Shadowing Practice: American English Pronunciation: I'm Just... - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Hey, what's up?
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It's Alex.
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Let's look at some common sentences in everyday English that start with the phrase, I'm just.
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So one big rule here that we're going to follow with every sentence example is that the T in just disappears.
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So look at this.
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I'm just asking.
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I'm just asking.
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I'm just asking.
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So the T disappears.
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I'm just asking.
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I'm just curious.
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I'm just curious.
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I'm just curious.
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I'm just kidding.
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I'm just kidding.
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I'm just joking.
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I'm just joking.
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I'm just tired.
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Now, this last one, I'm just tired.
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This one has a T here and a T here, but still we delete this first T.
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If we had two T's, it would be a long T sound, like I'm just tired.
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Like there's a little break there where you're finishing one t sound and then starting the next one.
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Here, I'm just tired.
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So that's the first rule.
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We take out the t in just.
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If you're speaking slowly and carefully, then you want to say the t.
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I'm just asking, right?
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If you put some emotion into your voice, it sounds a little better to say the word in its full form.
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I'm just asking.
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I'm just curious.
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I'm just kidding.
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I'm just joking.
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I'm just tired.
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Now, another interesting thing is that at the beginning of a sentence, we sometimes reduce the I vowel sound.
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I'm just asking.
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We could reduce that, just something like, I'm just asking.
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So it's a very subtle change.
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We go from I'm all the way to I'm, I'm, I'm just asking.
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I'm just asking.
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I'm just curious.
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I'm just kidding.
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I'm just joking.
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I'm, I'm just tired.
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I'm just tired.
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And now if we talk about the intonation, we have a very similar intonation pattern for all of these sentences.
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Look at this.
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I'm just asking.
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I'm just curious.
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I'm just kidding.
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I'm just joking.
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I'm just tired.
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So we have a very even tone on I'm just, and then we fall on the last word in the sentence.
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And this is pretty simple, right?
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They're just three-word sentences.
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So we start with high, and we end with a fall.
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I'm just asking.
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I'm just curious.
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I'm just kidding.
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I'm just joking.
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I'm just tired.
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Let me know in the comments what other common English phrases you want me to analyze.
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I'll see you next time.

About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will practice pronunciation and intonation using the phrase "I'm just" in various sentences. The focus will be on how to articulate this phrase naturally in everyday conversation while observing key pronunciation rules, such as the omission of the 't' in "just." By the end of this lesson, you will be better equipped to sound more fluent and confident when speaking. This practice will enhance your conversational skills, making it easier to learn English with YouTube content.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • I'm just asking - This phrase is used when you're inquiring about something politely.
  • I'm just curious - A way to express interest or a desire to know more.
  • I'm just kidding - Used to indicate that you were joking and not being serious.
  • I'm just joking - Similar to "kidding," a phrase signaling humor.
  • I'm just tired - Commonly used to express fatigue while omitting the 't' sound.
  • Intonation - The rise and fall of your voice when speaking, important for conveying meaning.
  • Vowel reduction - The process of simplifying vowel sounds, as in “I’m” instead of “I am.”

Practice Tips

To effectively practice shadow speech techniques, start by listening closely to the pronunciation and intonation in the video. Here’s how you can incorporate shadowing into your learning:

  • Use a shadowing app: Record yourself repeating after the speaker. Focus on maintaining the natural flow and omitting the 't' in "just."
  • Repeat regularly: Go through each example multiple times. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel. Use the shadowspeak technique to smooth out your expression.
  • Adjust your pace: If the speaker's pace is too fast, slow it down using playback speed settings until you're comfortable. Gradually increase the speed as you become more fluent.
  • Focus on emotion: Pay attention to how emotion is expressed in intonation. Try to embody the same feelings in your practice to sound more authentic.
  • Pair with real conversations: After shadowing the phrases, try incorporating them into your daily English conversations with friends or language partners.

By practicing these phrases and focusing on the nuances of intonation and pronunciation, you will significantly improve your English speaking skills. Embrace the process and enjoy learning English with YouTube!

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.