Shadowing Practice: How To Simplify Your Life - Learn English Speaking with Video
Les maken...
1
It's well understood by good parents that life should only ever get so exciting for a baby.
2
After friends have come round and brought presents and made animated faces, after there's been some cake and some cuddles,
3
after there have been a lot of bright lights and perhaps some songs too, enough is enough.
4
The baby will start to look stern and then burst into tears and the wise parent knows that nothing is particularly wrong, though the baby may by now be wailing.
5
It's just time for a nap.
6
The brain needs to process, digest and divide up the welter of experiences that have been ingested and so the curtains are drawn,
7
baby is laid down next to the soft toys and soon it's asleep and calm descends.
8
Everyone knows that life is going to be a lot more manageable again in an hour.
9
Sadly, we exercise no such caution with ourselves.
10
We schedule a week in which we're going to see friends every night, in which we're going to do 12 meetings, three of them requiring a lot of preparation,
11
where we'll make a quick overnight dash to another country on the Wednesday, where we'll watch three films, read 14 newspapers, change six pairs of sheets, have five heavy meals after 8pm and drink 30 cups of coffee
12
and then we lament that our lives are not as calm as they might be
13
and that we are close to mental collapse.
14
We refuse to take seriously how much of our babyhood is left inside our adult selves
15
and therefore how much care we have to take to keep things simple and very, very calm.
16
What registers as anxiety is typically no freakish phenomenon.
17
It is our minds logical, simple, enraged plea not to be continuously and exhaustingly overstimulated.
18
These are some of the things we may need to do to simplify our lives.
19
It is theoretically a privilege to have a lot of people to see and things to do.
20
It is also, psychologically speaking, exhausting and ultimately therefore rather dangerous.
21
The manner of expression is a little dated and brutal and one might want to quibble over for the exact timings, but this point from Friedrich Nietzsche remains acute.
22
Today, as always, men fall into two groups, slaves and free men.
23
Whoever does not have two -thirds of his day for himself is a slave, whatever else he may be, a statesman, a businessman, an official or a scholar.
24
We need to recognise that what is physically possible for us to achieve in a day is not, for that matter, psychologically wise or plausible.
25
It may well be feasible to nip over to a foreign capital
26
or two in a day and run a company alongside managing a household.
27
But nor should we be surprised if such routines ultimately contribute to a breakdown.
28
Plenty of it, of course, at least seven hours.
29
Or, if we can't manage it, we need at a minimum fully to recognise how much we are deprived, so that we won't aggravate our sorrows by searching for abstruse explanations for them.
30
We don't necessarily have to get divorced, retrain in a completely different profession or move country.
31
We may just need to get some more rest.
32
What we're taking in when we check our phones is perhaps the single greatest contributor to our mental ill health.
33
For most of history, it was inconceivable that there could ever be such a thing as too much news.
34
Information from political circles or foreign countries was rare, prized and expensive.
35
But since the middle of the 20th century, news has been commodified and in the process it has become a major, though still too little known, risk to our mental survival.
36
Every minute of every day presents us with untold options for filling our minds with the mania, exploits, disasters, furies, reversals, triumphs,
37
insanity and cataclysms of complete strangers all around our benighted planet.
38
Always, news organisations speak of our need to know and the need to know right now.
39
But what they have left out is our equally great and often even greater need not to know.
40
Because we can't change anything, because the stories are too violent, dispiriting and sad, because our minds are fragile, because we have responsibilities closer to home,
41
because we need to lead our own lives rather than be
42
torn apart by stories of the lives of others who are ultimately as remote from
43
and irrelevant to us as the inhabitants of the Egyptian court of King Sinaferu in late 2613 BC.
44
Insomnia and anxiety are the mind's revenge for all the thoughts we refuse to have consciously during the day.
45
In order to be able to find rest, we need to carve off chunks of time where we have
46
nothing to do other than lie in bed with a pad and paper in order to think.
47
We need to consider three topics in particular.
48
Firstly, what's making me anxious?
49
Secondly, what's caused me pain and how, and thirdly, what's exciting me.
50
We need to sift through the chaotic contents of our minds.
51
Every hour of living requires at least ten minutes of sifting.
52
Of course, it might be pleasant to be extraordinary, famous and world -beating.
53
But maybe it will be an even greater achievement to stay sane and kind.
54
We might opt not to conquer the world in favour of living a longer and more serene life.
55
We are not backing away from a challenge, we are simply shifting our sense of what the real challenge might be and, more importantly, where the real rewards may lie.
