Shadowing Practice: English in a Minute: Make Waves - Learn English Speaking with Video
Creating lesson...
1
Welcome to English in a Minute.
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In the ocean, tides make waves.
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But can people make waves too?
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Let's listen.
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Today I'm playing with a new classical music group.
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They've been together for years, so I'm nervous.
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Don't be nervous, Andrew.
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Being new is fun.
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Bring new ideas.
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Make waves.
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I don't really make waves.
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I'll just follow along.
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No. Suggest a rock song.
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No. When you make waves,
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you draw attention to yourself by disrupting the usual way of doing things.
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Making waves can cause problems, but it can also bring about new ways of thinking.
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This B1 speaking lesson is built on the video “English in a Minute: Make Waves”. This video has 16 sentences and 97 words to shadow. The speech runs for 0:53. The speaker talks at a steady 111 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing.
Key vocabulary in this video
The 8 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| classical adjective | /ˈklæs.ɪ.k(ə)l/ | Of or relating to the first class or rank, especially in literature or art. |
| tide noun | /taɪd/ | The daily fluctuation in the level of the sea caused by the gravitational influence of the moon and the sun. |
| disrupt verb | /dɪsˈɹʌpt/ | To throw into confusion or disorder. |
| wave verb | /weɪv/ | To move back and forth repeatedly and somewhat loosely. |
| usual adjective | /ˈju.ʒuəl/ | Most commonly occurring; typical. |
| welcome | /ˈwɛl.kəm/ | Greeting given upon someone's arrival. |
| draw verb | /dɹɑ/ | To pull (someone or something) in a particular direction or manner. |
| ocean noun | /ˈoʊ.ʃən/ | One of the large bodies of water separating the continents. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| follow along verb | To continue behind or beside an animal, person, vehicle or other object, especially as a companion. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- Today I'm playing with a new classical music group.
- They've been together for years, so I'm nervous.
- I don't really make waves.
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 | They've been |
| Present continuous am/is/are + -ing — something happening right now or around now | I'm playing |
| Future with “will” will + verb — a decision, promise or prediction | I'll just follow |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 6 contractions and reduced forms, such as don't, I'm, I'll. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: usual /ˈju.ʒuəl/, ocean /ˈoʊ.ʃən/
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 classical, tide, disrupt.
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.