Use a Voice Recorder for Effective Study Abroad

When studying abroad, recording your classes is an excellent way to remember and review what you learned daily. With the advent of iPod voice recorders, this is not only possible, but practical as well.

There are a wide range of voice recorders available, from zero frills and bad quality sound playback, to large, heavy, expensive recorders more suitable for serious singers and musicians than language students interested in hearing lectures, vocabulary, and pronunciation. The recorders plug into your iPod and allow you to record lectures and dialogue. Some of the recorders allow you to plug your iPod in at the same time to keep the battery fresh. Keep in mind that you need to have enough memory free on your iPod to allow the recordings to fit (not such a problem with the advent of mega-memory iPods, but something to consider!)

Using a voice recorder is a valuable tool to implement when studying a language abroad. First of all, you won’t have to take as many notes in class; rather, while your classmates are furiously scribbling down everything the teacher says, you can fully absorb the information and take notes later when you review. Not only will you miss less information, but you will be able to only write down the information that you really need. Second, you will be able to hear your own pronunciation and compare it with your other classmates and teacher. After class, you can record yourself speaking, or better yet, record yourself interacting with your homestay family or friends, and practice improving your pronunciation and comprehension. 

Three nice, mid-range iPod voice recorders are the Macally iVoicePro, the Griffin iTalk Voice Recorder, and the Blue Mikey. For those interested in packing light the Macally and the Griffin are small, sleek, lightweight voice recorders, probably the better choices for those that just want to use the voice recorder for study abroad (for more information on packing light, download our free Ultimate Guide to Packing e-report). The Blue Mikey is much larger, weighing in at two pounds. With better sound quality and more frills, the Blue Mikey is an excellent voice recorder, but make sure to keep in mind the extra size and weight. Whichever voice recorder you choose, you will surely be a step ahead in learning your new language!  

Comments

[Robin Smith]

Thank you for this wonderful sharing, there's no doubt that one can achieve more if able to travel abroad to study and enjoy the local cultures.

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