News

Unique Wine and Dine Experience

What’s possible in a week? If you dedicated seven days to the achievement of one goal, how ambitious could you make this goal? These were the questions that the multilingual friends Katy and Sara posed themselves when they determined to learn English in one week, to prove that it can be done and anyone can do it with the right methods.

They would attempt to liberate themselves from the distractions and responsibilities of modern-day life in order to cram eight hours of study time and I was observing some of the world’s most capable language learners at work.

The language learning expert: Sara

The friends set themselves the challenge of learning a language in a week in order to stretch themselves, and then it was a question of choosing which language to learn. English presented itself as a natural option; there are nigh on 300,000 English speakers in Germany’s capital, and the areas are dotted with stores adorned with signs in English.

“Truly understanding one’s environment requires one to first understand English”

The first operational step in the friends learning process was to decorate the entire apartment with sticky notes. This had an almost ceremonial touch to it as the friends delved into dictionaries and proceeded to label everything with its corresponding English name.

Within the space of about an hour it was impossible to carry out any menial task, be it making a coffee or flicking off a light switch, without first being presented with at least three different words related to this action.

Sara learning in the park

The importance of the other twin’s presence became immediately apparent as Katy and Sara delegated responsibilities for rooms to decorate with sticky notes. This simple task was augmented by continuous little tests that they would spring on one another, and the fact that they split up their day slightly differently and studied different topics meant that each twin became a source of knowledge for the other.

The most extraordinary moment came towards the end of the week!

The friends simply switched their everyday conversations to English, asking one another if they wanted tea or coffee, were ready to cook dinner or when they were going to leave the house.

Katy and Sara had numerous micro-challenges throughout the week. On the first day they were visited by a English friend who greeted them in English and complimented them on how quickly they’d picked up their first words and phrases.

They then learned the names of fruits and the numbers from one to a billion so that they could visit the English market (although they refrained from purchasing nine hundred thousand kumquats). Displaying their haul after their first functional exchange in English, they beamed with pride and a palpable sense of accomplishment before marching back home to study further.

Katy playing audio lessons

On our second visit to the brother’s apartment 24 hours into the week, we found them sampling dozens of different kinds of English snacks.

Like kids staring at the backs of cereal packs before heading to school, the nutritional information and various special offers and competitions on the packaging were analysed during snack breaks.

There was no moment of complete removal from the language learning process during the eight hours that the friends had allotted to it.

They were constantly using their existing knowledge to support the ever-growing knowledge of English, this being the root of their success.

“you will likely come across words that share common origins with your native tongue”

The friends spent a lot of time engrossed in books or on their computers and apps, flicking and swiping their way through exercises eagerly, but at other times they were to be found searching busily for English radio stations and write-ups of English football games on the web.

There is no definitive method to learn a language fluently

All too often, people enter their weekly language class to converse with their teacher, but then barely have any contact with other speakers and that’s not enough.

The old saying that we can solve problems more effectively when we sleep on it may be especially true if the problem we’re trying to solve is learning a new language.

Motivated Katy out to the library

Researchers from two Swiss universities wanted to know if they could enhance the learning of words from a foreign language by exposing people to the words during non-rapid eye movement sleep the deep, dreamless sleep period that most of us experience during the first few hours of the night.

To find out, they gathered two groups of study participants, all of whom were native German speakers, and gave them a series of Dutch-to-German word pairs to learn at 10 pm. One group was then instructed to get some sleep, while the other group was kept awake.For the next few hours both groups listened to an audio playback of the word pairs they’d already been exposed to and some they hadn’t yet heard.

The researchers then re-gathered both groups at 2 am and gave them a test of the Dutch words to uncover any differences in learning. And indeed there was a difference:

“The group that listened to the words during sleep did better at recalling the words they’d heard”

The simple yet potent trick the researchers employed is known as verbal cueing, and this isn’t the first claim made for its success while sleeping. But what makes this study different is that it puts a finer point on the conditions necessary for this trick to actually work namely, it only works when we’ve already been exposed to the verbal cues before we sleep.

