Shadowing Practice: Why You Always Forget English Words (Science Explains) - Learn English Speaking with Video
Creando lección...
1
So, you learn a new word, and then a week later you forget it.
2
Sound familiar?
3
Unfortunately, this is one of the most frustrating things about learning a second language.
4
You read a word in the dictionary somewhere, you read it in an article, you hear it on YouTube, you write it down, and then a week later you forget it.
5
You can't remember it.
6
You know it's there somewhere in the back of your head, it's on the tip of your tongue, but you just can't remember it.
7
This is so annoying, it's so frustrating, because it feels like you're never going to expand your vocabulary.
8
It feels like whatever you do, you just can't remember new words.
9
And whatever you learn is useless because you just forget it.
10
In today's video, I'm going to talk to you about why this happens.
11
And I'm going to give you some scientifically backed strategies to help you remember new vocabulary.
12
So here's the thing.
13
The most common advice you'll get on learning new vocabulary is simply to repeat something 10 times, 20 times, 30 times, and then you'll remember it.
14
It's called rote repetition.
15
Now, to be honest with you, this is a horrible strategy.
16
You're not going to memorize something you write 10 times on a sheet of paper.
17
It's simply impossible.
18
And if you try to memorize vocabulary this way, you're actually fighting against your own brain.
19
See, your brain isn't designed to retain information in this way.
20
And this isn't just me espousing some made-up theory.
21
This is actually scientifically proven.
22
See, in the 1880s, a German psychologist by the name of Hermann Ebbinghaus decided to test this theory.
23
And what he did was he created a bunch of nonsensical combinations of letters.
24
And he attempted to memorize those combinations of letters
25
and what he found was as each day went on he remembered less
26
and less so the more time that passed the less he actually remembered
27
and the key here is that what he did in his experiment was completely nonsensical
28
and by nonsensical I mean there was no emotional connection which we'll talk about in a moment.
29
Now this is called the forgetting curve.
30
Herman Ebbinghaus's forgetting curve and it shows you
31
that you're not going to remember most of what you learn if you just write it out, if you just try to remember it and there's no connection to you.
32
Your brain isn't a hard drive, it's a web of connections.
33
Anytime you learn something new you need to connect it with something else that matters to you.
34
This is called emotional anchoring.
35
An anchor is what keeps the ship or the boat from moving.
36
The anchor is attached to the seafloor.
37
It anchors the boat and prevents it from sailing away.
38
And what you need to do is anchor vocabulary into your brain.
39
And the best way to do this is through emotional connection.
40
Emotions are super strong.
41
You remember emotions.
42
I think back to 10 years ago, maybe something that happened to you 10 years ago.
43
You might not remember exactly what happened or you might not remember the exact details, but you'll remember how you felt.
44
You'll You'll probably remember whether you were happy, you were sad, you were angry, you were disappointed, you were jealous.
45
You won't remember the details, but you'll remember the emotion.
46
So if you can do this with vocabulary, you're going to be so much more likely to remember what you learned.
47
And in doing so, you are going to war with Mr. Ebbinghaus's forgetting curve.
48
Your brain is actively fighting against that tendency to forget words.
49
Words stick with you when they matter to you personally.
50
Now recently we had a student in one of our programs who mentioned that she learned the word kibble.
51
Kibble, it's a weird word, kibble.
52
Kibble is essentially pet food.
53
It's dog food.
54
It's the hard little pellets that your dog or your cat or your rabbit consumes.
55
It's called kibble.
56
Now this isn't a word that most people use on an everyday basis.
57
So naturally, if you just see it once, you might search the definition online and you might try to remember it, but you're probably not going to be able to.
58
You're probably going to forget this word.
59
And this was the case with the student who came to us with this.
60
She saw the word once, then she forgot it.
61
Well, two months later, she got a pet cat.
62
And now suddenly this pet cat came into her life and she had to feed the cat.
63
So what did she buy?
64
She bought kibble.
65
She bought kibble to feed the cat and the word popped up again in her life, the word kibble.
66
But now she had a much easier time to remember this word because it actually meant something to her.
67
She was excited to have the cat.
68
She was nervous to have the cat.
69
She felt emotion when she saw her cat, when she thought of her cat, when she fed her cat, when she did anything with her cat.
70
The cat meant something to her and And all this vocabulary related to pets was suddenly easier to remember and more relevant.
71
And it was easier to remember because it was more emotional.
72
She had more of an emotional connection to the vocabulary.
