Shadowing Practice: [A2] What Kind of Person Do You Want to Be? English Listening & Speaking Practice - Learn English Speaking with Video

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Hi, everyone.
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Welcome back to the 5-Minute English Podcast.
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This is Jessica, and today I want to talk about something a little more personal.
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What kind of person I want to become.
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It's a question I think about quite often.
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When I was younger, I used to dream about having a good job, traveling the world, and living a comfortable life.
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But as I grow older, I've realized that becoming the right kind of person is even more important than achieving goals.
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So, what kind of person do I want to be?
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I want to be kind, confident, and responsible.
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First, I want to be a kind person.
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Someone who treats others with respect and helps people when they need it.
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I think kindness is one of the most valuable qualities a person can have.
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Even small acts like smiling at a stranger or helping a friend who's feeling down can make the world a little better.
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Second, I want to be confident I used to doubt myself a lot, especially when speaking in public or trying new things.
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But over time, I've learned that confidence isn't about being perfect.
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It's about believing in yourself and doing your best, even when you feel nervous.
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I want to keep improving that part of myself.
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And finally, I want to be responsible, someone people can trust.
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Whether it's in work, family, or friendship, I want others to feel that they can count on me.
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Being responsible means keeping promises, finishing what you start, and admitting your mistakes when things go wrong.
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Of course, I know it takes time to become that kind of person.
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No one changes overnight.
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But I believe that if I keep learning, listening to others, and trying to do good things, I'll slowly grow into the person I hope to be.
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Sometimes I look up to people who inspire me, like my teachers, my parents, or even friends who stay positive no matter what.
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They remind me that we can all improve ourselves a little every day.
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So how about you?
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What kind of person do you want to become?
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Maybe you want to be more creative, more patient, or more honest.
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Whatever it is, I think the most important thing is to keep moving forward, step by step.
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Thanks for listening to my thoughts today of the 5-Minute English podcast.
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Remember, the person you want to be starts with the choices you make today.
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See you next time.

About This Lesson

Welcome to your English learning practice page! In this lesson, you will engage with the topic of personal growth and self-improvement. From the insights shared by Jessica in the 5-Minute English Podcast, you will have the opportunity to reflect on the qualities you aspire to develop, such as kindness, confidence, and responsibility. This session will not only enhance your listening skills but also provide valuable English speaking practice as you articulate your own thoughts and experiences. Through targeted shadowing exercises, you will improve your fluency and pronunciation while discussing what kind of person you wish to be.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Kind: Showing a friendly, generous, and considerate nature.
  • Confidence: A feeling of self-assurance arising from one's appreciation of one's own abilities or qualities.
  • Responsible: Having an obligation to do something, or having control over someone.
  • Dream: A cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal.
  • Inspire: To fill someone with the urge or ability to do something positive.
  • Improve: To make or become better.
  • Choices: The act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities.

Practice Tips

To effectively practice English speaking and listening skills using this lesson, consider applying the shadowing technique. This involves listening to Jessica's speech and repeating it aloud simultaneously, allowing you to mimic her intonation, pacing, and pronunciation. Since the video is at a comfortable learning pace for A2-level English learners, you can easily follow along without feeling overwhelmed.

Here’s how to utilize this technique effectively:

  • Step 1: Play the video and listen attentively to the introduction. Focus on understanding the content and the emotions behind Jessica's words.
  • Step 2: Pause the video after each sentence or phrase and repeat it out loud. This will reinforce your pronunciation and help you internalize the vocabulary.
  • Step 3: After practicing, take a moment to reflect on what kind of person you want to be. Write down your thoughts in English to further enhance your writing skills.
  • Step 4: Use a shadowing app if available, to record your voice while practicing. Listening to your recordings will help you identify areas for improvement.

Remember, consistent practice is key to mastering a new language. So, as you learn English with YouTube, keep pushing yourself to improve and express your ideas confidently!

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.