Shadowing Practice: a video to watch when you need comfort - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Here's a video of things that are comforting for you to watch when you need it.
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And this video will also be made into a podcast episode for the Lana Blakely podcast.
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Stores and restaurants that are open 24-7 day.
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There's something about knowing that there is always a place to go where someone else will be.
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Hearing the footsteps of your pet.
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The footprints of various animals in the snow.
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The warmth of garments that have just been picked out of the drier.
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Milk being poured into coffee.
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When two strangers find each other in a crowded place such as a party
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and end up having a long conversation as if they were totally alone.
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Whirling down the window while riding in the backseat of a car.
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Watering your plants and watching the soil go from dry to wet.
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Feeling the warmth of the sun against your back.
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Dog ears.
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Just dog ears.
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Finding a song that you haven't heard before and it's as if it was made just for you for that very moment.
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Seeing a single flower grow in a random place, it makes you believe that the seemingly odd and sometimes even impossible things do actually happen.
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Imagining that the moon is actually following your car, that it's keeping an eye on you to make sure that you're safe.
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The word butternut squash.
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Feeling the warmth of holding a cup of hot beverage spread to the rest of your body on a cold day.
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To think that there was a time when you couldn't even walk or say a single word.
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Look how far you've come.
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I'm proud of you.
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Socks.
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They're like little hugs for your feet.
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Did you know that there is a bee species that sleeps curled up in flowers?
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They say when dogs dream, they likely dream about dog things like chasing squirrels, running after rabbits and playing fetch with you.
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The YouTube channel Pain Hours.
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Red dwarfs, stars with less than 0.4 solar masses, burn so slowly that they might live up to 100 billion years old,
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much longer than the current age of the universe, and I find that both terrifying and comforting.
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You've been a good friend.
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You've done your best.
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There was nothing more you could could have done, stop beating yourself up.
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Beauty faints.
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There's something oddly comforting about that.
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In fact, nothing is really permanent.
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No feeling of shame, grief, or guilt will remain as intense as it does when it's recently occurred.
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See, Sarah Lynn, we're not doomed.
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In the grand scheme of things, we're just tiny specks that will one day be forgotten, so it doesn't matter what we did in the past or how we will be remembered.
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That's from BoJack Horseman.
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The fact that the flame of a single candle can light thousands of other candles.
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Although the world is full of suffering, it's also full of the overcoming of it," said Helen Keller.
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Falling asleep in the car and feeling safe.
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Falling asleep on the couch and waking up with a blanket on.
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The fact that someone invented garlic bread.
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Realizing that somewhere there are at least a few other kids that were born in the same hospital as you, probably around the same time.
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And you may never meet them, yet you'll always share that special moment with them.
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You and Dirt Life apart, but together.
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The first bite of a crispy fry.
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Being hugged by someone who makes you feel small.
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Whiskers on kittens.
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Being outside on a warm summer night.
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Those mini raindrop races down the car window and rooting for that one special raindrop.
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And the fact that so many of you can relate to that.
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We seem to think such experiences are are so personal and specific to us, but we share much more than we think.
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As I read this list to you, it may sound like I'm someone who's gotten stuff figured out, and no one does.
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I've failed at so many things.
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Oh, you too?
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The cute little sneeze noises that dogs make to let you know that they're just playing.
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Being fascinated by how easily entertained kids are.
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The other day I saw a kid jump up and down the same rock about 40 times.
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Speaking of children, we live on a floating rock
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and sometimes I pretend like it's moving a bit too fast and I lose my balance.
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Being childish is comforting.
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No one thinks as badly of you as you think of yourself.
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Do you ever wonder why birds sing so early?
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Some say it's because the mornings are too dark to search for food
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and too dark to be spotted by predators and that makes it the perfect time to sing.
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If after a long day, no matter how tough or tiring you can sleep in your own bed at night, things may be better than you think.
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The Swedish word RU which means tranquility, peace, rest, quietness.
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The fact that there are entire boutiques dedicated to tea.
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Being able to express emotions, to cry, is comforting.
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To shed a tear if you feel like it.
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We all do sometimes.
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It's okay.
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And finally, you.
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Your presence is comforting to someone.

Why practice speaking with this video?

This video, which provides comfort through its soothing visuals and words, serves as an excellent tool for English learners looking to improve their speaking skills. The speaker's calm tone and articulate delivery create an ideal environment for practice. You can listen closely to how thoughts are expressed, the rhythm of speech, and the emotional undertones conveyed. By repeating phrases and sentences, you engage in what is known as "shadow speech," a technique proven to enhance fluency and pronunciation. Using a shadowspeaks approach, you can replicate the speaker's intonation and emotional expressions, making the practice more relatable and effective.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

Throughout the video, the speaker uses several grammatically rich structures that can benefit English learners:

  • Descriptive Phrases: The speaker describes comforting experiences using vivid imagery, such as "the warmth of garments that have just been picked out of the drier." This structure encourages learners to build a strong vocabulary and craftsmanship in expressions.
  • Contrast with 'But': The use of the word "but" introduces important contrasts, as seen in phrases like "although the world is full of suffering, it's also full of the overcoming of it." Recognizing these contrasts helps enhance comprehension and argumentation skills.
  • Encouraging Sentences: Sentences like "I'm proud of you" or "There was a time when you couldn't even walk or say a single word" reflect personal encouragement and are essential for building conversational skills that are supportive and positive.
  • Imagery and Metaphors: Phrases like "the flame of a single candle can light thousands of other candles" employ metaphorical language, challenging learners to think creatively and expand their expressive capabilities.

Common Pronunciation Traps

As with any spoken material, there are certain pronunciation traps that learners should be aware of while practicing with this video:

  • Words with Silent Letters: Certain words, like "comfortable," may not be pronounced as they appear, which can confuse learners.
  • Emphatic Sounds: The expression "dog ears" may require attention to ensure that "ears" is pronounced clearly. Listening for subtle inflections can aid in improving English pronunciation.
  • Intonation Patterns: Watch for variations in intonation, especially when the speaker shifts topics or introduces emotions. Practicing these shifts using a shadowing app can enhance speaking fluidity.

By utilizing these insights while practicing with the video, learners can effectively embrace the shadowspeak method to enhance their verbal skills, gain confidence, and become more fluent speakers of English.

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.