Shadowing Practice: English Podcast - How to Stop Comparing and Start Growing | 🎧 Intermediate - Learn English Speaking with Video
Creando lección...
1
Music Hey everyone, welcome back to English on the Go, the podcast where you learn everywhere and speak everywhere.
2
I'm Brian and I'm really happy you're here.
3
You know, in today's world, it's so easy to compare ourselves to others.
4
We scroll through social media and see people who seem more successful happier, or further ahead.
5
Sometimes it feels like everyone else is moving faster.
6
and that can make us doubt our own progress.
7
But the truth is, Everyone's journey is different.
8
In today's episode, we're talking about how to stop comparing and start growing, how to focus on your progress, not someone else's highlight reel.
9
We'll also explore natural English expressions and idioms you can use to describe motivation, effort and personal growth.
10
Before we start, think about this.
11
When was the last time you compared yourself to someone?
12
And what's one small thing you've improved in your own life this year?
13
Keep those questions in mind as we listen to our guests, Emma and Jack, who'll share how they learned to stop comparing, and started growing.
14
All right, let's dive into the conversation.
15
So, Emma, you look a bit lost in thought today.
16
Everything alright?
17
Honestly?
18
I've been scrolling through Instagram again.
19
Bad idea.
20
Everyone's on vacation getting promoted getting engaged and me I'm just trying to finish my laundry and stay awake at work.
21
Social media really does that.
22
It turns everyone else's life into a movie trailer.
23
All the exciting parts and none of the boring scenes.
24
Exactly.
25
It's like everyone's running ahead while I'm stuck at the starting line.
26
Sometimes I start thinking, Maybe I'm not good enough.
27
That feeling is so common.
28
We call it the comparison trap, when we keep measuring ourselves against others and forget how far we've come.
29
Yeah, I fell into that trap at work.
30
My co -workers were buying new cars, posting about raises And I started trying to keep up with the Joneses, but it never made me happy.
31
Same here.
32
I saw a friend who started learning English after me.
33
And now she's fluent.
34
I felt like I could never measure up.
35
You know what helps me?
36
Remembering that the grass is greener on the other side only.
37
because we're looking from far away.
38
Up close, everyone has weeds to pull.
39
That's a good one.
40
You're right.
41
People rarely show the full picture.
42
It's weird, isn't it?
43
We compare our everyday life with other people's highlights.
44
Exactly.
45
We see 10 seconds of their best day and compare it to our entire week,
46
Everyone's story has struggles we can't see: stress, family issues, pressure.
47
Yeah.
48
One of my successful friends told me he's exhausted and hates his job.
49
That really opened my eyes.
50
So maybe the trick is to stop competing with others and start understanding ourselves.
51
Absolutely.
52
Everyone's path is different.
53
Some run fast, some slow, some even take detours.
54
The only real competition is the person you were yesterday.
55
That's comforting.
56
Maybe I just need to remember that my journey's not late.
57
It's just mine.
58
Perfect mindset, Emma.
59
Once you stop comparing, you finally see how far you've already come.
60
You know...
61
Hearing you both talk reminds me of something personal.
62
A few years ago, I constantly compared my lessons with other English teachers online.
63
Their videos looked professional.
64
their voices smoother, their followers ten times more.
65
I felt invisible.
66
Really?
67
I'd never guess that.
68
You sound so confident on the podcast.
69
Confidence came later.
70
For months, I tried copying their style. But...
71
It didn't feel right.
72
Then one day I realised I didn't need to be better than them, I just needed to be better than yesterday.
73
That's when I decided to run my own race.
74
That's such a powerful idea.
75
My old football coach used to say, "Stop looking sideways, just run forward." Same thing, right?
76
Exactly.
77
When you stay in your lane, you make steady progress.
78
The more you look around, the slower you go.
79
That's true for learning English too.
80
I used to compare my accent with native speakers and feel embarrassed.
81
Now, I just focus on improving one thing at a time.
82
vocabulary, pronunciation, or confidence.