56
A quiet life isn't necessarily one of resignation or flight.
57
It may constitute a supremely wise recognition that the truly satisfying things are available away from the spotlight and the big cities,
58
on modest salaries and as far as possible from the manic, sleepless competition to win the professional status race.
59
As we're discovering, excitement can be fun for a time, but also it kills.
60
Simplicity is true wisdom.
61
We may need a lot more naps.
📺 Zelfde Kanaal
C2483
The Purpose and Benefit of Emotional Education
British AccentBusiness EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B22
The Childish Behavior That Ruins Adult Relationships
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B24
Why Religious Beliefs Aren't Just Silly
British AccentIELTS PrepTOEFL PrepUniversity Students
C110
What Years of Heartbreak Actually Teach Us
British AccentDaily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
C148
Don't Despair
British AccentUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B247
What is The School of Life?
British AccentBusiness EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B26
Why Heartbroken People Make the Best Lovers
British AccentDaily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
C2386
What's Education For?
British AccentBusiness EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B22
Why Some Breakups Hurt So Much More Than Others
British AccentDaily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
C13
How to Spot the Loveliest People in the World
British AccentDaily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B21
Are You Neurotic or Psychotic? How to Tell the Difference
British AccentDaily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
C16
Why We Should Refuse to Get Into Arguments
British AccentBusiness EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
C111
When Love Isn't Easy
British AccentDaily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B26
Who Dreams of the Greatest Love? (it's not who you expect)
British AccentDaily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B2How to Find Out What's Really on Your Mind
British AccentDaily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
C13
How to Be Strong and Resilient
British AccentBusiness EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
C11
How to Get Over Someone
British AccentUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B24
What to think of the Rice Theory of the Japanese Character
British AccentBusiness EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
C13
PHILOSOPHY - Plato
British AccentDaily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
C12
What True Love Really Is
British AccentDaily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
✨ Aanbevolen Video
B22,471
12 zinnen
B2 Shadowing Practice Missing A Connection At The Airport
Travel EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
C190
9 zinnen
Is meditation the quietening of thought? | Krishnamurti
Daily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B2522
5 zinnen
IELTS Speaking Part3 | Do people go to the countryside to travel or to live?#ieltsspeakingsample
IELTS PrepHigh School StudentsUniversity Students
C137
6 zinnen
Neuroscience of Time
University StudentsWorking Adults
B2168
12 zinnen
You Need to Believe in Yourself I Robert Greene
Business EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
C162
24 zinnen
IELTS Speaking Part 2: A Place That Changed My Perspective
American AccentBritish AccentIELTS PrepUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
C1115
16 zinnen
Can Earth Run Out of Water?
IELTS PrepTOEFL PrepUniversity Students
B2414
11 zinnen
never ever put me in a position where I have to show you how ruthless I can bebe #denzelwashington
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B1633
9 zinnen
if you wear nice clothes #denzelwashington #motiationalspeech #motivation
Business EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
C180
50 zinnen
Psychology of Intelligence: Learn Faster Than Everyone Around You
Business EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B2214
24 zinnen
How Cell Phones Impact Our Relationships
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
C1540
16 zinnen
What If You Never Slept?
IELTS PrepTOEFL PrepUniversity Students
Woordenschat en spreektips bij deze les
Deze spreekles is gebaseerd op de video “How To Simplify Your Life”. Deze woorden komen het vaakst terug: minds, lives, baby. Deze video bevat 61 zinnen en 1011 woorden om na te spreken. Het gesproken deel duurt 6:10. De spreker praat in een natuurlijk tempo van ongeveer 164 woorden per minuut, dicht bij een alledaags gesprek. Slechts 80% van de woorden hoort bij de 3.000 meest gebruikte Engelse woorden, dus de woordenschat is pittig.
