Shadowing Practice: Closer - The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey (Boyce Avenue ft. Sarah Hyland cover) on Spotify & Apple - Learn English Speaking with Video

This video is a goldmine for english speaking practice, especially if you’re prepping for IELTS speaking practice. You’ll master two key skills: first, how to convey casual emotion through tone—notice how the singers shift from laid-back to urgent. Second, you’ll learn to navigate conversational pauses, which are crucial for sounding natural, not robotic. These skills aren’t just for exams; they’ll make your everyday speech feel more connected.

Listen For These Sounds

Connected speech is everywhere in this track. Listen closely to "pull me closer"—the "l" in "pull" links smoothly to "me," making it sound like "pullme." You’ll also hear reductions like "I was" becoming "I was" (with a soft "w" sound) and "can’t stop" turning into "can’t stop" (the "t" is almost silent). These linking and reduction patterns are key to understanding native speakers—and sounding like one. Use the shadowing technique here: repeat lines immediately after the singers to train your mouth to form these sounds.

Say It Like a Native: Rhythm and Stress

To mirror the speaker’s flow, focus on stress and rhythm. The phrase "We ain’t ever getting older" has a strong stress on "ain’t" and "older," with the other words shortened. This creates a bouncy, conversational beat. Try the shadowspeak method: play a line, pause, and repeat it, matching the volume and pace exactly. For shadowspeaks practice, record yourself and compare—you’ll notice how stressing the right words makes your speech more engaging. Remember, native speakers don’t stress every word; they highlight the ones that matter. Master this, and your speaking will sound less scripted and more authentic.

Whether you’re using the shadowing technique for IELTS prep or just want to sound more fluent, this video offers real-world practice. The casual dialogue and repetitive structure make it easy to focus on technique—so hit play, start shadowing, and watch your speaking skills soar.