Shadowing Practice: A2 English Listening Practice - Motivation - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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Hey everybody!
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Welcome to this A2 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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Remember to sign up for our $1 listening practice seminars at polyglossa.com and download our free Listening Time podcast so you can practice your listening skills.
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So today, I'm going to talk about motivation.
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This is a useful topic because we all need motivation to do things in our lives.
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First, let's talk about motivation in general.
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If we have motivation, this means that we have a desire to do something.
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If we lack this, then it's much harder to actually accomplish things.
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Most of us feel motivated at times, but unmotivated at other times.
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This is perfectly normal.
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There are certain days when you don't feel like doing much.
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You might be tired, in a bad mood, or just uninterested.
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I sometimes feel this way when I have to do certain things.
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For example, I might not be super motivated to work or to do my language learning for the day.
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I think we all have times when we're more and less motivated to do things.
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So let's talk about some ways we can get motivated.
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I think the most important thing we need to do to find our motivation is to set long-term goals.
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These goals are things that you really want to accomplish.
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They can be personal goals or professional goals.
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Once you have these goals in mind, you can create a plan to reach these goals.
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Some people make very detailed plans, and some people are a little more flexible with their plans.
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In my opinion, it's good to set short-term goals that will help you reach your long-term goals.
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And more importantly, all of these goals should be time-specific.
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For example, I could make my long-term goal to become fluent in French in two years.
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And then maybe I could make a short-term goal for six months, one year, and a year and a half from now that will help me reach that two-year goal.
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If you set specific deadlines for your goals, this can help motivate you because you can see the finish line.
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Another thing that can help motivate you is to imagine yourself in the future after you've already completed your goal.
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For example, if you have the goal to speak English fluently, imagine yourself in the future speaking English fluently.
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Imagine what that will feel like, and imagine the satisfaction it will give you.
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I find that this motivates me a lot.
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Sometimes, when I'm doing something, I think, why am I doing this?
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What's the point?
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But, if I imagine how it will feel when I accomplish my goal in the future, this helps me continue.
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Another way you can increase your motivation is by finding the right place and time to do your task.
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Personally, I feel more motivated to work in certain spaces in my apartment, and I feel less motivated in other spaces.
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It's pretty interesting actually.
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Also, I feel really motivated to work or study when I go to cafes.
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When I'm surrounded by other people who are working or reading, it motivates me to do this too.
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Also, it's important to identify the time of day when you feel most motivated.
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You should use this time period to accomplish as much as possible.
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Thus, it's important to plan your day so that you can take advantage of this time.
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In general, I know the hours when I'm motivated to work and when I'm usually tired, so I plan my day with this in mind.
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One last thing that can also motivate you is finding a role model.
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A role model is someone who you look to for inspiration.
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Specifically, it's good to find a role model who has already accomplished what you're trying to accomplish.
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For example, if you want to move up in your career, you can find a role model who has already reached a high level in your industry.
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You can learn from their success and you can follow in their footsteps, as we say.
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Having a role model can motivate you to work hard and not give up.
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Alright now I'm going to ask you some questions about today's video to see how well you understood.
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Number one, what types of goals should we set?
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Number two, what's one place where I feel motivated to work or study?
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And number three, what's a role model?
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Okay, remember to sign up for our $1 listening practice seminars and download the Listening Time podcast so you can practice your listening skills.
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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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W Sonic
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Context & Background

In this A2 English listening practice video, the speaker discusses the important topic of motivation, a universal theme that resonates with anyone seeking to achieve goals, especially in language learning. The speaker invites viewers to engage with various resources to enhance their listening skills, including a $1 listening practice seminar and a free podcast. Through relatable insights and personal anecdotes, the speaker emphasizes the ebb and flow of motivation and offers practical strategies for harnessing it. This dialogue serves as an excellent resource for learners who wish to understand the concept of motivation while improving their English listening and speaking skills.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • "What’s the point?" - A common expression used when questioning the purpose of an action.
  • "Set long-term goals." - Encouraging the establishment of overarching objectives to guide actions.
  • "Imagine yourself in the future." - A technique to visualize success as a form of motivation.
  • "Identify the time of day when you feel most motivated." - Highlighting the importance of recognizing personal productivity patterns.
  • "Find a role model." - Suggesting that inspiration can be drawn from others who have achieved similar goals.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively use this video for English speaking practice and to improve English pronunciation, follow this structured approach:

  1. Watch the Video: Begin by watching the video attentively to get an overview of the topic and the speaker's style.
  2. Listen Actively: Play the video again, focusing on understanding the key phrases shared. Pay attention to the nuances in pronunciation and intonation.
  3. Pause and Repeat: Use the shadow speak method. Pause the video after key sentences or phrases. Repeat what you hear, matching the speaker's pace and emotion.
  4. Practice Pronunciation: Record yourself using the same phrases. Compare your recordings with the original audio to identify areas for improvement.
  5. Engage in Additional Exercises: After completing the shadowing, you can create conversational prompts around the phrases you've learned. Imagine scenarios where you might use them, thus reinforcing your learning.

By following these steps, you will not only learn English with YouTube, but also develop a deeper understanding of motivation while enhancing your speaking skills. Remember, consistency is key; regular practice will lead to noticeable improvements in your English proficiency.

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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