Pratica di Shadowing: I Have the Weirdest Phobia - Impara a parlare inglese con i video

Hi, I'm Elodie.

Before I tell you my story, please like and subscribe.

I was born on the outskirts of Paris, and my early life was pretty uneventful until I turned seven

and my parents decided we were going on our first real vacation.

That involved flying to the Maldives on the other side of the earth.

I was super excited, but as soon as the plane took off, I started feeling very uneasy.

The height made me feel dizzy.

Then, halfway in our flight, we started having really Don't be silly.

The chances are really low.

So you're saying there is a slight chance we might die?

I cried hysterically for the remaining flight, and when we finally landed, I was shaking.

Not even a week of fun at sea could make me forget.

And when it was time to go back home, I refused to get on the plane again.

I caused such a scene at the airport

that my parents had no choice but to take a ship for the return trip.

And it drained their credit cards.

This is the last time we're going on vacation ever.

Mom and dad argued about money all the way home.

And soon after, they separated.

I was convinced it was my fault.

No, honey.

We were having problems for a while.

And don't worry, we'll be okay.

But seeing them divorce was heartbreaking.

Dad remarried, had new children, and completely forgot about me.

working, until one day she took me ice skating at the local rink, and that changed everything.

When I was on the ice, it felt like I was flying, and all my problems disappeared.

Mom saw the potential I had and signed me up for private lessons.

By the time I was 10, I was already winning junior local competitions.

My training was expensive, but Mom worked double shifts to cover for it.

If this is your dream, I will do anything in my power to help you.

You're the best, Mom.

I'll make you proud!

At school, I did well enough, my peers admired me, but unfortunately, I didn't have many close friends.

Also, as time went by, I started noticing I wasn't like other girls my age.

Like one time when I was 15, I was at a friend's house for a sleepover, and we were watching the movie Titanic.

During the final scene, all the other girls were crying, but I just couldn't get it.

I snatched the remote and paused the movie.

This is so stupid!

Look, there's enough room on that door for Jack to climb to! is already ruined!

Who even likes such dumb movies?

Needless to say, I was never invited for a movie night again.

So maybe I wasn't that much of a romantic.

Or at all.

Big deal.

As I grew older, most of my peers started dating, breaking up, and crying over ice cream while I was still waiting for my first crush to happen.

I felt like I was being weird, and the only person in the world who got me was my best friend Louis.

We got closer months ago.

Mom is happy I'm not getting distracted I always ask why I don't have a boyfriend, as if there's something wrong with me.

It's not something you can force, the same way I can't like girls.

And even if you never fall in love with someone, who cares?

You're amazing just the way you are.

I know, but sometimes I wish I wasn't so different, and that guys would stop asking me out.

I wish that was my problem.

It would be if you came out.

No thank you, I'd rather swim with alligators.

That's why we got along so well.

I knew I could talk to him about everything without being judged.

When I turned 18, I was added to the national competition that would send the winner to the Olympics.

That would give me the opportunity to have a real sponsor, relieving mom of the huge financial burden.

By that point, I was training daily, and my coach had given me a very complex program.

You have a real chance of winning, Elodie, but you really need to land that triple axel.

That jump would keep me up at night.

It was so difficult.

ever.

And as if that wasn't enough, one day, the restaurant where mom worked caught fire, and she ended up in the hospital with a broken ankle and some burns.

Her condition wasn't too serious, but she needed time to recover.

I won't be able to work for a while.

I'm sorry, Elodie, but I can't pay your coach anymore.

I was devastated.

It felt like my only chance at a career had just been taken away.

But I didn't want to show that to mom.

She was already feeling bad, and I didn't want to make her feel worse.

I picked up a job in a small cafe to earn some extra cash, I was exhausted.

I was crying on the phone with Louis one night when he came up with a crazy solution.

You won't like it, but hear me out.

My dad is having this big party in a couple of days with all his business partners, and he insisted that I invite my girlfriend.

What girlfriend?

Ehh, I may have lied about that.

Dad kept asking me why I was still single at my age, so I panicked and told him I was dating someone.

I know it's wrong, but I never expected him to meet her.

Anyway, you could pretend to be my girlfriend, and I'll ask him to sponsor you.

He likes donating to all sorts of causes, and for a potential daughter -in -law, I'm sure he'll accept.

I don't know.

Lies like that always end badly.

Can't you just tell him the truth?

You don't know him.

Ever since I was little, he wouldn't stop talking about my future wife, and how he hopes I'll have like 25 grandkids.

Trust me, this is the only way.

I was uncomfortable with the fake dating plan, but Louis was right.

It would benefit both of us.

At least until I managed to win the championship and get another sponsor.

and ended up charming all of the guests.

Louis was cold sweating when it was time to introduce me to his father, and I could see why.

His dad was a very stern looking man, with a permanent frown on his face.

But when we started talking, he seemed kind in his way.

Louis took the opportunity to tell him about Mom's incident and how I needed help with my career.

I understand, but unfortunately this isn't a good time for my company.

Maybe next year.

100

I felt like the earth stopped spinning.

101

But it was of no use.

102

Some days later, I was at the cafe working.

103

I really couldn't focus and started crying again.

104

Just then, someone tapped on my shoulder.

105

Why is a pretty girl like you crying?

106

You're ruining your makeup.

107

I looked up and saw Henry, a famous skater who had won the championship the previous season, staring at me.

108

He sat me down and I ended up telling him all my worries.

109

So now, my career is basically over.

110

It doesn't have to be.

111

I could pay for your training.

112

I know that everyone needs to see real talent.

113

My family is one of the wealthiest in the country.

114

My car insurance is more expensive than your lessons.

115

It's nothing.

116

I couldn't believe my luck.

117

From that day on, I started practicing with Henry, and he seemed quite impressed with my skills.

118

Some days we would go have coffee after training.

119

He was a lot more experienced than I was, and I loved hearing about his travels and all the talented people he met during competition.

120

One afternoon after practice, Henry was dropping me at home.

121

When he leaned in and tried to kiss me, pushed him away and he seemed very confused.

122

I'm sorry, is there a problem?

123

I think I might have given you the wrong idea Henry.

124

I like you, but only as a friend.

125

I'm just not interested in dating anyone.

126

I see.

127

What can I say?

128

It's breaking my heart that you're doing this to me and I get it, but I don't think any other guy would.

129

You have to be careful about giving a guy wrong signals, especially when you get so close in such a short period.

130

Guys always expect something in return.

131

Anyway, I guess I'll leave now.

132

Henry gave me a quick hug and left.

133

I decided to keep my distance from Henry after that.

134

I didn't want to hurt him anymore.

135

Soon it was time for the competition, but the day before the competition, I was so stressed out I could barely stay still.

136

So Louis asked me to go to the local fair with him to calm my nerves down.

137

We went to all the booths trying our luck.

138

I spent an embarrassing amount of money at the duck pond game, and Louis won at the miniature rifle range.

139

The lady gave him a huge heart -shaped plushie, which he gave to me.

140

A lucky charm for tomorrow.

141

Sure!

142

It has nothing to do with how bulky this is.

143

We were having a good time, going on roller coasters and eating fries.

144

But just then, I heard someone calling my name from the crowd.

145

I turned around and saw Henry walking in our direction.

146

So he's the reason you broke up with me?

147

Henry?

148

No, you're misunderstanding.

149

Louis is just a friend.

150

Just like I was a friend to you?

151

You know, if you liked someone else, you could have just said that.

152

And what's even about this guy that made you reject me?

153

Is it money?

154

Careful, dude, you got yourself a gold digger.

155

- Dare talk to her like that, or what, you'll hit me?

156

- Henry took a step forward, his fist balled up, but I got in the way and pushed Henry aside.

157

It's not worth it, Louis.

158

He's just a crazy, possessive guy.

159

Forget about him.

160

- Oh, wow.

161

Crazy and possessive?

162

This is how you say thank you for being a good friend and helping you, something this idiot would never do?

163

- I wanted to argue more, but I decided against it and left with Louis.

164

I couldn't believe Henry would turn on me like that.

165

I thought he was my friend, but I couldn't waste too much sleep because of him.

166

I set the alarm on my phone and went to sleep early so I got some rest.

167

But the next morning, I woke up to Lewis screaming in my face.

168

Get up, Elodie, you're late!

169

What?

170

Oh my god, how did I not wake up?

171

I checked my phone and the screen was glitching.

172

It looks like my phone's broken.

173

We don't have time for that.

174

Hurry up or you'll miss the competition.

175

I quickly got dressed and left with Lewis, but the road was jam -packed with traffic.

176

It was the weekend and the main carnival day.

177

- Only way to cross the river.

178

We're never gonna make it.

