Shadowing Practice: Do You Have An Asymmetrical Face? - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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- When I was like 20, my endocrinologist took a good look at me and asked, are you okay with your face being so asymmetrical?
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I had never really noticed it before, but boy, have I noticed it since.
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Initially, my reaction, my gut was to get offended, because why are you judging someone's appearance?
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But then I looked at the specialty of the doctor that said it, endocrinologist.
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This is a non -surgical specialty, so this doctor is usually not the one performing surgery or recommending to perform plastic surgery, appearance surgery.
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asymmetries in glands because glands release hormones.
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And now an asymmetry on the lower portion of your face
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or perhaps your neck can signal to the endocrinologist that something unusual is going on in that gland.
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Therefore, they would be pointing out asymmetries.
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Maybe they shouldn't point it out like that where it could be easily misinterpreted, but they should say something along the lines of, has your face always been asymmetrical?
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Because when you ask it that way, then you could explain to the patient why you're asking.

What You'll Learn from This Video Clip

This video is a goldmine for English learners looking to boost their speaking skills! You’ll practice natural conversational flow as the speaker shares a personal story, which is perfect for IELTS speaking practice—think how to structure a response with a beginning, middle, and reflection. You’ll also learn to ask clarifying questions politely, like rephrasing a potentially awkward comment into “Has your face always been asymmetrical?” And don’t forget vocabulary for discussing health and appearance, such as “asymmetrical,” “glands,” and “hormones”—key terms for real-life conversations. It’s a great way to learn English with YouTube while building practical skills!

Listen For These Sounds: Connected Speech Tips

Native speakers often link words or reduce sounds, and this video is no exception. Listen closely for: “are you okay with” where “are you” blends into “areya” (linking the “r” and “y” sounds). Notice how “I had never really noticed” becomes “I’d never really noticed” (reducing “had” to “‘d”). Also, “why are you judging” shortens to “why’re you judging” (linking “are” and “you” into “re you”). These small tweaks make your speech sound more natural—perfect for shadowing practice with a shadowing app!

Say It Like a Native: Rhythm and Stress

To mirror the speaker’s tone, focus on stress and rhythm. The speaker emphasizes key words like “never really noticed,” “non-surgical specialty,” and “unusual is going on”—these words carry the meaning, so stress them to sound engaging. Notice the pauses after “But then I looked at the specialty…”—pausing helps listeners follow your train of thought. Try shadow speech (repeating the speaker aloud, mimicking their pace and tone) to master this. It’s a fun way to practice, and tools like a shadowing app can help you compare your rhythm to the native speaker’s. With time, you’ll sound more confident, whether you’re practicing for IELTS or just chatting with friends!

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.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →