Have you ever considered learning while you drive? Whether you want to make better use of a daily commute or are heading out on a long solo drive, if you want to learn a skill from behind the wheel, we have some ideas for you!
The key to learning on the road is to choose something you can do with just audio media – and to make sure nothing you do is so engrossing that you lose focus. It’s important that you still drive safely, no matter what.
Essentially, we recommend skills you can learn from an audiobook or podcast and repetitive activities that allow you to build up your knowledge or talents over time.
Let’s take a look.
Things You Can Learn While Driving
The average American driver spends, according to a AAA survey, just over an hour in their car every single day. Why not find ways to be productive with all that time? Here are some things you can pick up while you drive.
1. Learn a Language
This is probably the most popular skill to tackle in the car. Whether you’re brushing up on a language you learned in high school, preparing for a trip, trying to improve your chances at a new job, or learning just to stay sharp, there are tons of good reasons to learn a language while you drive. And, yes, while you’ll also need to supplement with written lessons, you can work on your listening and speaking skills in the car.
Depending on which language you want to learn and your level, you’ll need different resources, but here are a few ideas for ways to get started:
Starting from 0: Listen to podcasts that teach you the basics (for example, Pimsleur and LanguagePod101 both have podcast-based language lessons)
For skill building: Listen to programs designed for language learners (for example, News in Slow is designed for people currently learning at a beginner to intermediate level to practice listening comprehension)
For advanced learners: Grow your vocabulary and get closer to fluency by listening to music or news in your target language and trying to capture any unfamiliar words, phrases, or ideas
2. Listen to the Sounds of Nature
If you’re interested in the natural world, you could use the time to learn things like the calls of birds local to your area. Avid birders in particular might find this interesting – and there are many resources for birders, since it’s such a popular hobby (BirdNote Daily is a good option) – but resources exist for frog fans and other animal lovers as well, dependent on your region. And there’s no reason you need to stick to your own backyard! Noisy by Nature is a kid-focused podcast that introduces the sounds of Australian wildlife (and is, frankly, fascinating for all ages).
As an added bonus, nature sounds can also be relaxing, which is helpful when you’re stuck in traffic in a 20 minute slowdown.
3. Write Better Emails
Whether you’re an English learner, a complete word nerd, or someone who struggled with writing in school and wants to up their email game, there are tons of great podcasts about English grammar, word usage, and how people speak.
A few top recommendations include:
Grammar Girl
The Allusionist
Vocal Fries
You’re Saying It Wrong
Webster's Word of the Day
Expanding your vocabulary, mastering complex grammar rules, getting into the nitty-gritty of style, and discovering common malapropisms and mistakes can make you a better writer, reader, and conversationalist.
4. Level Up Your Financial Literacy
There are tons of great personal finance podcasts being made right now. If you’ve never spent much time thinking about budgeting, saving, or your own attitudes toward money, learning about the basics of finance while you drive could be a huge help!
Planet Money, which covers current events in the world of money and investment, is a fascinating and informative podcast, while So Money, Money For the Rest of Us, and Afford Anything are a few of the many long-running hits in the finance space. Read reviews and find a podcast that fits your taste – and just remember, no podcast gives specific advice, so ask a professional before making big money moves!
Trying to be smarter with money?
You don’t need to learn any new skills to refinance your vehicle and start saving money. Most people are paying more than they need to be on their auto loan. A refinance can help you secure a lower rate and pay less.
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5. Practice Using Your Voice
Whether you’re a nervous public speaker or thinking about getting into amateur opera, the car is the perfect place to get vocal reps in. There are tons of voice teachers making content online – you could find a vocal warm-up to try while you drive, or look up exercises in advance and put them into practice when the car door is closed.
Whether you rehearse a presentation or sales pitch, practice improvising speeches, or sing do-re-mi, the car is a rare place where you can let yourself be as noisy as you want, take advantage of it!
6. Build Your Understanding of Math
Regardless of your current level of math expertise, you can skill build while in the car. Some people work on basic skills like solving simple number problems, memorizing multiplication tables, or learning more of the digits of pi. Or, if you prefer to simply listen, there are many engaging math listens that can make you fall in love with math.
A few top podcast options include:
The Joy of X
Breaking Math
My Favorite Theorem
Opinionated History of Mathematics
Leveling up your understanding of math can help you see the world in a new light! And hey, maybe you can impress your friends with your new intel.
7. Learn About the World
Last but certainly not least, there are so many great educational podcasts about all manner of things, from history to economics to niche scientific fields. Taking the time to simply learn broadly about different topics that interest you wherever you can is a very productive way to spend your time in the car.
Some of the best options happen to overlap with our recommended podcasts for long drives, like Ologies, 99% Invisible, The Happiness Lab, and Revolutions. But the thing that interests you most when you set out on the road is always the best option, whatever that may be – even if it’s something silly like the workings of ‘90s cars or learning to understand Morse code. Whatever you choose, expanding your worldview and learning something new is always a good choice!
And Those Are Seven Useful Ways To Spend Your Driving Time
Most of us spend quite a bit of time behind the wheel, trying to make something of that time is an admirable pursuit! From language learning to amateur opera performance, there’s always something interesting to do to pass the time and challenge your mind.
But refinancing your vehicle doesn’t take any time at all.
You could be paying less monthly on your auto loan, putting more cash back in your pocket for the things that matter most. Find out how much you could save with just a few clicks and no commitment.