s a recommended routine to boost your Korean learning:
Study Korean in the Evening
- Learn new vocabulary and grammar rules.
- A quick review before bed can also be helpful.
Get Plenty of Sleep
- Aim for at least 7–8 hours to maximize the brain’s memory consolidation process.
Review in the Morning
- After a good night’s sleep, revisit and test yourself on what you learned the night before.
Repeating this routine will help you make the most of your Korean learning efforts!
Why Does This Happen?
According to researchers, sleep enhances the brain’s neuroplasticity—the ability to change and adapt based on learning and experience. Slow oscillations and sleep spindles stimulate this process, helping us better retain the information we’ve studied.
Final Thoughts: The Golden Combination of Sleep and Study!
While it’s hard to say how much of a game-changer this will be for everyone, the idea that sleep impacts language learning is fascinating. If you can’t fit in evening study sessions due to a busy schedule, that’s completely understandable. But if you do have some flexibility, experimenting with evening study and quality sleep might be worth a try!
If you’re learning a foreign language, start practicing this golden combination: study in the evening and sleep well!
✨ Wishing you success in improving your language skills!
When do you usually study?
Share your study routine and experiences in the comments below! 😊
