Shadowing Practice: ENGLISH SPEECH | BARACK OBAMA: Yes We Can (English Subtitles) - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

C2
The President's campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington.
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The President's campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington.
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It began in the backyards of Des Moines,
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in the living rooms of Concord,
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and the front porches of Charleston.
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It was built by working men and women who were not able to do this work.
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The President was a part of the work that was done in the work that was done.
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The President was a part of the work that was done in the work that was done.
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It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5, $10,
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and $20 to the cause.
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It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy,
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who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep.
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It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers,
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and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proved that more than two centuries later,
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a government of the people,
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by the people, and for the people has not perished from the earth.
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This is your victory.
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There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage,
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or pay their doctor's bills,
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or save enough for their child's college education.
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There's new energy to harness,
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new jobs to be created,
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new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair.
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The road ahead will be long.
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Our climb will be steep.
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We may not get there in one year or even in one term.
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But America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.
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I promise you, we as a people will get there.
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Just pretend!
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Just pretend!
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There will be setbacks and false starts.
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There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as President.
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And we know the government can't solve every problem.
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But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face.
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I will listen to you, especially when we disagree.
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And above all,
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I will ask you to join in the work of remaking
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this nation the only way it's been done in America for 221 years.
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Block by block, brick by brick,
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calloused hand by calloused hand.
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What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night.
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This victory alone is not the change we seek.
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It is only the chance for us to make that change.
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And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.
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It can't happen without you,
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without a new spirit of service,
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a new spirit of sacrifice.
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So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism,
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of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves,
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but each other.
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Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything,
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it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers.
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In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people.
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Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness
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and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.
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Let's remember
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that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House,
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a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity.
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Those are values that we all share.
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And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight,
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we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.
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And all those watching tonight from beyond our shores,
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from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world,
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our stories are singular but our destiny is shared and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.
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God bless you and may God bless the United States of America.

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About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will practice your English speaking skills by engaging with a powerful speech by former President Barack Obama. This speech is not only rich in emotional resonance but also filled with important vocabulary and phrases that convey strong ideas about community, work, and perseverance. By listening and shadowing Mr. Obama, you will enhance your pronunciation and intonation, essential elements for effective communication. Utilizing the shadowing technique will help you improve your fluency and confidence in your speaking abilities, making this practice especially beneficial for those preparing for IELTS speaking practice.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Victory - A significant achievement or success.
  • Patriotism - Love and devotion to one’s country.
  • Spirit of service - Willingness to help others and contribute to the community.
  • Calloused hand - A metaphor illustrating hard work and dedication.
  • Remake this nation - The effort to improve and change the country.
  • Financial crisis - A situation where the economy faces serious difficulties.
  • Strength from young people - The importance of youth involvement in community efforts.
  • Brick by brick - Building or achieving something step by step.

Practice Tips

To effectively utilize the shadowspeak method with this speech, listen attentively to Mr. Obama's delivery, paying close attention to his pace and emotional nuances. Since his speech is delivered with a deliberate yet inspiring tone, it’s a perfect fit for the shadowing site practice. Start by playing a short segment, and then try to repeat what he says immediately after, mimicking his intonation and rhythm. When you feel confident, gradually increase the length of the phrases you shadow. The objective is not just to recite the words but to embody the emotions and emphasis he brings to his speech. Repeated listening will help you internalize phrases and enhance your overall speaking ability.

Moreover, consider recording yourself while using the shadowing technique. Listening to your recordings can reveal areas for improvement in pronunciation or fluency. By consistently practicing with this presidential speech, you will not only boost your speaking skills but also gain insight into persuasive speech patterns, making it an enriching experience as you prepare for different speaking contexts, including IELTS speaking practice.

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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