Shadowing Practice: C in 100 Seconds - Learn English Speaking with Video

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C, a statically typed procedural programming language famous for making the world go round.

It's the language behind many tools we take for granted, like the Windows, Linux, and Mac operating system kernels, databases like MySQL, interpreters for languages like

Python, tools like Vim and Git, and countless others.

It was created in 1972 by Dennis Ritchie at Bell Labs, where it would be used to develop the Unix operating system.

It would go on to become the mother of all languages, inspiring the syntax of C++, C Sharp, Java, JavaScript, Perl,

and PHP, just to name a few.

It compiles directly to machine code and requires minimal runtime support,

but is platform -dependent, meaning the executable is designed to run on a specific operating system.

It's a high -level language designed for humans, yet provides low -level control over memory and hardware.

There's no garbage collector.

Instead, your code needs to manage its own memory.

When you create a variable, it's assigned an address in memory.

You can store that address in another variable called a pointer.

When the variable is no longer needed, you'll need to free it to avoid memory leaks.

To get started, install a C compiler.

A popular choice is the GNU C compiler, or GCC.

Create a file ending in .c, include any libraries you plan to use, then add a main function to it.

This is where your program will start executing.

There's no function keyword, and notice how it returns an integer type.

A return value of 0 means success, while a return value of 1 means failure.

There are only a few basic types in C.

Create a variable by starting with a type, followed by a name and value.

Use printf to print the value to the standard output, or put an ampersand in front of it to reference its address in memory.

There's no string type, but instead char, which represents a 1 -byte character stored as an integer.

A string can be created with an array of characters.

Each letter will have its own memory address and be terminated by a null character.

Another approach is to start with a pointer by adding a star character in front of the type, then we can allocate 4 bytes to it.

Now assign a character to each index, ending with the null character to create a string.

When you no longer need that memory allocated to your program, use free to release it back to the computer's RAM.

The language is procedural and does not support object -oriented features, although you can create your own complex data types using structs.

Now compile your code to machine instructions for your operating system using the C compiler.

This has been the C programming language in 100 seconds.

Hit the like button and subscribe if you want to see more short videos like this.

Thanks for watching, and I will see you in the next one.

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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

This speaking lesson is built on the video “C in 100 Seconds”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: memory, language, character, type, create. This video has 34 sentences and 487 words to shadow. The speech runs for 2:25. The speaker talks fast, about 202 words per minute, so expect linked and reduced sounds. Only 77% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding.

Key vocabulary in this video

15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
variable adjective	[ˈvæɹ.i.ə.bl̩]	Able to vary or be varied.
string noun	/stɹɪŋ/	A long, thin and flexible structure made from threads twisted together.
null noun	/nʌl/	A non-existent or empty value or set of values.
assign verb	/əˈsaɪn/	To designate or set apart (something) for some purpose.
pointer noun	/ˈpɔɪn.təɹ/	One who points.
procedural adjective	/pɹəˈsiːd͡ʒ(ə)ɹəl/	Related to procedure.
output noun	/ˈaʊtpʊt/	Production; quantity produced, created, or completed.
database noun	/ˈdeɪtəˌbeɪs/	A collection of (usually) organized information in a regular structure, usually but not necessarily in a machine-readable format accessible by a computer.
hardware noun	/ˈhɑɹdˌwɛɹ/	Fixtures, equipment, fasteners, tools, and devices used for general-purpose construction and repair of a structure or object. Also such equipment as sold as…
dependent adjective	/dɪˈpɛndənt/	Relying upon; depending upon.
garbage noun	/ˈɡɑɹ.bɪd͡ʒ/	Food waste material of any kind.
install verb	/ɪnˈstɔl/	To connect, set up or prepare something for use
instruction noun	/ɪnˈstɹʌkʃən/	The act of instructing, teaching, or providing with information or knowledge.
minimal adjective	/ˈmɪn.ə.məl/	The smallest possible amount, quantity, or degree.
array noun	/əˈɹeɪ/	Clothing and ornamentation; raiment.

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Word	Meaning
go round verb	To physically swirl or rotate.

Pronunciation to watch

Long words — get the stress right: procedural /pɹəˈsiːd͡ʒ(ə)ɹəl/, interpreter /ɪnˈtɝ.pɹɪ.tɚ/, executable /ˈɛksəkjutəbl/

How to practise with this video

Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like variable, string, null.

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 →

Shadowing Practice: C in 100 Seconds - Learn English Speaking with Video

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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

Key vocabulary in this video

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Pronunciation to watch

How to practise with this video

What is the Shadowing Technique?