Shadowing Practice: DVD1.01 General Introduction - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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Hi, welcome to the real world.
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Hi, welcome to the real world.
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Hello.
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Hi.
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Welcome to the real world?
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Well, as real as it gets in Southern California.
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This is Connie Howard, our dialectician,
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and Randy Tillai, our phonics specialist.
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And this is Gene Zerna,
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voice and speech specialist, and the director of A-Team,
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accent modification specialist team in Los Angeles, California.
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And this is as real as it gets.
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Real American English, the way Americans really speak it.
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Only better.
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Yes, only better.
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The way better spoken Americans speak,
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clearly articulated, fully expressed, and without an accent.
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You're going to learn to feel your speech,
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to experience sound as a vibration,
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and to develop a sense memory of these American sounds.
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Only better still.
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Only better still.
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At the same time that you're learning to feel these American sounds perfectly,
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you'll be discovering vocal energy.
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The speech principles that you learn here will become your foundation for feeling sounds.
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They're the same techniques used by professional speakers, news broadcasters, and actors.
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Like them, you will be able to develop your vocal instrument.
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Now, here's where we come to a most unique feature of this course.
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the diagnostic evaluation kit.
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In it, you'll find a blank audio cassette tape.
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On that tape, you record your speech sample according to the directions provided there.
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Mail it back to us in the pre-addressed envelope.
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A qualified dialectician will analyze your speech and return it to you.
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Your personal diagnostic evaluation.
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It'll look something like this,
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and it'll chart the areas of this course you need to give special focus to.
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Now, does this look sufficiently incomprehensible?
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Oh, boy.
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Well, don't worry, because it's accompanied by my own personal directions to you on another audio cassette.
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I'll explain it all to you.
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I'll do this personally, or if I'm unavailable,
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another highly skilled specialist that I've selected will do it for me.
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Of course, you'll do fine,
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even without a diagnosis, but this cassette exchange between us allows me to create a personal training program for you.
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It offers a more precisely individual approach.
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Now why is it that speech coaches are always being so precise?
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I don't know.
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I guess we just always want to get everything perfect.
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Which brings us to an even further refinement.
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The only way to make still more effective use of this
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course would be to arrange private coaching at our studios in Los Angeles or private seminars conducted at your own location.
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Well, at the very beginning of tape two,
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you'll find the information on how to contact us about that.
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Alright, I'm almost finished with the explanations.
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This course is mostly practice after all.
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But before we begin, let me give you the same frank advice I give all my clients.
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Two things.
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First, give yourself completely to the exercises.
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Remember, we're going to train you with the same techniques used by professional actors.
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As long as you master the basic techniques of each section,
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you'll be able to produce results as American-sounding as in the practice scenes.
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Now, some of the later scenes are challenging, but you need that.
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And if you ever feel that things are moving too fast,
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just grab what you can.
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You don't have to grasp all the content,
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all the practice, all at once, or in any order.
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And you will not perfect all your technique at once either.
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Which brings me to my second thing.
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You must practice and repeat and repeat and repeat.
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When you review the course,
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you can jump around anywhere.
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Speech is organic, so you can approach it in many ways.
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Now, you can work at your own pace, but keep working.

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Context & Background

In this video introduction, the speakers set the stage for an interactive English learning experience focused on real American English. Connie Howard, Randy Tillai, and Gene Zerna emphasize the importance of clear articulation and vocal energy, promising a comprehensive method to improve English pronunciation. This approach not only teaches students how to speak but encourages them to feel the sounds they produce, highlighting a unique aspect of the training that is beneficial for learners at any level. The instructors come from diverse backgrounds in phonetics and dialect coaching, offering insights derived from professional speakers and actors. As a learner, understanding the intentions behind their methods and techniques can significantly enhance your ability to shadow speech effectively.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “Welcome to the real world.” – A friendly phrase to greet someone and introduce them to a new environment.
  • “Feel your speech.” – A reminder to pay attention to how words are pronounced and articulated.
  • “Experience sound as a vibration.” – A different way to perceive sounds, essential for improving pronunciation.
  • “Personal diagnostic evaluation.” – This phrase highlights the importance of personalized feedback in the learning process.
  • “Develop your vocal instrument.” – An empowering phrase that encourages learners to take charge of their speaking abilities.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To tackle the complexity of this video and optimize your learning, follow this simple shadowing technique:

  1. Watch and Listen: Start by watching the video without any distractions. Pay close attention to the way each instructor articulates their words and phrases.
  2. Break it Down: Divide the video into smaller sections. Focus on a specific phrase or sentence, and try to repeat it out loud after hearing it. This method helps reinforce the sounds and rhythm of the speech.
  3. Use Your Diagnostic Kit: If available, follow the instructions provided in the diagnostic evaluation kit mentioned in the video. Record your speech samples and analyze them or seek feedback from a qualified speaker.
  4. Practice Regularly: Set aside time daily to repeat these phrases and techniques. Consistent practice allows you to internalize sounds better and enhances your shadow speak capabilities.
  5. Engage with Feedback: Share your recordings with peers or instructors and seek constructive feedback. This interaction is invaluable for identifying areas that may require additional focus for clear communication.

By engaging in this structured practice, learners can significantly improve their English pronunciation and confidently use the language in real-life situations. Integrate these strategies into your routine and watch your proficiency grow as you learn English with YouTube content and beyond!

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.

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