Can You Really Learn A Foreign Language While You Sleep: Theoretical Approaches

The Lure of Learning English While You Sleep

While the lure of “learning English or another foreign language while you sleep” may be highly provocative and tempting for all of us in this not-enough-time-to-do-everything world, there’s still no “easy out”. Learning a foreign language can be a life-long pursuit or a summer project. In this second installment of our quest, we’ll briefly examine some theoretical approaches to English language or foreign language learning.

Theoretical Approaches

English Language Teaching and Learning theories support a number of useful, valid approaches for foreign language or second language acquisition. Considering the major language learning theories previously or currently prevalent, let’s briefly examine any basis for “sleep learning”. The following language learning theories have all been popular or prevalent during our current or recent decades:

• Grammar / Translation method
(F. Boas and O. Jespersen)

• Direct Methods

• Audio-Lingual (Darian, 1972 et al.)

• Computer-Aided Language Learning - (CALL)

• TPR - Total Physical Response
(J. Asher, 1965)

• The Silent Way (Gattegno, 1972)

• The Communicative Approach

• Suggestopedia (Lozanov, 1978)

• The Natural Approach (Krashen-Terrell, 1983)

• Neuro-linguistic Programming - NLP
(Bandler and Grindler, 1982)

• The Lexical Approach (Willis, 1990 et al.)

• Community Language Learning
( C. Curran et al., 1972)


The Theory of Multiple Intelligences

Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences, (H. Gardner, 1983) while not strictly a language-learning theory, nonetheless, has had considerable application to language learning and acquisition. Of these, the following have aspects which seemingly might promote or support the concept of “sleep learning”. They are: The Silent Way (Gattegno, 1972), Suggestopedia (Lozanov, 1978), and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (Bandler and Grindler, 1982).
Let’s briefly examine each of these.

The Silent Way

The Silent Way (ref. Richards and Rodgers, 2004) was developed by Caleb Gattegno (Gattegno, 1972) and is a method based on the premise that the English, or foreign language teacher, should be “silent” as much as possible and the language learner encouraged to produce as much language as possible. But while the method requires minimal external input on the part of the language teacher, it does provide for problem-solving, “discovery learning” and creation of memorable images to facilitate learner recall. Problem-solving and discovery learning certainly can not occur during the noted stages of sleep. Creation of “memorable imagery” is possible, especially during the dream state, but how many learners remember these images with any frequency?

Theory, Methodology and Didactics

Apart from theory, methodology and didactics, language is a communicative tool. It allows us, as humans, to share our knowledge, thoughts and ideas in a way and at a level that none of the other animal species ever can. But what actually constitutes good practice in English or foreign language learning? How can we identify or become a good language learner? In the third installment of this article series, “Can you really learn English or another foreign language while you sleep?”, we’ll examine some of the many aspects inherent in good language learners.

NOTE: The entire series is available ONLY by e-mailing Prof. Lynch at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com/ with “Sleep Learning” in the e-mail title. Regretfully, when my current supply of copies of this limited, controversial, eye-opening report are exhausted, the report will go out of print.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 125 countries. Get your FREE, pdf format report" Can You Really Learn A Foreign Language While You Sleep?" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

Can You Really Learn A Foreign Language While You Sleep?

Learn A Foreign Language While You Sleep

It really seems so easy. Just put on the CD or tapes, relax in bed and learn English (or another foreign language) while you sleep. Have you ever seen those ads that say, “Learn English While Sleeping” or that promise “effortless” language learning by listening to a tape or CD while you relax or take a nap? With the continual rise in the study of English as a foreign or second language, (EFL, ESL) progressive TEFL English and foreign language teachers, foreign language learners, and educational administrators need to be aware of the implications posed by claims of “learning English (or another foreign language) while you sleep. To better understand the processes involved let’s first look at each of them individually in turn. In this first part of the series, we’ll examine the elements of sleep.

What is Sleep?

The state of sleep is generally defined as “the resting state in which the body is not active and the mind is unconscious.” A more extensive definition is offered by Webster’s New World Dictionary (third ed., 1989); “sleep: a natural, regularly occurring condition of rest for the body and mind, during which the eyes are usually closed and there is little or no conscious thought or voluntary movement, but there is intermittent dreaming”.

Sleep is also likened to death. In the Holy Bible (New World Translation, 1981 quoted) at John 11: 11 Jesus says, “Lazarus or friend has gone to rest, but I am journeying there to awaken him from sleep.” Then in verse 14 Jesus clarifies his meaning of “sleep”, “At that time, therefore, Jesus said to them outspokenly: Lazarus has died.” In describing death the bible continues at Ecclesiastes 9: 5 stating, “The living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all.” So sleep then, is characterized as a condition typically devoid of conscious thought. Have you ever slept through a severe thunder storm, a series of car alarms going off, an explosion, an earth tremor (minor earthquake) or dogs barking loudly at night? Completely unconscious, right? For even further clarification, here are some characteristics of human sleep.

Characteristics of Sleep

Characteristics of sleep in humans are:

• lying down, if possible although sleep is possible in almost any position according to studies done on astronauts and in sleep study centers

• Eyes are closed, but sleep can occur with opened eyes in an environment devoid of light and / or distraction

• You don’t hear anything or do not consciously respond to external sounds depending on the level, depth or stage of sleep

• Slow, rhythmic breathing pattern (which might be altered during dream stage)

• Muscles are completely relaxed with the exception of altered states of sleep or reaction to dreams or abnormal physical conditions

• Person may occasionally roll over changing positions

Stages of Sleep

On the average, a person goes through five stages, or levels of sleep. The stages each have distinctive characteristics and determine what the brain and body are capable of.

• Stage One – 4-5% Light sleep. Muscle activity slows down

• Stage Two – 45-55% Breathing and heart rate slows. Body temperature decreases

• Stage Three – 4-6% Deep sleep. Slow Delta waves begin

• Stage Four – 12-15% Very deep sleep; brain produces Delta waves

• Stage Five – 20-25% Rapid eye movement (REM); dreaming occurs


Why Do We Sleep?

For the most part, sleep allows several vital functions to take place. It is an essential physical and mental state with which we cannot do without. Our sleep allows us:

• To repair muscles and other tissues

• To replace aging or dead cells

• An opportunity for the brain to organize and archive memories, that is in part, to transfer data and memories from short to long-term memory

• Lowers energy consumption (balance of enzyme production achieved, i.e. blood glucose levels, electrolyte levels, etc.)

• To recharge the brain (diminished supplies of fluids and enzymes in organs and lymphatic system can be replenished during sleep)

How Much Sleep?

Most young adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night, but the quantity of sleep required can vary depending on age, daily activity, diet, nutrition and other physical and / or psychological factors. Sleep deprivation can directly affect:

• Short term memory
• Physical and Mental Performance
• Efficiency
• Physical health
• Emotional health

With 30 to 40 million Americans suffering from serious sleep-related disorders, the effect of sleep on learning and cognitive competencies is of serious concern.

Learn A Foreign Language While You Sleep: Theoretical Approaches

In the next segment of this series, “Learn A Foreign Language While You Sleep: Theoretical Approaches”, we’ll look at both recent and current language-learning theories and approaches and how some might seemingly provide some support for these claims.


NOTE: The entire series is available ONLY by e-mailing Prof. Lynch at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com/ with “Sleep Learning” in the e-mail title. Regretfully, when my current supply of copies of this limited, controversial, eye-opening report are exhausted, the report will go out of print.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 125 countries worldwide. Get your FREE, pdf format report on CD or via e-mail, "Can You REALLY Learn a Foreign Language While You Sleep?" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com