Pratique du Shadowing: 5 things I do to maintain my C2 English (and keep improving) - Apprendre l'anglais à l'oral avec YouTube

C2
There are five things I still do after many years to keep my level of English,
⏸ En pause
130 phrases
Si les phrases sont trop courtes ou trop longues, cliquez sur Edit pour les ajuster.
1
There are five things I still do after many years to keep my level of English,
2
because language is not something you learn once and then you have that permanently.
3
We don't automatically keep the same level forever.
4
We need to take care of it.
5
For example, I can feel that if I don't use English for a week or two,
6
for example, over the Christmas holidays,
7
I can feel that my brain is a little slower and my fluency is not that great.
8
I have to search for words longer.
9
So, nothing dramatic but it is noticeable.
10
Today I'm going to give you tips on what I do to keep a C2 level.
11
But of course the things could be different for different people and that's totally fine.
12
And these tips could work for students who are at C2 or C1 as well,
13
just advanced learners.
14
I'm Eva or call me Eva.
15
I'm a non-native speaker of English and I studied English at university.
16
I have a master's degree in English.
17
Then I also passed the CPA exam a few years ago, C2 level certificate.
18
I'm now saying this to brag again.
19
I just want you to know who you are listening to and what my life looks like.
20
So I'm also a professional English teacher.
21
So I am in contact with English every day.
22
I speak every day.
23
But of course, my students are,
24
their level is lower than mine, which is natural.
25
So I also need to actively seek some opportunities where I can meet my needs and my level as well.
26
I live in the Czech Republic.
27
I don't have any native speakers around.
28
My husband is Czech, so it's really up to me what I do with my English.
29
First of all, number one,
30
I think it starts here.
31
It's my conscious decision to challenge myself,
32
to choose something that challenges me,
33
to choose difficulty on purpose.
34
Because at this level, even C1 or C2,
35
it's incredibly easy to stay comfortable.
36
I could sit down, watch a sitcom like Friends,
37
understand everything effortlessly because it's an easy concept and you get everything even from the picture,
38
from the actors.
39
So it's not that difficult to understand.
40
My brain is not really working.
41
I mean, it's a nice activity.
42
It's enjoyable.
43
Of course, I do these as well,
44
but I try to make sure that I also find something challenging that triggers my brain.
45
Something that pushes me.
46
For example, a podcast with complex ideas or books on miscellaneous topics
47
because I know that my brain will have to think and work a little more.
48
So that's why discomfort is important.
49
The second thing I do is really simple but I believe it's really powerful and it's this.
50
It's keeping a notebook with some English notes and vocabulary and I have a few older ones behind me somewhere over there.
51
It's not just about writing down a new vocabulary
52
because at this level you usually know a lot
53
but I know a lot of words passively and
54
when I for example watch something I see a word
55
and I'm like okay I think I know the word I think I understand from the context
56
but would I use that word actively do I know a hundred percent what
57
that means or am I just guessing based on the context even
58
if I see something and it's clear
59
and I understand I still write it down if I find it interesting and I think okay would I really use it,
60
would I not?
61
So, or an idiom, I'm like,
62
oh yeah, I understand, but I don't think I ever use that actively.
63
I write it down, I write an example sentence,
64
and then from time to time,
65
I get back to my notes.
66
On top of that, I think I use a lot of that as inspiration for my classes or videos,
67
so I kill two birds with one stone that way.
68
Number three, the thing I do is that from time to time I book a lesson,
69
either with a native speaker or with a Czech speaker who teaches English.
70
And the reason is simple.
71
It's refreshing.
72
I need to speak.
73
I need to react.
74
It's completely different than just watching something or listening to something.
75
I need to be active.
76
So that's important.
77
And it's also good for me as a teacher from time
78
to time to be on the other side to feel like a student and to understand how students might feel.
79
So I don't do that very often,
80
maybe once a month or if I have,
81
I don't know, in the summer,
82
if I have more free time,
83
I book a few classes, a package with someone.
84
And I must say, I enjoy that.
85
It's also enjoyable for me to see different people from different countries.
86
And these days with online learning,
87
it's so, so easy and convenient.
88
You can talk to someone in the US,
89
you can talk to someone here,
90
but it can be online.
91
I don't need to go anywhere and still I can get good practice.
92
But don't worry if it looks like a lot.
93
It's not really because it's really like from time to time or when I feel like that.
94
But from time to time,
95
it's good to do these things.
96
Let me know what you think.
97
Now let me move on to number four and
98
when it comes to tools
99
and apps the only app I still use is Quizlet again from time to time
100
and if I really learn something completely new a new word i put it there
101
because you can have your like your personally it's my personal
102
set of vocabulary i update it i add some words
103
or i can delete some words
104
and again from time to time i just click through these games
105
and flash cards and i review things maybe once a month
106
or something like that or in a car or on the bus,
107
I click through my Quizlet.
108
And the last thing, number five, is not that frequent.
109
Again, don't worry, but it's an exercise,
110
a worksheet or something like that.
111
Again, from time to time,
112
for example, something like this CPE past papers,
113
I just pick one exercise.
114
It takes like 10 minutes,
115
but it's really challenging because you need to choose the right word
116
or thing of the word you're filling the missing gaps
117
and you really need to think about the language actively 10
118
minutes instead of you know scrolling on my phone i just do something like
119
that as you can see none of these tips are groundbreaking it's nothing super special it's not rocket science
120
but these simple things and the intention it really matters
121
and it really helps me please share your experience and your tips
122
if you're at c1c2 what do you do to keep an advanced level of english
123
or what do you do to maintain your level of english
124
please let me know also this episode is completely free for you as usual to watch
125
and learn from so if you find some value here please subscribe
126
or like this video because this way you can support this channel completely for free
127
and we can spread beautiful English around the world at no cost.
128
So thank you for that.
129
So I hope this episode helps you as well to speak beautiful English.
130
Take care.

