Shadowing Practice: A1 English Listening Practice - Countries - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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Hey everybody!
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Welcome to this A1 English listening practice video.
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You can use this video to practice your listening and comprehension as I speak.
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Before we start, remember to download the Listening Time podcast, and if you want my specialized training, then become a member at patreon.com slash listening time.
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If you become a member, then you'll get my seminars where I train you to listen more effectively and understand native speakers.
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And if you become a Listening Time family member, then you'll receive my advanced podcast which will help you reach an advanced level of listening.
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Okay, today we're gonna talk about some different countries and specifically I'm gonna talk about some countries that I've traveled to.
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This video will have a part two so I can talk more about these countries.
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So the first country I want to talk about is Mexico.
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This is where I live.
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Mexico has almost 130 million people.
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It's a big country.
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I've been to many different cities here.
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Some of my favorite cities are Guadalajara, Guanajuato, and Mexico City.
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Mexico also has some really beautiful nature.
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People love traveling to Mexico to spend some time at the beach because there are some amazing beaches here.
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The water is really warm and so is the weather.
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Okay, next I want to talk about France.
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This is the first country that I ever traveled to in Europe, but unfortunately I've only been to Paris.
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I haven't been to any other cities there.
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However, I love the city of Paris.
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Since one of my favorite activities is walking, Paris is the perfect city for me to travel to.
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You could walk for days and days throughout the city without getting bored.
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I think Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
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I love the architecture, the history, and the general feeling of the city.
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There are so many nice places to see there, but I know that there are a lot of other interesting places to visit in France.
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I hope that I can travel all around the country in the future, Okay, next I want to talk about Portugal.
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I had the opportunity to spend two weeks in this awesome country.
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I went to three different cities when I was there.
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Lisbon, Porto, and Braga.
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The capital, Lisbon, is a really interesting place to visit.
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I especially loved walking through the old parts of the city.
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And the city of Porto was one of my favorite cities that I visited.
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It's one of the most beautiful cities I've ever seen.
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I loved watching the sun go down over the river in the evening, and I really enjoyed taking a boat on the river too.
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Overall, I thought Portugal was a fantastic country to travel to, and I recommend it to you.
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Lastly, let's talk about Spain.
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I spent more than two weeks in Spain and I visited six different cities.
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The first places we visited in Spain were in the south of the country.
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The south of Spain is really unique.
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The culture there is a little different from the culture in the other parts of Spain.
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I really enjoyed my time in Sevilla and Granada and I would love to go back.
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I also really liked Madrid, but I only stayed there for two nights.
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If I go back to Spain, I'm definitely gonna spend more time in this city.
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It was also cool to travel along the Mediterranean coast.
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We took a train from Valencia to Barcelona, and we really enjoyed the view.
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I think that a lot of people want to live in Spain because of the sea, the weather, and the food.
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By the way, I loved the ham that I ate in Spain.
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They have the best ham in the world.
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Okay, that's all for today.
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I'll make a part two to this video, and I'll talk about a few other countries that I've traveled to.
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Remember to download my free Listening Time podcast and become a member at patreon.com slash listening time to receive my specialized training to help you understand native speakers.
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And if you want to reach an advanced level of listening, then become a Listening Time family member to receive my advanced podcast.
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The link is in the description below this video.
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Also, subscribe to the channel, click on the bell, and follow us on Instagram.
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I'll see you next time.
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Why practice speaking with this video?

This A1 English listening practice video is an excellent resource for improving your spoken English through the engaging context of travel and countries. By listening to real-life experiences, you not only enhance your comprehension but also gain insights into different cultures. The speaker shares personal anecdotes about countries like Mexico, France, Portugal, and Spain, making it relatable and informative. This context allows learners to practice shadow speaking, where you mimic the speaker's words and tone. By doing this, you can effectively improve your English pronunciation and become more confident in your speaking abilities.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

Throughout the video, the speaker uses various structures and expressions that can help you in everyday conversations. Here are some key structures to note:

  • Descriptive adjectives: The speaker describes cities and experiences using adjectives like "beautiful," "interesting," and "unique." Pay attention to how these words enhance descriptions and convey emotions.
  • Present perfect tense: Phrases such as "I have traveled to" illustrate the use of the present perfect tense, which is essential for expressing experiences in English.
  • Comparative expressions: The speaker uses comparisons, like "one of the most beautiful cities," to highlight preferences and feelings. This can help you articulate your likes and dislikes effectively.
  • First conditional sentences: The speaker mentions future intentions, using forms like "I will travel" or "I would love to go back," which are useful for discussing future plans.

Common Pronunciation Traps

As you practice shadow speech with this video, be aware of some pronunciation challenges that may arise:

  • City names: Words like "Guadalajara" and "Guanajuato" may be tricky to pronounce for non-native speakers due to their length and syllable stress. Practice saying them repeatedly to get comfortable.
  • Compound words: Phrases such as "Paris" and "Portugal" need clarity in pronunciation. Ensure each syllable is pronounced distinctly to enhance understanding.
  • Accent variations: The speaker's accent may vary, affecting the pronunciation of certain words. Be sure to listen carefully and repeat to adapt to different accents, which is critical for improving your shadow speaking.

By focusing on these aspects, you can effectively improve your speaking skills and prepare for challenges such as the IELTS speaking test while enjoying the learning process.

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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