Shadowing Practice: American English Connected Reading | Starbucks - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Hi everyone, today we're going to learn about some connected words in a news article that I found online.
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First I'll read the whole thing.
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Starbucks will begin reopening cafes for to-go service in the US beginning in May, the company told investors today.
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By early June, Starbucks expects to reopen 90% of its locations in the US.
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So I've highlighted these words we need to pay attention to.
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will it's not will it's Starbucks will begin well well well
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it's not even a full la sound it's well well Starbucks
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will begin reopening cafes reopening there should be a ya sound reopening cafes Starbucks will begin reopening in cafes for to-go service. For.
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Cafe is for to-go service.
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It's not for, it's for.
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For to-go service in the US.
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In the, in the, it's just in the, there's connecting the sounds na and the, in the US.
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Beginning in May, the company told investors today.
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Here, the company told investors.
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Those words are connected to.
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The company, the company, told investors, told investors today.
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By early June, Starbucks expects to reopen.
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Tuh, tuh, expects to reopen, expects to reopen, reopen, ya, reopen.
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Starbucks expects to reopen 90% of its locations in the U.S.
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And again, in the U.S.
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Alright, one more time.
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Starbucks will begin reopening cafes for to-go service in the U.S beginning in May, the company told investors today.
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By early June, Starbucks expects to reopen 90% of its locations in the U.S.

About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will focus on improving your English pronunciation by practicing connected speech, a crucial aspect of natural English communication. The video features a news announcement about Starbucks reopening cafes in the U.S., providing an excellent opportunity to enhance your understanding of how native speakers link words together in casual conversation. By engaging with this material, you will not only learn key phrases but also refine your ability to utilize the shadowing technique to improve your overall English speaking practice.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • begin reopening - This means starting to open again after being closed.
  • for to-go service - A phrase indicating that food or drinks are prepared for customers to take away.
  • the company told investors - A crucial phrase indicating communication between a business and its stakeholders.
  • expects to reopen - A phrase expressing anticipation or expectation about future actions.
  • locations in the U.S. - This phrase emphasizes geographical context, particularly in a business setting.
  • by early June - A time frame indicating when something is expected to happen.
  • highlighted - To show or emphasize something important in the context.

Practice Tips

When engaging with the content, use the shadowing technique to mimic the speaker's pronunciation and intonation. This method involves listening to the video and repeating phrases just after you hear them, focusing on the rhythm and flow. The speed of the narration is quite manageable, but be sure to pay attention to how words connect, such as in the phrases “Starbucks will begin”, where the sounds merge seamlessly. Enhance your English speaking practice by repeating challenging sections multiple times, paying close attention to the subtle linking sounds, like how “for to-go” becomes almost a single unit. Such practice is essential for accurately reflecting natural spoken English and will significantly aid you in improving your English pronunciation.

By utilizing the video's content, you will be effectively learning English with YouTube and integrating valuable vocabulary into your speech. Focus on both clarity and connection of the words, and don’t hesitate to revisit sections for more practice.

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.