83
I started keeping a list of small victories, finished a tough report, didn't procrastinate today.
84
Seeing that list grow gives me a real sense of progress.
85
I love that.
86
I keep a progress journal.
87
Every Sunday, I write down three things I'm proud of.
88
even tiny ones.
89
It helps me see I'm moving forward.
90
That's an excellent strategy.
91
It's all about keeping your eyes on the prize, your own version of success, not someone else's.
92
Right.
93
My prize is peace of mind, feeling good about my work without comparing salaries or titles.
94
Mine's confidence.
95
When I notice how far I've come, I stop worrying about catching up to anyone else.
96
That's the beauty of focusing on yourself.
97
You grow quietly but deeply.
98
And the funny thing is, when you stop comparing, people start noticing your progress.
99
Maybe because we finally look happier, Exactly.
100
Growth feels lighter when it's not a competition.
101
Let's take a quick moment to review some of the idioms and expressions we've used.
102
They're perfect for talking about comparison and self -growth in natural English.
103
Keep up with the Joneses.
104
It means...
105
Try to match other people's lifestyle or success.
106
For example, Don't buy things just to keep up with the Joneses.
107
measure up.
108
It means to feel as good or successful as someone else.
109
Example.
110
Emma thought she couldn't measure up to her friend's fluency.
111
or You don't need to measure up to others to feel proud.
112
The grass is greener on the other side.
113
It means...
114
Things seem better elsewhere.
115
But they're not.
116
For example, Brian said the grass isn't always greener.
117
or You might think another job is perfect, but the grass is greener only until you get there.
118
Run your own race.
119
It means focus on your own goals and pace.
120
For example, Brian decided to run his own race instead of copying other teachers.
121
or In learning English, it's best to run your own race.
122
stay in your lane it means focus on your area don't get distracted by others for example
123
Emma improved faster once she stayed in her lane.
124
or at work stay in your lane and do your best.
125
keep your eyes on the prize it means stay focused on your goal For example, Jack kept his eyes on the prize, peace of mind.
126
or, Keep your eyes on the prize.
127
Clear communication, not perfection.
128
All right, great job keeping up.
129
In the next part, we'll talk about how to turn comparison into inspiration.
130
and how seeing others succeed can actually help you grow.
131
You know, there's something interesting about comparison.
132
It's not always bad, if you use it the right way.
133
What do you mean?
134
Isn't comparison the main reason people feel miserable?
135
Well, yes and no. Comparison can hurt when you use it to judge yourself.
136
But if you look at others as inspiration instead of competition, it can actually help you grow.
137
Yeah, that makes sense.
138
Um, I used to get jealous when my friend got promoted.
139
Now I try to take a leaf out of his book.
140
I ask how he stays motivated, how he handles pressure.
141
Instead of feeling small, I try to learn from him.
142
I like that.
143
I used to avoid watching fluent English speakers because they made me feel bad.
144
But recently, I've started watching them to learn.
145
I pay attention to their pronunciation, their rhythm.
146
their confidence.
147
It's like studying, not comparing.
148
Exactly, Emma.
149
That's the difference.
150
You're shifting the focus from "they're better than me" to "what can I learn from them?"
151
That's how you see the silver lining in comparison.
152
So, you're saying it's okay to look up to others as long as it motivates you, not crushes you.
153
Right.
154
the key is your mindset.
155
If someone's success makes you feel inspired, not defeated, that's healthy comparison.
156
It pushes you to raise the bar.
157
to expect more from yourself without self -blame.
158
That's true.
159
When I see my friends speaking English confidently, I tell myself, If they can do it, So can I.
160
It gives me a boost instead of a headache.
161
I've started applying that at work too.
162
Instead of feeling jealous of my co -workers' presentation skills, I ask him for tips.
163
Turns out, he practiced every day for a month before that big meeting.
164
So yeah, success always has hard work behind it.
165
Exactly.
166
We often forget that we only see results, not effort.
