Shadowing Practice: How To Speak Any Language using the "Shadowing Method" - Learn English Speaking with Video
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You know, everybody says that imitation is the highest form of flattery, right?
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But nobody ever talks about how imitation can help you improve your speaking skills in another language.
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Okay, repeat after me.
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Too fast?
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Okay.
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Now at a normal speed.
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Perfect.
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Do you know what you just did?
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It's a technique called shadowing, and that's what we're we're going to talk about here today at JaiWorld.
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Hello friends, my name is Elise and I'm a language learner that loves to prioritize speaking.
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And two components of that that I think are really important are having a good accent and a natural rhythm.
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Shadowing is a language learning method that can help you improve just that.
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So if your goal is to reduce your accent or just blend in a little bit more, because let's be honest, who doesn't want to get mistaken for a native speaker?
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Keep on watching because we're going to pick apart this technique
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and I'm going to show you how you can replicate it in your own language learning routine.
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So shadowing is actually a pretty simple concept.
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Basically the idea is you choose an audio
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or video material in your target language that's at a native
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or pretty natural spoken speed and you repeat what they say in real time.
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So here's an example of what that looks like.
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So that is shadowing.
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We'll do a longer demo in just a little bit, but just wanted to show you up front.
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So when you shadow, you're consuming naturally spoken language like you normally would,
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but this time watching or listening with the intention of imitating speakers exactly as you hear them, and paying attention to a few different points,
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so pronunciation, intonation, rhythm, even their filler words.
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Can't forget those filler words.
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And although it's active listening, the goal with shadowing really isn't listening comprehension,
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it's more so just picking up a natural manner of speech through exposure and mirroring.
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But you might say, hey, Elise, isn't that pretty much the same thing as those audio courses where they give you a sentence
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and then wait for you to repeat it?
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No, absolutely not.
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In those static audio courses, they often speak really, really slowly and clearly, and pretty much the opposite of how people speak in real time.
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So it's the opposite of what you're working towards.
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Shadowing is different in that you're using real natural speech.
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So this could be a conversational podcast, it could be your favorite news segment, it could be street interviews, just anything at a natural native speed.
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Language doesn't exist in a vacuum, so working with real natural spoken speech is a lot more hands-on and it offers a lot more benefits.
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And what might those benefits be?
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Well, I'm so glad you asked, my friend.
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First of all, shadowing can help you just train your ear
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and overall get accustomed to the natural rhythm and tone of the language.
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It also helps you have a better accent if one of your goals is accent reduction.
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And finally, I am personally of the school of thought that it can help you to start speaking sooner.
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And that last point may be controversial because although shadowing really doesn't target your ability to make spontaneous conversation in a language, I think it can help a lot with confidence,
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and confidence is very key in having conversations eventually.
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If you practice enough by yourself, you'll be better equipped and overall more confident when you do get into those real-world situations.
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Now because of the nature and objectives of shadowing, it can really be done at any level, so whether you're a beginner, an intermediate, or advanced learner,
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there's definitely something that you can get out of it.
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Like I said, the goal isn't comprehension, it's more so accurate mimicry.
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So think of it like being a parrot, okay?
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Just because parrots don't actually talk and comprehend, that doesn't mean they don't imitate with perfect accuracy.
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And as long as you're keeping up with other aspects of language learning, like grammar study, vocab acquisition, your foundations, the shadowing method will really help you polish your speaking
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so that when the time comes and you do need to use all that you've learned, it comes out in the most natural way possible.
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So don't worry about, you know, if I'm a beginner, can I use this method?
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Because of course you can.
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There's just some different things that you might consider doing differently.
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Like for example, if you are attempting to shadow as a beginner, you might consider using a tool that allows you to alter the speed of the content.
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And just saying, we do offer this feature on our platform, so, you know, just saying.
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And also if you're shadowing as a beginner, we would recommend working with some kind of written accompaniment.
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So this could be a transcript, it could be subtitles, it could be a book along with its audiobook, basically just any written accompaniment to help you along.
