Pratique du Shadowing: The Menstrual Cycle Explained: A Guide to the 4 Phases & Hormones - Apprendre l'anglais à l'oral avec la vidéo

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Around age 9 to 13, girls enter  puberty and have their very first period. From this day forward,  their hormone levels fluctuate, affecting their body, brain and behavior —  a phenomenon known as the menstrual cycle.
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The menstrual cycle is divided into 4  phases: Menstruation, follicular phase, ovulation with a fertile window, and the  luteal phase. The length of the cycle is, on average, 28 days. However, for most  women it ranges somewhere between 22 and 35 days and can be regular or not. Since menstruation is a consequence of changes that happen before it, we will  start our story with the follicular phase.
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During the Follicular phase, the hormone estrogen  increases steadily and Leah starts to feel happy, is physically stronger, and  is generally on top form.
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Inside her body, her uterine lining  starts to thicken and in the ovaries, her follicles mature. Inside one of  them is a tiny cell that's about to become an egg. At the end of this phase,  Leah notices a change in her discharge.
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During Ovulation the ovary releases the egg,  which makes its way towards the uterus and then implants itself inside the lining. For about  5 days, Leah could potentially get pregnant.
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The high levels of estrogen make Leah more  interested in boys than she used to be, which is why she is more conscious  about her appearance. Her senses are heightened and she hears, sees,  tastes and smells more acutely.
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In the Luteal phase, her body temperature  rises slightly. Leah has more sensitive, swollen breasts, and occasional joint  pain, which makes skateboarding harder.
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Like just about every other woman, Leah can now  experience premenstrual syndrome. If it's bad, she wants to be alone, feels moody, and can  have thoughts that keep her up at night.
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If there is no pregnancy, Leah’s uterus  sheds her thickened lining. As a result she experiences bleeding and often painful cramps.  This marks the first day of menstruation.
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Leah is now exhausted. She has trouble  concentrating, is not motivated, and can’t do sports, which annoys her a lot. But soon after  she starts feeling better and the cycle continues.
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Every young woman experiences a  different version of the menstrual cycle, with periods ranging from little to no  discomfort, to heavy bleeding and intense pain. And about 1 in 10 girls will have to  deal with what’s known as endometriosis.
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Endometriosis is a condition where  tissue grows outside the uterus.
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This can lead to severe and lasting  pain during their menses, intercourse, or on the toilet. And eventually  it can even lead to infertility.
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What do you think? How does the  menstrual cycle influence your life, or the life of your partner or friend? And  how can society support women and girls who experience regular periods of pain and fatigue?  Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Context & Background

The video "The Menstrual Cycle Explained: A Guide to the 4 Phases & Hormones" offers a thorough overview of the menstrual cycle, aimed primarily at young women and those interested in understanding this natural biological process. The speaker discusses the hormonal changes that occur throughout the cycle, spanning from the onset of menstruation to potential symptoms such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and endometriosis. This context is particularly beneficial for English learners, as it combines vital biological knowledge with practical language use, enhancing their vocabulary in areas related to health and biology.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “I have my period now.” - A straightforward way to discuss menstruation.
  • “I’m feeling moody today.” - Useful for expressing emotions tied to hormonal changes.
  • “I experience painful cramps.” - A common phrase for discussing menstrual discomfort.
  • “I have a heavy flow.” - Refers to the volume of menstrual bleeding, essential vocabulary for accurate communication.
  • “I track my cycle using an app.” - Encourages conversation about modern methods of tracking menstrual health.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively utilize this video for your IELTS speaking practice and shadowing exercises, follow this step-by-step guide:

  1. Watch the Video Without Audio: First, understand the visual cues and context. This sets the stage for what you will learn.
  2. Listen Actively: Play the video with audio, paying close attention to the speaker's tone, pace, and intonation. This will help you capture natural English speech patterns.
  3. Select Phrases to Shadow: Pick a few key phrases from the “Top 5 Phrases” list above to repeat. Use these as a foundation for constructing your responses.
  4. Practice Shadowing: Use the technique known as shadowspeaks. Repeat what you hear immediately after the speaker. This not only improves pronunciation but also enhances fluency.
  5. Record Your Shadow Speech: Record yourself speaking along with the video. Playback will reveal areas for improvement, particularly in rhythm and natural speech flow.
  6. Engage in Discussion: Find a partner to discuss the menstrual cycle or health-related topics. Use phrases you’ve practiced to boost your confidence in using new vocabulary.
  7. Reflect on Your Experience: Write a short paragraph about your thoughts on the menstrual cycle and how it affects women. This will encourage you to think in English and express your insights.

Utilizing a shadowing site can enhance your practice by providing more resources and a structured environment to improve your English skills. Remember, the goal is to develop both your understanding of the topic and your spoken English capabilities.

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.