Shadowing Practice: a wise man - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This video has 47 sentences and 276 words to shadow. The speech runs for 1:28. The speaker talks fast, about 188 words per minute, so expect linked and reduced sounds. 83% 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
The 12 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| kindness noun | /ˈkaɪnd.nəs/ | The state of being kind. |
| impress verb | /ɪmˈpɹɛs/ | To affect (someone) strongly and often favourably. |
| congratulations | /kənˌɡɹæt͡ʃəˈleɪʃ(ə)nz/ | Expressing praise and approval, expressing approbation. |
| hire verb | /ˈhaɪɹ/ | To obtain the services of in return for fixed payment. |
| favour noun | British standard spelling of favor. | |
| wisdom noun | /ˈwɪzdəm/ | An element of personal character that enables one to distinguish the wise from the unwise. |
| accidentally adverb | /ˌæk.sɪˈdɛnt(ə)li/ | In an accidental manner; by chance, unexpectedly. |
| resume verb | /ˈɹɛz.ə.meɪ/ | To start (something) again that has been stopped or paused from the point at which it was stopped or paused; continue, carry on. |
| qualification noun | /ˌkwɑlɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/ | The act or process of qualifying for a position, achievement etc. |
| splash verb | /splæʃ/ | To hit or agitate liquid so that part of it separates from the principal liquid mass. |
| muddy adjective | /ˈmʌdi/ | Covered or splashed with, or full of, mud (“wet soil”). |
| puddle noun | /ˈpʌdəl/ | A small, often temporary, pool of water, usually on a path or road. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| give up verb | To surrender (someone or something); to inform on (someone). |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- I didn't even see the puddle.
- I didn't come here to impress anyone.
- You're the lady from this morning.
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 14 contractions and reduced forms, such as you're, don't, didn't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: congratulations /kənˌɡɹæt͡ʃəˈleɪʃ(ə)nz/, qualification /ˌkwɑlɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/, splash /splæʃ/
- Long words — get the stress right: congratulations /kənˌɡɹæt͡ʃəˈleɪʃ(ə)nz/, accidentally /ˌæk.sɪˈdɛnt(ə)li/, qualification /ˌkwɑlɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like kindness, impress, congratulations.
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.