Shadowing Practice: English teacher transforms sidewalk into classroom | Vietnam Today - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

B1
Now, recently, many people passing through the Pastor Voughty South Intersection in Ho Chi Minh City have noticed a touching
⏸ Paused
41 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
Now, recently, many people passing through the Pastor Voughty South Intersection in Ho Chi Minh City have noticed a touching
2
and heartwarming scene.
3
Beneath the traffic lights, a foreign teacher can be seen sitting on the sidewalk teaching English to a youth, young girl.
4
There are no classroom or blackboards.
5
Yet, this impromptu sidewalk lesson has become a beautiful reminder of kindness,
6
education and human connection.
7
Now let's join reporter Ban Mai to learn more about this special story.
8
girls and lessons beyond kindness.
9
Chris, a teacher from England,
10
currently working in Vietnam, first met him while she was sitting beside her mother,
11
carefully doing homework under the streetlights.
12
Something about that moment stayed with him.
13
Well, I was fortunate to find my student and I knew that she already had a willingness to learn,
14
so I knew that my time wouldn't be wasted.
15
I was selling lottery tickets when he rode around a few times before stopping near us.
16
Then he showed me his phone with a translated message saying,
17
I'm a teacher and I would like to teach your daughter English.
18
I could see that he was truly sincere.
19
The fact that he didn't mind teaching her right there on the street already meant so much to us.
20
Four evenings a week, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm,
21
after just one month of lessons,
22
he has already improved in pronunciation, reading and spelling.
23
More importantly, she is becoming more confident and falling more in love with English every day.
24
To books, drawings, spelling games and conversation beyond language,
25
Chris believes education gives children something much bigger than knowledge.
26
One day in class, children were asked about their dreams for the future.
27
Some wanted to become doctors,
28
some wanted to become chefs.
29
His answer was simple.
30
She wanted to become a teacher.
31
Soon, Chris will return to England,
32
but leaving this small classroom behind will not be easy.
33
I'm not looking forward to leaving her.
34
I'll miss watching her tie my laces.
35
I'll miss her smile.
36
I'll miss her immensely.
37
I hope my student has the best life in Vietnam.
38
And maybe, long after these lessons end,
39
what Hing remembers Marx will not only be the English words she learned here,
40
but the kindness of someone who chooses to stop,
41
sit beside her and believe in her future.

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

In a heartwarming display of dedication to education, an English teacher from England has transformed a sidewalk in Ho Chi Minh City into an impromptu classroom. This unique setup has drawn the attention of many who pass by the Pastor Voughty South Intersection. The teacher, Chris, offers English lessons to a young girl who expresses a genuine eagerness to learn. Despite the lack of formal settings such as classrooms or blackboards, this touching interaction underscores the transformative power of education and the human connection that can flourish in unexpected places.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “I would like to teach you English.” – A great opening to offer help or express a desire to educate.
  • “It means so much to us.” – A heartfelt way to express gratitude.
  • “What are your dreams for the future?” – A thought-provoking question that encourages sharing aspirations.
  • “You’re making great progress!” – Positive reinforcement that boosts confidence in learning.
  • “I will miss you.” – A sincere expression of emotional connection and farewell.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively utilize the shadowing technique with this video, follow these steps to enhance your English speaking practice and improve your English pronunciation.

  1. Watch the Video: Start by watching the video without any distractions. Focus on the interactions between Chris and the girl, noting their conversational dynamics.
  2. Listen and Repeat: Play the video again, this time pausing frequently after every phrase or sentence. Attempt to imitate the pronunciation, intonation, and rhythm of the speakers. This is a crucial part of the shadowspeak approach.
  3. Practice with the Phrases: Take the top phrases provided above and practice them in various scenarios. Try using them in your daily life or role-play with a friend to solidify your understanding.
  4. Record Yourself: Use your phone to record yourself repeating the phrases and sentences. Playback the recording and compare your pronunciation with Chris's. This will help identify areas where you can improve.
  5. Engage with the Content: Finally, try to engage with the content on a deeper level. Write down your thoughts about the video and consider how you could have a similar interaction in your own life. This not only helps with speaking but enhances comprehension as well.

By consistently practicing in this manner, you can learn English with YouTube effectively and build your confidence in both speaking and understanding the language.

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