Online Resources, Offline Use

At times, like while traveling, it can be tricky to ensure a consistent internet connection for your language learning. Since many of the more interactive resources are only available online, I find it is wise to accumulate some valuable learning materials that can be accessed offline. This can be done either on a computer or portable electronic device, or the "old-fashioned" way, in a notebook. Yes, I mean paper. Let's take a look at both.

Several online resources are downloadable and can be stored on a computer, PDA or smartphone. This is true of many online language learning resources, but let's consider a few examples for learning Korean. The podcasts and accompanying PDFs from Koreanclass 101 offers audio, audiovisuals and written documentation, online or off. The thorough lessons from the Korean Broadcasting Service can be copied and pasted to a Word document, although the audio guidelines are only available online. The same applies to the resources from Seoul National University.

An inbetween option is to make use of the Survival Language Kit, completing the necessary phrases in Korean, and saving it, or printing it out for reference and easy-access, anywhere study.

Although this blog documents the benefits of online resources, traditional resources should never be underestimated. A compact notebook can serve as an excellent learning resource, and there is no better notebook than the sturdy classic from Moleskine, available in a range of formats. (My inner Luddite rejoices.) It helps to keep the first few pages for an organically evolving Table of Contents, and number pages for easy reference. (Thanks to Henrick Borger for tipping me off on Tim Ferris' How to Take Notes like an Alpha Geek!) Leaving a lot of space is also wise, to allow for additional notes as your learning evolves. My notebooks are usually also sprinkled with colour-coded Post-It flags to help me find things easily. On second thoughts, my personal alpha geekdom probably needs very little encouragement.

While navigating the distant reaches of my home country the past week, I found my trusty paper notebook a great ally in keeping my learning on track, even while offline. Technology can make things faster, bigger and better, but it is always good to have a back-up plan beyond the virtual.