One of the biggest reasons for my success in learning languages is creating dedicated time to study. In the beginning, I struggled with consistency. I would often tell myself, “Oh, I’ll just do it tonight after X,” or “I’ll go to bed now and do it first thing in the morning!” But, as you might guess, I never actually made time. The days would slip by, and I would realize I hadn’t studied in a while. Sure, I studied every few days, and sometimes only once a week, but this inconsistency caused me to forget important aspects of the language, such as grammar, vocabulary, and even how to form proper sentences!
My inconsistent study habits resulted in a frustrating cycle of re-learning what I had previously forgotten. There were also times when I tried to study but couldn’t focus for the life of me. Distractions were everywhere, and my mind would wander. This led me to a crucial realization: I needed to find the best time for me to study—a time when I could be most focused and retain the most information. Which is necessary because as someone will a full-time job it can be hard to make time.
So, I started to think: what is the best time for me to study? I decided to do a deep dive and research to see what science says about the best times to study a language, coupled with my personal experience.
Here are some things that I found thanks to some great resources such as London School of Business & Finance, QZ, and of course, myself!
Mornings: Harnessing the power of a refreshed mind.
Mornings have a unique charm when it comes to learning, and for many, they offer the perfect environment for studying a new language.
- Peak Cognitive Function: After a good night’s sleep, my mind is at its freshest. I find that I can grasp new vocabulary and complex grammar rules more efficiently in the morning. Cognitive functions such as memory retention and problem-solving are at their peak, making it an ideal time for intensive learning.
- Now I am not a morning person by any means, but I wanted to utilize this time. While I was in Japan I would commute to school which could take anywhere from 20-40 minutes, depending on how busy the train was that day. I would use this time to go on my phone and use applications such as Quizlet to learn new vocab and/or memorize Kanji. I noticed a significant improvement in my ability to recall characters throughout the day.
- Positive Start: Starting my day with a productive language session sets a positive tone for the rest of the day. It gives me a sense of achievement and boosts my motivation, making me more productive in other areas of my life as well.
- Consistency: Incorporating language study into my morning routine has helped me stay consistent. It has actually helped me in my life overall. Because of this I created a morning routine that has poured over into other aspects of my life.
Afternoons: Capitalizing on a Midday Boost
While mornings work great for some tasks, I’ve found that afternoons can be just as effective, especially for different types of language activities.
- Second Wind: After lunch, many people experience a resurgence of energy and alertness, often referred to as a “second wind.” This can be an excellent time to tackle language tasks that require focus, such as grammar exercises or reading comprehension. For example, I usually reserve my afternoons for more interactive and engaging activities. This is when I like to participate in language exchange sessions. Speaking with native speakers or fellow learners during my afternoon break helps me apply what I’ve learned and improves my conversational skills.
- Break from Routine: Incorporating language study into my afternoon provides a refreshing break from work or other daily activities. It helps recharge my brain and improve overall productivity. I find that stepping away from work and immersing myself in a different language for a bit re-energizes me for the rest of the day. If I do not feel like conversation that day I grab one of the novels I am reading in the target language.
- Nap Time: Sometimes I don’t do well unless I have a nap. On weekends I like to take a nap around 2pm-3pm and wake up fully energized! This is the perfect time to learn; similar to mornings except I get a quick energy burst.
Nights: Unwinding with Language Learning
- Relaxed Atmosphere: Evenings often provide a more relaxed environment, which can be conducive to studying. This is a great time for activities like watching movies or TV shows in your target language, listening to music, or reviewing flashcards.
- I like to end my day by reading a novel or watching a drama. Recently it’s been Nihonjin No Shiranai Nihongo, its a funny Japanese drama that I recommend! Not only does it help me relax, but it also exposes me to everyday language usage and cultural nuances. It’s an enjoyable way to wind down while still being productive.
- pssst – Disney plus has a LOT of movies and shows in multiple languages – my go-to when I’m having a bad day and want to relax and feel productive at the same time.
- Reinforcement and Reflection: Studying in the evening allows me to reinforce what I’ve learned during the day. Reflecting on new vocabulary and concepts before bed can aid in long-term retention. I keep a journal where I jot down new words and phrases I may have thought of during the day. For example, I noticed I said the word “thing” a lot in English so I wrote it down and looked up the word when I got home. I’m assuming that if I used the word a lot in my daily conversation it would be the same in another language. I am very forgetful and don’t have time at work to deep dive – so I make this note for the nights. Reviewing these notes before going to bed helps solidify my learning and ensures that I don’t forget what I’ve studied.
- Flexible Time: Evenings offer more flexibility and the chance to engage in longer uninterrupted study sessions.
Conclusion
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the best time of day to study a foreign language. Morning, afternoon, and evening each offer unique advantages that can cater to different learning styles and schedules. By understanding your personal rhythms and experimenting with different times, you can find the optimal study time that enhances your language learning journey.
For me, mornings are perfect for intensive study, afternoons for interactive practice, and evenings for relaxed reinforcement. It’s like skincare – what works for others may not work for you, but with guidance, it can make figuring out the correct method easier and quicker. The key is to stay flexible, consistent, and motivated. Remember, the journey of learning a language is just as important as the destination.
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Happy studying!