Most people have difficulty learning a foreign language. But scientists reveal precisely the opposite, because the brain can learn a new word is less than 15 minutes.

Previously, scientists from Israel managed to identify the cause of the difficulty of one’s learning Arabic. But neuroscientists from Cambridge to find one thing one must do in studying a foreign language, namely listening to the word as much as 160 times in about 15 minutes.

After that the brain will form new specialized neural network and served to remember the word. This process occurs much faster than previous estimates.

Dr Yury Shtyrov and the team get results after placing electrodes on the head of 16 healthy volunteers to monitor brain activity. Initially the brain had to work hard to recognize a new word, but after repeated 160 times in about 15 minutes of new memory traces in the brain almost indistinguishable.

“It is shown here is an exercise is something that is important. By listening to these words over and over again can really help someone learn a foreign language,” said Dr. Shtyrov, Thursday (12/16/2010).

Shtyrov said Dr. repetition of the word which made possible to extend the new nerve tissue into the brain in charge in terms of pronunciation.

Dr Shtyrov and his colleagues in the unit development of the Medical Research Council’s Cognition and Brain Sciences, is developing a therapy called constraint-induced aphasia therapy (CIAT). This therapy not only can help visitors learn a foreign language, but also to help stroke patients speak again.

“Repetition is the key, but the best time for the brain to learn is when you’re relaxed and not try to remember anything. For example when watching sporting events, you can remember all the players, teams and rules that apply when you do not intend to remember it,” he said.

Generally, the mind does not choose to remember all the things, because it will determine which are important and not. But by doing repetitions, gradually will form new neural networks that make a person could learn a foreign language.