Have you ever felt completely stuck when trying to learn something new? You’re focused, working hard, but it feels like you're not getting anywhere? Like this girl:
Here's the reason: when you’re tackling something unfamiliar, your brain needs more than just focus — it needs time to process in the background.
That’s where balancing focused and diffuse modes of learning comes in.
HOW THE BRAIN HANDLES NEW INFORMATION
In focused mode, your brain is laser-focused on details — perfect for studying or problem-solving.
However, when a concept is completely new, this intense concentration isn’t enough. Your brain hasn’t built the pathways to fully understand the material yet. This is why trying to push harder in focus mode can sometimes leave you feeling stuck.
What your brain really needs is the diffuse mode, a state where it steps back and begins making broader connections.
When you're doing something more relaxed, like taking a walk or resting, your brain starts seeing patterns and understanding the material in a new light.
This happens because your brain is actively working on forming new pathways without you even realizing it.
THE POWER OF BOTH MODES FOR NEW LEARNING
Barbara Oakley and Olav Schewe, the authors of Learn Like a Pro, explain that these two modes — focused and diffuse — are both critical, especially when tackling completely new topics.
It’s not just about how hard you work; it’s about how you balance both modes to allow your brain to make sense of unfamiliar information.
In diffuse mode, your brain isn’t thinking about details. Instead, it’s forming a map of the broader concept. This helps when you switch back to focused mode, where you can dive into the details with a better understanding of the bigger picture.
HOW TO APPLY HTIS TO YOUR LEARNING
If you’re learning English or any new skill, start with a focused study session — working on grammar, vocabulary, or whatever else. But then, instead of pushing through when things feel unclear, take a break and let your brain shift into diffuse mode.
What you do during this time does matter though. For example, being on your phone the entire time that you were trying to supposedly relax is not going to cut it. Ideally, you'll do something that is not very intense, like one of these:
That downtime is where your brain builds the connections needed to understand the material when you come back to it.
So, if you’re finding new topics difficult, remember — it's not just about forcing yourself to stay focused. It’s about using both focused and diffuse modes effectively to give your brain the time it needs to build the connections for real understanding.
Tina is a professional English Teacher with a Cambridge education and 10+ years of teaching English to adults in-person and online.
She wants you and English learners like you to develop a solid understanding of what you need to do to start speaking better English faster (and not fall for English-in-a-month scams).
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