Shadowing Practice: Australia’s youngest senator, Charlotte Walker, gives first speech to parliament - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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This is technically my first speech,
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This is technically my first speech,
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although I have now spoken in this chamber on multiple occasions and the results have been whack.
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As the youngest ever senator,
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I've received a lot of media attention about what I've said and what others have said about me,
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including some who really haven't liked what I've said.
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They say I don't have enough life experience.
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I reply that I have 21 years of life experience.
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What I bring to this Parliament is the experience of young people today.
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Home ownership, for instance, is increasingly out of reach.
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A dream once seen as an expected milestone of adulthood is now something many of us feel we may never achieve.
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We're told the solution is to cut out smashed avocado toast or skip a daily coffee,
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or a Meyer case, a daily hot chocolate.
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But no amount of budgeting advice will fix a system where the price of a home has completely outstripped wage growth.
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We're told we're an anxious generation,
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but we live with the ever-present threat of climate change.
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It's clear to almost all young Australians
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that you've got to be working hard on closing your eyes to convince yourself that climate change isn't a threat.
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Yet some still do.
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Like many families, my parents' breakout was hard on everyone involved,
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and a lot of what happened really hurt me.
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But I didn't start to realise the impacts of this until I was older.
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When I was 18 years old,
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I spent lots of time at the doctor trying to figure out why I wasn't sleeping at night.
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Blood tests, medication, suggestions of a sleep study.
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But deep down, I knew what the root of the problem was,
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even though I wouldn't admit it to myself, let alone the doctor.
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It was depression.
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I'd spent years skirting around the issue.
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I was in denial.
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The effects had been long-lasting, compounded by guilt.
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I spent months dreading waking up in the morning.
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I often wondered if I wanted to go on,
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if there was any point in me being here.
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The first step to my recovery was admitting that I needed help.
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I remember leaving my first therapy appointment just feeling a tiny bit more positive about my life.
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In sharing this today, I'm telling all of you some of what I've only told a handful of people.
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I don't tell people about my depression because of the deep shame I feel about it,
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because of the perception of being damaged goods.
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But whilst that experience has undoubtedly cost me,
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it has also given me more understanding and empathy for what some families are going through,
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and particularly what happens to the kids going through this type of thing.
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I know
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that we can support a real future for the young Australians of today without taking anything away from our older generations.
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A future where stability is not a privilege, but a right.
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A future where hope doesn't feel naive.
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I would be honoured if my term in this place acts as a symbol
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that we are no longer telling young people to be quiet,
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to wait their turn, to work harder.
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and instead that we are all asking ourselves,
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how can we build a socially,
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economically and environmentally sustainable and fair future together?
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Because if the future truly is ours,
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then we deserve to be heard.
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We deserve to be included and we deserve a fair chance to build lives that are not just sustainable, but fulfilling.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.

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Context & Background

In her inaugural speech to the Australian Parliament, Charlotte Walker, the youngest senator in the country’s history, addresses critical issues affecting the youth today. Walker draws on her experiences as a young adult navigating systemic challenges such as home ownership and mental health. Her speech reflects a broader perspective on societal expectations and the realities faced by her generation, making it a rich source for learners aiming to grasp contemporary social issues while improving their English skills.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “Home ownership is increasingly out of reach.” - This phrase highlights economic challenges many face.
  • “Cut out smashed avocado toast.” - A humorous reference often used to suggest frugality.
  • “The ever-present threat of climate change.” - Important for discussions about environmental awareness.
  • “I know that we can support a real future.” - Expresses hope for change and progress.
  • “Stability is not a privilege, but a right.” - A powerful statement about societal values.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

For learners eager to enhance their speaking skills using the shadowing technique with this speech, follow these steps:

  1. Choose a Segment: Start with a short clip of Charlotte Walker’s speech. A 30 to 60 seconds segment is ideal for practice.
  2. Listen Actively: Play the clip once without pausing to absorb the content and tone. Note the emotions and intonations in her delivery.
  3. Transcribe the Dialogue: Write down the key phrases and sentences you find compelling. This will deepen your understanding of the language structure.
  4. Shadow Speak: Play the clip again, this time pausing after each sentence. Repeat Charlotte’s words aloud, mimicking her rhythm and pronunciation. This is a vital part of the shadowing technique.
  5. Record Yourself: Capture your voice as you shadow the dialogue. Listen to the playback to identify areas for improvement, such as tone or pace.
  6. Practice Regularly: Consistency is key. Make this shadowing site part of your daily learning regime to improve fluency and confidence.

By utilizing this approach, you can effectively learn English with YouTube videos like Charlotte Walker's speech, making your language practice both relevant and engaging.

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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