Shadowing Practice: Class Presentation: Microplastics — Where Does Our Plastic Go? - Learn English Speaking with Video
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33 sentences
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1
Okay, everyone, eyes to the front, please.
2
Maya is presenting her science project today!
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Um, thanks, Ms. Lopez. Okay... here goes.
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So, today I'm going to talk about microplastics.
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Let me start with this plastic bottle.
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We only use it for ten minutes, right?
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But it can stay around for hundreds of years.
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It doesn't really disappear. It just breaks into smaller pieces.
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Pieces smaller than five millimeters are called microplastics.
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Now, look at this jar of sand from our local beach.
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It looks clean, doesn't it?
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Well, I found tiny blue and white bits in it!
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Wait, seriously? That's from our beach?
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Yep! I collected it myself last weekend.
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So, where does all this plastic go?
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Some of it washes into rivers and then the ocean.
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Sadly, fish and other sea animals eat it by mistake.
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And scientists have even found them in our drinking water.
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Hmm, can I ask something?
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If it's everywhere already, is recycling pointless?
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Good question! No, it's not pointless at all.
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Actually, only about nine percent of plastic ever gets recycled.
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So recycling helps, but using less plastic helps more.
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Huh, that low? I had no idea.
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So, here's the good news!
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Bring a reusable bottle, like this one.
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Say no to plastic straws and bags.
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And if you do use plastic, recycle it properly.
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Small changes really add up. Thank you!
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Wow, great job, Maya!
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Bringing the jar of sand was such a smart idea.
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Next time, just slow down a little at the start.
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Ha, I will. I was so nervous!
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This B1 speaking lesson is built on the video “Class Presentation: Microplastics — Where Does Our Plastic Go?”. This video has 33 sentences and 259 words to shadow. The speech runs for 1:57. The speaker talks at a steady 133 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 83% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start. 8 of its 33 sentences are questions, so it is good practice for question intonation and short answers.
Key vocabulary in this video
The 15 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| sand noun | /sænd/ | Rock that is ground more finely than gravel, but is not as fine as silt (more formally, see grain sizes chart), forming beaches and deserts and also used in… |
| pointless adjective | /ˈpɔɪntləs/ | Having no point or sharp tip; terminating squarely or in a rounded end. |
| wash verb | /wɑʃ/ | To clean with water. |
| collect verb | /ˈkɑlɪkt/ | To gather together; amass. |
| scientist noun | /ˈsaɪəntəst/ | One whose activities make use of the scientific method to answer questions regarding the measurable universe. A scientist may be involved in original research… |
| sadly adverb | /ˈsædli/ | In a sad manner; sorrowfully. |
| disappear verb | /dɪsəˈpɪɹ/ | To vanish. |
| straw noun | /stɹɔ/ | A dried stalk of a cereal plant. |
| recycle verb | /ɹəˈsaɪkəl/ | To break down and reuse component materials. |
| microplastic noun | Small particles of plastic (typically less than 5 mm) produced by the degradation of plastic products, found in high levels in the marine environment and… | |
| reusable adjective | Able to be used again; especially after salvaging or special treatment or processing | |
| plastic noun | /ˈplæstɪk/ | A synthetic, solid, hydrocarbon-based polymer, whether thermoplastic or thermosetting. |
| bottle noun | /ˈbɒt.l̩/ | A container, typically made of glass or plastic and having a tapered neck, used primarily for holding liquids. |
| mistake noun | /mɪˈsteɪk/ | An error. |
| everywhere adverb | /ˈɛv.ɹi.(h)wɛɹ/ | In or to all locations under discussion. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| add up verb | To take the sum of; to total. |
| slow down verb | To decelerate. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- It looks clean, doesn't it?
- That's from our beach?
- Hmm, can I ask something?
- If it's everywhere already, is recycling pointless?
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 3 contractions and reduced forms, such as doesn't, I'm. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
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 sand, pointless, wash.
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.