Shadowing Practice: Ariana Grande - no tears left to cry (Official Video) - Learn English Speaking with Video

If you’re looking to level up your English speaking—whether for IELTS speaking practice or just sounding more natural—this video is a goldmine. The upbeat rhythm and repetitive phrases make it perfect for shadowing, a technique where you mimic the speaker’s tone, pace, and pronunciation. Let’s dive into how to turn this song into a powerful practice tool!

Speaking Goals for This Clip: Master Rhythm and Repetition

This clip targets fluency and rhythm, two key milestones for sounding confident. The song’s repetitive structure helps you internalize natural phrasing, so you’ll start speaking in "chunks" instead of single words. It’s ideal for learners who struggle with pacing—you’ll learn to keep up with a native-like flow without tripping over words.

Phrase Bank: Reusable Expressions to Add to Your Vocabulary

• "Ain’t got no tears left to cry" – A casual way to say you’re done feeling sad (great for conversational English).
• "Picking it up" – Means moving forward or improving (use it like: "After the setback, I’m picking it up again").
• "We out here vibin’" – A trendy phrase for "we’re relaxing and enjoying the moment" (perfect for informal chats).
• "Can’t stop now, can’t stop so shut your mouth" – Emphasizes determination (great for adding emotion to your speech).

Fix Your Weak Spots: Nailing Connected Speech

One of the trickiest parts of English is connected speech—how words blend together. In the video, phrases like "I’m lovin’, I’m livin’" drop the "g" in "loving" and "living," and "turn it up" becomes "turnin’ up." This is where shadow speak (or shadowspeaks) comes in: play a line, pause, and repeat it exactly, focusing on those blended sounds. A shadowing app can help you compare your version to the original, so you’ll catch where you’re rushing or over-enunciating. With practice, you’ll sound smoother and more natural—no more "robot voice"!

Ready to start? Hit play, pause, and mimic. You’ll be shocked how quickly these phrases stick—and how much your confidence grows. Remember: every minute of shadowing brings you closer to speaking English like a pro!