Shadowing Practice: Africa Grows as a Market for Tech Products - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

C1
Music From VOA Learning English,
⏸ Paused
24 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
Music From VOA Learning English,
2
this is the Technology Report.
3
Africa has become a growing market for high technology products.
4
It may soon become a base for many more high-tech companies as well.
5
Experts predict growing competition in Africa as technology companies and others attempt to meet the needs of young and middle class populations.
6
DHL calls itself the logistics company for the world.
7
Logistics is the process of planning complex activities involving people and resources.
8
DHL provides transportation by train, road, sea and air.
9
The company sees Africa as a place where its business can expand.
10
But for that to happen,
11
more international companies will need to invest and set up operations there.
12
Sumesh Raha Vendra is with DHL.
13
He says there is a lot of evidence of growing operations by multinational companies in Africa.
14
They include SAP, IBM, and Hisense, a Chinese state-owned company.
15
Samesh Raja Vendra is the company's head of marketing for sub-Saharan Africa.
16
He says the area offers many possibilities for for growth.
17
He points out that many people who never used a desktop computer are now using tablets and smartphones.
18
He describes the continent's one billion people as a largely untouched market for many kinds of products.
19
DHL has been operating in Africa for more than 35 years.
20
Sumesh Raja Vendra predicts that as more and more companies set up operations in Africa,
21
DHL's business will increase.
22
DHL says Africa is now the world's second largest mobile technology market by connections after Asia.
23
In addition, it is the fastest growing mobile communications market in the world.
24
For VOA Learning English, I'm Laurel Bowman.

Download App

AI scoring for every sentence you speak

Scan To Download
Scan To Download
Download on theApp Store
Get it onGoogle Play
TRENDING

Popular

Why practice speaking with this video?

Practicing speaking with the video titled "Africa Grows as a Market for Tech Products" provides a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the realm of technology and business vocabulary. Engaging with this content allows you to not only listen to informed discussions but also to practice speaking in a context that is increasingly relevant in today's global economy. The video covers themes such as market growth, logistics, and technological advancements, which are essential for anyone looking to expand their professional English proficiency.

Moreover, the dynamic dialogue and varied speaking styles present in the video encourage active participation. By shadowing the speakers, you can improve your English pronunciation and comprehension, making it easier to express yourself confidently in similar conversations. This practice will enhance your ability to converse fluently on topics related to tech and economics, opening doors for future opportunities.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

In the video, several key structures and phrases can help improve your understanding and usage of English in a business context:

  • Future Predictions: Phrases like “Experts predict” and “he says there is a lot of evidence” demonstrate how to express expectations and forecasts. This is useful for articulating your thoughts on future trends in discussions.
  • Describing Opportunities: The speaker uses expressions such as “offers many possibilities for growth” to discuss potential in a market. Learning how to convey opportunities can enhance your persuasive speaking skills.
  • Complex Sentences: The use of sentences like “Logistics is the process of planning complex activities involving people and resources” shows how to define and elaborate on concepts. Practicing these structures can improve your ability to explain intricate ideas clearly.

Common Pronunciation Traps

While practicing with the video, pay close attention to certain words and phrases that may present pronunciation challenges:

  • DHL: Make sure to pronounce the acronym clearly as “D-H-L”, emphasizing each letter distinctly.
  • Logistics: The correct pronunciation is luh-JIS-tiks, and the stress falls on the second syllable. Practice saying this word, as it is likely to come up in related discussions.
  • Multinational: This term can be tricky; ensure you articulate it as muhl-tih-NASH-uh-nuhl to avoid confusion.

By focusing on these pronunciation elements, you can significantly improve your English speaking skills. Incorporating these practices while you learn English with YouTube will help you not just understand but also communicate effectively in professional settings.

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.

☕ Buy us a coffee