Shadowing Practice: A Calm Start “Start Today, Do Confidently Tomorrow!” #boostyourconfidence #affirmations #calm - Learn English Speaking with Video

This video has 12 sentences and 80 words to shadow. The speech runs for 0:40. The speaker talks at a steady 121 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 85% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start.

Key vocabulary in this video

15 less common words from the video, with pronunciation and meaning:

• smooth /smuːð/ (adjective) — Having a texture that lacks friction. Not rough.
• breathe /bɹiːð/ (verb) — To draw air into (inhale), and expel air from (exhale), the lungs in order to extract oxygen and excrete waste gases.
• mindset /ˈmaɪn(d)ˌsɛt/ (noun) — A way of thinking; an attitude or opinion, especially a habitual one.
• calm /kɑm/ (adjective) — Peaceful, quiet, especially free from anger and anxiety.
• slowly /ˈsloʊli/ (adverb) — At a slow pace.
• smile /ˈsmaɪl/ (verb) — To have (a smile) on one's face.
• mistake /mɪˈsteɪk/ (noun) — An error.
• laugh /læf/ (verb) — To show mirth, satisfaction, or derision, by peculiar movement of the muscles of the face, particularly of the mouth, causing a lighting up of the face and…
• quiet /ˈkwaɪ̯.ət/ (adjective) — With little or no sound; free of disturbing noise.
• tiny /ˈtaɪni/ (adjective) — Very small.
• pleasure /ˈplɛʒɚ/ (noun) — A state of being pleased or contented; gratification.
• drink /ˈdɹɪŋk/ (verb) — To consume (a liquid) through the mouth.
• notice /ˈnoʊ.tɪs/ (verb) — To become aware of; to observe.
• window /ˈwɪndoʊ/ (noun) — An opening, usually covered by one or more panes of clear glass, to allow light and air from outside to enter a building or vehicle.
• improve /ɪmˈpɹuːv/ (verb) — To make (something) better; to increase the value or productivity (of something).

Pronunciation to watch

• The “th” sounds: smooth /smuːð/, breathe /bɹiːð/

How to practise with this video

1. Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
2. Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
3. Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like smooth, breathe, mindset.

Grammar in this video

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