Shadowing Practice: [Audio] Basic IELTS Listening - 69 - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Exercise 2.
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Who invented popcorn?
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Listen to the conversation and fill in the missing information in the notes below.
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Mary and her classmate Alex are off from school.
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They are going to see a film.
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Do you have the time, Alex?
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It's 7.20.
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We are early.
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The film starts at 7.30.
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Let's have something to drink.
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That's a good idea.
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Something smells good.
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Right.
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That's popcorn.
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Would you like some popcorn?
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Yes, I'd love some.
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Do you know who invented popcorn?
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It is said that popcorn is a delicacy that was developed by the Indians of North America.
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When did they invent it?
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It has been dated back thousands of years.
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I see.
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Do you know that the Indians were not only eating popped corn, but they also used popped corn in headdresses, necklaces, and in religious ceremonies?
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Yes, we have seen these in some films, and according to most sources,
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a deerskin bag full of popcorn was served at the first Thanksgiving dinner at Plymouth Rock in 1621.
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You know, popcorn's popularity grew during the Depression of the 1930s, when people realized that a little popcorn could go a long way.
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But its success was clinched when movie theaters across the continent started serving the snack.
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By 1947, 85% of movie houses were selling popcorn at their concession stands.
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Oh, the movie's about to start.
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Let's go.

About This Lesson

You're practicing English with "[Audio] Basic IELTS Listening - 69" using the Shadowing technique — a method originally developed for professional interpreter training.

Focus on sounding like the speaker — not just repeating words. With 15–30 minutes of daily practice, you'll build real-world speaking confidence.

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.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →