Shadowing Practice: Emma Watson' full speech at UN on Sept 20,2016 - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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Thank you, Irina, for such a generous introduction.
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Thank you, Irina, for such a generous introduction.
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And on behalf of the entire HIPASHE team,
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I also want to thank UNESCO for all of its support.
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It's meant a lot to us.
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Thank you all for being here for this important moment.
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These men from all over the world have decided to make gender equality a priority in their lives and in their universities.
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Thank you for making this commitment.
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I graduated from university four years ago.
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I had always dreamed of going and I know how fortunate I am to have had the opportunity to do so.
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Brown became my home, my community,
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and I took the ideas and the experiences I had there into all of my social interactions,
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into my workplace, into my politics,
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into all aspects of my life.
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I know that my university experience shaped who I am.
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And of course, it does for many people.
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But what if our experience of university shows us that women don't belong in leadership?
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What if it shows us that,
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yes, women can study, but they shouldn't lead a seminar?
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What if, as still in many places around the world,
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it tells us that women don't belong there at all?
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What if, as is the case in far too many universities,
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we are given the message that sexual violence isn't actually a form of violence.
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But we know that if you change students' experiences so they have different expectations of the world around them,
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expectations of equality, society will change.
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As we leave home for the first time to study at the places that we have worked so hard to get,
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we must not see or experience double standards.
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We need to see equal respect, leadership and pay.
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The university experience must tell women that their brainpower is valued and not just that,
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but that they belong within the leadership of the university itself.
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And so importantly right now,
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the experience must make it clear that the safety of women,
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minorities and anyone who may be vulnerable is a right and not a privilege.
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A right that will be respected by a community that believes
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and supports survivors and that recognizes that when one person's safety is violated,
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everyone feels their own safety is violated.
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A university should be a place of refuge that takes action against all forms of violence.
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That's why we believe that students should leave university believing in,
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striving for and expecting societies of true equality.
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societies of true equality in every sense and that universities have the power to be a vital catalyst for that change.
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Our 10 Impact Champions have made this commitment
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and with their work we know they will inspire students and other universities and schools across the world to do better.
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I'm delighted to introduce this report on their progress and I'm eager to hear what's next.
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Thank you so much.

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About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will practice your English listening and speaking skills by analyzing and shadowing Emma Watson's impactful speech delivered at the UN on September 20, 2016. This powerful address focuses on the importance of gender equality and the role of universities in promoting safe and inclusive environments for all students. By engaging with this content, you will not only improve your English pronunciation but also gain insights into vital social issues. This lesson emphasizes the use of the shadowing technique to help you replicate the rhythm, intonation, and clarity of Emma Watson's speech.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Gender equality - The state of equal access to rights and resources regardless of gender.
  • Leadership - The action of leading a group or organization.
  • Sexual violence - Unwanted sexual acts or threats of sexual acts.
  • Refuge - A safe place or shelter from danger.
  • Survivors - Individuals who have experienced trauma or violence and have lived through it.
  • Community - A group of people living in the same place or sharing a particular characteristic.
  • Expectations - Beliefs about how something should be or how someone should behave.
  • Catalyst - Something that causes significant change or action.

Practice Tips

When using the shadowing technique, it’s essential to pay attention to the pace and tone of the speaker. Emma Watson's speech is both articulate and passionate, making it an excellent choice for practice. Here are some tips to enhance your shadowing experience:

  • Listen Carefully: Play the video multiple times. Focus on different sections, noting her emphasis on key phrases.
  • Start Slow: Begin by pausing the video after each sentence. Repeat what she says, ensuring you capture her pronunciation and intonation.
  • Utilize a Shadowing Site: To refine your skills, consider using a shadowing site where you can practice along with the transcript. Websites like Shadowspeaks make it easier to follow along and improve English pronunciation.
  • Record Yourself: Use your smartphone or computer to record your voice while shadowing. Listening to your recordings can help identify areas for improvement.
  • Focus on Expression: Emphasize the emotions conveyed in her speech. Pay attention to how her tone changes when discussing serious topics, as it adds depth to your speaking ability.

By following these tips and utilizing the shadow speak technique, you will enhance your English speaking capabilities and gain confidence in addressing important issues. Happy practicing!

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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