| Any person who is serious at learning a new | | | | recorder's earphone jack. This cord is vital |
| language must have the essential equipment | | | | for the creation of MP3 files. This can also |
| that this endeavor requires. Just like any | | | | be used to connect a cassette recorder to a |
| soldier who is out to take on a battle, the | | | | computer or a short-wave radio. When this is |
| learner must also be prepared to face this | | | | done, internet broadcasts and radio |
| obstacle with the right tools. | | | | transmissions can be recorded in the language |
| | | | that is being learned. |
| First, a language learner must consider how | | | | |
| he aims to learn a foreign language. There | | | | Â- A computer complete with speakers and |
| are two settings-one is a classroom setup and | | | | sound card that comes in at least a Pentium |
| the other is the self-learning setup. Either | | | | III version. The computer must also have a |
| way, there are necessary gadgets that need to | | | | large hard drive since this will be used on |
| become a part of the language learning | | | | the creation of MP3 files. |
| system. | | | | |
| | | | Â- A portable MP3 player is best used for |
| Language Learning Gadgets and Their Features | | | | learning languages while on the go. For |
| | | | instance, a learner could easily review his |
| Â- A good microphone must have two | | | | language lessons by listening to them while |
| separate plugs-one is for rem and the other | | | | doing chores or while traveling. An MP3 |
| one is for mike. This means that the | | | | player is handy and is best for those who |
| microphone must have a switch that would be | | | | would want to convert their idle time into |
| able to turn a cassette recorder on and off. | | | | productive time. |
| | | | |
| Along with a switch, the microphone must be | | | | Optional Language Learning Equipment |
| powered by a reliable battery. The | | | | |
| microphone must also be just the right size | | | | Â- A CD-Rom drive is necessary for |
| so that it would be handy to use in public. | | | | transferring MP3 files into CDs. Doing this |
| A lapel microphone would be a good investment | | | | would save a lot of disk space and the CD |
| as well. | | | | versions could be shared with other learners |
| | | | as well. |
| Â- A cassette recorder must have all of | | | | |
| the following features: tape counter; two | | | | Â- A Digital recorder is the high-end |
| side-by-side jacks for the rem (for remote) | | | | version of cassette tapes. Any serious |
| and mike (for microphone); an option to use a | | | | language learner must accept the fact that |
| DC jack or batteries; a headphone jack; an | | | | there will come a time that cassette tapes |
| external speaker; and a DC adaptor. | | | | will become obsolete as well as cassette |
| | | | players. For easier playback and usage, |
| Â- Blank tapes would always be a part of | | | | digital recorders must be a necessary |
| each language learner's necessities | | | | investment for any language learner. |
| especially the ones that come in 60-minute | | | | |
| and 90-minute tapes. | | | | To be able to learn a new language, any |
| | | | learner must be prepared with the right set |
| Â- A patch cord which would connect the | | | | of equipment. Learning would definitely be |
| computer's microphone jack and the tape | | | | much more difficult without these gadgets. |