Shadowing Practice: English Vocabulary for Engineering: Bolts - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This B2 speaking lesson is built on the video “English Vocabulary for Engineering: Bolts”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: bolt, thread, spanner, English, wrench. This video has 25 sentences and 281 words to shadow. The speech runs for 2:16. The speaker talks at a steady 124 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. Only 73% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding.
Key vocabulary in this video
The 15 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| bolt noun | /boʊlt/ | A (usually) metal fastener consisting of a cylindrical body that is threaded, with a larger head on one end. It can be inserted into an unthreaded hole up to… |
| spanner noun | /ˈspænə/ | A hand tool for adjusting nuts and bolts. |
| wrench noun | /ˈɹɛnt͡ʃ/ | A movement that twists or pulls violently; a tug. |
| anticlockwise adjective | /ˌæn.tɪˈklɑkˌwaɪz/ | In a circular fashion so as to be moving to the left at the top of the circle and to the right at the bottom (when viewed from the front), in the opposite… |
| counterclockwise adverb | In the direction of rotation opposite from clockwise. | |
| fasten verb | /ˈfæsn̩/ | To attach or connect in a secure manner. |
| loosen verb | /ˈluːsən/ | To make loose. |
| tighten verb | /ˈtaɪ.tən/ | To make tighter. |
| vocabulary noun | /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/ | A usually alphabetized and explained collection of words e.g. of a particular field, or prepared for a specific purpose, often for learning. |
| measurement noun | /ˈmɛʒ.ə.mənt/ | The act of measuring. |
| diameter noun | /daɪˈæmɪdɚ/ | Any straight line between two points on the circumference of a circle that passes through the center of the circle; a chord that passes through the center of… |
| clockwise adverb | /ˈklɒkwaɪz/ | In a curve or twist corresponding to the movement of the hands of a clock. |
| fastener noun | /ˈfɑːsənə/ | Something or someone that fastens. |
| millimetre noun | An SI/MKS unit of measure, the length of ¹⁄₁₀₀₀ of a metre. Symbol: mm | |
| subscribe verb | /səbˈskɹaɪb/ | To write (one’s name) at the bottom of a document; to sign (one's name). |
Pronunciation to watch
- Long words — get the stress right: anticlockwise /ˌæn.tɪˈklɑkˌwaɪz/, vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/, diameter /daɪˈæmɪdɚ/
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 bolt, spanner, wrench.
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.