Shadowing Practice: American English Connected Reading | TOEFL Topic: Why we may remember something better than others - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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Hey, what's up?
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Hey, what's up?
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It's Alex.
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Today we're going to look at a TOEFL Task 6 sample text called Why We May Remember Some Things Better Than Others.
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When we think about the past, when we try to remember the past, we remember some things better than others.
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Think about.
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We want to link the K and the A together.
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Think about the past.
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Think about the past.
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If I'm speaking more formally, I may not link about the together.
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In other videos, you've seen casual speech where I always link about the, but in a more formal context,
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that kind of link might not always happen.
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When we think about the past.
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When we think about the past, when we try to remember the past, try to, the to becomes reduced.
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Try to remember.
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Try to remember the past.
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We remember some things better than others.
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Better than than others.
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Then here is reduced a lot.
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Better than others. Than others.
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We remember some things better than others.
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Why is that?
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Well, there are a few different explanations.
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There are.
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Some people write this as a contraction.
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There-er.
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I don't normally write like that, and that's not really standard in American English writing.
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Even if we say there-er, we always write there-er.
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In speech, it's more connected.
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There-er.
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There are a few.
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There are a few.
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There are a few.
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There are a few different explanations.
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Different explanations.
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We have a n before a t, so that t disappears.
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Different explanations.
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One explanation is that, that, is that we remember something better if we already have some previous knowledge about it,
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some previous understanding of it. Of it. Of it.
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In a formal situation, I would probably pronounce the T at the end of it, at the end of a sentence or a clause,
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like about it, of it.
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If I'm speaking less formally, I'd probably just make them into glottal stops. About it. Of it.
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For example, let's say, let's say, we want to connect those two S's together.
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Let's say you're going to go to a classical music concert.
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If you don't know anything, if you don't know anything, that T at the end of don't is a glottal stop.
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Don't know anything.
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Now we link know anything together.
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We add more of a strong wuh sound.
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Don't know anything.
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If you don't know anything about classical music before you go to the concert, go to the, go to the,
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to the, go to the concert, go to the concert, we link to
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and the together go to the concert you probably won't remember probably is pronounced probably when it's read in even formal speech
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probably won't remember won't remember won't remember that's a glottal stop there Won't remember many details of the concert later on.
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Again, of the is connected, and they're both kind of reduced.
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Details of the concert.
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Details of the concert.
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You probably won't remember many details of the concert later on.
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When we think about the past, when we try to remember the past, we remember some things better than others.
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Why is that?
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Well, there are a few different explanations.
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One explanation is that we remember something better if we already have some previous knowledge about it, some previous understanding of it.
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For example, let's say you're going to go to a classical music concert.
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If you don't know anything about classical music before you go to the concert, you probably won't remember many details of the concert later on.

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Context & Background

In this enlightening video titled "American English Connected Reading | TOEFL Topic: Why We May Remember Some Things Better Than Others," the speaker, Alex, delves into the nuances of memory and speech patterns in American English. He illustrates how context can affect what we remember and how we articulate our thoughts. This session is particularly relevant for those preparing for the TOEFL, as it not only touches upon memory but also offers insights into spoken language fluency. The dialogue showcases informal speech patterns, connected sounds, and the importance of context in communication, making it a valuable resource for English learners.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • Think about the past. - A phrase often used when reflecting on previous experiences.
  • We remember some things better than others. - A reminder that memory is selective.
  • There are a few different explanations. - Useful for introducing multiple ideas in conversation.
  • If you don't know anything... - A common phrase to preface unfamiliar topics.
  • Try to remember. - Often used to encourage someone to recall past information.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To master the language and improve your speaking skills, consider implementing a shadowing technique using this video. Follow these steps for effective practice:

  1. Watch the video attentively. - During your first viewing, focus on the content and context of Alex’s talk.
  2. Listen closely for connected speech. - Pay attention to how Alex links words and sounds together. For example, notice how phrases like "think about" become more fluid in casual speech.
  3. Pause and repeat. - Use the shadowing site to play sections repeatedly. After hearing a phrase, pause and try to mimic Alex’s pronunciation and intonation, focusing also on glottal stops.
  4. Record yourself. - After shadowing, record your attempt to speak the same phrases. This will help you pinpoint areas for improvement in your pronunciation.
  5. Review and refine. - Compare your recording with the original audio. Analyze differences in pronunciation and fluency, and adjust as necessary to improve your English skills.

By following this structured shadowing guide, you can effectively learn English with YouTube content like this one. In time, you’ll notice improvements in your pronunciation and fluency, making your conversations sound more natural and engaging. Embrace the journey of learning and use resources like shadowspeaks to enrich your 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.

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