Dutch courage may help language skills

IF YOU are struggling with the language when you are abroad, the answer could be a quick pint.

Researchers have found that a pint of beer can boost your foreign language skills after testing the effects of alcohol on volunteers’ ability to converse in Dutch.

The participants were 50 Germans who were learning Dutch and studying at Maastricht University in Holland.

Some had a pint of 5pc strength beer while others had a non-alcoholic drink, before they talked in Dutch for a few minutes.

Their fluency was then rated by two native Dutch speakers who concluded that those who had had a drink did significantly better at pronunciation.

Dr Fritz Renner, of Maastricht University, said: “It is important to point out that participants consumed a low dose of alcohol. Higher levels of alcohol consumption might not have beneficial effects on the pronunciation of a foreign language.”

Dr Jessica Werthmann added: “We need to be cautious about the implications. A possible mechanism could be the anxiety-reducing effect of alcohol. But more research is needed.”

The findings are published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.