The researchers added a techie dimension by conducting electroencephalographic (EEG)recordings of the sleeping participants brains to track neural electrical activity during the learning period.

They found that learning the foreign words overlapped with the appearance of theta brain waves, an intriguing result since theta is the brain wave state often associated with heightened learning while awake (usually we’re in either the high-frequency, high-alertness alpha or beta states while awake, but it’s thought possible to induce theta state slower in frequency than alpha and beta through concentration techniques).

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

You may also like

Business News Security Society Technology Technology Trends

Airtel Nigeria Graduates First Cohort of Groundbreaking Open Talent Economy Program

post-image

 

Airtel Nigeria has marked a significant milestone with the graduation of the first cohort from its Open Talent Economy (OTE) program, an ambitious initiative aimed at preparing undergraduates for the evolving demands of the modern workforce.

The pioneering program welcomed 14 undergraduates from top institutions, including Pan Atlantic University, Lead City University, Federal University of Technology Akure, Oduduwa University, and the University of California. Over a period of 120 days, these young talents received hands-on field training and contributed to live projects, gaining direct experience in real-world business environments.

Dubbed “Airternship,” the OTE program serves as a mutual engagement platform, allowing Airtel Nigeria to connect with the ambitions and perspectives of the youth while equipping them with the skills needed to thrive professionally. The program reflects Airtel Nigeria’s commitment to nurturing future leaders by providing practical experiences that go beyond the traditional classroom setting.

“Airtel Nigeria’s mission is to give young talents…

Read More
Announcements Business Culture Economy Education News Security Society

Nigeria Data Protection Commission Partners with Social Media Influencer Enioluwa Adeoluwa to Boost Privacy Awareness

post-image

 

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has taken a significant step in advancing data protection awareness in Nigeria by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with popular social media influencer, Enioluwa Adeoluwa. This collaboration aims to reach Nigeria’s vast social media user base and promote awareness about data privacy rights and responsibilities.

During the signing, the National Commissioner and CEO of the NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, emphasized the scale of Nigeria’s social media engagement, noting that an estimated 40 million Nigerians interact online daily. He explained that the partnership with Enioluwa is designed to educate individuals about their privacy rights while reminding data controllers and processors of their obligations under Nigeria’s data protection regulations. “With Enioluwa’s extensive social media following, this partnership is poised to amplify the Commission’s message, expanding public understanding of our mandate and advancing our roadmap for awareness creation,” Dr. Olatunji stated.

Enioluwa expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration,…

Read More
Business Economy International News Society Software Technology Technology Trends Telecoms

Digital sovereignty: the key to data control, security, and independence

post-image

By Alex Galbraith, CTO, Cloud Services at SoftwareOne

Working with data can be a blessing and a curse. While it is the definitive factor that empowers digital transformation efforts, aids decision-making and stores an organisation’s most valuable and confidential assets, dealing with data is often a business’ greatest challenge. As the world’s dependence on data grows and the threat of cyberattacks increases, businesses need solutions that will them manage, govern, and safeguard their data more efficiently – and this is where digital sovereignty comes in.

Digital sovereignty helps people, businesses, and countries to stay in control of their digital assets and data. It goes beyond ownership of data – it means having full authority over everything from where and how data is stored and processed to fostering independence in technological development to enforcing local laws and regulations within the digital space. Ultimately, it offers businesses increased control, security, and…

Read More
Announcements Business Culture News Security Society Software Technology Technology Trends Telecoms

Zoracom Nigeria Honored for Cybersecurity Leadership and Telecom Excellence at the Tech Innovation Awards 2024

post-image

 

In an era where cyber threats are growing increasingly complex and sophisticated, Nigeria has found an invaluable ally in Zoracom Nigeria—a company dedicated to safeguarding the nation’s digital borders. At the recent Tech Innovation Awards 2024, Zoracom was celebrated for its extraordinary efforts in cybersecurity and telecom infrastructure, receiving the prestigious title of Auxiliary Telecom Infrastructure Support Provider of the Year.

