Our sense of smell is closely connected to the part of the brain that processes memory. In ancient times, rosemary was thought to strengthen memory.

It is believed that the herb was worn as a crown by students in ancient Greece to improve performance when taking exams.

Fragrance assists learning process

This link between smell and memory has fascinated scientists and driven research to clarify the connection between smell, memory and learning.

Using fragrance to assist in the learning process is an interesting and attractive idea!

Memory during sleep

Current research has focused on a specific aspect. Can a scent impact the consolidation of memory during sleep? From the experimental data, evidence is growing that this is the case. A recent study examines the targeted use of scent and memory recall. Students who were exposed to a particular aroma while learning English vocabulary and then again when sleeping, performed better on a vocabulary test than those who did not receive any olfactory cues or those who did not receive the cues during sleep.

The results from this study are important. While there is no suggestion that sleep replaces studying, there do appear to be ways to assist memory formation and optimize learning during sleep.

This concept is supported by another study conducted with older adults. Exposure to essential oils over time indicated improved cognitive ability.

Positive learning environment

The use of scent to create a positive learning environment is nothing new. However, the direct correlations now revealed are exciting. Some of the plant extracts of particular interest include rosemary, peppermint, lemon, lavender, eucalyptus, frankincense and orange.

Practical tips

Are you interested in a personal application of this research? Here are some practical tips:

  • Study Time: While studying, use a diffuser with your chosen essential oil to create an association between the scent and the material.
  • Sleep Consolidation: Place a sachet of the scent near your pillow or use a diffuser in your bedroom to reinforce memory consolidation during sleep.
  • Classroom Connection: Teachers can enhance the classroom environment with mild scents to boost concentration and memory retention.

The results from lab studies are promising and we are excited to learn what the future holds! Broader applications could extend to enhancing productivity and maintaining cognitive health in older adults.

Let’s harness the power of scent to make learning more effective and enjoyable!

Sources:

Exam revision students ‘should smell rosemary for memory’ – BBC News

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-57613-7

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2023.1200448/full

Do you feel nervous about speaking in another language? Perhaps you get sweaty hands or your heart rate increases. These are signs that you might be feeling anxious. People often experience anxiety when speaking in front of classmates or conversing with native speakers. Don’t worry, we have some tips to help!

Anxiety is very common, but if the worries stop you from speaking you are missing opportunities to practise your target language. You’re also missing out on feedback as well as the chance to let other people hear your ideas.

It takes time to overcome anxiety about speaking in another language, but it can be done! Here are some ideas.

Set a goal

Start small. Set a goal that is a bit challenging but achievable and not too scary. For example:

  • Initiate a conversation with “How are you?” to a classmate or a foreign lanuage -speaking friend.
  • Decide to ask the teacher one question in your next class.

Here are some more challenging goals.

  • Chat with somebody for a few minutes.
  • Speak in front of an audience.
  • Make a phone call.

Remember, the goal is not to do these things perfectly, it’s just to do them! Search for opportunities, and if you achieve your goal, that’s great! Increase the difficulty of your goals over time.

Positive thinking

Tell yourself positive things: I can do it. I’ve got this. It will be OK! Whether you are a beginner or an advanced-level speaker, thinking negatively will limit what you do. Thinking positively will help you do your best and improve.

Face your fears

If you feel anxious, you may want to avoid speaking. It might be easier to do something totally different, such as reading or grammar exercises. However, avoiding the issue can just make it grow bigger and scarier. Just like any other fear, you must eventually face this one. Try to unblock yourself and don’t be afraid of making a mistake. You learn from everything, especially from your mistakes. Don’t wait – start speaking little by little. It will be OK!

Look for a good conversation partner

Try to find someone you feel comfortable speaking with, perhaps somebody who is patient and kind and interested in speaking in the desired language too. Of course, a teacher can guide you to learn more and more. If you can practise speaking regularly, it should help to reduce anxious feelings. Being in contact with the language at least two or three times a week is crucial to advance at a good pace.

