Shadowing Practice: 2.3k - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Welcome back, listeners.
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If you're new here, this is the 8-Minute English Podcast on the Learn English Podcast channel.
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I'm Nathan, the host of this series.
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In this podcast, we explore many topics together through simple conversations.
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Today's episode is about something we all have, daily habits.
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What do you do every day?
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From brushing your teeth to checking your phone, we all have routines, right?
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But are those habits helping you?
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Or are they slowing you down?
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Let's listen to four friends talking about their daily habits.
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After listening, don't forget to check out our special PDF with tips and vocabulary.
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So, what are you waiting for?
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Let's tune in.
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Alright guys, I have a question.
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What are your daily habits that keep you productive?
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I feel like my whole day is just me checking my phone, and checking again, and posting on Instagram.
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You know, that content creator lie.
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That sounds productive already.
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For me, it's all about planning my day.
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I'm a fitness trainer, right?
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So I wake up early, set my goals for the day, and make sure I have time for my workout and clients.
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If I don't plan my tasks, I'd just end up watching cat videos for hours.
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No time to waste.
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Oh my god, I wish I could wake up early like you.
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My lazy body just wants more sleep every day.
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That's because you don't take care of yourself or plan well.
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Yeah, I agree with Ryan.
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I teach teenagers all the time, so if I don't plan, everything turns into chaos.
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I make a to-do list before bed.
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But you know what's funny?
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I sometimes pick up my students' habits.
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Like, I can't stop thinking about checking my phone when it dings in class.
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I'm like, no, Emmy, focus.
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I get you, Emmy.
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I'm a doctor, and if I don't plan my day, I get stuck with patient charts all day.
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But I make sure to add some healthy habits, too.
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Balanced meals, enough sleep, you know, things doctors talk about.
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Wait, wait, sleep?
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What's that again?
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I forgot what eight hours of sleep feels like.
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But seriously, Olivia, I need tips.
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All I eat is takeout.
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You need to eat better.
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I read on Healthline, a wellness website, that drinking enough water is important.
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And don't skip breakfast.
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It keeps your stomach feeling good.
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And, no, coffee doesn't count as water.
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I also see you scroll through your phone a lot.
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Even if your job needs a lot of screen time, make sure to take breaks.
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Oh, man, that reminds me of one of my clients.
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They told me they exercise by scrolling their phone.
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I'm like, no, get moving.
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For me, working out is my mental reset.
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You have to keep your body and mind in balance.
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Plus, I don't touch my phone for an hour before bed.
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Helps me sleep well.
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Ah, the digital detox.
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I've heard of it, but never tried it.
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How do you do it, though?
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My job is all about being online.
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I can't remember the last time I turned off my phone.
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You should try it, Mark.
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Just an hour with no phone can help you focus.
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I like to paint or write in my journal when I need a break.
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It's like a mini escape from my day.
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Plus, I need those breaks with my students running around all day.
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In my free time, I cook or spend time with my family without my phone.
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It's nice to disconnect and do something creative.
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Cooking helps me relax after a busy day at the hospital.
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Yeah, I think everyone needs that balance.
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I love my job, but I also love hanging out with you guys.
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That's my balance.
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Work hard, then make time for family and friends.
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Let's talk about some important words related to habits.
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The first word is productive.
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When you're productive, you can do a lot of work or get good results in a short time.
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For example, if you wake up early, make a plan, and finish all your tasks, you feel good because you used your time well.
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The next word is chaos.
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It means a messy or confusing situation.
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Think of a room with toys everywhere and you can't find your favorite one.
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That's chaos.
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Or when things feel out of control, that's also chaos.
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Next, we have focus.
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When you focus, you pay attention and don't get distracted.
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For example, many people put away their phones when working so they can focus.
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Now, let's talk about require.
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Require means to need something for a purpose.
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For example, baking a cake requires flour, sugar, and eggs.
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What about the phrase digital detox?
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It means taking a break from your phone, computer, or other devices to relax.
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If you spend a weekend without your phone or games, that's a digital detox.
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You might go outside, read a book, or talk to friends instead.
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Now, let's look at two important questions about our topic.
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The first question, do you think it's important to have a morning routine?
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Why?
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Yes, a morning routine can make you start the day in a good way.
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It helps you feel ready and organized for your tasks.
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The second question, what is one daily habit that people find hard to keep?
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Some people forget to drink enough water during the day.
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It's easy to forget, especially when busy, but drinking water is important for health.
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Let's share your thoughts on these questions.
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Please leave your comments below and let's talk about it.
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Before wrapping up today's episode, let's look at some fun facts about daily habits.
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Did you know that about 40% of what you do every day is just habit?
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Your brain loves routines, making actions automatic.
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Like brushing your teeth or having coffee.
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It's your brain's way of saving energy, so you don't have to think about every little thing.
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But habits can be tricky.
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Breaking a bad one can feel harder than starting a new, good one.
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Our brains are built for habits, so it's easy to fall back into old patterns, especially when stressed.
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If you want to stop a bad habit, try replacing it with something better instead of quitting right away.
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For example, if you want to stop eating chips, try eating fruits or nuts instead.
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And that's the end of our episode for today.
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Remember to check out our PDF for more useful tips.
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We love you and wish you all the best with your learning journey.
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Goodbye and see you in the next episode.
Context & Background
In this episode of the 8-Minute English Podcast, the host Nathan engages listeners in a lively conversation about daily habits. He introduces four friends who share their routines, highlighting how these habits affect their productivity. The discussions range from planning daily tasks to the challenges of maintaining healthy practices amid busy schedules. This context serves as a springboard for learners to explore vocabulary related to daily activities and personal management, making it an excellent material for practice in learn English with YouTube.
Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication
- "What do you do every day?" - A friendly way to inquire about someone's daily routine.
- "I wake up early, set my goals for the day." - This phrase emphasizes the importance of planning.
- "Make a to-do list before bed." - A practical tip for organizing tasks and improving productivity.
- "I need tips on better eating habits." - This reflects the desire to seek advice on health.
- "Make sure to take breaks." - A reminder to rest and avoid burnout, especially in a screen-focused environment.
Step-by-step Shadowing Guide
To effectively practice speaking through shadowing, follow this guide using the episode's conversational style:
- Listen Carefully: Start by listening to the dialogue without interruptions. Pay attention to the flow, rhythm, and pronunciation of the speakers.
- Transcribe Key Phrases: Write down the phrases that resonate with you, especially those highlighted above. Note the intonation and emphasis in the conversation.
- Repeat with a Shadowing App: Utilize a shadowing app that allows you to listen to phrases and repeat them in real-time. Focus on matching the speakers' speed and tone to improve your English pronunciation.
- Record Yourself: After practicing, record your voice and compare it to the original dialogue. This will help identify areas for improvement.
- Engage in Conversations: Finally, practice using these phrases in your daily life. Engage with friends or language partners to reinforce your learning, enabling you to turn what you've learned into real-life communication.
Using this method not only helps you improve English pronunciation but also boosts your confidence in using English in everyday scenarios. Remember, it's about practicing consistently and embracing the process of learning through engaging content like podcasts and videos!
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.