Shadowing Practice: IELTS Speaking: Common Mistake and Feedback - Learn English Speaking with Video

This video has 21 sentences and 220 words to shadow. The speech runs for 1:19. The speaker talks at a natural 167 words per minute, close to everyday conversation. Only 81% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding.

Key vocabulary in this video

12 less common words from the video, with pronunciation and meaning:

• vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/ (noun) — A usually alphabetized and explained collection of words e.g. of a particular field, or prepared for a specific purpose, often for learning.
• naturally /ˈnæt͡ʃ.(ə.)ɹə.li/ (adverb) — In a natural manner.
• expand /ɪkˈspænd/ (verb) — To change (something) from a smaller form or size to a larger one; to spread out or lay open.
• variation /ˌvɛəɹiˈeɪʃn̩/ (noun) — The act of varying; a partial change in the form, position, state, or qualities of a thing.
• flavor /ˈfleɪvə/ (noun) — The quality produced by the sensation of taste or, especially, of taste and smell in combined effect.
• refresh /ɹɪˈfɹɛʃ/ (verb) — To renew or revitalize.
• examiner /əɡˈzæmɪnɚ/ (noun) — A person who investigates someone or something.
• fluency /ˈfluːənsi/ (noun) — The quality of smoothness of flow.
• fluently (adverb) — In a fluent manner, as expressing oneself easily, especially in a foreign language.
• herbal /ˈɝbəl/ (adjective) — Made from or with herbs.
• mojito /moʊˈhi.toʊ/ (noun) — A Cuban cocktail, generally made from rum, lime, sugar, mint, etc.
• refresher /ɹɪˈfɹɛʃɚ/ (noun) — Something that refreshes.

Pronunciation to watch

The speaker uses 6 contractions and reduced forms, such as you're, can't, don't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.

• The “sh” and “zh” sounds: variation /ˌvɛəɹiˈeɪʃn̩/, refresh /ɹɪˈfɹɛʃ/, refresher /ɹɪˈfɹɛʃɚ/
• Long words — get the stress right: vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/, naturally /ˈnæt͡ʃ.(ə.)ɹə.li/, examiner /əɡˈzæmɪnɚ/

How to practise with this video

1. Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
2. Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
3. Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like vocabulary, naturally, expand.