Shadowing Practice: Does Music Help You Study? - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Hey Preppers!
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We know music has a powerful effect on our mood, so we were curious to know if it affects our ability to study.
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In today's Good to Know video, we answered this question, does listening to music help or hurt us while studying?
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Good news, music lovers, those tunes can have a positive effect on our study abilities.
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How?
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Research has found that Music activates both the left and right brain at the same time.
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And the activation of both hemispheres can maximize learning and improve memory.
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So what kind of music should you listen to?
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In a 2013 study by Dr. Emma Gray and Spotify, they found that music with 50 to 80 beats per minute puts us in a focused state.
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That's why so many people tend to listen to classical music while studying or working.
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This study also noted that songs with higher BPMs might actually distract us.
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Okay, what about lyrics?
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A 2014 study published in Applied Cognitive Psychology found that reading comprehension actually decreases when listening to music with lyrics.
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Ultimately, studying with music is a personal choice.
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But since music has such a powerful effect on our minds, we recommend you give it a try.
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Just keep the BPMs low and skip the lyrics.
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That's all for now.
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you

About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will explore the relationship between music and studying. You'll learn how music can enhance your ability to focus and retain information while studying. Through this practice, you will not only improve your comprehension of the topic but also engage in English speaking practice by using effective vocabulary and phrases related to the role of music in learning. Use this opportunity to learn English with YouTube by shadowing the transcript and honing your pronunciation skills.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Beats per minute (BPM) - A measure of the tempo of music.
  • Focus - The ability to concentrate on a task.
  • Activate - To start or stimulate a process, in this case, brain activity.
  • Comprehension - Understanding what is read or heard.
  • Memory - The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information.
  • Distract - To divert attention away from a task.
  • Lyrics - The words of a song.
  • Personal choice - A decision made according to one’s preferences.

Practice Tips

When engaging in shadowspeak with this video, focus on the rhythm and pace of the speaker. The moderate tempo will help you align your pronunciation with the words effectively. Here are some specific tips for practicing:

  • Listen carefully: Before you start shadowing, listen to the video once to get a sense of how the speaker articulates their ideas. This sets the groundwork for your practice.
  • Repeat phrases: As you shadow, pay close attention to the key vocabulary and phrases mentioned in the transcript. Practice them multiple times, focusing on clarity and intonation.
  • Use low BPM music: While practicing your shadowing, you can have background music at a low BPM (around 50-80) to help maintain a calm focus. Avoid music with distracting lyrics that might compete for your attention.
  • Record yourself: After shadowing a segment, record your speech. Listening to your own pronunciation can highlight areas for improvement and help track your progress.
  • Engage in discussions: To reinforce your learning, discuss the impact of music on studying with friends or language partners. This will give you additional English speaking practice and enhance your understanding of the topic.

By following these strategies, you'll not only enhance your speaking skills but also gain insights into effective studying techniques to support your overall learning journey.

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.