Télécharger l'application

Notation IA pour chaque phrase que vous prononcez

Scanner pour télécharger
Scanner pour télécharger
Download on theApp Store
Get it onGoogle Play
TRENDING

Populaires

Why practice speaking with this video?

Practicing speaking using video resources like the one titled "5 things I do to maintain my C2 English (and keep improving)" offers unique benefits for advanced learners. This video not only presents a non-native speaker’s experience and challenges but also illustrates practical strategies to maintain and improve language proficiency. By engaging with this content, learners can improve their English pronunciation, enhance their fluency, and gain insights into the mindset required for language maintenance. Incorporating such videos into your study routine allows for a multi-dimensional learning experience, combining listening, reflection, and active speaking practice.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

Throughout the video, several grammatical structures and expressions emerge that can be beneficial for learners. Here are a few key examples:

  • Present Simple Tense: The speaker frequently uses the present simple to describe ongoing habits and routines, e.g., “I think it starts here.” This structure helps convey regular actions and general truths.
  • Modals of Obligation: Expressions like “I need to” or “I have to” indicate obligation and necessity, crucial for articulating intentions and priorities.
  • Complex Sentences: The use of clauses (e.g., “because language is not something you learn once and then you have that permanently”) encourages the construction of rich, nuanced statements, adding depth to your expression.

Advanced learners should focus on incorporating these structures into their own speaking practice, as they enhance clarity and sophistication in communication.

Common Pronunciation Traps

As learners adopt the techniques shared in the video, they should be mindful of specific pronunciation challenges. Here are a couple of tricky words and phrases to watch for:

  • "Conscious": This word often trips up learners due to its spelling and pronunciation. Ensure the emphasis is placed correctly to avoid confusion.
  • "Challenging": The pronunciation can vary slightly with regional accents, so practicing through shadow speech can help solidify a consistent and clear articulation.

Consider using a shadowing app to practice these words and expressions by mimicking the speaker’s tone and pace. Engaging in shadow speak not only improves pronunciation but also builds confidence in using the language fluidly.

Qu'est-ce que la technique du Shadowing ?

Le Shadowing est une technique d'apprentissage des langues fondée sur la science, développée à l'origine pour la formation des interprètes professionnels. Le principe est simple mais puissant : vous écoutez de l'anglais natif et le répétez immédiatement à voix haute — comme une ombre suivant le locuteur avec un décalage de 1 à 2 secondes. Les recherches montrent une amélioration significative de la précision de la prononciation, de l'intonation, du rythme, des liaisons, de la compréhension orale et de la fluidité.

☕ Offrez-nous un café