167
When you realize how much practice goes into success, it feels less like magic and more like something you can reach too.
168
It's like we're all climbing our own mountains.
169
Some people started earlier, some are higher up, but we're all still climbing.
170
That's a beautiful way to put it.
171
And you know what?
172
Even if someone's ahead, it doesn't mean you're behind and I think this It just means you're on a different path.
173
Yeah.
174
I guess the goal isn't to be the best, it's to be better than yesterday.
175
Absolutely.
176
Learn from others, but don't let them define your worth.
177
Use comparison as a mirror, not a measuring stick.
178
I like that.
179
A mirror reflects what you can improve, not what you lack.
180
Exactly.
181
That's when comparison turns into motivation, when you focus on what it can teach you, not what it takes from you.
182
So, after everything we've talked about – comparison, growth, inspiration – how do you actually measure progress in real life?
183
Hmm, good question.
184
For me, progress isn't about how far I've gone, but how consistent I've been.
185
Like, if I studied English for 20 minutes every day this week, That's success!
186
I love that.
187
I used to measure progress by big milestones: getting promoted, hitting targets.
188
But now, I count the days I stayed disciplined.
189
That's what really builds results.
190
Exactly.
191
I think too many people expect progress to be dramatic, like a big before and after story,
192
but real progress is quiet, sometimes even invisible.
193
It's in those moments you keep going when no one's watching.
194
Totally.
195
I remember last year when I almost gave up learning English because I felt stuck.
196
But I decided to keep going.
197
Little by Little.
198
And one day, I realized I could understand movies without subtitles.
199
That small step was huge for me.
200
That's amazing, Emma.
201
I had a similar moment when I finally finished a project that took months.
202
It wasn't perfect, but I did it.
203
And that felt good.
204
You know what's interesting?
205
Progress often feels boring while it's happening.
206
You only notice it when you look back.
207
that's why journaling tracking or even reflecting once a week helps you look back.
208
and smile yeah i do that sometimes i reread old journal entries
209
and laugh at how nervous I used to be about things that now seem easy.
210
I take photos of my workspace every few months just to see how my habits change.
211
It's weirdly motivating.
212
That's a great idea.
213
Progress doesn't always mean moving forward fast.
214
Sometimes it means learning patience, trusting that small actions matter.
215
You have to trust the process.
216
That's my favourite phrase.
217
Trust the process.
218
Because sometimes you don't see the result right away, but that doesn't mean it's not working.
219
Exactly, like when you go to the gym, you don't see results after one workout.
220
But if you keep showing up, one day the change just appears.
221
Right.
222
Progress hides inconsistency.
223
It's like water shaping rock.
224
Slowly, quietly, but surely.
225
Wow, that's poetic, Brian.
226
Maybe a little.
227
But it's true.
228
The people who grow the most are often the ones who don't rush it.
229
They focus on doing small things well.
230
Yeah.
231
I think the biggest sign of growth is peace.
232
When you stop chasing everything and just appreciate the journey.
233
Exactly.
234
Success feels different when it's not about competition, but about becoming your best self.
235
Beautifully said.
236
So remember, every step counts.
237
Even the ones that feel tiny.
238
You're still moving.
239
And if you ever feel behind, just look back at how far you've come.
240
You'll realize that you've been growing the whole time.
241
Exactly.
242
That's what it means to stop comparing and start growing.
243
Let's take a quick look at some of the great idioms and phrases we used in these last two parts,
244
all about growth, learning and motivation.
245
Take a leaf out of someone's book.
246
It means: Learn from someone's example.
247
For example: Jack took a leaf out of his friend's book and worked on his presentation skills.
248
Oh.
249
You can take a leaf out of successful people's books without comparing yourself.
250
See the silver lining.
251
It means find something positive in a negative situation.
252
For example: Emma saw the silver lining.
253
She used comparison to learn.
254
or Even failure has a silver lining if you learn from it.
255
raised the bar.
256
It means set a higher standard for yourself.
