Shadowing Practice: Conservation: A Love Story | Elsaphan Njora | TED - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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(Music) (Singing in Swahili) Hii safari ni ya mapenzi Nina haja ya kuenzi (Singing in English) Here’s my hand. Take me now.
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(Music) (Singing in Swahili) Hii safari ni ya mapenzi Nina haja ya kuenzi (Singing in English) Here’s my hand. Take me now.
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Don't resist. Don't ask me how.
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For the last three and a half years, I have travelled more than I have ever done in all my years.
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I have interacted with cultures, landscapes and legends across the land.
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And I've been enriched by these vast experiences that I'm so fortunate to have.
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So much so that some of my songs are starting to sound like travel journals.
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“Hii safari ni ya mapenzi” means “this journey is of love.” From the crater in Silali to the springs at Mzima.
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The cool blue waters of Lake Challa to the sandy beaches of Robinson Island.
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The waterfalls at Ruskebe to the island of Sumba.
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The small elephants of Aberdares to the giants in Amboseli.
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The sometimes feisty buffaloes of Mount Kilimambogo to the lilac-breasted roller in the plains.
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The rivers, the valleys, the people.
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I am in awe of what this country has to offer.
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This wealth, this beauty is meant to be shared.
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It is meant to be passed on.
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After all, we too found it here.
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And we are direct beneficiaries of the intentional or accidental conservation efforts of the past.
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The question is: What shall we leave for those who are coming after us?
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Allow me to take you on a journey.
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Let us start in a county called Nyahururu, in a peculiar water body called Lake Ol' Bolossat, which is both a salty and fresh water lake.
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It is possible that one day we might not have it anymore.
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Delaying to take measures to curb cultivation around riparian land near the lake will most certainly lead to its destruction.
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And in a few years time, it might as well never have existed.
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But a lake is not just a lake.
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Now let's go to Machakos County.
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The land of the long-distance traders.
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The flat landscape of enchantment and the crescendo music lovers.
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(Singing in Swahili) The home of the great seer who prophesied the coming of the British.
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And once home to a vast indigenous forest whose remnants can be found at Kiima Kimwe, which means "one hill." There, at the sacred hill of the Akamba, you'll see there was evidence that this was a vast forest.
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However, Machakos today stands in contrast to what our ancestors once called home.
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Massive deforestation has transformed a large section of it into a semi-arid expanse where water is scarce.
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Now the forest and the legends, and the stories might as well never have existed.
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But the forest is not just a forest.
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These are ecosystems that support a great number of species from birds, land animals, fish, insects, plants, some of which are endemic to the area and serve as nature's order in the great equation of balance.
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The very same balance that we are here to discuss.
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But our farmers need land to till.
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And when we need wood, don't we?
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But pause. This is not a piece to patronize.
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Instead, it's to paint a picture of perhaps what could be possible if we took action, and to bear the news of the efforts that have been taken so far.
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The proverbial what if, but now with a motive to reconsider, reconfigure and recruit.
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What if there is another way to go about it?
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What if there's another way to coexist with nature, make a living and leave an inheritance for those who are coming after us?
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Let us go to Kilifi County, right next to the Indian Ocean.
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Somewhere at the shores of Watamu stands a testament of what could be if we reimagined conservation.
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A group called Dabaso, through research and collaboration, began planting mangroves 20 years ago in an effort to conserve.
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20 years of insults and ridicule, doubts and second thoughts.
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But now the shores breathe more life into the world and give better sanctuary for sea life.
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And an establishment called Crab Shack Hotel stands as a tourist attraction, a pillar of conservation and commerce, merging nature, community and profit in an eco-friendly existence.
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And back in Machakos, they are making better use of the land, and they are repopulating the indigenous seedlings.
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With the efforts of conservationists, we might just see the return of the trees of old.
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And at Lake Ol’ Bolossat they are resettling the farmers, and they are saving the lake.
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It is no longer a thing of what if.
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It's a possibility.
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We can save our ecosystems, our species and our futures.
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We can. The evidence is clear across the world.
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So what is taking us so long?
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I've never understood why it takes so much effort to do what we know we need to do.
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Maybe it is a human condition to procrastinate until it is too late in order to catch that edge, that elusive high of uncertainty, thinking we have some kind of control.
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Only problem is, there is no control.
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However, I believe that if we search deep inside for something bigger, something bigger than ourselves, then we light a fire that can take us all the way to a better world.
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Now I'm no expert, but I believe at the core of conservation is love.
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Love for the land, love for the people of the land and most importantly, love for those who will come after us.
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And with this, I think we can find a way to work together in a manner that will benefit nature and community, in a manner that will give honor and dignity.
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And so this journey has to be a journey of love.
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And while that may take longer, the effects are profound and far-reaching enough to keep the world breathing.
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Finally, let me complete this journey with imagination.
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I will ask you to indulge me.
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Close your eyes.
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I'm talking to you guys.
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Close your eyes.
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I want you to envision that place that you want transformed.
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Do you have it?
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You have it?
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So I want us to take this journey together.
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On the count of three, I want you to say it out loud.
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One. Two. Three.
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(Audience speaks) (Singing in Swahili) Hii safari ni ya mapenzi Nina haja ya kuenzi (Singing in English) Here’s my hand. Take me now.
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Don't resist. Don't ask me how.
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Ooh! I'm on fire for you.
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I'm on fire.
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Ooh! I'm on fire for you.
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I'm on fire.
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Ooh! I'm on fire for you.
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I'm on fire.
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(Applause)

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About This Lesson

In this lesson, learners will practice English through the themes of conservation and cultural appreciation as presented by Elsaphan Njora in his TED talk. You will gain insight into the significance of preserving natural resources and the intertwined relationship between humanity and nature. This lesson provides an excellent opportunity to enhance your English listening skills and engage with meaningful content. By reflecting on the speaker's journey and experiences, you will not only improve your vocabulary but also develop a deeper understanding of the environment and our role in its conservation.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Conservation - The act of preserving natural resources.
  • Ecosystem - A community of living organisms and their environment interacting as a system.
  • Deforestation - The process of clearing forests or reducing their area.
  • Indigenous - Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native.
  • Restoration - The act of returning something to its original state.
  • Cohabitate - To live together in harmony, especially within an ecosystem.
  • Mangroves - Trees that grow in coastal intertidal zones, essential for coastal protection and marine life.
  • Balance of nature - The equilibrium between living organisms and their environment.

Practice Tips

To make the most of this lesson and improve your English speaking practice, consider using a shadowing technique to hone your skills. Start by closely listening to the video at a comfortable speed. Pause after each sentence or thought, and then repeat the phrases aloud. This method allows you to practice intonation and rhythm while improving pronunciation.

As you practice, pay attention to themes of conservation mentioned in the video. Try to connect these ideas to your own experiences or observations in nature, enhancing the learning process through personal reflection. Using tools like a shadowing app can also help you track your progress and revisit challenging parts. Remember, learn English with YouTube is not just about understanding words but engaging with profound messages about our world. Incorporating these concepts into your daily life will stimulate conversation and make your learning journey lively and impactful. Don't hesitate to repeat sections that resonate with you; assimilation is key in language learning!

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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