Accept problems and mistakes

Learning a language is not easy, and you will definitely have problems and make mistakes along the way. Everybody does! But making a mistake can teach you a lot and help you improve your skills. Remember that good speakers are not people who speak perfectly all the time. Instead, good speakers can solve communication problems when they occur.

Plan what to do in case a problem occurs

We often worry about not knowing what to do when confronted with one of the following situations.

  • What if I forget a word?
  • What if my mind goes blank?
  • What if I don’t understand what the other person is saying?

By planning what you will do and say, you may feel less anxious. If you forget a word, for example, prepare some phrases such as I can’t remember the word. What I mean is … and then try to describe the word. You could perhaps use synonyms (It’s similar to …) or antonyms (It’s the opposite of …). Or if somebody says something you don’t understand, you can say Sorry, I didn’t get that or Sorry, could you say that again? Write these phrases in your notebook and practise them. Communicating is not always smooth and perfect, even for native speakers. Overcoming such problems is a very normal part of speaking.

Note your progress

Over days and weeks, experiment with different ways to reduce and manage your anxiety. Keep notes of what works for you and what doesn’t. Write down your speaking goals and check them off as you achieve them. Doing this allows you to monitor your progress and build positive experiences of speaking.

Reward yourself

It might not be very motivating if you work hard and make progress, but only reward yourself with more practice! Enjoy a chocolate bar, a new notebook, take some time off to relax or do something that makes you feel good. Reward yourself when you achieve a goal, overcome a problem, learn something important or do something challenging.

Talk to yourself

Talking in front of a mirror is very important, it’s a good way to identify your qualities and defects. This will help you gain confidence.

Don’t compare yourself to others 

Don’t waste time comparing yourself to others, we are all unique and learn at our own pace. Focus on yourself.

Forget the accent

Although phonetics are very important and at some point you must know the pronunciation of each word, the initial step is to understand and be understood. With practice and the help of a teacher you will also be able to improve your accent.

Think in the foreign language

This is one of the biggest challenges. Before starting a conversation, it is important to think about what you want to convey in the other language so that you can say it correctly.

Visualize your success

Sometimes the fear of speaking comes from low self-confidence. Visualize yourself speaking fluently, be positive and with practice, this will come true.

Make the foreign language a part of your life

Try listening to music or watching TV shows or reading books or magazines in the target language.

Inhibition refers to a temperamental tendency to display wariness or restraint in response to unfamiliar situations. It is connected to worrying about making mistakes and discomfort with the extra attention that speaking in a foreign language might attract.

There are some factors that cause inhibition, such as a lack of motivation, shyness or low self-confidence. It is also interesting to note that there are levels of inhibition. Teachers can support their students to reduce their inhibitions in many ways. An important aid is good classroom management including the establishment of a good rapport between teacher and learners.

Sources:

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/english-levels/improve-your-english-level/how-reduce-anxiety-when-speaking-english

https://anglo.edu.py/2020/09/22/8-steps-to-losing-your-fear-to-speak-in-english/

https://media.neliti.com/media/publications/223638-inhibition-in-speaking-performance.pdf

In our globalized world, language plays a central role in business. The ability to communicate effectively and overcome cultural barriers is crucial for the success of companies and organizations. At the same time, many countries and industries are facing an increasing skills shortage which presents a significant economic challenge and emphasizes the need for targeted talent acquisition.

The importance of language in business

The significance of language skills in business cannot be overstated. In a globally interconnected economy, it is essential to have language and cultural knowledge to effectively communicate with international partners, customers, and employees. The ability to communicate in different languages allows companies to tap into new markets, strengthen customer relationships, and create a more inclusive work environment.

The global skills shortage and its effects

According to experts such as McKinsey & Company, the global skills shortage is real and expanding. This widespread problem negatively impacts growth and innovation. Companies in various industries struggle to find qualified employees who possess the necessary skills and experience. This shortage can lead to production bottlenecks, lower service quality, and missed business opportunities.

