April 10, 2019 | 0 comments

Let me start with a disclaimer: there is no general consensus among scientific studies about what the most effective time of the day to study a new language would be. So as a general rule of thumb, it’s worth trying different options, and if an early morning start works best for you, then stick to it. As with learning techniques, there is no “one size fits all” approach.

With that said, let’s see what the pros and cons of different times of the day might be, and how these affect your ability to learn and memorise unknown grammar rules and vocabulary.

Morning start VS late night: early bird or night owl

Image by Loco Steve

Studying during the day

For early risers, a morning start can be the most effective approach, because they are able to focus best during the first part of the day. However, even if you are not an early riser, there are some general benefits in studying during the day:

  1. You can take advantage of natural light.
  2. Your brain is likely going to be sharper after a good night’s sleep, so it will absorb more information.
  3. If you prefer to study in a group, it’s certainly easier to arrange that during the day, rather than at night.
Studying at night

For night owls the energy peak comes later during the day, so evenings (or even night-time) can be a better option than mornings for effective language learning. Here are some potentials benefits of studying in the evening and at night:

  1. A quieter environment, and less distractions.
  2. Some studies suggest that sleeping right after acquiring new information can help consolidating it.
  3. Some people experience better clarity of mind and improved creative thinking at night.

Some research does suggest that on average a relatively early morning start might be beneficial for learning purposes: there is relative consensus around an optimal focus time slots between 10am and 2pm. However, other research suggest a favourable window would also be between 4pm and 10pm.

Interestingly enough though, other studies (albeit limited in scope) suggest that combining late evening and early morning study sessions might bring the best results. According to this research, sleeping after learning is a good retention strategy, but sleeping in between two learning sessions can bring even better consolidation rates.

With ESO, you can organise your lessons and exam preparation according to your schedule and preferences. Our qualified teachers are very flexible, so an early morning start won’t be a problem. Not only you will get the benefit of an accommodating schedule, you’ll also have classes specifically tailored to your needs and learning goals. So book your trial lesson now, you won’t be disappointed.

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