179

What am I gonna do?

180

- I might have an idea.

181

- Lewis got out of the car, and we made our way back to the fair from the previous night.

182

- Okay, anytime now.

183

- Who?

184

What?

185

- That.

186

- I looked where Lewis was pointing, and my heart dropped.

187

Right over the fair, a couple of hot air balloons were already taking off, and others were waiting for customers on the ground.

188

Oh, no, no, no. You gotta be kidding.

189

- I know you're afraid of heights, but this is your only chance.

190

Listen to me, Elodie.

191

You can't let your fear win.

192

Not now.

193

dream come true.

194

Louis was right.

195

My stupid year was getting in the way of my dreams.

196

But I was stronger than that.

197

We paid the man piloting the balloon and hopped on.

198

As we took off, I closed my eyes and wrapped myself around Louis like an octopus.

199

You can look now.

200

Trust me.

201

I slowly opened my eyes and it was so different from what I remembered from that airplane all those years back.

202

Sure, I was still afraid.

203

But from up there, the world looked so peaceful and beautiful.

204

The of the arena.

205

We ran inside and I got my skates on just in time.

206

The place was packed, but I felt confident and performed my best routine.

207

And then came the final moment, the dreaded triple axel.

208

I took a deep breath and spun three times, landing beautifully, and the crowd went crazy.

209

The results were announced soon after, and I was over the moon to bag the first prize.

210

Right after I got my trophy, I was getting back to Louis when Henry got in my way.

211

What now?

212

and totally out of line.

213

Also, I really thought that hackers would hack your phone and keep you away from the competition, but I guess talent always finds a way.

214

You hacked my phone?

215

That's why the alarm didn't go off and nobody could reach me?

216

That's horrible, Henry!

217

Why would you do that?

218

Because I wanted to show you your place.

219

But like I said, I was wrong and I'd like to start a new friendship with you from scratch.

220

Yeah, I don't think so.

221

I can't trust you.

222

And friendship is based on trust.

223

Now if you'll excuse me, my friend is waiting for me.

224

to Louis and was kind of surprised to see his dad waiting for me.

225

Congratulations, young lady.

226

I'm proud my son is such a talented girlfriend.

227

Uh, actually, dad...

228

Louis gathered himself for a moment and then told his dad the truth.

229

I'm sorry for all the lies, but all this time I was afraid of disappointing you.

230

You're right, I am disappointed.

231

But with myself, I kept rejecting my ideal life without even considering you'd want something different.

232

Son, all I really care about is for you to be happy.

233

And you, young lady, this was a big step in your life and I have a surprise for you.

234

Louis and his dad took me home with them, where his dad had organized a party to welcome mom after her discharge from the hospital.

235

She couldn't be at the competition, so the party was our chance to celebrate together.

236

Mom introduced herself and thanked him, and then they kept chatting and chatting, and it gave me a weird feeling.

237

What's going on with our parents?

238

They're so red.

239

Are they sick?

240

Worse, they like each other.

241

And yes, you guessed it.

242

That's how I ended up with a stepfather and brother.

243

I learned that You have to face your fear or you'll be afraid for the rest of your life.

Cos'è la tecnica dello Shadowing?

Shadowing è una tecnica di apprendimento delle lingue supportata da studi scientifici, originariamente sviluppata per la formazione dei traduttori professionisti e resa popolare dal poliglotta Dr. Alexander Arguelles. Il metodo è semplice ma potente: ascolti un audio in inglese di madrelingua e lo ripeti immediatamente ad alta voce — come un'ombra che segue il parlante con un ritardo di solo 1–2 secondi. A differenza dell'ascolto passivo o degli esercizi di grammatica, lo shadowing costringe il tuo cervello e i muscoli della bocca a elaborare e riprodurre simultaneamente i modelli di discorso reale. La ricerca dimostra che migliora significativamente la precisione della pronuncia, l'intonazione, il ritmo, il discorso connesso, la comprensione dell'ascolto e la fluidità del parlato — rendendolo uno dei metodi più efficaci per la preparazione alla prova di speaking dell'IELTS e per la comunicazione reale in inglese.

Pratica di Shadowing: I Have the Weirdest Phobia - Impara a parlare inglese con i video

Contesto e Sfondo

Le 5 Frasi Chiave per la Comunicazione Quotidiana

Guida Passo-Passo al Shadowing

Cos'è la tecnica dello Shadowing?