Shadowing Practice: TOP 10 MYTHS about Learning English - Learn English Speaking with Video
Elige un modo de práctica
Cada modo abre una sala de práctica a pantalla completa.
27 oraciones
Si las oraciones son demasiado cortas o largas, haz clic en Editar para ajustarlas.
1
Hello, my name is Emma. I am an English teacher. I also have a master's degree in learning languages. Today, I wanted to talk about 10 common myths people have about learning languages.
2
So, first of all, what is a myth? A myth is something people believe might be real or true, but in fact, it's not true. So, we're going to look at 10 common myths about learning languages people have. The first myth is you have to be young to learn a language successfully.
3
Many people think only children can truly learn a language. Now, I've been an English teacher for many, many years. I have had students who were 60 years old, 70 years old, 80 years old, and even one person who was 90 years old. And what I can tell you is that it is possible for adults to successfully learn a language. Children learn languages more easily. So, for example, accents.
4
It's easier for children to hear sounds in a language. They can pick up an accent easier than an adult can in general. But adults can learn a language well with consistent practice.
5
Practice makes perfect. I think the hardest thing for many adults is finding the time to learn a language. If they practice enough and they have a good method for learning a language, adults can learn languages successfully. So, now let's look at the second myth many people have when it comes to learning languages. If you are learning a language, you must live abroad to learn that language. So, you must live in an English-speaking country in order to learn English.
6
And to become fluent. So, this is not true. It's a myth. You can learn a language in your own country as well. You might need to be more creative to find opportunities to practice, but it's possible to learn a language in your own country. I'm right now doing that with Mandarin.
7
I'm learning how to read and write Mandarin in my own country, Canada, and I've learned a lot. The nice thing about nowadays is that there are so many online resources. There are so many materials. There are things you can read, watch, practice on. So, because of the internet, it has become a lot easier to learn a language without traveling. So, this is a myth. The third myth is if you're making a lot of mistakes in a language, you're not good at it. So, for people learning English, they make lots of mistakes, they feel very bad, and they say, "Oh, my English is so terrible." This is a myth.
8
Mistakes are how we learn. It's very important in the learning process that you make mistakes.
9
It's also good to remember native speakers of a language make mistakes all the time. They make grammar mistakes, pronunciation mistakes, vocabulary mistakes. So, mistakes are common.
10
The key is when you make a mistake, you learn from it. As long as you are looking for the mistakes you make, and then you figure out the correct way of doing things, and you learn from it, then you're doing the right thing. So, this is a myth. It's important to make mistakes when you're learning a language. It's a part of the process. The next myth is that you need to memorize a lot of grammar rules first. So, your first step to learning a language is learn the grammar. So, this is a myth. Grammar is important, but communication comes first. So, what I noticed is a long time ago, learning a language was mainly about learning grammar. Students would go to class and spend the whole time practicing grammar. And a lot of these students, they learned the grammar rules, but they could not talk or communicate. To me, I believe that communication is the most important thing. So, for example, I have a sentence here. "Yesterday, I go to the store." There's a grammar mistake in this sentence. "Go" should actually be "went". But if someone says this to me, "Yesterday, I go to the store", I can understand them 100%. So, even though they make a grammar mistake, I can still understand their sentence. So, grammar is important.
11
It can help you communicate better, but it's not the only part of learning a language.
12
And I think sometimes we spend too much time focusing on grammar and forgetting that the point of a language is to communicate. You should be focused on how to become a better communicator in a language. So, learn the grammar rules, yes, but there's a lot of other things you can focus on first. The next myth many people believe is that you have to speak with a native accent in order to be fluent in a language. So, a lot of people are trying to sound as British as possible, or as American as possible, or as Australian as possible.
13
But, again, there are many, many types of English accents. There's, like, Jamaican accents, Indian accents, you know, there's so many different types of Englishes, and so many different types of accents. Accents are beautiful. I love when I talk to people and they have different accents.