257
For example, Brian said healthy comparison helps you raise the bar or each project raises the bar for my next one.
258
Look back and smile.
259
It means reflect on your progress proudly.
260
For example, Emma re -raid her journal and looked back and smiled.
261
or, When you see how much you've grown, you can't help but look back and smile.
262
Trust the process.
263
It means believe that your effort will lead to results.
264
For example, Jack kept working even when progress was slow.
265
He trusted the process.
266
or "Learning English takes time, trust the process".
267
Every step counts.
268
It means: Small actions add up over time.
269
For example, Brian reminded everyone that every step counts or Even a five -minute study session matters.
270
Every step counts.
271
All right.
272
That wraps up our main conversation for today.
273
In the next part, I'll share a fun fact about how tracking progress can actually boost happiness.
274
Stay with me.
275
Before we wrap up, here's something fascinating.
276
Did you know that researchers at Harvard found people who track their personal progress even in small ways,
277
are up to 45 % happier and more motivated, It's true.
278
When you write down what you've achieved, your brain releases dopamine,
279
the feel -good chemical that helps you stay positive and keep going so it's not just about success It's about noticing success.
280
That's why journaling, Keeping a progress jar or even saying I did my best today actually rewires your brain to stay motivated.
281
So, the next time you feel like you're falling behind, grab a notebook and jot down one small win, it might change your entire mood.
282
Pretty cool, right?
283
Alright, let's take a moment to look back on what we've learned today.
284
First we talked about the comparison trap.
285
How easy it is to feel behind when you compare your life to others.
286
Then, we explored how to focus on your own journey, using idioms like 'run your own race' and 'keep your eyes on the prize'.
287
Next, we discovered that comparison isn't always bad.
288
if you use it for inspiration not judgment.
289
And finally, We learned that progress is built on small consistent steps,
290
Trusting the process, celebrating wins and remembering that every step counts.
291
So, take a moment tonight and think about one thing, big or small that you've improved this month.
292
That's your real progress.
293
That's your story.
294
And that's it for today's episode of English on the Go.
295
I hope today's talk reminded you to stop comparing and start appreciating how far you've come.
296
Remember, everyone's journey is different.
297
Focus on your lane.
298
Trust the process and you'll keep growing at your own pace.
299
Don't forget, you can download the free PDF vocabulary list for this episode.
300
It includes all the idioms and key phrases we covered today, with examples to help you practice.
301
If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend who might need a little motivation.
302
and subscribe so you never miss a new one.
303
Thanks for joining me.
304
I'm Brian and this is English on the Go.
305
where you learn everywhere and speak everywhere.
306
See you next time.
📺 Mismo canal
B12
Doomscrolling – Why Do We Love Bad News Before Bed? #english #dailyenglish #doomscrolling #imbrian
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A22
English Podcast: 20 English Phrases with "Smile" | Easy English for Beginners
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A22
Talk About Sleep- Feeling Sleepy And Bedtime Habits | Easy English Conversation for Beginners
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B12
20 English Phrases with "Smile" #english #dailyenglish #everydayenglishtalk
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A21
English Podcast: 20 English Phrases with "Smile" | Easy English for Beginners
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B11
Daily English - You Don’t Have to Be Perfect to Be Proud - Intermediate English Podcast
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B11
Why Should You Take a Nap? - English Podcast | Intermediate
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B13
A Day Without the Internet #everydayenglish #digitaldetox #englishpodcast #learnenglish
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A22
How to Talk About Picnics | Easy English Conversation for Beginners
KidsTeensDaily Conversation
A21
How to Choose What to Wear Every Day | Easy English Conversation (Beginner) | Daily English
KidsTeensDaily Conversation
A21
Talking About Travel Dreams | Easy English Conversation for Beginners
KidsTravel EnglishTeens
B2Is It Better to Have One Best Friend or Many Friends? | Intermediate English Podcast
Daily ConversationHigh School StudentsUniversity Students
A22
How to Talk About Picnics | Easy English Conversation for Beginners
KidsTeensDaily Conversation
A22
