In the last couple of posts we’ve focussed on some of the more academic side to learning a language, in the next few we’ll take a look at some of the nifty toys you can play with that can add a bit of fun to your learning while also giving you some really useful feedback on how you’re doing.
At the end of this series of posts, we’re going to be releasing a new gadget (and some other great new features) on BitesizedLanguages.com so make sure you read through to the end to find out what we have in store for you…
To kick things off let’s look at the simplest but one of the most revealing tools: the humble sound recorder.
Whether it is recorded through your PC, Mobile phone or MP3 player; one of the best (and cheapest) self-improvement tools is recording your own voice for playback. Working one-on-one with a tutor is of course ideal, however when that isn’t an option recording your own voice is surprisingly revealing. While you may cringe at the thought, here are 6 reasons why recording yourself speaking in a foreign language is great for self-improvement:
- As most people know the voice you hear from within your head is not the same as that which others hear so it is impossible to be really self-critical when assessing your own pronunciation.
- When you’re speaking your brain naturally skims over the bits that you are fumbling on so what sounds to you like poetry may actually be coming out in quite a broken fashion.
- One of the things that often leads to the broken speaking above is relying on “safety words”, often things like “yes”, “no”, “ok” these are often words that are your default response to a question you’re still processing (to buy you time so you don’t feel silly). This isn’t strictly a singular activity but when practising with another fire up the recorder and listen for these habits – then fix them.
- Recording your voice and then teaching yourself what you did wrong is an excellent way of improving not only your pronunciation but also your general ability, teaching is often the best way of learning.
- It’s fun! Get over the cringe worthiness of your voice, laugh at your mistakes and then fix them. Whether you do this or not you will still have those habits so better to notice them, laugh about them and then fix them!
- It’s (probably) FREE! All modern PCs & Macs, many mobile phones and MP3 players have recording devices built in (or accessible with a cheap microphone). It doesn’t have to be Dolby quality, you just need to be able to work out your habits and weak points.
So, give it a try there really is no excuse not to! Please do share your stories with us in the comments below, we love hearing from you.
Have fun!
Simon
Tags: gadgets, games, polyglot tricks
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I am an English teacher in Brazil, a “private” teacher. I have small groups of students.
I’ve been using your suggestion since a long ago, and the results are amazing.
Although it’s an excellent methodology, most of them get surprised to their own voice at the first time. Some of them not even believe it’s their real voice. But it’s a really good way of teaching.
Your suggestions are worth following.
@Elias thanks Elias we really appreciate your feedback. I find it takes a while to get into the process but once you get over the surprise at your own voice it really helps you make progress.
Elias’s message has a number of grammar mistakes and omissions in it. It should read ‘for a long time……’ ‘to hear their own voices for the first time.’ ‘……do not even believe…’ ‘But, it is a ……’
While his English is pretty good, one does not expect to read mistakes from a teacher.
FYI Elias English is fine. I love your idea Simon and will sign up for it. You are really onto something! Keep up the great work!
Thanks Mary Ellen, yes it’s an easy trick and really worth the effort good luck
Anjana, keep in mind Simon didn’t claim to be a *good* teacher.
Oops, of course I meant Elias, not Simon.
@all. Hey guys no need to get personal on this blog, it’s supposed to be a place to share ideas not criticise. If you have ideas to share or constructive comments to make please do, we love hearing from you; otherwise it’s probably not the right place for you to be contributing.
@Elias thank you again for your comments it’s great to hear from people who are using the ideas we talk about
Thanks everyone for keeping it nice! Simon.
Sorry, if I upset anyone, but I stand by my comments, whereas Elias’s English is pretty good it does contain some basic mistakes which one does not expect from a teacher. However, the recording idea is brilliant. I remember being very surprised at how my voice sounded in a German lesson, many years ago.
Best wishes to everyone.
To May 11
You’re absolutely correct, he did not claim to be a ‘good’ teacher. But, on re-reading his piece (hoping to revise my comments) I noticed mistakes that I had missed the first time, so what can I say. Only that we rely on a teacher to give us the correct basics. However, I have begun learning Portuguese (Brazilian) for a short time now, and I can appreciate the difficulties of trying to teach English to people with this as their first language. The grammars are very different to each other, and both are difficult languages for foreigners.
Best wishes Anjana
@Anjana thanks for your comments Anjana, we love getting your feedback – just try to keep advice general to everyone then we’ll all benefit. Thanks, have a great day
[...] the last post on cool tools and gadgets to give your language learning a boost we looked at recording your own voice as a way to improve your language skills. There is often no [...]
You are absolutely right! It’s about having fun while learning a language. This is what makes it more enjoyable. Recording yourself is also good like you mention to help improve language skills. Great points!