73
You see, words don't exist in isolation.
74
Words are there in the universe, in language, to express something.
75
And that's often something emotional because we are human.
76
We are emotional.
77
We all have emotions.
78
So if you can connect any new words you learn, maybe on TV, on the news, in class, if you're taking lessons,
79
by the way, click the link in the description below if you want to apply to study with us.
80
If you can do this, if you can connect any word you learn with a specific emotion, you're going to be so much more likely to remember this word.
81
So stop trying to memorize the dictionary.
82
Stop trying to write words out 20 times, 30 times, hoping to remember them.
83
You're not going to be able to.
84
And you're not going to be able to because you don't have an emotional connection to these words.
85
Emotions anchor vocabulary into your brain.
86
And that's the key.
87
If you really want to remember a new word or a new concept, it needs to be anchored to your brain.
88
It needs to be stuck there.
89
It needs to be completely immovable.
90
I encourage you to look around you, look at an object.
91
Maybe you know the English translation, maybe you don't know the English translation.
92
If you don't, you can find that.
93
Make sure you know the names of everything in your room, in your life, and if you don't,
94
if you have to learn new vocabulary and connect it to either a positive or a negative emotion that you've experienced.
95
I hope you found this video useful.
96
Make sure to leave a like, let me know in the comments if you've ever tried this strategy, if you find it difficult to memorize vocabulary,
97
and if you're planning on implementing this strategy.
98
If you want to learn more about how you can improve your English with me and my team, click the link in the description below to apply now.
99
I'll see you in the next video.
📺 Mismo canal
B115 Words Native English Speakers Use EVERY DAY
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B12
HOW TO LEARN ENGLISH: Complete Study Plan 2026
Business EnglishDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B21
Can You Understand The 5 Levels of English?
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B12
Stop Saying SORRY in English - Say This Instead!
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
C16 Habits Destroying Your English (Fix These NOW)
Business EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B19
Speak English With Me: 15-Minute English Podcast (Real-Life Listening Practice)
Daily ConversationHigh School StudentsUniversity Students
B17
How Good Is Your English? Take This 7-Minute Test!
Daily ConversationHigh School StudentsUniversity Students
B17
Things You Should NEVER Say in English Small Talk (Don't Make These Mistakes!)
Business EnglishDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B11
Don’t Always Say I’M GOOD in English - Say This Instead! | English Vocabulary Lesson
Business EnglishInterview EnglishDaily Conversation
B138
Why you can understand English but can't speak.
Daily ConversationHigh School StudentsUniversity Students
B23
Learn English With a Story: Hiking a Volcano | B1–B2 Listening Practice
Travel EnglishDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B17
How to Introduce Yourself in English
Interview EnglishTeensDaily Conversation
C16
How to THINK in English (and why you must)
Daily Conversation
B12
The ONLY way to become fluent in English in 2026...
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B213
Why you can't understand English movies.
Daily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
C12
You will NOT become fluent in English (until you do this...)
University StudentsWorking Adults
B24
How to Learn English FASTER (without studying more)
University StudentsWorking Adults
B24
Do These 6 Things Every Day to Become Fluent in English
Daily Conversation
B2438
English TRAVEL Vocabulary: Useful Words & Phrases (Speak Like a Native Speaker When Travelling)
Travel EnglishTeensUniversity Students
B2SPEAK ENGLISH LIKE A PRO! (Steal these phrases)
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
✨ Recomendar Video
B21
97 oraciones
English Speaking Practice || Stop Forgetting Words! Remember Vocabulary Naturally
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B2654 oraciones
Stop Translating English ❌ | 99 Sentences to Train Your Brain to Think in English
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B21
164 oraciones
how i learned 7+ languages: tips no one talks about (for some reason)
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B21
723 oraciones
How to Remember Everything || Graded Reader || Improve Your English || Listen And Practice
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B275 oraciones
Understand ANY English Word (No Dictionary Needed!)
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B24
217 oraciones
Why English is SO Hard to Learn!
American AccentBusiness EnglishDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B12
25 oraciones
Why Do We Forget Things?
