Shadowing Practice: Depeche Mode - Precious (Remastered) - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This video has 13 sentences and 165 words to shadow. The speech runs for 3:41. 82% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| angel noun | /ˈeɪ̯n.d͡ʒəl/ | An incorporeal and holy or semidivine messenger from a deity or other divine entity, traditionally depicted as a youthful, winged figure in flowing robes. |
| suffer verb | /ˈsʌfɚ/ | To undergo hardship. |
| pray verb | /pɹeɪ/ | To direct words, thoughts, or one's attention to a deity or any higher being, for the sake of adoration, thanks, petition for help, etc. |
| ruin noun | /ˈɹuː.ɪn/ | The remains of a destroyed or dilapidated construction, such as a house or castle. |
| tender adjective | /ˈtɛn.dɚ/ | Sensitive or painful to the touch. |
| fragile adjective | /ˈfɹæd͡ʒəl/ | Easily broken, not sturdy; of delicate material. |
| unspoken adjective | /ʌnˈspoʊkən/ | Not spoken; not said. |
| brittle adjective | /ˈbɹɪtəl/ | Inflexible; liable to break, snap, or shatter easily under stress, pressure, or impact. |
| manage verb | /ˈmæn.ɪd͡ʒ/ | To direct or be in charge of. |
| wing noun | /wɪŋ/ | An appendage of an animal's (bird, bat, insect) body that enables it to fly. |
| damage noun | /ˈdæmɪd͡ʒ/ | Injury or harm; the condition or measure of something not being intact. |
| master noun | /ˈmæstɚ/ | Someone who has control over something or someone. |
| faith noun | /feɪθ/ | A trust or confidence in the intentions or abilities of a person, object, or ideal from prior empirical evidence. |
| silver noun | /ˈsɪl.vɚ/ | A lustrous, white, metallic element, atomic number 47, atomic weight 107.87, symbol Ag. |
| handle noun | /ˈhæn.d(ə)l/ | The part of an object which is (designed to be) held in the hand when used or moved. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| see through verb | To perceive visually through something transparent. |
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | have we done |
| Advice with “should” should + verb — saying what is a good idea | Should have |
| Superlatives the -est / the most … — the top or bottom of a group | The tenderest |
| Verb + -ing enjoy, keep, stop… + -ing — verbs that are followed by the -ing form | keep ruining |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 5 contractions and reduced forms, such as we'd, I'll, you're. 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 angel, suffer, pray.
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.