Shadowing Practice: 2.22 Numbers - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Story 22 Numbers Numbers are handy.
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I use them to count.
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I have one nose.
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I have two eyes.
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I have three sisters.
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I have four aunts and four uncles.
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I have five friends.
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I have six hats.
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I have seven books.
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I have eight crayons.
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I have nine pencils.
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And I have ten fingers and ten toes.
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See?
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Numbers are handy.
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What can you count?
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I have ten fingers.
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If you want to shine tomorrow, you have to sparkle today.
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Ten minutes a day goes a long way.
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Thank you for watching and see you next time.

Why Numbers Matter in Daily English: A Closer Look at the Video

The video uses a simple, relatable story to show how numbers are part of everyday communication. The speaker counts personal items—like eyes, sisters, and crayons—to highlight how numbers help us describe the world. This context makes it easy to connect with, whether you’re practicing basic vocabulary or preparing for IELTS speaking practice. The dialogue’s slow, clear pace also makes it perfect for trying the shadowing technique, a method where you repeat phrases right after the speaker to improve pronunciation and fluency.

Top 5 Phrases to Use in Daily Chats

  • "Numbers are handy" – A casual way to say numbers are useful.
  • "I have [X] [item]" – A basic structure for describing possessions (e.g., "I have three sisters").
  • "What can you count?" – A great question to start a conversation about numbers.
  • "Ten minutes a day goes a long way" – A motivational phrase for consistent practice, perfect for shadowspeaks sessions.
  • "If you want to shine tomorrow, you have to sparkle today" – A memorable quote about preparing for the future, useful in both casual and formal talks.

How to Shadow This Video: A Step-by-Step Guide

Shadowing this video is easy—here’s how to start. First, watch the video once to understand the story. Then, play a short clip (2-3 seconds) and pause. Repeat the phrase out loud, copying the speaker’s tone and speed. Focus on matching the stress in words like "handy" or "sparkle." For trickier phrases like "ten fingers and ten toes," slow down and break them into parts: "ten fingers" / "and ten toes." Practice daily for 10 minutes—this is where "ten minutes a day goes a long way" really works! If you’re new to shadowing, use a shadowing site to track your progress, but even a notebook to jot down tricky phrases helps. Over time, you’ll notice your pronunciation and confidence improve, making shadow speech a natural part of your learning routine.

Grammar in this video

The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:

StructureIn the video
Obligation: must / have to / need to saying that something is necessaryhave to sparkle

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →