Shadowing Practice: Do You Know What I Am Saying? - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This speaking lesson is built on the video “Do You Know What I Am Saying?”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: bitch, pimp, bitches, Butters, motherfucking. This video has 42 sentences and 326 words to shadow. The speech runs for 1:51. The speaker talks at a natural 176 words per minute, close to everyday conversation. 82% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start. 10 of its 42 sentences are questions, so it is good practice for question intonation and short answers.
Key vocabulary in this video
14 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| refer verb | /ɹɪˈfɜː/ | To direct the attention of (someone toward something). |
| rank noun | /ˈɹæŋk/ | A row of people or things organized in a grid pattern, often soldiers. |
| rumor noun | /ˈɹumɚ/ | A statement or claim of questionable accuracy, from no known reliable source, usually spread by word of mouth. |
| pimp noun | /pɪmp/ | Someone who solicits customers for prostitution and acts as manager for a group of prostitutes; a pander. |
| convention noun | /kənˈvɛn.ʃən/ | A meeting or gathering. |
| girlfriend noun | /ˈɡɝlfɹɛnd/ | A female partner in an unmarried romantic relationship. |
| manage verb | /ˈmæn.ɪd͡ʒ/ | To direct or be in charge of. |
| bottom noun | /ˈbɑ.təm/ | The lowest part of anything. |
| minute noun | /ˈmɪnɪt/ | A unit of time which is one sixtieth of an hour (sixty seconds). |
| spend verb | /spɪnd/ | To pay out (money). |
| stupid adjective | /ˈstjuːpɪd/ | Lacking in intelligence. |
| successful adjective | /səkˈsɛs.fəl/ | Resulting in success; assuring or promoting success; accomplishing what was proposed; having the desired effect. |
| shop noun | /ʃɑp/ | An establishment that sells goods or services to the public; originally only a physical location, but now a virtual establishment as well. |
| treat verb | /tɹiːt/ | To negotiate, discuss terms, bargain (for or with). |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| start out verb | To emerge suddenly; to jump out. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- Know what I'm saying?
- You don't have to keep asking.
- I know what you're saying.
- Do you know what I am saying?
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 20 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, gotta, you're. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: convention /kənˈvɛn.ʃən/, shop /ʃɑp/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like refer, rank, rumor.
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.