Solutions to the skills shortage

To address the skills shortage, companies and organizations must develop and implement innovative talent acquisition strategies. One such strategy is recruiting talent from abroad to find employees who have the required expertise.

There are numerous examples where this occurs, employees found abroad to fill an employment need. Open positions for doctors, engineers and hospital employees are just a few that are often filled with applicants from abroad. Consider an employer with a staff shortage who discovers a surplus of trained workers in another country. It is a logical solution to offer language training to potential employees, facilitating their employment. Some inlingua centers currently offer specialized courses for this purpose.

The importance of language in business and the skills shortage are two closely intertwined challenges. Effective talent acquisition, focused on recruiting people with the necessary language and expertise, can help address these challenges and promote the growth and success of companies and organizations. It is essential to rely on the support of language schools such as inlingua, to ensure reliable communication and the integration of international professionals. Ultimately, the ability to overcome linguistic and cultural barriers will be crucial for the competitiveness and success of companies in the globalized economy.

Sources:

https://www.instride.com/insights/skills-gap-statistics/

Talent Shortage (manpowergroup.com)

Did you grow up bilingual? Are you curious about the importance of learning a second language while you’re young? Let’s take a closer look at what it really means to be bilingual in today’s world.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of being bilingual?

Researchers do not yet understand the full impact of bilingualism on the lives of those who grow up speaking two languages. However, what we know so far seems to suggest that the positive effects of bilingualism far outweigh the negative.

Advantages 

For starters, fluency in two languages has been shown to improve a person’s ability to multitask, pay attention, solve problems and think creatively. Bilingualism also has been linked to boosting working memory performance.

Outside of cognitive development, bilingual people also have personal benefits. If you learned two languages as a child, you have access to two cultures. Travel can be approached with more confidence and you may find yourself with more professional and academic opportunities.

Disadvantages 

The disadvantages of bilingualism are few, but it is worth noting that speaking two languages can bring its own unique challenges.

Bilingual people can experience language fluency delay, accidentally mix the two languages, and sometimes find that one language dominates the other, especially if you live in a country where one language is dominant.

Lexical retrieval (the ability to think of words) can also occasionally lapse, leading to the “tip of the tongue” (TOT) effect when someone can’t quite recall a familiar word from their learned vocabulary.

At what age can you be bilingual?

Technically, a person can be bilingual as soon as they start speaking. As a child’s vocabulary expands, so does their bilingual capacity. This can pose a challenge, though, as the more words you learn in one language, the more you need to learn in the other to maintain your bilingual ability.

If you have parents who are fluent in two languages, each may communicate with you in “their” language. (For example, your dad may speak to you in Spanish while your mom speaks to you in English.) If your parents are not bilingual, it’s possible you had a nanny or babysitter who spoke another language so you could gain exposure.

According to a study by Cognition, an international journal that publishes theoretical and experimental papers on the study of the mind, there is a “critical cut-off age” for learning a language fluently. Their research shows that if you want to have native-like knowledge of a language, you should ideally start learning before age 10.  But you’re not doomed if you start your language learning journey after that!

At a young age, bilingual acquisition is as natural as learning how to walk or crawl. Kids who learn decoding skills in one language will easily transfer these skills to any other language. Multicultural parenting may not be the easiest, but it comes with many advantages for the children.

Benefits of being bilingual from a young age

#1 Better concentration: Bilingual children can switch between languages quickly, improving their ability to focus in noisy environments. #2 Arithmetic and problem-solving: Bilingual kids show better mental alertness and excel in problem-solving tasks. #3 Creativity and ability to hypothesize: Decoding multiple languages enhances the capacity to generate and explain scientific ideas. #4 Better language and vocabulary: Understanding sounds and tenses gives bilingual children an advantage in reading and spelling. #5 Brain exercise: Bilingual brains are more active and alert, leading to enhanced cognitive abilities. #6 Better communication: Multilingual kids excel in interpersonal understanding, making them effective communicators. #7 Improved memory: Learning multiple languages requires memory retention, benefiting academic performance and everyday tasks. #8 Faster response: Bilingualism trains the brain to switch between languages quickly, leading to shorter reaction times. #9 Improved social life and better family connections: Speaking multiple languages opens up new social opportunities and strengthens family bonds. #10 Open-mindedness: Multilingual kids tend to be more open-minded, tolerant, and empathetic towards others.

