Armed Forces News

Scientists at the Office of Naval Research and the University of Washington have determined that people may find it easier to learn a second language if they take five-minute rests. The team came to the conclusion after conducting experiments on 19 participants between ages 18 and 31 who had no experience learning French. In the eight-week study, the participants took part in 30-minute French lessons delivered by a virtual-reality computer. Each participant was required to remain still with eyes closed, breathe deeply, and wear an electroencephalogram (EEG) before and after each lesson. The rest periods fostered greater “beta” networks, which are associated with language and memory. The scientists are looking for ways to improve resting-state brain activity. “We’re figuring out key constraints on learning and information processing, to develop ways to improve language mastery,” said Dr. Changel Prat-an of the University of Washington.