Shadowing Practice: Encanto (2021) - Mirabel and Isabela Argument Scene - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This speaking lesson is built on the video “Encanto (2021) - Mirabel and Isabela Argument Scene”. This video has 41 sentences and 187 words to shadow. The speech runs for 2:01. The speaker talks slowly, about 93 words per minute, so there is time to copy every sound. Only 75% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding. 7 of its 41 sentences are questions, so it is good practice for question intonation and short answers.
Key vocabulary in this video
13 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| apologize verb | /əˈpɑləˌd͡ʒaɪz/ | To make an apology or excuse; to acknowledge some fault or offense, with expression of regret for it, by way of amends |
| marry verb | /ˈmæɹi/ | To enter into the conjugal or connubial state; to take a husband or a wife. |
| ruin noun | /ˈɹuː.ɪn/ | The remains of a destroyed or dilapidated construction, such as a house or castle. |
| selfish adjective | /ˈsɛlf.ɪʃ/ | Holding one's own self-interest as the standard for decision making. |
| cure verb | /kjɔː/ | To restore to health. |
| embrace verb | /ɛmˈbɹes/ | To clasp (someone or each other) in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug. |
| smash verb | /smæʃ/ | To break (something brittle) violently. |
| gosh | /ɡɑːʃ/ | A mild expression of surprise or enthusiasm. |
| confession noun | /kənˈfɛʃən/ | The open admittance of having done something (especially something bad). |
| abuela noun | /ɑˈbweɪlə/ | A Hispanic grandmother. |
| empanada noun | /ɛmpəˈnɑːdə/ | Any of a variety of stuffed pastries found in Spanish, Filipino, and Latin American cuisine. |
| honk verb | /hɑŋk/ | To use a car horn. |
| papaya noun | /pəˈpaɪ.ə/ | A tropical American evergreen tree, Carica papaya, having large, yellow, edible fruit. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| mess up verb | To make a mess of; to untidy, disorder, soil, or muss. |
| get out verb | To leave or escape. |
| get over verb | To overcome. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- I know we've had our issues, but I'm..
- Have you lost your mind?
- Isa, I feel like you're upset.
- You want to be a better sister?
- I wasn't trying to ruin your life.
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | we've had · Have you lost · I've been stuck |
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | I've been stuck · is messed |
| Past continuous was/were + -ing — an action in progress at a moment in the past | wasn't trying · was doing |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 6 contractions and reduced forms, such as can't, I'm, I've. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: selfish /ˈsɛlf.ɪʃ/, smash /smæʃ/, gosh /ɡɑːʃ/, confession /kənˈfɛʃən/
- Long words — get the stress right: apologize /əˈpɑləˌd͡ʒaɪz/, empanada /ɛmpəˈnɑːdə/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like apologize, marry, ruin.
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.