Shadowing Practice: Asha Christensen at TEDxKids@SMU 2012 - Learn English Speaking with Video
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15 sentences
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Transcriber: Nadine Hennig Reviewer: Denise RQ I pick up the pencil, but I ask myself, "Why?" I have no story to tell, no pain, no reason to write.
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Staring at the blank page, a thought wanders before me.
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I see a spark.
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Reaching out to grab it, my hands stretched out as far as I can, and - - nothing!
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It's all lost: all thought, all purpose.
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So I stare at the paper again - for hours it seems!
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As I look up at the clock shining 1 p.m., I was ready to take a break.
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Standing up, fist clenched, shoulders broadened - until I had realized I'd started at 12:59.
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And that hunched me back over while releasing a sigh.
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So I continue to stare, waiting for that booklet of notebook paper to work its magic, to stare back at me, and blink.
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That is what fuels me: a sense of accomplishment that I couldn't receive from the clock.
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As the time slips away, I realize I'm not alone, lost and abandoned in this blank page.
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So when you find yourself, and you're reaching for that sparkle, ready to grab it, but pull back; when you have emotion builds up inside, but can't seem to find the words to release it, and to release you, I am trapped, my feet glued to the floor, a cluttered closet of insignificant thoughts, searching for the one to set me free, to fill up the emptiness of that blank page.
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But this time, this time, when I look back at that page, I see words.
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So when you battle with that first blank page, those words you can't seem to find, just pick up that pencil, as I did mine.
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This video has 15 sentences and 283 words to shadow. The speech runs for 2:30. The speaker talks at a steady 113 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. Only 73% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 less common words from the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
- blank /ˈblæŋk/ (noun) — The white spot in the centre of a target; hence (figuratively) the object to which anything is directed or aimed, the range of such aim.
- stare /stɛɚ/ (verb) — To look fixedly (at something).
- clock /klɑk/ (noun) — A chronometer, an instrument that measures time, particularly the time of day.
- pencil /ˈpɛnsəl/ (noun) — A writing utensil with a graphite (commonly referred to as lead) shaft, usually blended with clay, clad in wood, and sharpened to a taper.
- stretch /stɹɛt͡ʃ/ (verb) — To lengthen by pulling.
- trap /tɹæp/ (noun) — A machine or other device designed to catch (and sometimes kill) animals, either by holding them in a container, or by catching hold of part of the body.
- slip /ˈslɪp/ (verb) — To lose one’s traction on a slippery surface; to slide due to a lack of friction.
- emotion /ɪˈməʊ.ʃən/ (noun) — A person's internal state of being and involuntary physiological response to an object or a situation, based on or tied to physical state and sensory data.
- shine /ʃaɪn/ (verb) — To emit or reflect light so as to glow.
- closet /ˈklɑzɪt/ (noun) — A small room within a house used to store clothing, food, or other household supplies.
- abandon /əˈbæn.dən/ (verb) — To give up or relinquish control of, to surrender or to give oneself over, or to yield to one's emotions.
- spark /ˈspɑɹk/ (noun) — A small particle of glowing matter, either molten or on fire, resulting from an electrical surge or excessive heat created by friction.
- sigh /saɪ/ (verb) — To inhale a larger quantity of air than usual, and immediately expel it; to make a deep single audible respiration, especially as the result or involuntary…
- fist /fɪst/ (noun) — A hand with the fingers clenched or curled inward.
- glue /ɡlu/ (noun) — A hard gelatin made by boiling bones and hides, used in solution as an adhesive; or any sticky adhesive substance.
Phrasal verbs you will hear
- pick up (verb) — To lift; to grasp and raise.
- build up (verb) — To erect; to construct.
- fill up (verb) — To make (something) completely full.
- pull back (verb) — To retreat.
- reach for (verb) — To try to get (something) by extending one's arm or moving one's hand.
- search for (verb) — Synonym of look for.
- stand up (verb) — To rise from a lying or sitting position.
- wait for (verb) — To wait until the specified event occurs.
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 6 contractions and reduced forms, such as can't, couldn't, I'd. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: emotion /ɪˈməʊ.ʃən/, shine /ʃaɪn/, accomplishment /əˈkɑm.plɪʃ.mənt/
- Long words — get the stress right: accomplishment /əˈkɑm.plɪʃ.mənt/, insignificant /ˌɪnsɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like blank, stare, clock.
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Present continuous am/is/are + -ing — something happening right now or around now | you're reaching |
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.