Shadowing Practice: Erwin Smith's Final Speech - My Soldiers - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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There's no point standing around.
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We'll only be showered by more boulders.
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Ready your horses on the double! Be honest.
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Are all of us...
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Riding to our deaths?
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Yes, we are.
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And since we're dying anyway, you're saying that it's better...
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If we at least die fighting?
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I am. But wait...
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If we'll die anyway...
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Then who cares what we do?
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We could just disobey your orders and it wouldn't mean a thing, would it?
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Yes, you're precisely right.
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Everything that you thought had meaning, every hope, dream, or moment of happiness, none of it matters as you lie bleeding out on the battlefield.
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None of it changes what a speeding rock does to a body.
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We all die.
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But does that mean our lives are meaningless?
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Does that mean that there was no point in our being born?
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Would you say that of our slain comrades?
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What about their lives?
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Were they meaningless?
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They were not!
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Their memory serves as an example to us all!
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The courageous fallen, the anguished fallen, their lives have meaning because we the living refuse to forget them!
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And as we ride to certain death, we trust our successors to do the same for us!
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Because my soldiers do not buckle or yield when faced with the cruelty of this world!
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My soldiers push forward!
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My soldiers scream out!
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My soldiers RAGE!
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Thank you.

About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will practice your English speaking skills through the powerful final speech delivered by Erwin Smith. By engaging with this intense and emotionally charged transcript, you will enhance your pronunciation, comprehension, and expressive abilities. You will also have the opportunity to reflect on the deeper meanings behind the words, allowing for a greater understanding of not only the text but also the emotional context involved in speaking English. This practice will utilize the shadowing technique, a proven method that promotes fluency and confidence in language learning.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • shower - To rain heavily; in this context, refers to being overwhelmed by challenges.
  • ready your horses - Prepare yourself and your group for action or battle.
  • meaning - The significance or purpose of life events; a central theme in the speech.
  • bleeding out - Gradually losing blood; symbolizes mortality.
  • courageous fallen - Referring to those who have died bravely; respecting their sacrifice.
  • push forward - To continue with determination despite adversity.
  • RAGE - An intense display of emotion, often associated with fighting spirit and defiance.

Practice Tips

To effectively use the shadowing technique with this speech, begin by listening to the video multiple times to familiarize yourself with the rhythm and emotional intensity. Pay attention to how Erwin's tone shifts throughout the speech, particularly as he expresses both despair and determination. Here are some steps to enhance your English speaking practice:

  • Repeat after the speaker: Try to mimic the speed and intonation exactly as you hear it. This is critical in mastering the subtle nuances of English.
  • Pause for effect: After each major point in the speech, pause and reflect on the meaning before continuing. This will help you connect emotionally with the words.
  • Record yourself: Use your phone or a recording device to capture your voice. Play it back to assess your tone and pronunciation compared to the original.
  • Focus on emotion: This transcript is filled with passion. Engage your feelings and use them to influence your delivery.

Utilizing these practice tips and focusing on the key vocabulary will enhance your shadowspeak exercise, propelling you closer to fluency and confidence in your English speaking abilities. Remember, perseverance is key, and every effort counts towards improvement!

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.