Shadowing Practice: ENGLISH SPEECH | BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH: Just Do It! (English Subtitles) - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

C1
Dear Eva, It will be almost a month since you wrote to me and you have possibly forgotten your state of mind (I doubt it though). You seem the same as always, and being you, hate every minute of it. Don’t! Learn to say “F*ck You” to the world once in a while. You have every right to. Just stop thinking, worrying, looking over your shoulder, wondering, doubting, fearing, hurting, hoping for some easy way out, struggling, grasping, confusing, itching, scratching, mumbling, bumbling, grumbling, humbling, stumbling, numbling, rambling, gambling, tumbling, scumbling, scrambling, hitching, hatching, bitching, moaning, groaning, honing, boning, horse-shitting,…
⏸ Paused
5 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
Dear Eva, It will be almost a month since you wrote to me and you have possibly forgotten your state of mind (I doubt it though). You seem the same as always, and being you, hate every minute of it. Don’t! Learn to say “F*ck You” to the world once in a while. You have every right to. Just stop thinking, worrying, looking over your shoulder, wondering, doubting, fearing, hurting, hoping for some easy way out, struggling, grasping, confusing, itching, scratching, mumbling, bumbling, grumbling, humbling, stumbling, numbling, rambling, gambling, tumbling, scumbling, scrambling, hitching, hatching, bitching, moaning, groaning, honing, boning, horse-shitting, hair-splitting, nit-picking, piss-trickling, nose sticking, ass-gouging, eyeball-poking, finger-pointing, alleyway-sneaking, long waiting, small stepping, evil-eyeing, back-scratching, searching, perching, besmirching, grinding, grinding, grinding away at yourself. Stop it and just DO.
2
From your description, and from what I know of your previous work and your ability; the work you are doing sounds very good “Drawing — clean — clear but crazy like machines, larger and bolder… real nonsense.” That sounds fine, wonderful — real nonsense. Do more. More nonsensical, more crazy, more machines, more breasts, penises, cunts, whatever — make them abound with nonsense. Try and tickle something inside you, your “weird humor.” You belong in the most secret part of you. Don’t worry about cool, make your own uncool. Make your own, your own world. If you fear, make it work for you — draw & paint your fear & anxiety. And stop worrying about big, deep things such as “to decide on a purpose and way of life, a consistant approach to even some impossible end or even an imagined end.” You must practice being stupid, dumb, unthinking, empty. Then you will be able to DO.
3
I have much confidence in you and even though you are tormenting yourself, the work you do is very good. Try to do some BAD work — the worst you can think of and see what happens but mainly relax and let everything go to hell — you are not responsible for the world — you are only responsible for your work — so DO IT. And don’t think that your work has to conform to any preconceived form, idea or flavor. It can be anything you want it to be. But if life would be easier for you if you stopped working — then stop. Don’t punish yourself. However, I think that it is so deeply engrained in you that it would be easier to DO. It seems I do understand your attitude somewhat, anyway, because I go through a similar process every so often. I have an “Agonizing Reappraisal” of my work and change everything as much as possible — and hate everything I’ve done, and try to do something entirely different and better. Maybe that kind of process is necessary to me, pushing me on and on. The feeling that I can do better than that shit I just did. Maybe you need your agony to accomplish what you do. And maybe it goads you on to do better. But it is very painful I know. It would be better if you had the confidence just to do the stuff and not even think about it. Can’t you leave the “world” and “ART” alone and also quit fondling your ego. I know that you (or anyone) can only work so much and the rest of the time you are left with your thoughts. But when you work or before your work you have to empty your mind and concentrate on what you are doing. After you do something it is done and that’s that. After a while you can see some are better than others but also you can see what direction you are going. I’m sure you know all that. You also must know that you don’t have to justify your work — not even to yourself. Well, you know I admire your work greatly and can’t understand why you are so bothered by it. But you can see the next ones & I can’t. You also must believe in your ability. I think you do. So try the most outrageous things you can — shock yourself. You have at your power the ability to do anything.
4
I would like to see your work and will have to be content to wait until Aug or Sept. I have seen photos of some of Tom’s new things at Lucy’s. They are very impressive — especially the ones with the more rigorous form; the simpler ones. I guess he’ll send some more later on. Let me know how the shows are going and that kind of stuff.
5
My work has changed since you left and it is much better. I will be having a show May 4–29 at the Daniels Gallery 17 E 64th St (where Emmerich was), I wish you could be there. Much love to you both. Sol

Download App

AI scoring for every sentence you speak

Scan To Download
Scan To Download
Download on theApp Store
Get it onGoogle Play
TRENDING

Popular

Context & Background

The dialogue featured in this video from Benedict Cumberbatch presents a rich tapestry of encouragement and introspection. Addressing a persona named Eva, the speaker reflects on the weight of self-doubt and the creative struggles that often plague individuals. The message is clear: to harness one's potential, one must sometimes break free from the constraints of overthinking. This personal correspondence emphasizes the significance of practice and spontaneity in artistic work, underscoring the essence of simply "doing" rather than overanalyzing one’s efforts. The candid and dynamic language used not only provides insight but also serves as a motivational guide for anyone striving to express themselves more freely and authentically.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • "Just DO." – A reminder to take action without overthinking.
  • "Try to do some BAD work." – Encouraging experimentation and a willingness to fail.
  • "Believe in your ability." – An affirmation to foster self-confidence in conversation and creative endeavors.
  • "Stop worrying about big, deep things." – A suggestion to focus on the present rather than being overwhelmed by larger concerns.
  • "Make your own world." – An encouragement to create a personal narrative and speak from one's truth.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

Utilizing the content from this video can significantly enhance your english speaking practice and help you improve your english pronunciation. Follow this shadowing technique to maximize your learning experience:

  1. Set Up: Find a quiet space and ensure you have a good quality headset or speakers. Load the video and subtitles for reference.
  2. Watch and Listen: Play the video initially without attempting to speak. Focus on understanding the context of the conversation and the speaker's emotions.
  3. Repeat in Real-Time: Play small segments of the video and immediately repeat what you hear. Mimic not just the words but also the tone and rhythms of Cumberbatch’s speech.
  4. Pause and Reflect: After repeating segments, pause the video to reflect on the meanings of the phrases used. Consider how you can incorporate these expressions into your daily conversations.
  5. Practice Daily: Consistency is key. Dedicate a few minutes each day to engage with the video. This regular learn english with youtube approach enhances understanding and retention.

By integrating this shadow speech practice into your routine, you will not only enhance your pronunciation but also bolster your confidence in expressing your thoughts in English.

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.

☕ Buy us a coffee