Shadowing Practice: It's Happening Right Outside My NYC Window - Learn English Speaking with Video

This video has 147 sentences and 877 words to shadow. The speech runs for 8:10. The speaker talks slowly, about 107 words per minute, so there is time to copy every sound. Only 81% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding.

Key vocabulary in this video

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

• billy /ˈbɪli/ (noun) — A highwayman's club, billy club.
• punch /pʌnt͡ʃ/ (noun) — A hit or strike with one's fist.
• parade /pəˈrɑd/ (noun) — Synonym of military parade: A show of troops, an assembly of troops as a show of force, to receive orders, or especially for inspection at set times.
• protest /ˈpɹoʊ.tɛst/ (noun) — A formal objection, especially one by a group.
• clock /klɑk/ (noun) — A chronometer, an instrument that measures time, particularly the time of day.
• tune /tjuːn/ (noun) — A melody.
• shoe /ˈʃu/ (noun) — A protective covering for the foot, with a bottom part composed of thick leather or plastic sole and often a thicker heel, and a softer upper part made of…
• handsome /ˈhæn.səm/ (adjective) — Having a pleasing appearance, good-looking, attractive, particularly
• couch /ˈkaʊ̯t͡ʃ/ (noun) — An item of furniture, often upholstered, for the comfortable seating of more than one person; a sofa.
• demonstration /dɛmənˈstɹeɪʃən/ (noun) — The act of demonstrating; showing or explaining something.
• surf /sɝf/ (verb) — To ride a wave on a surfboard; to pursue or take part in the sport of surfing.
• custom /ˈkʌstəm/ (noun) — Frequent repetition of the same behavior; way of behavior common to many; ordinary manner; habitual practice; method of doing, living or behaving.
• participate /pɑːˈtɪs.ɪ.peɪt/ (verb) — To join in, to take part, to involve oneself (in something).
• boost /buːst/ (verb) — To lift or push from behind (one who is endeavoring to climb); to push up.
• buddy /ˈbʌdi/ — A person far removed from the conversation.

Phrasal verbs you will hear

• go on /ˈɡoʊˌɒn/ (verb) — To continue in extent.
• come down (verb) — To descend, fall down, collapse.
• come up (verb) — To emerge or become known, especially unexpectedly.
• lock in (verb) — To fix the value of (something potentially variable).
• turn out (verb) — To end up; to result.
• ask for (verb) — To request; to order.
• come by (verb) — To obtain; to get, especially by chance or involuntarily.
• come in /ˌkʌm ˈɪn/ (verb) — To enter.

Pronunciation to watch

The speaker uses 35 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, don't, I'll. Say them the short way, as you hear them.

• The “sh” and “zh” sounds: shoe /ˈʃu/, demonstration /dɛmənˈstɹeɪʃən/, closure /ˈkloʊ.ʒɚ/
• Long words — get the stress right: demonstration /dɛmənˈstɹeɪʃən/, participate /pɑːˈtɪs.ɪ.peɪt/, binoculars /(ˌ)baɪˈnɑ.kjə.lɚz/

How to practise with this video

1. Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
2. Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
3. Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like billy, punch, parade.