Shadowing Practice: A1 English Listening Practice - Music - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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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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And remember to sign up for our $1 listening practice seminars at polyglossa.com
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and download the Listening Time podcast so you can practice your listening skills.
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So today I'm going to talk about music.
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This is a fun topic because most people like music.
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I'm not a very musical person,
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but of course I like music.
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So first, let's talk about the importance of music.
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In every culture, people use music to express themselves,
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tell stories, and make beautiful sounds.
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This is an important element in every culture,
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and there are different musical traditions in different regions and countries.
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Music can tell you a lot about people and help you understand them.
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Also, music in general is important for each individual person.
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It can inspire us, remind us of the past, or help us relax.
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I like to listen to songs that remind me of the past.
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Music is very powerful.
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It can transport you to a different time and place.
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When I listen to some songs,
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I can imagine my childhood and remember many things from the past.
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Music can also be very emotional.
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Sometimes when you're listening, you start to feel happy or you can get really sad.
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Music really is powerful.
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So now let's talk about different genres of music.
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The word The word genre means type.
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When we talk about music or movies,
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we use the word genre.
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Some popular genres of music include rock,
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jazz, country, classical, and hip-hop.
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Of course, there are many others too.
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When I was young, I listened to a lot of rock music.
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This is because my parents loved classic rock.
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In particular, they listened a lot to The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
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I didn't have a choice.
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I always heard this music when I was young.
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When I was a teenager,
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I started listening to hip hop music because that's what was popular.
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Today, this is still a very popular genre of music.
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If you turn on the radio,
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you hear hip hop music on many stations.
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Nowadays, I don't like this type of music.
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In particular, I don't like the lyrics.
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To be honest, I don't listen to a lot of music nowadays.
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But I do enjoy listening to music once in a while.
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For example, I sometimes listen to country folk music.
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I really like this genre,
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especially because of the instruments.
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I like country-style instruments like the banjo,
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the harmonica, and the fiddle.
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Also, I like listening to and singing classic hymns at church or at home.
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Another type of music that's interesting for me is regional music.
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It's interesting to listen to music that's connected to one region.
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For example, I like listening to Fado music,
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which is from Portugal, and I like Flamenco music,
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which is from the south of Spain.
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It's really cool to hear musical styles from different regions around the world.
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Okay, now let's talk about musical instruments.
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When I was younger, I played the guitar,
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but now I don't play any instruments.
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I'm not good at playing music.
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I don't think I'm a natural musician.
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When I played the guitar,
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it wasn't natural or easy for me.
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But I think it's good for children to play a musical instrument.
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It's good for your brain and it's a good skill to have.
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For adults, it can be hard to learn an instrument, but it's possible.
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Right now, my wife is learning to play the violin.
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This is her first time playing an instrument.
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It's hard for her, but she's learning and improving.
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So, if you're an adult and you want to learn an instrument,
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you should do it.
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Lastly, let's talk about singing.
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Everyone can sing, but most people aren't really good singers.
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For example, I have a terrible singing voice.
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I don't sound good when I sing but I don't care.
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I still sing.
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Other people have good singing voices and it sounds beautiful when they sing.
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I like listening to good singers.
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Also some people take singing lessons to improve their singing.
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This can help you improve your voice and your skills.
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Maybe I should take singing lessons.
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Alright, now I'm gonna ask you some questions about the video to see if you understood.
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Write your answers in a comment down below.
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Number one, what does the word genre mean?
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Number two, what's one example of a country style instrument?
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And number three, what instrument is my wife learning.
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Okay, before we go, remember to sign up for our $1 listening practice seminars
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and download the Listening Time podcast to practice your listening skills.
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And of course, subscribe to the channel,
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click on the bell, and follow us on Instagram.
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I'll see you next time.
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you

Why practice speaking with this video?

This A1 English listening practice video on music is a valuable resource for learners aiming to enhance their speaking skills. By listening carefully and repeating key phrases, you engage in an effective shadowing technique. This technique not only helps you improve English pronunciation but also builds your confidence in using English in everyday contexts. Music is a universal language, making it an ideal topic to relate to various cultural expressions, which can enrich your vocabulary and comprehension.

Listening to the speaker discuss music allows you to connect emotionally with the content, a crucial element in effective language learning. As you practice, you’ll find that you can express your feelings and opinions about music as well, making your conversations more engaging.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

The speaker uses several key structures and expressions that are beneficial for English learners:

  • The importance of music: This phrase highlights the significance music holds in different cultures and individual lives. You can practice using “the importance of” to emphasize key topics in your discussions.
  • This is an important element: Such phrases are effective for stating facts. Incorporating this structure into your speaking can help convey essential information clearly.
  • Many genres of music: Understanding how to categorize topics, like musical styles, will aid you in IELTS speaking practice, where organizing your thoughts is crucial.
  • For example: This expression is powerful for providing illustrations, enriching your discussions by giving concrete examples that support your statements.

Common Pronunciation Traps

As you practice with this video, pay attention to certain words and phrases that may present pronunciation challenges:

  • Genres: Often mispronounced, ensure you articulate it clearly; it sounds like "zhahn-ruh" in English.
  • Emotional: The speaker emphasizes feelings associated with music, making it essential to practice the correct pronunciation, "i-MOE-shun-uhl."
  • Hymns: Specific to religious music, this word can be tricky; remember it’s pronounced “hims” and often confused with “him.”
  • Instrument: A common word in musical discussions, it’s pronounced "IN-struh-ment"—ensure each syllable is clear.

By addressing these pronunciation aspects as you shadow the speaker, you can enhance your articulation and overall fluency. This video is an excellent way to practice while delving into the captivating world of music and its cultural significance.

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.