Shadowing Practice: It’s Never Too Late to Start | Level B2 | English shadowing - Learn English Speaking with Video

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It's never too late to start.
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Hello, everyone.
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Have you ever found yourself wondering if it's too late to change something in your life?
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Maybe you've thought about starting a new career, learning a new skill, or even picking up a hobby that you've always wanted to try.
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And then, the voice of doubt creeps in, whispering, you're too old, or it's too late.
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Well, let me tell you something important.
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It is never too late to start.
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Every single day is an opportunity to make a change, no matter how small.
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Life isn't a race with a strict timeline.
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It's more like a journey, and everyone moves at their own pace.
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So why not take the first step towards something new today?
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Let's begin by understanding why starting matters so much.
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When you decide to start something, no matter how small, you take control of your life.
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You prove to yourself that you are capable of growth and change.
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It's not about becoming an expert overnight.
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It's about embracing the process of learning and improving.
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Take the story of Harlan Sanders, for example.
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You probably know him better as Colonel Sanders, the founder of KFC.
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He started his famous fried chicken business, when he was in his 60s.
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Before that, he worked as a farmer, a gas station operator, and even a soldier.
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At an age when many people think about retiring, he decided to pursue his passion for cooking.
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And look at the legacy he created.
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This story reminds us that age or circumstances don't define what's possible.
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What matters is the courage to take that first step, no matter where you are in life.
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Now, let's talk about fear.
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Fear of failure, fear of judgment, or even fear of success can stop us from starting something new.
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But think about it.
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What's the worst that can happen?
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You try, you fail, and you learn.
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Failure is not the opposite of success.
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It's a part of the journey to success.
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For instance, many people hesitate to learn a new language because they're afraid of making mistakes.
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But making mistakes is how we learn.
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If you've ever listened to a child learning to speak, you'll notice they don't worry about grammar or pronunciation.
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They just try and eventually they improve.
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As adults, we can learn from this fearless approach.
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So, the next time fear holds you back, remind yourself that growth comes from trying, not from staying in your comfort zone.
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One area where people often feel it's too late to start is education.
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Maybe you've thought about going back to school, finishing a degree, or learning something completely new.
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Here's the truth.
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Education has no age limit.
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Consider the story of Nola Oaks, who graduated from university at the age of 95.
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She didn't let her age stop her from pursuing her dream of earning a degree.
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Instead, she saw it as an opportunity to grow and connect with younger generations.
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Her story inspires us to believe that learning is a lifelong long process.
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If formal education feels overwhelming, there are countless other ways to learn.
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Online courses, workshops, or even reading books can help you gain new skills and knowledge.
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The key is to stay curious and open-minded.
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Another area where people often hesitate to start is their careers.
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Maybe you've been in the same job for years and you feel stuck.
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Or perhaps you've always wanted to switch to a completely different field, but the idea seems daunting.
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Let me tell you, career changes are more common than you think.
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Many people find success and happiness in their second or even third careers.
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Take Vera Wong, for example.
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She started her career as a figure skater
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and later worked as a journalist before becoming one of the world's most famous fashion designers, all in her 40s.
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The truth is, your experience in one area can often give you unique insights and skills in another.
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So, don't be afraid to explore new opportunities.
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It's never too late to find work that you truly enjoy.
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You might be wondering, how do I even start?
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The answer is simple.
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Take small steps.
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You don't have to make huge changes overnight.
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Start with something manageable and build from there.
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For example, if you've always wanted to run a marathon but have never exercised, start by walking a short distance every day.
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Gradually increase your pace and distance.
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Over time, those small steps will add up and you'll be amazed at what you can achieve.
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The same principle applies to other areas of life.
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Want to save money?
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Start by cutting out one unnecessary expense.
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Want to improve your relationships?
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Begin by spending a few extra minutes each day talking to your loved ones.
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Sometimes, hearing about other people's journeys can inspire us to start our own.
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Take Julia Child, for instance.
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She didn't learn to cook until her late 30s and didn't publish her first cookbook until she was 50.
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Yet, she went on to become one of the most influential chefs in history.
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Or think about J.K.
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Rowling, who wrote the first Harry Potter book as a single mother in her 30s.
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She faced countless rejections before finally getting published.
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Her story shows us that persistence and belief in ourselves can lead to incredible outcomes.
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These examples remind us that success doesn't come with an expiration date.
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Starting something new requires motivation, and sometimes that motivation has to come from within.
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Ask yourself, why do I want to start?
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What will I gain from this?
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Visualize the benefits of taking that first step.
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Imagine the sense of accomplishment you'll feel when you achieve your goal.
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Focus on the positive changes that starting can bring to your life.
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Of course, starting something new isn't always easy.
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There will be challenges and setbacks.
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But remember, every obstacle is an opportunity to learn and grow.
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If you find yourself struggling, don't be afraid to ask for help.
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Whether it's advice from a friend, guidance from a mentor, or support from a community, there are people who want to see you succeed.
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So, what is it that you've been putting off?
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Learning to play an instrument?
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Writing a book?
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Starting a business?
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Whatever it is, take the first step today.
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Life is too short to live with regrets.
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It's never too late to start.
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And when you do, you might just discover that the best chapters of your life are still ahead of you.
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Thank you for listening.
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And remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
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Take yours today.

