Chapter 1: The Myth of Language Learning During Sleep

Let’s get straight to the point: acquiring a language while you sleep is simply not feasible. Research conducted by the RAND Corporation in 1955 confirmed that attempting to recall information presented during sleep is ineffective. To truly absorb new vocabulary in a foreign language, you need to be awake and alert. Unless you find yourself dreaming in the language after an extensive day of studying, playing an eight-hour video of Spanish, French, or Japanese words in your sleep won’t yield any benefits. If this were possible, wouldn’t we all just take naps during class? This logic underpins the existence of those YouTube videos promoting language learning during sleep.

Imagine if this were true—we’d all be acing our exams and using the excuse of dozing off in class as a study method. “Sorry, teacher! I learn best while I snooze!” If you fall asleep in math class and still struggle with assignments, that’s on you. While methods like spaced repetition are beneficial, you cannot learn effectively if you’re not conscious. So, what’s the real motivation behind these “learn a language in your sleep” videos?

The Allure of Easy Solutions

Even with clear evidence against it, many individuals still seek a shortcut to language learning. I must admit, I once tried this myself during my initial Spanish lessons. However, within ten minutes, I found it utterly absurd. I realized there was no way I could retain information while asleep. While it wasn’t the worst method I attempted, it was short-lived. They got my click, boosting their views—congratulations to them.

#### Mindless Consumption

These videos are not truly “videos” in the traditional sense. They often consist of lengthy audio files lasting six to ten hours, paired with a captivating thumbnail. They might display words on the screen, but who is actually watching if the intention is to fall asleep?

Just like Medium, YouTube tracks viewer watch time, allowing creators to exploit the system. There’s no way to determine if someone is genuinely watching a video or just letting it run in the background. According to YouTube’s monetization criteria, channels must accumulate at least 4,000 hours of watch time in the past year and have over 1,000 subscribers.

These requirements can be daunting, particularly the 4,000 hours of annual watch time. However, with multiple lengthy videos available for the same language, creators can take advantage of this demand. One could argue that this content is a form of “time scamming,” but the viewers are asleep anyway. While it may not be a scam in the traditional sense, it preys on individuals who feel pressed for time or wish for a quick, effortless way to grasp a new language.

The YouTube channel “Real World Spanish Lessons” has been releasing “learn in your sleep” videos regularly since December 2020. It almost seems like they’ve run out of original content for their 47,000 subscribers.

Similarly, popular JapanesePod101 videos titled “Learn Japanese While Sleeping” also simplify language learning. These videos have collectively amassed over 17 million views in just four years.

Some might argue these videos serve as ASMR, creating a soothing backdrop while you drift off to sleep, but claiming they facilitate actual language learning crosses a line.

A Cautionary Note

I hope this doesn’t sound overly skeptical. The notion of learning languages while sleeping is fundamentally flawed, and many creators profit from it on YouTube. While I’m sure most have good intentions and genuinely wish to assist others in learning languages, those specific videos claiming to teach while you sleep are ineffective. Even studies suggesting that one can learn while asleep emphasize that this applies only to knowledge already familiar to the learner.

If you’re intrigued, feel free to listen to these YouTube videos. Just remember that those designed for “sleeping” are merely lengthy clickbait and won’t aid you in acquiring new vocabulary or phrases. Instead, you’d be far better off dedicating time during the day to actively study your target language while awake.