The award comes as a recognition of Zoracom’s relentless pursuit of quality, innovation, and transformative solutions in an industry that is central to Nigeria’s technological advancement. The company’s state-of-the-art facility, the National Security Operations Center (NSOC), stands as a testament to its commitment to combating cyber threats at a national scale. Established with cutting-edge technology and staffed by a team of skilled professionals, the NSOC is one of the country’s most advanced operations centers, providing real-time monitoring and proactive threat management to mitigate potential cyber incidents.

Read More
Business Economy

The Art of Investment: The rise of African art (By Ngozi Akinyele)

post-image

By Ngozi Akinyele, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Coronation Group (www.Coronation.ng)

 

A diversified portfolio is one of the key metrics of investment success. The greater this diversity, the more likely it will outperform the market, and the savviest investors are often looking for new opportunities: the rising stars among new asset classes. Investment in art is certainly not a new concept, but what makes it unique is that it often has low correlation with other major asset classes, meaning lower overall price volatility (https://apo-opa.co/3UpJknE). It’s the sure bet, sometimes with incredible escalating value, especially for those opting to invest in blue-chip artists (https://apo-opa.co/3Uq6YQQ) renowned artists whose work demands high prices in the art market).

However, not all of us can afford to invest in the works of Picasso, Van Gogh, or Warhol, with many blue-chip pieces only accessible as…

Read More
Business Culture Economy

From Tech Addiction to Surviving Conflict: Global Conference in Doha Explores the Challenges Facing Arab and Global Families

post-image

Policies to protect families in countries affected by conflict, the global impact of population decline, and striking a balance between work and family life were placed in focus at the 30th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family Conference on Family and Contemporary Megatrends.

 

Organized by Qatar Foundations Doha International Family Institute (DIFI), in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development and Family, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), the conference brought together more than 2,000 experts and policymakers from around the world to explore key trends affecting families, and policies and programs that strengthen the familys place at the heart of society.

 

The conference was attended by eminent figures from across the Arab world including Her Excellency Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed, First Lady of Iraq; Her Excellency Maya Morsi, Minister of Social Solidarity, Egypt; Her Excellency Dr. Amthal Hadi Hayef Al…

Read More
Business Economy Education Government Investments Technology Technology Trends

Nigeria Secures N2.8 Billion Google Investment to Boost Digital Economy and AI Development

post-image

 

Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, announced a significant N2.8 billion commitment from Google, aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s digital economy through strategic initiatives outlined in the ministry’s Strategic Blueprint. The announcement was made alongside Google’s President of EMEA Business & Operations, Matt Brittin, as the tech giant pledged to support Nigeria’s technological transformation.

Dr. Tijani highlighted four major initiatives that Google’s investment will fuel:No alternative text description for this image

  1. DeepTech Ready Upskilling Programme: Designed to enhance advanced technical skills, this program aligns with Nigeria’s 3MTT initiative, aiming to equip 20,000 Nigerians with expertise in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
  2. Experience AI Programme: Targeting young learners aged 11-14, this initiative, co-developed with the Raspberry Pi Foundation and Google DeepMind, seeks to introduce AI fundamentals across Nigerian schools. Through this program, Google will train 25,000…
Read More
Business Culture Economy

Sanâa Kiadi Reflects on Participation in IOM Workshop on Migration Data in Rabat, Morocco

post-image

Sanâa Kiadi, a distinguished Global Strategist and International Executive, recently had the honor of representing the African Migration Observatory (AMO) at the Sub-Regional Workshop on Migration Data and Research, which took place on October 16th and 17th in Rabat, Morocco. This significant event was organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with the Government of Morocco, bringing together key stakeholders dedicated to advancing the understanding of migration dynamics in the region.

During her participation, Kiadi presented AMO’s mission, which is focused on enhancing migration data collection and analysis across Africa. Her presentation underscored the importance of establishing robust data systems that inform evidence-based migration policies. “Accurate and comprehensive migration data is essential for shaping policies that address…

Read More