Shadowing Practice: How to think in English and speak fluently?（Tips from someone learning English for over 10 years ） - Learn English Speaking with Video

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hey guys welcome back to my channel
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when you speak a native language you don't consciously think about grammar vocabulary
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or sentence structures right you can just speak fluently
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and spontaneously this is because you are so familiar with language structure
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and it has become your second nature many of us want to cultivate
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that same effortless mindset when speaking english and start thinking in english instead of translating from our mother tongue In today's video,
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I will share my thoughts on developing English thinking and give you guys some suggestions to achieve that natural flow of speaking.
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First, I think it's quite normal for us to translate from Chinese to English when speaking.
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I believe it is a natural process for everybody learning English as a second language
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because when you are so fluent in your native source language, it will inevitably influence your new language learning the longer you
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have immersed in the source language environment the bigger the impact is
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so don't be anxious establish english thinking in a noun english
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environment is not easy try following my tips in this video and see
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if you can get some inspiration although it's difficult to reach
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native level proficiency in a second language we can try to learn common fixed expressions
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or chunks in order to speak more naturally and understand native speakers better when listening.
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A chunk is a string of words that we can find in our memory as a ready-made unit.
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It's just like a toolbox that is already put up together
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and can be used anytime you want instead of some separated accessories.
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In Chinese, we also have chunks.
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Most apparently those four character words that you can't really break down word by word but they make meanings as a whole.
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Well, English has similar chunks or collocations that can be best learned as a unit.
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Chunks we're familiar with include phrases like on the one hand, on the other hand, one thing is,
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or even some filler words you By category, there are several types of chunks in English,
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namely sentence stutters, collocations, verb patterns, and some idioms.
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Sentence stutters include I like the way, the thing is, like what you said.
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Collocations refers to some fixed phrasal patterns such as daily reading, by average.
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Learning chunks rather than individual words help you reduce differences and pauses in speaking.
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and you will be able to speak faster because chunks help you anticipate
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which word comes after the other and speak out naturally.
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Also, it can help you better understand in listening as you can anticipate what's coming next.
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You don't have to completely stop translating your head.
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That's an inevitable part of second language acquisition.
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The goal is to expand your repertoire of ready-made chunks that you can use effortlessly.
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After figuring out a chunk, put it in a context to see how it's used in real conversation or speeches.
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For example, like what you said, this phrase.
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Yes, yes, I love that rule.
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And I also liked what you said, you know, it's not adding something onto your already.
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I think, you know, for most of us, being real, like what you said, and just saying, hey, I'm actually having a tough day.
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I feel like what you said earlier about speaking straight, not patting things with a log of sugar, it really resonated with me.
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Okay, so this phrase refers to something has been talked by the another speaker before, and you'd like to show agreement on that point.
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Now we know it can be used as a chunk and followed by about, like what you said about, plus a topic, or give your own comments first
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and plus like what you said to show you take the same stand with the speaker.
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For vocabulary, try to memorize common collocations instead of just single words.
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Like I said before, you have the same stand, the word stand.
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Rather than purely memorizing its meaning and attitude towards a particular issue or position taken in your argument, you can directly memorize the collocations,
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take a stand or a top stand.
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This gives you more natural sounding language when next time you want to express the meaning.
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Another way to start thinking in English is to use English or English only resources from the beginning,
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instead of constantly translating back and forth.
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So what does it mean?
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First, stop using a english chinese dictionary use a english explanation to understand new words or concepts
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which can help you learn words by thinking english instead of
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simply transfer it into a mother tongue sure it's convenient but it's not helpful in giving yourself a language environment
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so secondly practice english mini speeches and prepare it by drafting a english mic map
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this makes you conceptualize your ideas in english it can also make you more confident and natural when start speaking.
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So when practicing, don't get frustrated if you still catch yourself translating in your head.
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That's just a normal part of the process.
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The goal is to create more and more opportunities to immerse yourself in English and develop that chunk-based mindset.
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Over time, this will significantly boost your fluency.
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Share your progress in the comments, and if you find this video helpful, give it a like and subscribe to my channel.
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See you next time!
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Thank you.
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Mastering Fluent English: Think in Chunks, Not Translations

The video targets a key fluency milestone: shifting from translating your native language to thinking in English, enabling spontaneous, natural speech. This skill is critical for IELTS speaking practice, where fluency and coherence are scored highly. By adopting the strategies shared, learners can reduce pauses, sound more native-like, and better understand spoken English.

Phrase Bank: Reusable Chunks for Daily Use

Start building your "phrase toolbox" with these common chunks from the dialogue:

  • On the one hand, on the other hand – for balanced arguments
  • Like what you said – to reference and agree with a prior point
  • Take a stand – to describe holding a position on an issue
  • Daily reading – a collocation for regular reading habits

These chunks work as ready-made units, eliminating the need to construct sentences word-by-word. For example, "I feel like what you said earlier about speaking straight really resonated with me" flows naturally, avoiding awkward pauses.

Fix Your Weak Spots: Reduce Translation, Boost Fluency

Many learners struggle with constant translation, leading to slow, stilted speech. The video suggests two solutions: focus on chunks instead of single words, and use English-only resources. Chunks help you anticipate word order, making speech faster and more fluid—essential for shadow speak practice, where mimicking native rhythm is key. For IELTS preparation, this means fewer "ums" and more coherent responses.

To practice, try shadowing techniques: repeat phrases from the video aloud, matching the speed and intonation. Use a shadowing app or shadowing site to record yourself and compare. This trains your brain to think in English, as you’ll internalize chunks and collocations without translation. Over time, you’ll notice reduced pauses and more natural flow—skills that shine in IELTS speaking practice and real-world conversations.

Remember: translation is a normal part of learning, but expanding your chunk repertoire and using English-only resources will help you transition to thinking in English. Start small—memorize one collocation daily, use a shadowing app for 10 minutes, and watch your fluency grow.

¿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.

Técnica de shadowing: lee la guía completa paso a paso →