Shadowing Practice: Michael Jackson talks about why his skin colour changed - Learn English Speaking with Video

Les maken...
1
Just recently there was a story, and I know one of your attorneys held a news conference.
2
There was a story about you wanting to have a little white boy play you in a Pepsi commercial.
3
That is so stupid.
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That's the most ridiculous, horrifying story I've ever heard.
5
It's crazy.
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I mean, why?
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Number one, it's my face as a child in the commercial, me when I was little.
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Why would I want a white child to play me?
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I'm a black American.
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I'm proud to be a black American.
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I am proud of my race.
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I am proud of who I am.
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I have a lot of pride in who I am and dignity.
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That's like you wanted an oriental person to play you as a child.
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Does that make sense?
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No. So please, people, stop believing these horrifying stories.
17
Then let's go to the thing that is most discussed about you, I think, is the fact that the color of your skin is obviously different than it was when you were younger.
18
And so I think it has caused a great deal of speculation.
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and controversy as to what you have done or are doing.
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Are you bleaching your skin?
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And is your skin lighter because you don't like being black?
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Okay, number one, there, as I know of, there is no such thing as skin bleaching.
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I have never seen it.
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I don't know what it is.
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Well, they used to have those products growing up.
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I used to hear, always use bleach and glow, but you'd have to have about 300 ,000 gallons.
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Okay, number one, this is the situation.
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I have a skin disorder that destroys the pigmentation of the skin is something
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that i cannot help okay but when people make up stories
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that i don't want to be who i am it hurts me
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so it is it's a problem for me okay i can't control it okay
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but what about all the millions of people let's reverse it
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okay what about all the millions of people who sit out
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in the sun to become darker to become other than what they are nobody says nothing about
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that so when did this start
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when did your the color of your skin start to change
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oh boy I don't sometime after thriller mm -hmm around off -the -wall thriller
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and what did you think I mean you it's in my
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family my father said is on his side I can't control
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it I don't understand I mean it makes me very sad I don't want to go into my medical history
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because that's something that's private but that's the situation here so please
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when people see okay I just want to get this straight
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you are not taking anything to change the color of your
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skin God no you did not purposely trying to control it
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and using makeup evens it out because it makes blotches on the skin
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and I have to even out my skin
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but you know it's funny why is that
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so important you know that's that's not important to me I'm a great fan of art I love Michelangelo
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if I had a chance to talk to him
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or read about him I would want to know about what
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inspired him to become who he is the anatomy of his
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craftsmanship not about who he went out with last night
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or why he decided to sit out in the sun
54
so long what's wrong with I mean that's what's important to me hi youtubers

Why Practice Speaking with This Video?

This video offers a dynamic context for language learning and speaking practice, featuring natural, conversational speech from Michael Jackson. The dialogue is emotional and personal, making it ideal for honing intonation and pacing—key skills for authentic communication. Using the shadowing technique here helps learners mimic real-world speech patterns, from casual rebuttals ("That is so stupid") to heartfelt explanations. It also exposes you to how native speakers clarify complex ideas, a vital skill for clear expression.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

  • Rhetorical questions for emphasis: "Why would I want a white child to play me?" This structure challenges assumptions and engages listeners—practice using it to strengthen your persuasive speaking.
  • Casual contractions: "I'm proud, I've got, it's" are used throughout, reflecting everyday speech. Mastering contractions makes your English sound more natural and less formal.
  • Repetition for emphasis: "I am proud of my race. I am proud of who I am." Repetition reinforces key points—use it to highlight your message in discussions.

Common Pronunciation Traps

Pronunciation practice here focuses on tricky words and rhythm. For example, "pigmentation" (pɪɡ.mɛnˈteɪ.ʃən) has a stress on the third syllable—many learners misplace it. Also, "blotches" (ˈblɒtʃ.ɪz) ends with a "ch" sound followed by "iz," which can be challenging. Notice how Jackson shortens "about" to "bout" in casual speech—this reduction is common in fast conversation. Mimicking these nuances will make your speech sound more native-like.

Grammatica in deze video

De structuren die de spreker het meest gebruikt, met de exacte woorden uit de video:

StructuurIn de video
“Used to” used to + werkwoord — een vroegere gewoonte of toestand die niet meer kloptused to have · used to hear
Present perfect have/has + voltooid deelwoord — iets uit het verleden dat nu nog teltI've ever heard · has caused · have done
Present continuous am/is/are + -ing — iets dat nu of in deze periode gebeurtare doing · are not taking
Verplichting: must / have to / need to zeggen dat iets nodig ishave to have · have to even

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.

Shadowing-techniek: lees de volledige stap-voor-stap-gids →