Vocabulario y notas de pronunciación para esta lección

Este vídeo tiene 103 frases y 1101 palabras para practicar shadowing. La parte hablada dura 8:10. El hablante mantiene un ritmo constante de unas 135 palabras por minuto, cómodo para el shadowing. El 86 % de las palabras está entre las 3.000 más comunes del inglés; conviene repasar el resto antes de empezar.

Vocabulario clave de este vídeo

15 palabras menos comunes del vídeo, con su pronunciación y significado:

  • skill /skɪl/ (sustantivo) — destreza, habilidad. A capacity to do something well; a technique, an ability, usually acquired or learned, as opposed to abilities that are regarded as innate.
  • remind /ɹəˈmaɪnd/ (verbo) — (hacer) recordar/arrecordar, hacer acordar/arrecordar (se de). To cause one to experience a memory (of someone or something); to bring to the notice or consideration (of a person).
  • pace /peɪs/ (sustantivo) — paso. A step taken with the foot.
  • pursue /pɚˈsu/ (verbo) — perseguir. To follow urgently, originally with intent to capture or harm; to chase.
  • motivation /ˈmoʊ.tə.veɪ.ʃən/ (sustantivo) — motivación. Willingness of action especially in behavior.
  • overnight /əʊvə(ɹ)ˈnaɪt/ (adverbio) — de un día para otro, de la noche a la mañana. During or throughout the night, especially during the evening or night just past.
  • inspire /ɪnˈspaɪə(ɹ)/ (verbo) — inspirar, infundir. To infuse into the mind; to communicate to the spirit; to convey, as by a divine or supernatural influence; to disclose preternaturally; to produce in, as by…
  • countless /ˈkaʊntləs/ (adjetivo) — incontable, innumerable. Synonym of uncountable.
  • hesitate /ˈhɛz.ə.teɪt/ (verbo) — vacilar, dudar. To stop or pause respecting decision or action; to be in suspense or uncertainty as to a determination.
  • earn /ɝn/ (verbo) — ganar, granjear. To gain (success, reward, recognition) through applied effort or work.
  • belief /bɪˈliːf/ (sustantivo) — creencia. Mental acceptance of a claim as true.
  • founder /ˈfaʊ̯n.dəː/ (sustantivo) — fundador, fundadora. One who founds or establishes (a company, project, organisation, state, etc.).
  • curious /ˈkjʊɹ.i.əs/ (adjetivo) — curioso, tener curiosidad. Tending to ask questions, or to want to explore or investigate; inquisitive; (with a negative connotation) nosy, prying.
  • formal /ˈfɔɹməl/ (adjetivo) — formal. In accordance with established forms.
  • happiness /ˈhæpinɪs/ (sustantivo) — felicidad. The emotion of being happy; joy; elation.

Phrasal verbs que vas a escuchar

  • think about /ˈθɪŋk əˌbaʊt/ (verbo) — pensar en, ocurrírsele. To ponder.
  • come from (verbo) — ser de. To have as one's origin, birthplace or nationality.
  • add up (verbo) — adicionar. To take the sum of; to total.
  • ask for (verbo) — pedir. To request; to order.
  • cut out (verbo) — dejar de, dejar. To refrain from (doing something, using something etc.), to stop or cease (doing something).
  • look at (verbo) — mirar, funar. To observe or watch.
  • pick up (verbo) — coger, asir. To lift; to grasp and raise.
  • put off (verbo) — perecear. To postpone, especially through procrastination.

Pronunciación a tener en cuenta

El hablante usa 24 contracciones y formas reducidas, como you've, don't, didn't. Dilas en su forma corta, tal como las oyes.

  • Los sonidos de “sh” y “zh”: motivation /ˈmoʊ.tə.veɪ.ʃən/, passion /ˈpæʃən/, chef /ʃɛf/, workshop /ˈwɝk.ʃɑp/, publish /ˈpʌblɪʃ/
  • Palabras largas — cuida el acento: motivation /ˈmoʊ.tə.veɪ.ʃən/, operator /ˈɑpəˌɹeɪtɚ/, unnecessary /ʌnˈnɛs.əˌsɛɹ.i/, influential /ɪnflʊˈɛnʃəl/, accomplishment /əˈkɑm.plɪʃ.mənt/

Cómo practicar con este vídeo

  1. Escucha el vídeo entero una vez sin hablar y anota las palabras que no conoces.
  2. Haz shadowing frase por frase a velocidad normal, repitiendo cada una hasta que tu ritmo coincida con el del hablante.
  3. Grábate y compara con el original, prestando atención a palabras como skill, remind, pace.

¿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 →