Learn Spanish While Sleeping: Fact or Fiction?
Did you know there is a possibility that you can learn Spanish while sleeping?
You’ve probably seen a movie scene where a character whispers information in the ear of another character while he is sleeping to sow an idea or knowledge.
We were amazed by this type of action because it meant that our subconscious could retain information even in our dreams.
This gives us plenty of extra time to continue learning without the need to be awake.
And who wouldn’t want to take advantage of those extra eight hours to learn a new language?
Stay with us and find out about the possibility of learning a second language while you sleep.
It’s information you don’t want to miss!
Join 559 million people on the planet who speak Spanish!
Sign up for your free trial Spanish class today. ➡️
Can You Learn Spanish in Your Sleep?
Many of us believe that our whole body turns off when we sleep, but this is not the case. Instead, the brain is one of the organs that continues to work, but on a smaller scale.
Marc Züst, a professor at the University of Bern in Switzerland, indicates that the brain reviews all the memories and actions we perform during the day.
In the Slow Wave Sleep (SWS) stage, the brain strengthens the most important memories, and the ones that aren’t important are deleted to make room for new information.
Numerous studies have been carried out on learning in your sleep, and so far, the results may be a little bit inconclusive.
However, these studies and investigations have found interesting results that can help us understand a little more about this phenomenon.
For example, a study carried out using mice showed that learning during sleep is possible through electrical stimulation.
Züst’s theory mentioned above was verified through a study where people responded to good or bad odors while they slept.
These odors were paired with different tones during sleep, and with the sniffs’ response, they found that people could distinguish odors with the tone and without using the scent.
This is how they concluded that they did learn new data during sleep.
Pretty impressive, right?
We recommend: 21 Ways to Learn Spanish on Your Own at Home
What Do the Experts Say About Subliminal Learning While Sleeping?
There are dozens of studies carried out to answer the big question: does listening to Spanish while sleeping work?
We have gathered some of the conclusions published by the researchers so that you can analyze them and know with more certainty if it’s possible or not to learn Spanish overnight.
Züst explains that after several experiments and investigations, together with his team, they made several findings.
Studies show that the brain can associate words during sleep, which is not the same as learning a language in its entirety, including grammar.
That involves analyzing sentences, verb conjugation, and linguistic structures, and that can only be done when people are awake.
Another reason why Züst believes that learning a language while you sleep is limited is that information acquired in an unconscious state is not accessible later in a conscious state.
“We showed the participants all the foreign words we presented during sleep again, but they thought they were seeing these words for the first time,” Züst concludes.
Researchers from France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States carried out studies showing high retention percentage of learning during sleep.
The results established that some learning components remain present, although not active, during the night.
There is still much to learn about how sleep impacts learning, not only while asleep but also while awake.
That being said, the information that Carmen Westerberg has gained indicates that the studies she has conducted have helped document how poor sleep affects memory retention.
So, sleep is closely linked to good learning and educational performance, but learning while you sleep may or may not be possible.
See also: 8 Amazing Apps To Learn Spanish While Driving
Is This Method Effective for Learning Spanish?
As we have learned, learning a new language while we sleep can be difficult or even impossible. But what is certain is that your vocabulary can be strengthened with this method.
Sleep learning, or hypnopedia learning, can benefit your Spanish learning. It can strengthen your memory and even create new ideas while you sleep, according to NIH-funded scientists.
A good night’s rest benefits you in processing emotions and solving problems.
Studies indicate that the strengthening of these memories happens in the REM stage (the most active stage of sleep) and even helps to improve certain processes, such as playing the piano.
However, one of the drawbacks of using this technique to learn Spanish while you sleep is that it can affect sleep’s restorative processes.
For example, being overstimulated with new information can affect learning, making it more difficult to memorize or retain information the next day.
It can also affect the brain by reducing the energy available to consolidate long-term memories.
Something very important that can be affected by sleep learning is that it can stop the cleaning of metabolic waste grail cells do when you’re asleep.
And one of the most obvious drawbacks is that noise can interfere with sleep, prevent reaching the deepest states of sleep, and compromise the real benefit of learning.
So, be careful.
Read also: The Ultimate Resource List for Beginners Learning Spanish
Go to Sleep and Learn Some Spanish!
Although we know there are no conclusive results for this method, it doesn’t hurt to try it! Just don’t overdo it.
On the internet, you will find resources, videos, and audio files that can help you improve your vocabulary and learn in your dreams. All you need is a pair of headphones.
Sleep Learning is a website that offers listening resources to learn the most important words in Spanish.
This eight-hour Spanish lesson audio has binaural beats designed explicitly for sleep learning. In addition, it features the 25 most useful phrases in the Spanish language.
Eko Languages is a YouTube Channel with videos that help people learn languages. In addition, you can find lessons of pronunciation guides and vocabulary build-up.
We are sure you’ll find many more resources online, but you can also try listening to audiobooks in Spanish or relaxing music with lyrics in Spanish.
This will help you reinforce everything you have already learned in your classes with your Spanish teacher.
If you are not yet receiving lessons to learn English, Homeschool Spanish Academy has native Spanish-speaking teachers available to help you meet your learning goals.
Sign up for a free trial with our certified teachers from Guatemala, and speak Spanish from your very first class!
Click here to check our prices and all of our tailored-made programs.
We’re here to support you!
Join one of the 40,000 classes that we teach each month and you can experience results like these…
“This is the best way for your kid to learn Spanish. It’s one-on-one, taught by native Spanish speakers, and uses a curriculum.”
– Sharon K, Parent of 3
“It’s a great way to learn Spanish, from native Spanish speakers in a 1-on-1 environment. It’s been fairly easy to schedule classes around my daughter’s other classes. The best value for us has been ordering multiple classes at a time. All the instructors have been great!”
– Cindy D, Parent of 3
“HSA offers very affordable, quality, one on one classes with a native speaker. My son has greatly benefited from taking classes. We have seen his confidence increase as well as his pronunciation improve, because he learns from a native Spanish speaker. HSA has quick, personal customer service. Our family has been very pleased with our experience so far!”
– Erica P. Parent of 1
Want more free Spanish resources and learning strategies? Check these out!
- All About Adverbial Clauses in Spanish
- The Ultimate Guide to the Differences Between ‘Pero’ and ‘Sino’ in Spanish
- A Guide to Double Negatives in Spanish
- How to Immerse Yourself in Spanish While at Home
- Ver Conjugation: Free Spanish Lesson, Exercises, and PDF
- Common Irregular Informal Commands in Spanish
- Dialect vs Accent: Is It a Language, Dialect, or Accent?
- What Are the Different Levels of Language Proficiency?
- What Does it Actually Take to Become Fluent in Spanish? - August 29, 2024
- Learn About Hispanic History: Were Hispanics Slaves? - May 30, 2024
- Turn Your Life Around: From Passive Bilingualism to Fluency! - April 4, 2024