Daily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B23
156 oraciones
The Psychology of Fast Learners: Why You’re Actually Learning Wrong
Daily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B22
302 oraciones
How I Learned English Vocabulary
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
C11
75 oraciones
Video
Daily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B220
120 oraciones
I found the reason you can't speak English well
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B21
199 oraciones
How to memorize so easily it feels ILLEGAL
Daily ConversationHigh School StudentsUniversity Students
Vocabulario y notas de pronunciación para esta lección
Esta lección de conversación de nivel B2 se basa en el vídeo “Why You Always Forget English Words”. Las palabras que más se repiten: word, cat, vocabulary, kibble, emotion. Este vídeo tiene 99 frases y 1233 palabras para practicar shadowing. La parte hablada dura 6:31. El hablante habla rápido, unas 189 palabras por minuto, así que espera sonidos enlazados y reducidos. El 88 % de las palabras está entre las 3.000 más comunes del inglés, por lo que el vocabulario es fácil de seguir.
Vocabulario clave de este vídeo
Las 15 palabras más avanzadas del vídeo, con su pronunciación y significado:
| Palabra | Pronunciación | Significado |
|---|---|---|
| vocabulary sustantivo | /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/ | vocabulario |
| kibble sustantivo | /ˈkɪbəl/ | pienso, galletitas |
| emotion sustantivo | /ɪˈməʊ.ʃən/ | afecto, emoción |
| anchor sustantivo | /ˈæŋ.kəː/ | ancla, áncora |
| memorize verbo | /ˈmɛm.əˌɹaɪ̯z/ | memorizar |
| nonsensical adjetivo | estólido | |
| curve sustantivo | /kɚv/ | curva |
| frustrate verbo | /ˈfɹʌsˌtɹeɪt/ | frustrar |
| scientifically adverbio | /ˌsaɪ.ənˈtɪfɪkli/ | científicamente |
| dictionary sustantivo | /ˈdɪk.ʃəˌnɛ.ɹi/ | diccionario, tumbaburros |
| espouse verbo | /ɪˈspaʊz/ | desposar |
| immovable adjetivo | /ɪˈmuːvəb(ə)l/ | inmovible, inamovible |
| pellet sustantivo | /ˈpɛl.ɪt/ | bolita, pellet (pélet) |
| repetition sustantivo | /ˌɹɛp.əˈtɪʃ.ən/ | repetición |
| seafloor sustantivo | suelo marino |
Phrasal verbs que vas a escuchar
| Palabra | Pronunciación | Significado |
|---|---|---|
| make up verbo | /ˌmeɪk ˈʌp/ | reponer, suplir |
| pop up verbo | aparecerse |
Frases que vale la pena repetir
Frases cortas y completas del vídeo que puedes reutilizar en la conversación diaria:
- You're probably going to forget this word.
- You see, words don't exist in isolation.
- You're not going to be able to.
- If you don't, you can find that.
- I'll see you in the next video.
Gramática en este vídeo
Las estructuras que más usa el hablante, con las palabras exactas del vídeo:
| Estructura | En el vídeo |
|---|---|
| Voz pasiva be + participio pasado — importa lo que ocurre, no quién lo hace | isn't designed · is called · is attached |
| Present perfect have/has + participio pasado — una acción pasada que sigue importando ahora | you've experienced · you've ever tried |
Pronunciación a tener en cuenta
El hablante usa 37 contracciones y formas reducidas, como you're, you'll, don't. Dilas en su forma corta, tal como las oyes.
- Los sonidos de “sh” y “zh”: emotion /ɪˈməʊ.ʃən/, combinations /kɑmbɪˈneɪʃənz/, dictionary /ˈdɪk.ʃəˌnɛ.ɹi/, repetition /ˌɹɛp.əˈtɪʃ.ən/, isolation /ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃən/
- Palabras largas — cuida el acento: vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/, scientifically /ˌsaɪ.ənˈtɪfɪkli/, combinations /kɑmbɪˈneɪʃənz/, dictionary /ˈdɪk.ʃəˌnɛ.ɹi/, immovable /ɪˈmuːvəb(ə)l/
Sonidos difíciles para hispanohablantes:
- /v/ — no es /b/: los dientes tocan el labio inferior: vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/, curve /kɚv/, immovable /ɪˈmuːvəb(ə)l/
- /z/ — sonora, no /s/: memorize /ˈmɛm.əˌɹaɪ̯z/, combinations /kɑmbɪˈneɪʃənz/, espouse /ɪˈspaʊz/
Cómo practicar con este vídeo
- Escucha el vídeo entero una vez sin hablar y anota las palabras que no conoces.
- Empieza a velocidad 0,75×, haz shadowing frase por frase y vuelve a la velocidad normal cuando te resulte fácil.
- Grábate y compara con el original, prestando atención a palabras como vocabulary, kibble, emotion.
¿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.