Belangrijke woorden in deze video
15 woorden uit de video die het leren waard zijn, met uitspraak en betekenis:
| Woord | Uitspraak | Betekenis |
|---|---|---|
| necessarily bijwoord | /ˌnɛs.əˈsɛɹ.ə.li/ | nodig, noodzakelijk |
| anxiety zelfstandig naamwoord | /æŋˈzaɪ.əti/ | bezorgdheid, ongerustheid |
| refuse werkwoord | /ɹɪˈfjuːz/ | weigeren, afslaan |
| tear werkwoord | /tɛɹ/ | scheuren |
| slave zelfstandig naamwoord | /sleɪv/ | slaaf, slavin |
| topic zelfstandig naamwoord | /ˈtɑpɪk/ | onderwerp, thema |
| meal zelfstandig naamwoord | /ˈmiːl/ | maaltijd |
| recognition zelfstandig naamwoord | /ˌɹɛkəɡˈnɪʃ(ə)n/ | herkenning |
| violent bijvoeglijk naamwoord | /ˈvaɪ.ə.lənt/ | gewelddadig, geweldig |
| alongside | /əˌlɔŋˈsaɪd/ | aan de zijde van |
| explanation zelfstandig naamwoord | /ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃən/ | verklaring, toelichting |
| whoever | /huˈɛvɚ/ | wie ook (dan) |
| remote bijvoeglijk naamwoord | /ɹəˈməʊt̞/ | verwijderd, afgelegen |
| sheet zelfstandig naamwoord | /ʃit/ | blad |
| disaster zelfstandig naamwoord | /dɪˈzɑːs.təː/ | ramp, onheil |
Grammatica in deze video
De structuren die de spreker het meest gebruikt, met de exacte woorden uit de video:
| Structuur | In de video |
|---|---|
| Present perfect have/has + voltooid deelwoord — iets uit het verleden dat nu nog telt | have come · have been · have been ingested |
| Lijdende vorm be + voltooid deelwoord — het gaat om wat er gebeurt, niet om wie het doet | have been ingested · is laid · is left |
Uitspraak om op te letten
De spreker gebruikt 11 samentrekkingen en verkorte vormen, zoals we're, can't, we'll. Spreek ze kort uit, zoals je ze hoort.
- De klanken “sh” en “zh”: recognition /ˌɹɛkəɡˈnɪʃ(ə)n/, explanation /ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃən/, sheet /ʃit/, organisation /ˈɔː.ɡə.naɪˌzeɪ.ʃən/, preparation /ˌpɹɛpəˈɹeɪʃ(ə)n/
- Lange woorden — let op de klemtoon: necessarily /ˌnɛs.əˈsɛɹ.ə.li/, anxiety /æŋˈzaɪ.əti/, recognition /ˌɹɛkəɡˈnɪʃ(ə)n/, explanation /ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃən/, extraordinary /ɪksˈtɹɔːrdɪn(ə)ɹi/
Klanken die Nederlandstaligen lastig vinden:
- Stemhebbende eindmedeklinker — /b/, /d/, /g/, /z/, /v/ niet verscherpen: refuse /ɹɪˈfjuːz/, slave /sleɪv/, household /ˈhaʊshoʊld/, alongside /əˌlɔŋˈsaɪd/, reward /ɹɪˈwɔɹd/
- /æ/ — opener dan de Nederlandse “e”: anxiety /æŋˈzaɪ.əti/, salary /ˈsæləɹi/, collapse /kəˈlæps/, sadly /ˈsædli/, anxious /ˈæŋkʃəs/
- /g/ — een harde plofklank, geen Nederlandse “g”: recognition /ˌɹɛkəɡˈnɪʃ(ə)n/, organisation /ˈɔː.ɡə.naɪˌzeɪ.ʃən/, resignation /ˌɹɛz.ɪɡˈneɪ.ʃən/, exhaust /ɪɡˈzɔst/, aggravate /ˈæɡ.ɹə.veɪ̯t/
Zo oefen je met deze video
- Luister de hele video één keer zonder te spreken en noteer de woorden die je niet kent.
- Begin op 0,75× snelheid, spreek zin voor zin na en ga terug naar normale snelheid zodra het makkelijk gaat.
- Neem jezelf op en vergelijk met het origineel; let daarbij op woorden als necessarily, anxiety, refuse.
Wat is de Shadowing-techniek?
Shadowing is een wetenschappelijk onderbouwde taalleermethode die oorspronkelijk is ontwikkeld voor professionele tolkentraining en gepopulariseerd door polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. De methode is eenvoudig maar krachtig: je luistert naar native Engelse audio en herhaalt het onmiddellijk hardop — als een schaduw die de spreker volgt met slechts 1–2 seconden vertraging. In tegenstelling tot passief luisteren of grammaticadrills, dwingt shadowing je hersenen en mondspieren om echte spraakpatronen tegelijkertijd te verwerken en te reproduceren. Onderzoek toont aan dat het de uitspraaknauwkeurigheid, intonatie, ritme, verbonden spraak, luisterbegrip en spreekvaardigheid aanzienlijk verbetert — waardoor het een van de meest effectieve methoden is voor IELTS Speaking-voorbereiding en echte Engelse communicatie.