Lesson 9: Audio Diary

Record yourself speaking in English for 1-2 minutes about your day, feelings, or plans.

• Materials: Phone or computer with recording function
• Focus: Speaking fluency, pronunciation
• Example topics: “My favorite hobby,” “What I did yesterday,” “My family”
• Extension: Listen to your recording and transcribe it, then correct any errors.

Lesson 9: Audio Diary

Overview

This practical, confidence-building lesson helps you develop your English speaking skills by recording short audio entries about your life, thoughts, and experiences. By creating an audio diary, you’ll improve your pronunciation, speaking fluency, and ability to express yourself spontaneously in English without the pressure of having a conversation partner.

Learning Objectives

• Improve spoken fluency in English
• Practice natural pronunciation and intonation
• Develop ability to speak without a script
• Build confidence in expressing personal thoughts and experiences
• Identify and correct common speaking errors
• Track progress in speaking skills over time

Materials Needed

• Smartphone, tablet, or computer with recording function
• Voice recording app (most phones have a built-in recorder)
• Quiet location for recording
• Notebook and pen for planning notes (optional)
• Headphones (recommended for playback)
• Optional: Speech-to-text app to transcribe your recordings

Preparation (10 minutes)

1. Find a quiet space where you won’t be interrupted or feel self-conscious
2. Make sure your recording device is working properly
3. Create a simple folder system to organize your audio diary entries
4. Decide on a topic for your first recording from these beginner-friendly options:
   • Introducing yourself and your interests
   • Describing your day or recent activities
   • Talking about your family or friends
   • Describing your favorite place
   • Explaining your favorite hobby
5. Make brief notes about what you want to say (3-5 bullet points maximum)

Audio Diary Activity (40 minutes)

Part 1: Warm-Up (5 minutes)

1. Do a quick vocal warm-up:
   • Take a few deep breaths
   • Practice saying a few simple English phrases clearly
   • Smile while speaking (this actually improves your pronunciation!)
2. Record a very short (15-30 second) test recording to check your volume and clarity
3. Listen to the test recording and adjust as needed

Part 2: First Recording Attempt (10 minutes)

1. Start your recording device
2. Begin with a simple introduction: “This is my audio diary entry for [today’s date]”
3. Talk about your chosen topic for 1-2 minutes
4. Try to speak continuously without long pauses
5. If you make a mistake or get stuck, just continue – don’t restart
6. End your recording with a simple conclusion: “That’s all for today’s entry”

Part 3: Listening and Reflection (10 minutes)

1. Listen to your recording carefully
2. Notice:
   • What parts sounded natural and fluent?
   • Where did you hesitate or struggle?
   • Any pronunciation or grammar errors you can identify
   • Your overall speaking pace and tone
3. Make brief notes about what you want to improve

Part 4: Second Improved Recording (10 minutes)

1. Based on your reflection, record a new version of your diary entry
2. Focus on improving the areas you identified
3. Try to speak more fluently and naturally
4. Don’t worry about making it perfect – progress comes with practice

Part 5: Planning Your Audio Diary Practice (5 minutes)

1. Decide how often you will make audio diary entries (2-3 times per week is ideal)
2. Choose your next few topics and write them in your calendar
3. Set up reminders on your phone to maintain your practice schedule

Example Audio Diary Topics

Sample Audio Diary Script

Extension Activities

1. Transcription Practice: Try to write down what you said in your recording, then check for grammar and vocabulary errors.
2. Topic Expansion: Record a follow-up entry that goes deeper into the same topic.
3. Question and Answer: Record yourself asking questions, then answer them in a separate recording.
4. Read and Speak: Read a short text aloud, then summarize it in your own words in a recording.
5. Progress Comparison: After a month, record the same topic again and compare your fluency and confidence.

Pronunciation Focus Areas

Each week, choose one aspect of pronunciation to focus on in your recordings:

• Week 1: Clear word endings (especially -s, -ed, -ing)
• Week 2: Sentence stress (emphasizing important words)
• Week 3: Intonation (the rise and fall of your voice)
• Week 4: Linking words together smoothly
• Week 5: Problem sounds that don’t exist in your native language

Self-Assessment Questions

After each recording session, ask yourself:

• Could I express my thoughts without too many pauses or hesitations?
• Did I use varied vocabulary or rely on the same few words?
• Was my pronunciation clear enough for others to understand?
• Did I use complete sentences with proper grammar?
• How natural did my speaking sound compared to native speakers?
• What’s one thing I can improve in my next recording?

Tips for Successful Audio Diaries

• Speak naturally as if talking to a friend, not reading a formal presentation
• Don’t worry about small mistakes – fluency comes before perfection
• Try to record at the same time each day to build a habit
• Keep your recordings organized with dates and topics
• Listen to older recordings occasionally to see your progress
• If you get stuck, it’s okay to look at your notes, but don’t read directly from them
• Increase your recording time gradually as you become more comfortable

Benefits of Regular Audio Diary Practice

• Reduces speaking anxiety by practicing in a private, stress-free environment
• Builds the mental connections needed for spontaneous speech
• Creates a record of your progress that you can be proud of
• Improves listening skills as you analyze your own speech
• Develops the ability to think directly in English rather than translating
• Prepares you for real conversations by building speaking stamina

Remember that speaking is a physical skill that improves with practice, just like sports or music. Your audio diary is a safe space to make mistakes and learn from them. The more regularly you practice, the more natural English speaking will become!