Shadowing Practice: In memoriam Professor Stephen Hawking 1942 - 2018. - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

C1
Can you hear me?
⏸ Paused
11 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
Can you hear me?
2
It has been a glorious time to be alive, and doing research in theoretical physics.
3
Our picture of the universe has changed a great deal in the last 50 years, and I'm happy if I have made a small contribution.
4
The fact that we humans, who are ourselves mere collections of fundamental particles of nature,
5
have been able to come this close to an understanding of the laws governing us and our universe, is a great triumph.
6
I want to share my excitement and enthusiasm about this quest.
7
So remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet.
8
Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious.
9
And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at.
10
It matters that you don't just give up.
11
Thank you for listening.

Download App

Everything you need to speak fluently

AI PronunciationScore every sentence
IPA PracticeMaster every sound
VocabularyBuild your word bank
Vocab GameLearn while playing
Scan To Download
Scan To Download
Download on theApp Store
Get it onGoogle Play

About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will engage with a memorable speech by Professor Stephen Hawking, renowned for his contributions to theoretical physics. This content not only shares fascinating insights about the universe but also provides a rich opportunity for English learners to improve their English pronunciation. By practicing shadow speech with the transcript, you can enhance your speaking skills while exploring profound concepts. You’ll learn how to convey excitement and curiosity in your speech while building your vocabulary related to science and philosophy.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Glorious time: A wonderful or thrilling period.
  • Theoretical physics: A branch of physics that uses mathematical models to explain physical phenomena.
  • Fundamental particles: The basic building blocks of matter.
  • Understanding: The ability to grasp concepts and meanings.
  • Great triumph: A significant achievement or success.
  • Look up at the stars: A metaphor suggesting curiosity and ambition.
  • Be curious: An encouragement to seek knowledge and ask questions.
  • Don’t give up: A motivational phrase promoting perseverance.

Practice Tips

To make the most of this lesson and improve your English pronunciation, consider the following shadowing techniques:

  • Watch and Listen: Initially, watch the video without attempting to speak. Focus on Professor Hawking's pronunciation and intonation.
  • Slow it Down: Utilize YouTube's playback speed feature to slow down the video. This will help you catch every word clearly.
  • Pause and Repeat: After a sentence or a phrase, pause the video and repeat what you’ve heard, mimicking the professor’s intonation and rhythm.
  • Emphasize Emotion: Notice the emotion in Hawking’s voice. When you practice shadow speech, try to convey the same excitement and curiosity he expresses.
  • Record Yourself: Use a voice recording app to compare your delivery to the original speech. This will help you identify areas for improvement.
  • Daily Practice: Integrate short sessions of this practice into your daily routine. Consistent exposure will help solidify your English speaking skills more effectively.

By incorporating these practices, you'll be well on your way to mastering English speaking through engaging with impactful content on YouTube. Whether you're trying to learn English with YouTube or perfect your shadow speech, remember that persistence and curiosity are key elements in your language-learning journey.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

☕ Buy us a coffee