Myth 07 — You Don’t Have to Record Yourself to Improve Speaking

Myth #7: Do you really have to record yourself every day?

People swear by “record yourself daily if you want to speak well.” Recordings help—but they aren’t mandatory, and sometimes they crush motivation.

When recording backfires

• You replay the audio, hear every flaw, and become too shy to speak.
• You spot dozens of mistakes and have no idea which one to fix first.
• Without guidance, you listen... and still don’t know what to improve.

Speaking practice that doesn’t require recordings

1. Outline before you talk. Planning your points keeps you on track.
2. Focus on one target per session. Intonation today, past tenses tomorrow.
3. Listen to yourself in real time. Catch the slip and adjust on the spot.
4. Ask for live feedback. Tell your partner what you’re working on so the comments stay relevant.

When recordings earn their keep

• You want before-and-after evidence of progress.
• You’re polishing a presentation and need one last quality check.
• You don’t mind hearing your own voice and can stay objective.

Recording is a tool, not a rule. What matters most is using English often and getting feedback at the right moment.