14
I think accents are a very beautiful thing. I think what is most important is not changing an accent, but to learn how to speak clearly. So, there are different ways to speak in a clearer manner. So, you can keep your accent, but figure out where are the areas where people might not understand you. So, if someone doesn't understand you because maybe there's differences in the way you pronounce something, the most important thing is learning how to speak clearly.
15
There are a lot of strategies you can use if you have an accent and people are having trouble understanding you. Sometimes it might be speaking slower, sometimes it might be, like, enunciating words more. There are different strategies to use, but that doesn't mean you have to change your accent. You just need to learn clearer speech techniques. So, again, an accent is a beautiful thing and you do not need to change your accent to be fluent in English. The next myth is that you must study English or whatever language you're learning for many hours every day in order to learn. So, this is not exactly true. What's more important is regular practice. So, even if you're learning a little bit every day, short, consistent practice every day can lead to very big improvements when you're learning a language. Often, short sessions every day are better than one long, many-hour session in one day. So, doing short many times is better than doing just one long session, you know, once a week. So, 15 to 30 minutes every day is great.
16
And, again, it's important to know that the way you study, how you memorize the words, how you use the words, that's actually what's more important than the amount of time you study.
17
So, the way you study is what matters the most. Find a good way to learn the language and do a little bit every day, and you will make big changes and improvement. And I'll tell you this, I've been doing this myself with my Mandarin. Every single day, whenever I take the subway, I read and I practice Mandarin. And just doing that, I've noticed a huge improvement over time by being consistent and doing 15 minutes a day. So, what is the next myth?
18
Well, if you don't learn fast, it means you're bad at languages. So, this is a myth, okay? People take different amounts of time to learn a language, and that's normal. I remember when I was younger and I was learning French. It took me a very long time, and I always thought, "Oh, maybe I'm not good at languages." But then I learned different methods, and every day I got better and better at it. So, you know, it's a very individual journey when you learn a language. Everyone learns differently at different speeds. Even when I teach, I see some students are very quick, they advance very quickly. Other students take a lot longer, and that's okay. It does not mean they're bad at learning a language. Sometimes they just need more time and to learn in a way that works for them. So, don't compare yourself to others. It's so hard not to compare yourself to others, but don't do it. There will always be somebody who is way better when it comes to learning a language and speaking English, or whatever language you're learning. There's always going to be somebody much better, and there's always going to be somebody who's a lot worse.
19
That's normal. The most important thing is focus on yourself. Focus on your learning.
20
And most importantly, keep going. If you compare yourself too much, you might feel bad and think, "Oh, I'm terrible at this." And then you might not study as hard or learn as much. Be confident in yourself. You can do this. You can learn a language. It doesn't matter how slow you feel you're going. It takes time. And just try your best and keep working at it. Keep going, and you will be successful. This next myth, I feel sad it's a myth. You can learn a language while you are asleep. When I was a kid, I tried to do this. I would listen to French when I was sleeping, and I would think, "Maybe I'll learn this while I'm asleep. It would be so easy." Well, the truth is you can't learn a language by listening to audio at night while you're sleeping.
21
It does not work. Learning a language is actually a very active... an active activity you have to put effort in in order to be successful. You will not learn a language if you're just listening to something while you sleep. Unfortunately, it's a waste of time. I wish this were true, but unfortunately, you cannot learn a language this way. Now, before I say this next myth, I want to say that I do love apps like Duolingo. I think that they're very useful and that they can be very helpful when learning a language, but some people think that all they need is one app like Duolingo to learn a language successfully, and this is, to me, a very big myth. Apps, as I mentioned, can be great tools. They can keep you motivated. They can... they often help you with repeating things again and again. You can learn a lot of great vocabulary from them. Apps can be great tools, but they're not the full solution. In order to learn a language, you have to use it, and you have to use it for a purpose. I find that when I was learning Mandarin or French, when I was actually trying to communicate real ideas with people, that's when I noticed the biggest improvements in my language, when I was using the language for a purpose, a communication purpose. Maybe it was to buy something from the shop. Maybe it was to write a letter to somebody, but to actually use a language in a meaningful context is the best way to learn. So, continue to use your apps, especially if you enjoy them. Duolingo is great, but remember, it's just one tool, and there's a lot more you need to do to learn a language.