English Podcast: 20 English Phrases with "Smile" | Easy English for Beginners
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A22
Talking About Rainy Weather in English #everydayenglish #rainyday
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A22
Riding a Bike to Work #shorts #slowenglish #Eco-friendly #dailyenglish #englishbeginners #imbrian
KidsTeensDaily Conversation
A22
Rainy Day English – Feelings, Activities & Funny Stories | Easy English Conversation for Beginners
KidsTeensDaily Conversation
B13
How to Keep Mosquitoes Away From Your Garden | 5 Simple Life Hacks | Learn English
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A22
A Day in the Life | Easy English Conversation for Beginners
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A22
How to Order Sushi in English | Easy English Conversation for Beginners | Sushi English 101
KidsTravel EnglishTeens
✨ Recomendar Video
B21
250 oraciones
Stop Comparing Yourself | Slow English Listening Practice (B1–B2)
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B26
143 oraciones
Why Studying More Isn't Making You Fluent
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B217
755 oraciones
English Podcast For Learning English Conversation | HOW TO STAY MOTIVATED | Real Easy English B1–B2
Business EnglishDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B22
47 oraciones
For those feeling behind in life
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B11
210 oraciones
The Power of English for Personal Growth | English Podcast | Simple English Podcast
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B21
268 oraciones
3 Things That Feel Like Progress But Aren't
British AccentBusiness EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
![You want 50 friends, not 5,000 followers [English Practice]](https://img.youtube.com/vi/nFONMoweOs4/mqdefault.jpg)
B13
138 oraciones
You want 50 friends, not 5,000 followers [English Practice]
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B22
207 oraciones
Stop Saying "I'm Fine" 😮 Say THIS Instead to Sound Like a Native | Talk About Feelings in English
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B218
374 oraciones
Stop Comparing Yourself To Others | English Podcast for Learning English Conversation | Daily Life
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B2240 oraciones
Learn English Podcast | This video will change your life forever | Podcast and Chill
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B1585 oraciones
Why You Should Stop Comparing Your English | English Speaking Practice
Business EnglishDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B21
258 oraciones
How to Think in English (And Stop Translating)
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
Vocabulario y notas de pronunciación para esta lección
Esta lección de conversación de nivel B2 se basa en el vídeo “English Podcast - How to Stop Comparing and Start Growing”. Las palabras que más se repiten: progress, comparison, English, example, Exactly. Este vídeo tiene 306 frases y 2689 palabras para practicar shadowing. La parte hablada dura 19:26. El hablante mantiene un ritmo constante de unas 138 palabras por minuto, cómodo para el shadowing. El 85 % de las palabras está entre las 3.000 más comunes del inglés; conviene repasar el resto antes de empezar.
Vocabulario clave de este vídeo
Las 15 palabras más avanzadas del vídeo, con su pronunciación y significado:
| Palabra | Pronunciación | Significado |
|---|---|---|
| idiom sustantivo | /ˈɪdiəm/ | dicción, lenguaje |
| motivate verbo | /ˈmoʊ.tɪ.veɪt/ | motivar |
| pronunciation sustantivo | /pɹəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/ | pronunciación |
| fluent adjetivo | /ˈfluənt/ | fluyente, fluente |
| vocabulary sustantivo | /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/ | vocabulario |
| scroll sustantivo | /skɹoʊl/ | rollo, pergamino |
| mindset sustantivo | /ˈmaɪn(d)ˌsɛt/ | mentalidad, actitud |
| bore verbo | /boɹ/ | aburrir |
| invisible adjetivo | /ɪnˈvɪzəb(ə)l/ | invisible |
| quietly adverbio | /ˈkwaɪ.ɪt.li/ | mansamente, despacio |
| podcast sustantivo | /ˈpɑdˌkæst/ | podcast, pódcast |
| wrap verbo | /ɹæp/ | envolver, fajar |
| confidently adverbio | /ˈkɑnfɪdəntli/ | confidentemente |
| detour sustantivo | /ˈdi.toɹ/ | desvío, detur |
| dopamine sustantivo | /ˈdoʊ.pəˌmin/ | dopamina |
Phrasal verbs que vas a escuchar
| Palabra | Significado |
|---|---|
| look back verbo | recordar, volver la cabeza |
| keep up with verbo | seguir, ir al paso |
| move forward verbo | ir adelante, adelantar |
| wrap up verbo | envolver, arrebujar |
| write down verbo | apuntar, anotar |
| fall behind verbo | atrasar |
| give up verbo | rendirse, entregar |
| keep up verbo | continuar con, continuar así |
Frases que vale la pena repetir
Frases cortas y completas del vídeo que puedes reutilizar en la conversación diaria:
- When was the last time you compared yourself to someone?
