Pratique du Shadowing: Learn English with VOA Special English - How to Make Your Own Solar Water Heater - Apprendre l'anglais à l'oral avec la vidéo

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This is the VOA Special English Technology Report.
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Solar water heaters are used around the world and are not very difficult to build.
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The system we are going to describe is based on a design developed some years ago in Afghanistan.
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Since then, it has been built and used in many countries.
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It can heat 70 liters of water to 60 degrees Celsius.
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It can do this between sunrise and noon on a clear day with an average air temperature of 32 degrees Celsius.
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There are two parts to the solar water heater.
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One part is made of a sheet of metal painted black.
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Black surfaces become hotter in the sun than surfaces painted any other color.
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This black metal plate is called a collector.
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The collector is placed in contact with the water.
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There are several kinds of metal sheets that can be used for the collector.
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Corrugated metal will work very well.
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Corrugated sheets are often used as roofs on housing.
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Once the water is heated, it is kept hot with insulation material.
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This allows the water to stay warm for a long time.
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The second part of the solar water heater holds the water for the system.
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This storage tank can be a container that holds about 100 liters.
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Two rubber pipes are attached to the water storage tank.
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One pipe lets water flow into the system.
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The other lets water flow out.
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When the water heater is working correctly, water will flow from the storage tank to the collector and back again.
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You can use the hot water at the top of the tank for washing and cleaning.
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You can change the flow of water so that the temperature is hot or warm as desired.
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This solar water heater is easy to build and operate.
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It will last about two years before the rubber pipes need to be replaced.
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There is also something else you will need to make the solar water heater work, the sun.
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As you might expect, the heater will heat water only on sunny days.
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You can get more information about solar water heaters and other projects from Enterprise Works VITA.
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This group works internationally to fight poverty.
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The website is EnterpriseWorks.org.
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Choose the link for news and resources,
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then click on publications for VOA Special English I'm Alex Villarreal to read and
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listen to more stories about technology and for English teaching activities go
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to VOA special English comm we're on Facebook Twitter and iTunes at VOA learning English
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Why practice speaking with this video?

This video titled "Learn English with VOA Special English - How to Make Your Own Solar Water Heater" provides an excellent opportunity for English language learners to enhance their speaking skills. The context of the video involves a practical and technical subject that is interesting and relatable, given the growing focus on renewable energy solutions like solar water heaters. By practicing speaking with this content, learners can not only improve their English speaking practice but also expand their vocabulary related to technology and environmental issues.

Furthermore, engaging with such informative content can boost confidence while speaking about technical topics. Shadowing this video allows learners to mimic native speaker pronunciations, inflections, and rhythms, enhancing their language acquisition process through a method known as shadow speech. By repeating after the speaker, learners can internalize correct pronunciations and sentence structures in a real-world context.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

In the video, several key grammatical structures and expressions are highlighted that are essential for learners to notice and practice:

  • Passive Voice: The phrase "The system we are going to describe is based on a design..." showcases the passive construction, which is common in technical descriptions.
  • Conditional Sentences: Expressions like "When the water heater is working correctly..." emphasize the conditional form, useful for discussing possibilities and systems.
  • Imperative Sentences: The phrases "Keep the water hot with insulation material..." give direct instructions, which can be very practical in everyday conversations.
  • Time Clauses: The expression "between sunrise and noon..." uses time clauses to provide specific details, which enriches the context and helps learners understand how to frame times effectively in their speech.

Common Pronunciation Traps

As learners practice with this video, they may encounter some pronunciation challenges:

  • Collector: Ensure clarity on the 'c' and 'l' sounds in "collector," which can be easy to muddle.
  • Insulation: Learners should focus on the syllables in "insulation," particularly the 'sh' sound, which may not be intuitive for non-native speakers.
  • Container: The word "container" can be tricky due to its three syllables; it's important to stress the correct syllable for clarity.

By engaging in shadowing exercises using this video transcript, you can overcome these pronunciation traps while simultaneously improving your overall English speaking ability. Explore the shadowspeaks method to enhance your learning experience further!

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.