Shadowing Practice: Dear Future Generations: Sorry (2026) - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Dear Future Generations, I think I speak for the rest of us when I say, sorry.
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Sorry we left you with our mess of a planet.
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Sorry that we were too caught up in our own doings to do something.
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Sorry we listen to people who made excuses to do nothing.
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I hope you forgive us, we just didn't realize how special the earth was, like a marriage gone wrong, we didn't know what we had until it was gone.
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For example, I'm guessing you probably know it as the Amazon desert, right?
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Well believe it or not, it was once called the Amazon Rainforest and there were billions of trees there, all of them gorgeous and...
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Oh.
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You don't know much about trees, do you?
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Well, let me tell you, trees are amazing.
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I mean, we literally breathe the air they are creating.
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They clean up our pollution, our carbon.
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They store and purify water, give us medicine that cures our diseases, food that feeds us.
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Which is why I am so sorry to tell you that we burn them down.
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I cut them down with brutal machines, horrific, at a rate of 40 football fields every minute.
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That's 50% of all the trees in the world gone in the last hundred years.
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Why? For this.
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And that wouldn't make me so sad if it weren't so many pictures of leaves on it.
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You know, when I was a child, I read how the Native Americans had such consideration for the planet
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that they felt responsible for how they left the land for the next seven generations.
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Which brings me great sorrow Because most of us today Don't even care about tomorrow
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So I'm sorry I'm sorry
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that we put profit above people Greed above need The rule
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of gold above the golden rule I'm sorry we use nature
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as a credit card With no spending limit Over drafting animals to extinction Stealing your chance to ever see their uniqueness
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Or become friends with them
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Sorry we poisoned the oceans so much that you can't even swim in them But most of all,
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I'm sorry about our mindset Cause we had the nerve to call this destruction Progress Hey Fox News,
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if you don't think climate change is a threat I dare you to interview the thousands of homeless people in Bangladesh See,
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while you were in your penthouse nestled Their homes were literally washed away beneath their feet due to rising sea levels.
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And Sarah Palin, you said that you love the smell of fossil fuels.
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Well, I urge you to talk to the kids of Beijing
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Who are forced to wear pollution masks just to go to school See you can ignore this,
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but the thing about truth is It can be denied, not avoided
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So I'm sorry future generations I'm sorry that our footprint became a sinkhole
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and not a garden I'm sorry that we paid
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so much attention to ISIS and very little to how fast the ice is melting in the Arctic.
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I'm sorry we doomed you, and I'm sorry we couldn't find another planet in time to move to.
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I am s— You know what?
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Cut the beat.
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I'm not sorry.
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This future, I do not accept it.
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Because an error does not become a mistake until you refuse to correct it.
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We can redirect this.
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How?
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Let me suggest that if a farmer sees a tree that is unhealthy, they don't look at the branches to diagnose it, they look at the root.
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So like that farmer, we must look at the root, and not to the branches of government, not to the politicians run by corporations.
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We are the root, we are the foundation, this generation, it is up to us to take care of this planet, it is our only home.
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We must globally warm our hearts and change the climate of our souls and realize that we are not apart from nature, we are a part of nature.
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And to betray nature is to betray us To save nature is to save us
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Because whatever you're fighting for Racism or poverty Feminism, gay rights or any type of equality It won't matter in the least
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Because if we don't all work together to save the environment, we will be equally extinct.
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Sorry.
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Hey guys, for the past several weeks I've been here in Africa, heart of Africa witnessing the horrific destruction of the rainforest which inspired me to write this piece.
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Why are forests being destroyed at such an enormous rate? For this.
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Today we live in a world where destroying trees makes you money.
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So what can we normal people do about it?
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One way to directly fight the destruction is to stand for trees.
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By standing for trees not only can you save the lives of trees, help forest communities, and protect the rights of animals to live in their homes,
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but you will also balance the amount of pollution that you yourself give off with your everyday activities, making you a part of the solution and not the problem.
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This is the option that I chose, but whatever way that you choose to stand for trees, do it.
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Because a wise man once said, when the rivers are all dried up and the trees cut down,
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man will then realize that he will not be able to eat money.

Context & Background

The video titled "Dear Future Generations: Sorry" features a heartfelt apology directed towards future inhabitants of Earth. The speaker reflects on the environmental issues caused by previous generations, emphasizing the neglect of our planet's health in favor of profit and convenience. With a mixture of regret and determination, the speaker challenges the audience to change their mindset and take responsibility for safeguarding the Earth. This dialogue serves as a powerful reminder of our interconnectedness with nature, igniting a conversation about climate change and environmental conservation.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “I’m sorry” – A phrase of regret that can soften conversations and express empathy.
  • “We are the root” – An assertion of personal responsibility and collective action that encourages ownership.
  • “I hope you forgive us” – A request for understanding, particularly effective in reconciliation contexts.
  • “We can redirect this” – A call to action that promotes positivity and change in discussions.
  • “We must take care of this planet” – An imperative that emphasizes the urgency of environmental awareness.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

Improving your English speaking skills through the shadowing technique can be highly beneficial when engaging with this impactful video. Below is a step-by-step guide to enhance your pronunciation, intonation, and overall fluency using shadowspeak.

  1. Watch the video: First, watch the entire video to grasp the emotional tone and message. Pay attention to how the speaker articulates words and phrases.
  2. Listen attentively: Rewind and listen to specific segments that resonate with you. Take note of key phrases and their contextual usage.
  3. Practice with timing: Repeat phrases immediately after the speaker, mimicking their intonation and speed. This is crucial for shadow speech.
  4. Record yourself: Use your phone or computer to record your attempts. Compare your pronunciation and delivery with the original.
  5. Revisit and refine: Focus on challenging sections, practicing repeatedly until you feel comfortable. This can assist with your IELTS speaking practice as you improve your language skills.

By adhering to these steps and consistently practicing, you can significantly strengthen your English speaking abilities, making you more confident in both casual and formal conversations.

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.