How does being bilingual affect you throughout life?

Everyone is different, and there are no blanket rules when it comes to speaking more than one language.

Some bilingual children can struggle to develop reading and writing skills to the same level of proficiency in both languages simultaneously – racing ahead in one while the other lags behind.

Additionally, if you speak two languages from childhood, you may also confuse the grammatical structure of the two languages, leading to mistakes in both languages in the early stages of language development.

However, you likely overcame these potential struggles as you grew up and your language skills improved. The pros of being bilingual definitely outweigh the cons. Here are our top six benefits of bilingualism:

#1 Academic advantage 

Studies on executive function have shown that bilingual students can outperform monolingual students in a number of subject areas. If you’re bilingual, you have strong mental skills, including working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control – all of which can help with overall academic development.

#2 Easy travel and social success 

Being able to speak a second language can make travel more accessible and enjoyable. The ability to easily converse with people around the world can lead to a greater sense of global citizenship and enhanced social skills—a win/win!

#3 A greater sense of personal identity 

If you grew up in a bilingual household, speaking both languages likely helped you to feel more connected to your ancestry. Acknowledging the importance of family culture and heritage is an important part of developing a strong sense of personal identity.

#4 Increased appreciation of different cultures 

You don’t have to speak a culture’s language to learn about and respect it, but being bilingual can allow for a more immersive and direct experience with different communities.

#5 Access a more exciting job market 

The global job market is increasingly international with many companies operating in locations across continents. Being able to speak more than one language will make you a more competitve and desirable candidate when it comes to applying for jobs and opportunities.

#6 Becoming multilingual is easier 

Bilingual people have a better grasp of the ability to analyze different aspects of a language including sounds, syntax and words. This enhanced aptitude for languages, in general, makes it easier to learn a third or fourth language too!

Overall, the relatively manageable challenges that might crop up in the short term are well worth it when you consider the multitude of benefits in the long term. Being bilingual is a gift that keeps on giving.

If you haven’t spoken a second language from a young age, you may believe that you won’t be able to learn one now. However, you absolutely can! If you’re interested in learning a second language, why not join one of our inlingua International Language Centers – inlingua?

Sources:

https://insights.gostudent.org/en/top-6-benefits-of-bilingualism
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-43947365
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/22/growing-up-bilingual-can-improve-attentiveness-efficiency-study.html
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-81545-5
https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/2021/07/12/10-childhood-benefits-of-being-bilingual/

Is it really possible to learn a foreign language after 60?

Studies show that the oldest language learners have the strongest willpower. In addition, life experience, discipline and patience play key roles in the language learning process. Older learners can usually draw from a large reserve of memory and learning strategies. In this respect, they clearly have the better cards than adolescent learners.

Brain research is also encouraging. The brain of a person of advanced age is still malleable, “plastic”, as described by scientists. Short-term memory is affected by our aging processes, but not long-term memory, which is responsible for language comprehension and factual knowledge. This is because biological degradation of the brain caused by age, or the decline in learning ability, does not occur in a healthy person until after the age of 80.

Luckily for us, learning a foreign language can be crowned with success even in our later years.

What’s the point of learning new languages at a certain age?

There are as many different reasons for learning a foreign language as there are people – perhaps you’ll recognize yourself in some of the reasons mentioned here?

Traveling and learning about foreign cultures

Of course, it’s much easier to make new contacts in the destination country and to tap into cultural idiosyncrasies if you speak the local language.

Meeting new people

New contacts can be made not only in a foreign country, but also while learning the language at home. In a course you may meet people with similar interests, which can lead to new friendships.

