Shadowing Practice: Are You Learning English? These Songs May Help - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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I'm Alex Villarreal with the VOA Special English Education Report.
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I'm Alex Villarreal with the VOA Special English Education Report.
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Songs teach language.
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Consider a song like Tom's Diner by Suzanne Vega.
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An American teaching English overseas once told us that students love that song.
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Recently, we asked people on the Special English Facebook page to suggest other songs that English learners might like.
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Noemi Nito wrote, I'm one of those English students who love Tom's Diner.
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I started learning English with Lemon Tree by Fool's Garden.
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Another favorite is Truly Madly Deeply by Savage Garden.
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Another person, Asi Tambunan, suggested the song God Only Knows by Orianti.
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Jungi Jako wrote that ABBA's songs from Sweden are perfect for class work.
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Other good songs for learning English are songs by The Beatles and John Lennon,
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as well as Louis Armstrong's Wonderful World.
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Paul Cifuentes says Bob Marley's songs are amazing for teaching.
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Another teacher, Joseph Deca, says songs by Johnny Cash have always worked in his classroom.
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He says his students can hear the words,
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plus the songs often have stories.
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He also likes We Will Rock You by Queen and Beautiful Girls by Sean Kingston.
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He says young children love Sea is for Cookie by Cookie Monster from the TV show Sesame Street.
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Nina John Smith suggested these songs,
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It's My Life and We Weren't Born to Follow by Bon Jovi.
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Also, Nothing Else Matters by Metallica.
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Aurelio Lorenzo Costa Guzmau says he began to like English after his teacher played the Westlife song,
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I Have a Dream.
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He wrote, That was eight years ago.
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I was in the seventh grade.
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And from that day on,
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my dream of improving my English skills became attached in my mind.
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Teachers can use this song to convey the message to their students that they should have their own dream for the future.
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Aurelio's story was no surprise to another commenter, Katya Kavenko.
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She especially likes songs by Michael Jackson and Queen.
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She wrote, When you listen to your favorite songs,
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you feel emotionally high, and it moves you to action.
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For VOA Special English, I'm Alex Villareal.
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Do you have any favorite songs for learning English?
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You can share other music suggestions for English learners at our website,
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voaspecialenglish.com, or on Facebook at VOA Learning English.
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We are also on Twitter and iTunes.

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About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will discover how music can enhance your english speaking practice and make learning enjoyable. We will explore a variety of well-known songs that not only entertain but also teach important vocabulary, pronunciation, and conversational skills. By utilizing popular tracks, you will engage with the language in a way that resonates emotionally, making it easier to remember and use your new English skills in practical settings. This lesson will guide you through practical listening and shadowing techniques to help you improve your English pronunciation.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Tom's Diner - A popular song by Suzanne Vega that many English learners enjoy.
  • Lemon Tree - A song by Fool's Garden that serves as a great starting point for beginners.
  • God Only Knows - A thoughtful track by Orianti that can be analyzed in class.
  • Wonderful World - A classic by Louis Armstrong that embodies beauty and simplicity in English.
  • We Will Rock You - A powerful anthem by Queen that boosts enthusiasm in any learning environment.
  • I Have a Dream - A motivational song by Westlife that encourages English learners to pursue their dreams.
  • Shadowspeak - An effective technique to improve your speaking skills by mimicking native speakers.

Practice Tips

To maximize your learning through music, follow these practice tips:

  • Listen Actively: Choose a song that resonates with you. Pay attention to the lyrics as you listen, identifying words and phrases you recognize.
  • Shadow Speak: Use the shadowspeak technique by playing a portion of the song and then repeating the lyrics immediately after the singer. This method allows you to mimic the intonation and flow of natural English conversation.
  • Slow It Down: If the song is too fast, use YouTube’s playback speed settings to slow it down. Start at 75% of the original speed to catch every word clearly.
  • Sing Along: Once you are comfortable with the lyrics, try singing along. This will enhance your pronunciation and help you internalize language patterns.
  • Share and Discuss: Engage with fellow learners or teachers about the themes and lyrics of the song. This will deepen your understanding and provide opportunities for english speaking practice.

Incorporating music into your study routine is a fun and effective way to learn English with YouTube. With dedication and creative techniques, you'll find yourself making remarkable progress in your English language journey.

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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