Conducting the research over a period of 2 years, the scientists found that students who slept on their dictionaries were 60% more likely to retain new vocabulary than those who didn’t. Similar studies in the United States have shown that students are more likely to retain foreign vocabulary, should they sleep with a dictionary under their pillow. The German professors are pleased with their new linguistic discovery, with Professor Coux claiming: “It is an exciting time for non-linguists and dictionary publishers alike; our ground-breaking discovery will help thousands of students and language-learners improve their skills, all whilst counting sheep and snoozing.”

Although the research took over 2 years to complete, the professors initially came about the idea whilst working late in their laboratory with French technology, falling asleep on their language dictionaries. The following morning, both professors questioned orthodox learning techniques, after realising they were speaking French fluently.

“It was all to do with that night, really - that was the big turning point”, adds Professor Raoul Germanix. The professors returned to their native Germany and started their research with a barrage of cynicism from other leading academics across the globe. “Essentially, it came as a big surprise two respected academics would attempt such a thing, all because they couldn’t remember what Poisson d’Avril (a scientific term for a specific part of the brain) meant. But look at us now! I still have a pillow mark on my cheek and have learnt fluent Swahili, in just 5 nights!”, claims Professor Edward Willoughby, Anthropology lecturer and researcher at Harvard University.

The new discovery comes just in time for thousands of students who are preparing for their exams in May.

Have to see it to believe it? Browse the dictionaries in our language-learning resources section.