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Lifelong learning & staying mentally fit

For many people, education and training are priorities with a high personal value. Their entire lives have been characterized by curiosity and a thirst for knowledge. In addition, it has been proven that learning languages keeps you mentally fit. It acts like a workout program for the brain and challenges the memory. As a result, this mental jogging counteracts the aging processes of the brain.

Personal interest

Often there are specific individual reasons for wanting to learn a particular language even at an advanced age. The great mathematician Carl Friedrich Gauss, for example, was so interested in the publications of his Russian colleague Nikolai Lobachevsky that he learned Russian. He was already 63 years old when he began studying Russian. Family ties or ties to a specific country can also be decisive factors for studying a language.

How does it work to learn successfully at a certain age?

As you get older, you learn differently – but not worse – than when you were still at school. Here are a few learning tips.

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Be patient with yourself

Basically, with increasing age, short-term memory decreases and you need longer and more repetition to utilize your long-term memory. Therefore, do not put yourself under unnecessary pressure to learn a language without errors in the shortest possible time. Plan a little more time and choose to learn only a few new vocabulary words a day and repeat them more often.

Learn from life

If you can apply what you learn right away, you learn especially effectively. Therefore, when learning, you should start with the vocabulary you are most likely to use. So, if you are planning a trip, start by learning how to say hello, goodbye and thank you, how to ask for prices or directions to a hotel. This way, you'll strike up conversation right away during your trip and increase your vocabulary that way.

Practice outside of the learning situation

Create as many opportunities as possible to use your newly acquired foreign language. Meet friends who speak the foreign language and have conversations with them. You’ll become more confident and secure with the new language and lose your inhibitions! Read books and magazines, listen to music in the target language and watch movies in the original language. Immerse yourself in this foreign world.

Book a language course

Since learning a foreign language on your own can be exhausting and boring, it’s recommended to join a language course. This way you get to know new people who have the same goal as yourself. In a course you not only read and practice the target language, but you also hear it – with the correct pronunciation and intonation.

Use your experience

One advantage you should use as an older learner is your ability to attach new knowledge to old. This allows you to draw from a wide range of appropriate learning techniques and use tricks as well as mnemonic devices to outsmart your flagging memory. At the same time, you have a wealth of experience to help you grasp the complex system of language.

The clear conclusion is, it’s never too late to learn! Good luck, your hard work and perseverance will pay off.

Would you like to learn a foreign language with a motivated and experienced trainer? inlingua has 50+ years’ experience in teaching languages in over 250 regions around the world. Get in touch here!

Sources:

Sprachen lernen im Alter? Ja, unbedingt! – Erfolgreiches Sprachenlernen

There’s an adage in English that says, “Anything worthwhile in life takes time and effort”. This wise saying clearly applies to acquiring foreign language skills.

There is no quick remedy to effectively learn a new language; however, there is a fun tool that can help you in your endeavours. Let’s take a closer look at a helpful resource which can go hand in hand with your inlingua courses: podcasts!

That’s right, podcasts! As you may have noticed, there has been a steady increase in the number of podcasts available on streaming platforms such as Google or Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Overcast, Audible, Player FM, Spotify, TuneIn, and Stitcher. Podcasts are very appealing because they are easily accessible (all you need is a phone or electronic device!) and most are also free of charge. There is also a wide range of topics you can choose from (sports, mystery, true crime, comedy and of course language learning).

Here are 5 ways in which podcasts can help you learn a new language:

1. Vocabulary

Imagine a large toolbox full of tools which are available to help you accomplish different tasks. If your knowledge of a foreign language could represent a toolbox, the words you acquire while learning a new language can be compared to the tools within the toolbox. Podcasts give you the opportunity to add more tools to your language toolbox by learning new vocabulary. You can either listen to a podcast that is geared towards learning the foreign language of your choice (more for beginners), or by listening to a podcast that talks about a specific topic of interest in the language you are learning (for more advanced learners).