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Now, moving on to the actual process of shadowing, okay?
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It's time to get our hands dirty.
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What are the actual steps?
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First up, choose a piece of audio
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or video content in your target language along with tools and resources that are appropriate for your level and start listening.
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And from there, you just take it one sentence at a time.
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So listen to a sentence, maybe listen to it twice, and then pause.
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Say it out loud to yourself exactly as you just heard it.
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Paying attention to those points I mentioned earlier.
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So pronunciation, intonation, rhythm, filler words, all of it.
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Go back, listen to it again, and this time, as you listen to it again, say it along with them simultaneously.
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This sounds like it would be better in a demo, right?
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Okay, let me show you.
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So here I have opened the story La Caída del River, and this story is about some Argentinian soccer crisis.
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Don't ask me, I don't know sports.
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But I chose this story because it's Argentinian Spanish, and Argentinian Spanish, especially Rioplatense Spanish,
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is known to be one of the most difficult accents in Spanish to replicate, and I love the challenge.
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So I normally primarily speak Mexican Spanish.
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That's the dialect that I learned.
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And the way that I would say this particular sentence is, El final más temido llegó justo al final de la temporada 2011.
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But here's how it sounds in Argentinian Spanish.
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El final más temido llegó justo al final de la temporada 2011. So fast.
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I think I might turn down the speed.
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Let's go to 0.8.
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I'm noticing a couple things.
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So the way that he says más is not más, it's más.
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So there's like a dropped S at the end.
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El final más temido.
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And llegó is not llegó, it's llegó.
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Because in Argentinian Spanish, the double L is pronounced like SHE.
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So, el final más temido llegó justo al final de la temporada 2011.
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Let's try it again.
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I'm also noticing there's a dropped S in the middle of a word.
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So it's not justo, it's justo.
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Not bad.
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Not bad at all.
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So there you have it my friends, shadowing in all of its greatness and the greatness that it can bring you.
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So happy listening, happy shadowing, and stay jive world fluent.
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See you next time.
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About This Lesson
In this lesson, you will practice the shadowing technique, a powerful method for enhancing your English speaking skills. By imitating native speakers in real-time, you will improve your pronunciation, intonation, and overall rhythm of speech. The focus will be on engaging with authentic audio materials such as podcasts or news segments, allowing you to absorb the natural flow of the language. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, this practice will help you gain confidence and fluency in your English speaking practice, essential for success in IELTS speaking practice and everyday conversations.
Key Vocabulary & Phrases
- Imitation - the action of using someone or something as a model.
- Accent - a distinctive way of pronouncing a language.
- Intonation - the rise and fall in the pitch of the voice.
- Rhythm - the pattern of sounds in speech.
- Filler words - words or phrases used to fill pauses in speech, like "um" or "you know."
- Mimicry - the action of imitating someone’s speech or behavior.
- Natural speech - conversation that occurs at a typical speed and style.
- Confidence - the feeling of self-assurance in one’s abilities.
Practice Tips
To get the most out of your shadowing technique practice, keep these tips in mind:
- Select Appropriate Material: Choose audio or video content that resonates with your interests so that you remain engaged. This could include conversational podcasts, vlogs, or casual interviews—anything that showcases natural spoken English.
- Start Slow: If you're new to shadowing, begin with slower audio. Once you're comfortable mimicking, gradually increase the speed of the content to enhance your skills.
- Focus on Pronunciation: Pay close attention to the way words are pronounced. Mimicking native speakers closely can significantly improve your accent and clarity in English speaking practice.
- Use a Mirror: While practicing, use a mirror to watch your mouth movements and expressions as you shadow. This can help you make more accurate physical adjustments as you speak.
- Be Consistent: Regular practice is key. Set aside dedicated time each day for shadowing, and consider doing it in short sessions to maintain energy and focus.
Remember, mastering the art of shadow speak through shadowing will gradually build your fluency and confidence, preparing you for real-world conversations and examinations like the IELTS.
¿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.