- All right, let's dive into the conversation.
- You know what helps me?
- We compare our everyday life with other people's highlights.
- You know what's interesting?
Gramática en este vídeo
Las estructuras que más usa el hablante, con las palabras exactas del vídeo:
| Estructura | En el vídeo |
|---|---|
| “Used to” used to + verbo — un hábito o estado pasado que ya no es cierto | used to say · used to compare · used to get |
| Present perfect continuous have/has been + -ing — una acción que empezó antes y continúa | I've been scrolling · you've been growing |
| Present perfect have/has + participio pasado — una acción pasada que sigue importando ahora | you've improved · we've come · you've already come |
| Oraciones de relativo who / which + oración — información extra sobre una persona o cosa | people who seem · friend who started · people who grow |
Pronunciación a tener en cuenta
El hablante usa 72 contracciones y formas reducidas, como don't, I'm, you're. Dilas en su forma corta, tal como las oyes.
- Los sonidos de “sh” y “zh”: pronunciation /pɹəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/, perfection /pɚˈfɛk.ʃən/, crush /kɹʌʃ/, patience /ˈpeɪ̯.ʃəns/
- Palabras largas — cuida el acento: pronunciation /pɹəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/, vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/, invisible /ɪnˈvɪzəb(ə)l/, confidently /ˈkɑnfɪdəntli/, inconsistency /ˌɪnkənˈsɪstənsi/
Sonidos difíciles para hispanohablantes:
- /v/ — no es /b/: los dientes tocan el labio inferior: motivate /ˈmoʊ.tɪ.veɪt/, vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/, invisible /ɪnˈvɪzəb(ə)l/, dive /daɪv/
- /z/ — sonora, no /s/: invisible /ɪnˈvɪzəb(ə)l/, sideways /ˈsaɪdweɪz/, exhaust /ɪɡˈzɔst/, miserable /ˈmɪz(ə)ɹəbəl/
Cómo practicar con este vídeo
- Escucha el vídeo entero una vez sin hablar y anota las palabras que no conoces.
- Haz shadowing frase por frase a velocidad normal, repitiendo cada una hasta que tu ritmo coincida con el del hablante.
- Grábate y compara con el original, prestando atención a palabras como idiom, motivate, pronunciation.
¿Qué es la Técnica de Shadowing?
Shadowing es una técnica de aprendizaje de idiomas respaldada por la ciencia, desarrollada originalmente para la formación de intérpretes profesionales y popularizada por el políglota Dr. Alexander Arguelles. El método es simple pero poderoso: escuchas audio en inglés nativo y lo repites en voz alta de inmediato, como una sombra que sigue al hablante con solo 1-2 segundos de retraso. A diferencia de la escucha pasiva o los ejercicios de gramática, el shadowing obliga a tu cerebro y músculos de la boca a procesar y reproducir simultáneamente patrones de habla reales. Las investigaciones muestran que mejora significativamente la precisión de la pronunciación, la entonación, el ritmo, el habla conectada, la comprensión auditiva y la fluidez al hablar, convirtiéndola en una de las metodologías más efectivas para la preparación del IELTS Speaking y la comunicación en inglés en el mundo real.