When learning new vocabulary words, it is recommended to keep a pen and paper nearby to jot down new words and phrases. You may find that this active form of listening is more productive than the passive alternative of listening while multi-tasking and doing other activities.

2. Culture

Language and culture go hand in hand. Fall in love with the rituals, customs, and cultural practices of a foreign country by listening to podcasts that feature these aspects of a language.

Culture can be a great motivator to keep learning the language. Furthermore, something you learn in a podcast could be great material for an interesting conversation with a native speaker one day.

Podcasts can open a door to different societies, traditions, art, music, practices, foods, festivals, and customs.

3. Slow it down or speed it up

Did you know that a lot of streaming platforms allow you to slow down or speed up the audio? If you are a beginner, you might want to consider slowing down the speed of the podcast to allow you to understand what is being said or write down words and phrases. More advanced learners may want to practice listening at a more “native” speed and might consider speeding things up a bit.

Manipulating the speed of the podcast might also come in handy if you print out the transcript of the podcast and read along with the audio.

4. Idioms, Expressions and Pronunciation

As you can imagine, listening to a podcast has certain advantages over reading a book. By listening to a podcast, you can get used to the natural sounds of a language including accents, syllable stress, intonation and different forms of pronunciation that are almost imperceivable in written text. Intonation and slang can also be picked up more easily.

As most podcasts are produced by native speakers, it will also give you a glimpse of what native speakers sound like. Podcasts may also give you an introduction to expressions and slang found in a more casual setting which might not always be the case with academic recordings and books.

One of the more difficult aspects of learning a language is understanding idiomatic expressions. Storytelling and context found within examples can help non-native speakers understand what is meant with these popular yet often confusing phrases.

5. Read, Write and Speak while you listen

Believe it or not, it is possible (and recommended) to exercise more than just your listening skills when listening to podcasts.

As most podcasts come with a transcript, practice your reading skills by reading along with the podcast. Reading along while listening may increase your focus. While having a candid conversation in real life with a native-speaker or a teacher is the ideal way to develop your speaking skills, you can also record yourself reading out loud and practice your accent, pronunciation, and intonation.

Keeping a pen and paper nearby will allow you to write down handy words and phrases which you can later study/practice. Keep a vocabulary journal and use the notebook to make a fun flash card game so that you can review the words later. Podcasts are a great way to practice comprehension based on context. Not sure what a specific word or phrase is? Perhaps the answer lies within another part of the text (transcript) or audio.

So, can you learn a new language only with podcasts?

The short answer is no. Nothing quite beats a professional instructor who can correct and guide you on the spot as well as practice with other language learners and native speakers. This is one of the reasons inlingua courses are proven to be so successful. Nevertheless, you would be surprised by the progress you can make by listening to a podcast in a foreign language 20 minutes a day outside of your inlingua classes. Podcasts are convenient and helpful because they are easy to access and enriching. Perhaps the best solution would be to incorporate podcasts to your evening, weekend, and holiday schedule.

Would you like to learn a foreign language with a motivated and experienced trainer? inlingua has 50+ years’ experience in teaching languages in over 250 regions around the world. Get in touch here!

Written by: Chris A.

Sources:

Lenhart, Jan. Incidental Vocabulary Acquisition from Listening to Stories: a Comparison between Read-Aloud and Free Storytelling Approaches, Jan Lenhart, Sept. 2017, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319465425_Incidental_vocabulary_acquisition_from_listening_to_stories_a_comparison_between_read-aloud_and_free_storytelling_approaches.

Palombo, Marielle. “5 Benefits of Using Podcasts to Teach Academic Language to Els.” Listenwise Blog, Marielle Palombo, 9 Sept. 2022, https://blog.listenwise.com/2022/03/using-podcasts-to-teach-academic-language-to-els/.

Qiang, Wei. Effects of Podcasts and Learning Styles on Language Proficiency and Attitudes, Wei Qiang, https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED546877.pdf#page=175.