Use your subconscious
Listen to tapes while going to sleep because in this sleepy, drowsy condition we memorise a lot more. This is one of the methods of accelerated learning.
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I listen to recordings of a coursebook on my mp3 player last thing at night, and I often remember the page I saw I saw the phrases as a visual image, and depending on the content it can make me sleep. Listening to radio in your target language allows you to get used to the flow and overall sound.
It is becoming more and more certain that listening to tapes while sleeping is as effective as using a dictionary as a pillow.
The period just before sleep is, however, a great time to listen to audio. This will help as part of a tachydidactic program, but much like vitamins, will only work as part of a healthy linguistic diet.
This listening will only help you learn the sounds. The meanings will only be attached when you analyse and process them in a cognisant state.
Travelling long distances while listening to language CDs makes it easy for me to master my 12th language equally enjoyable. I have little problem when I travel to other countries and people look at me wondering weather I am Spanish, Indian, French, or African or from Mars as an Australian Bundaburgian commented:). Language is a powerful instrument and I never pay the tourist price but feel at home where ever and who ever I converse with.
I think that, when we really want to learn a language, any little thing we do to expose our ears and eyes to it helps.
Like Richard I'm sceptical that the subconscious mind remembers more, however I have benefited from this sort of learning, but only when dozing. What I mean by this is when in a light stage of sleep background noise often infiltrates my dreams, so I get a vivid memory (often inane, as dreams can be) and remember better.
In deep sleep this doesn't seem to work. For me, at least.
This really does work - my brother used to listen to radio Prague each night as he went to sleep when he was a teenager. They used to broadcast in a different language each night. He now speaks seven languages fluently and is a natural linguist. The sub-conscious mind can absorb much more than the conscious mind. It is also a good idea to immerse yourself in the chosen language throughout the day as background noise, if you can. I did this for my children when they were young and they all became better than average at languages.
I simply do not believe this! You remember best when a sharp impression is made at the same time, usually with emotional content.
I haven't tried this out yet, but I feel pretty certain that this will work for me as I try to learn Italian. When I sleep, I spend about 10-15 minutes(sometimes more if my back starts to hurt), so I pay a lot of attention to what I hear. So, this would probably be helpful. Thanks for the tip!
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