Shadowing Practice: 2. Virtual World WB - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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Track 2, Unit 2, Exercise 1.
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40 sentences
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Track 2, Unit 2, Exercise 1.
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You will hear five short extracts in which people are talking about computer games.
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For questions 1 to 5,
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choose from the list A to H the job of each person.
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Use the letters only once.
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There are three extra letters which you do not need to use.
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You now have 30 seconds to look at the questions.
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Speaker 1.
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The trend in society is to label computer games as mindless and anti-social,
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but I don't share that view.
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Many of the problem teenagers that we care for at the centre need to develop relationships and improve their social skills.
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Introducing computer games in an early session often allows me to get through to these kids and to win their confidence.
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I also find that playing these games often makes them feel better about themselves,
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and that is so important.
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Speaker 2
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and aggressive behaviour.
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Speaker 3 I never played computer games much myself when I was young.
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The kids I look after are only eight and ten,
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and I feel it's not good for them to be exposed to so much violence.
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Their mum and dad let them play with this stuff at the weekends,
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so I'm in a rather tricky position.
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It's always easier when the weather's good and we can get out to the park to play football,
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but on a rainy afternoon,
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I find it hard to say no sometimes.
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Speaker 4 My job's great.
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I've always been into manga and cartoons,
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so working on the visual side of all these fantastic new games we're developing is pure fun.
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We often work late to finish a project,
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and it can take ages getting a particular image right,
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but it's great when you finally succeed.
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I'd like to move into animation work in the future,
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and they may be willing to send me on a training course for that someday.
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I'm a bit of a nerd, I guess.
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I taught myself programming language when I was barely into my teens and did computer science at uni.
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Steve and I started the company two years ago and now there are five of us.
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Deborah is our sales manager
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and we have two amazing guys for the graphics who work hard to guarantee our games look better than the rest.
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Steve generates most of the creative ideas,
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I come up with all the programming solutions and then the art team does the business.
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Thank you.

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Why practice speaking with this video?

In today's digital age, the significance of computer games in society is a hot topic, making this video a perfect context for learning English through engaging content. By practicing your speaking skills with these extracts, you immerse yourself in a real-world conversation about computer games and their impact. This context not only makes the session enjoyable but also offers practical vocabulary and expressions that can be beneficial for your IELTS speaking practice. Furthermore, discussing diverse perspectives showcases the complexity of social issues, allowing you to express your views with greater confidence.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

This video transcript provides several useful structures and expressions that English learners can incorporate into their vocabulary:

  • “I don't share that view” - This phrase is commonly used to affirm a differing opinion, giving you a way to express disagreement politely.
  • “I feel it's not good for them” - Utilize this structure to share personal thoughts on a subject, which can be particularly helpful in discussions or debates.
  • “I'd like to move into animation work” - Expressing future intentions can enhance your conversational fluency, especially in career-related discussions.
  • (verb) takes ages to (verb) - This expression is useful for describing tasks that require considerable time, helping you articulate experiences in various contexts.

Using these expressions will not only help you in your discussions but also aid you in your learn English with YouTube strategy.

Common Pronunciation Traps

As you engage with this video, pay attention to the following pronunciation challenges that can trip up learners:

  • “anti-social” - This term can be mispronounced due to the placement of the syllable stress. Practice saying it with the stress on the “anti” for accurate articulation.
  • “aggressive” - The double "g" can lead to confusion. Ensure to pronounce it clearly, emphasizing the “gr” sound for better understanding.
  • “manga” - This word's pronunciation can vary, particularly among English speakers. Practice the correct pronunciation often used in discussions around Japanese culture.

Taking the time to focus on these tricky words will significantly enhance your improve English pronunciation efforts. By shadowing the speakers in the video, you can master not only their words but also their rhythms and intonations, enhancing your overall fluency.

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.

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