22
So, here is the last myth we are talking about today. If you can't speak fluently in three to six months, you're doing it wrong. So, many people think you can learn a language in three months.
23
I agree you can learn some parts of a language in three months, but to become a fluent speaker, I think it's unrealistic. It takes different people different amounts of time to learn a language. For many people, it can take years. That's okay. You know, the most important thing to focus on is just that improvement. As long as you're improving, that's the most important thing.
24
So, when you see "fluent in three months", this is usually unrealistic. You might learn something, but to be totally able to speak a language comfortably in three months is a very challenging thing to do. As I mentioned, fluency can take years. Okay, so we've covered a lot of these different myths. It's important to know what the myths of learning a language are, because what really matters is the method you use to learn a language, and to make sure you are an active learner, and to make sure that you're doing small, consistent practice frequently.
25
So, thank you so much for watching today. You can practice what you learned here by taking our quiz at www.engvid.com. I also recommend checking out some of our videos that we have made on some of the topics covered today. I mentioned earlier about accents and clear speech strategies.
26
I have a video on this, so if you want to learn more, you can check it out.
27
So, thank you so much for watching, and until next time, take care.
Descargar app
Todo lo que necesitas para hablar con fluidez
Pronunciación con IAEvalúa cada oración
Práctica de IPADomina cada sonido
VocabularioConstruye tu banco de palabras
Juego de vocabularioAprende mientras juegas
Mismo canal
B12
How to succeed in your JOB INTERVIEW: Situational Questions
Interview EnglishWorking Adults
B1“When should I use Mr., Ms., Miss, Dr., Teacher...?” | English Titles and Addressing People
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B1English for Beginners: Animal Vocabulary & Expressions to Describe People
Daily ConversationHigh School StudentsUniversity Students
A22
EASY ENGLISH CONVERSATION: Learn to Talk About GIFTS & PRESENTS
Travel EnglishTeensDaily Conversation
B12
Stop procrastinating and start learning!
Daily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B22
How to write a good essay: Paraphrasing the question
IELTS PrepTOEFL PrepCambridge Exam Prep
B15 Confusing English Verbs: SAY, TELL, ASK, SPEAK, TALK
Daily ConversationHigh School StudentsUniversity Students
A2Speak English Clearly: TOP 10 Pronunciation Problems
TeensDaily ConversationHigh School Students
A2Learning English for Beginners: My top tips
KidsTeensDaily Conversation
A2EASY ENGLISH CONVERSATION: Talk About the Weekend!
TeensDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B15 English Expressions for Busy People
Business EnglishDaily ConversationWorking Adults
FOR YOU
Recomendar Video
B16
47 oraciones
🚀 Can You Really Learn English by Yourself? Yes if You Follow the Right Strategy#learnenglish #eng
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B14
112 oraciones
Bài 7 - Học 1 Nghìn Từ Vựng
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B22
263 oraciones
9 English Learning Lies You Probably Believe
American AccentBusiness EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B1657
16 oraciones
How good does your English NEED to be? | Why perfection isn’t the goal.
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B14
244 oraciones
20 Language Learning Mistakes That Keep You Stuck for Years
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B17
280 oraciones
Can Adults Learn a New Language?
British AccentBusiness EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B12
346 oraciones
15 Better Ways to Say "I Don't Know" in English (Sound Fluent & Confident!)
Business EnglishDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B13
55 oraciones
3 Surprising English Learning Lessons & Insights From a Plane Ride
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B12
180 oraciones
9 Ways to Think in English and Stop Translating in Your Head | Go Natural English
American AccentBusiness EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B173 oraciones
Improve Your English Each Week With These 5 Tips!
Business EnglishDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B12
168 oraciones
The ONLY way to become fluent in English in 2026...
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B13
555 oraciones
No Study, Just Listen | Speak English Fluently Like a Native Speaker – Day 1 | Muniba Mazari
Business EnglishDaily ConversationHigh School Students
Vocabulario y notas de pronunciación para esta lección
Esta lección de conversación de nivel B1 se basa en el vídeo “TOP 10 MYTHS about Learning English”. Las palabras que más se repiten: language, learn, learning, myth, accent. Este vídeo tiene 27 frases y 2200 palabras para practicar shadowing. La parte hablada dura 16:08. El hablante mantiene un ritmo constante de unas 136 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 |
|---|---|---|
| myth sustantivo | /mɪθ/ | mito |
| accent sustantivo | /ækˈsɛnt/ | acento léxico |
| grammar sustantivo | /ˈɡɹæm.ə(ɹ)/ | gramática |
| fluent adjetivo | /ˈfluənt/ | fluyente, fluente |
| memorize verbo | /ˈmɛm.əˌɹaɪ̯z/ | memorizar |
| unrealistic adjetivo | irreal, irrealizable | |
| vocabulary sustantivo | /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/ | vocabulario |
| communicator sustantivo | /kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪtə/ | comunicador, comunicadora |
| enunciate verbo | /ɪˈnʌnsiˌeɪt/ | enunciar, letrear |
| fluency sustantivo | /ˈfluːənsi/ | fluidez, fluencia |
| fluently adverbio | dominar, con fluidez | |
| learner sustantivo | /ˈlɜɹnəɹ/ | aprendiz, aprendedor |
| pronunciation sustantivo | /pɹəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/ | pronunciación |
| motivate verbo | /ˈmoʊ.tɪ.veɪt/ | motivar |
| litter sustantivo | /ˈlɪt.ɚ/ | cama, lecho |
Phrasal verbs que vas a escuchar
| Palabra | Significado |
|---|---|
| figure out verbo | averiguar, captar |
| check out verbo | investigar, chequear |
| pick up verbo | coger, asir |
Frases que vale la pena repetir
Frases cortas y completas del vídeo que puedes reutilizar en la conversación diaria:
- I also have a master's degree in learning languages.
- It doesn't matter how slow you feel you're going.
- This next myth, I feel sad it's a myth.
Gramática en este vídeo
Las estructuras que más usa el hablante, con las palabras exactas del vídeo:
| Estructura | En el vídeo |
|---|---|
| Present perfect have/has + participio pasado — una acción pasada que sigue importando ahora | I've been · I've learned · I've noticed |
| Oraciones de relativo who / which + oración — información extra sobre una persona o cosa | students who were · somebody who is |
| Superlativos the -est / the most … — lo más alto o lo más bajo de un grupo | the hardest · the most important · your best |
| Posibilidad con “might / may” might/may + verbo — algo posible pero no seguro | might be · might need · might not understand |
Pronunciación a tener en cuenta
El hablante usa 39 contracciones y formas reducidas, como you're, I'm, I've. Dilas en su forma corta, tal como las oyes.
- Palabras largas — cuida el acento: communicate /kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪt/, vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/, communicator /kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪtə/, enunciate /ɪˈnʌnsiˌeɪt/, pronunciation /pɹəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/
Sonidos difíciles para hispanohablantes:
- /v/ — no es /b/: los dientes tocan el labio inferior: vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/, motivate /ˈmoʊ.tɪ.veɪt/
- /z/ — sonora, no /s/: memorize /ˈmɛm.əˌɹaɪ̯z/, quiz /kwɪz/, nowadays /ˈnaʊ.ə.deɪz/
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 myth, accent, grammar.
¿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.