Shadowing Practice: Everything Charli XCX Does in a Day | Vanity Fair - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
1
Hey, I'm Charli XCX and this is everything I do in a day.
2
The time I wake up really depends on what I'm doing in the day.
3
It could be anywhere from like 5 a.m.
4
to like 2 p.m.
5
But on a normal day, around like 8.30 to 9 a.m.
6
I always set my phone alarm to wake up.
7
Sometimes I have the one that's just like da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da.
8
And then sometimes I have the one that's like .
9
But that's like when I have to get a flight.
10
I set the alarm for my phone and put it like by my mirror, which is to the left of my bed.
11
So I have to get up to turn the alarm off.
12
So I'm up.
13
So I just kind of like stare around and remember where I am, which sounds a bit dark, but it's like in a good way.
14
I check my messages, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp.
15
On a typical day, I will just do my skincare routine in the morning.
16
Moisturizing, toning, cleansing.
17
Totally realized I just said that in the wrong order, but whatever.
18
Brushing my teeth has become a religious experience recently because I had like quite a traumatic dentist trip
19
about two months ago, which I'm not gonna go into, but it really just like changed my world.
20
And now I think about my teeth every hour of every day.
21
So I'm like, flossing, brushing, mouthwash.
22
And then I might do the routine again like two hours later.
23
I'm like going crazy about my teeth.
24
And then it really just depends.
25
If I'm exercising, I'm going like straight into exercise zone, like pre-shower or anything.
26
I'm like, let's just get that done.
27
I know some people shower before they work out and that's like a big thing like for them.
28
Like I have some friends who are like, of course you would shower before you work out.
29
I'm like, but really?
30
Is that, like what?
31
But maybe I'm gross.
32
Barry's Boot Camp.
33
That shit is up.
34
I started going there like a year ago and I like could not do anything.
35
It was so embarrassing.
36
Like everybody's like, and we're moving up to a 12 on the treadmill and they're all like running like beautiful ponies and I'm on six, like dying.
37
I've like upped it a little bit now but when I'm really wanting to challenge myself, I'll do that psychotic workout and feel pretty good afterwards.
38
It's probably like 11 now, honestly, because I'm slow.
39
Coffee, always, every morning.
40
I can't cook, like nothing, at all.
41
So I go out for breakfast.
42
I'm probably going to the studio, maybe getting there for around 12, 12.30, but also possibly running late, so getting there for one.
43
We got a cool car, so I'm driving, playing music.
44
Sometimes it's my music, which is a little cringe, but I just have to, if I'm making music, if I'm making an album,
45
I need to be listening to my songs all the time to like get in the zone and understand them inside out.
46
I'm using Google Maps every single place I go.
47
Even if I've been to that place like 20 times, just because sometimes I get distracted and then I forget where I'm going.
48
It's probably around 1 p.m.
49
now and I'm at the studio.
50
Sometimes I'll go to the studio for like two hours.
51
Sometimes I'll go from like 1 p.m.
52
till like 3 a.m.
53
I'm on my phone a lot throughout the day.
54
When I'm in the studio, I'm like reading lyrics off my phone.
55
I'm going on rhymebrain.com to figure out my rhymes.
56
Lunch is probably happening around two.
57
I love sushi.
58
I love like a good salad.
59
Or if I'm feeling like I'm really in my zone, I might go for some chicken tenders, honestly, because it's my favorite food, man.
60
Often if I have a show, it's because I'm on tour.
61
I'm lazy and I'd rather party before my show than warm up.
62
I have drinks, I put on some music I wanna get hyped to.
63
I hate it when people knock on the door, like, can we come in?
64
It's like, yeah, just the door's open.
65
Just come in, like chill vibes.
66
No, like don't disturb her.
67
Like just disturb me, let's go.
68
After my show, if ever there's fans waiting for me, I'm stopping, I'm saying, hey, I love having a close relationship with my fans because they put me on to so many new things.
69
I received a DM on Twitter about Cutcake and that's how I discovered her and her music.
70
And since then, we've gone on to collaborate multiple times and perform together multiple times.
71
And if I hadn't have had that connection with my fans, I would have never found her.
72
I'm very lucky, you know, they have good taste and they're funny.
73
After the show is the after party, always.
74
The most needed thing for a successful party is great music and loud music.
75
If I'm like on a roll and it's like two and someone's like, let's go to the next thing, I'm like, yes, let's go.
76
So then it's like four and five and then you're like, oh God.
77
But no matter what time it is, I have to eat before I go to bed.
78
I just have to.
79
Even if it's just like one chicken tender, I have to eat.
80
Before I'm going to bed, I have to take off all my makeup if I'm wearing any.
81
Cleanse, tone, moisturize.
82
Maybe put like a sleep mask thing on.
83
I always tie my hair up when I go to sleep.
84
I sleep naked how I was born.
85
I get hot, you know?
86
And like pajamas give you a wedgie.
87
So then I'm uncomfortable.
88
So I'm just like, I'm sleeping naked.
89
plug my phone in and maybe set my alarm depending on what I'm doing.
90
And that's like my, I'm done until that in the morning and then I'm repeating.
91
So there you go, that's everything I do in a day.

About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will practice English speaking skills through a captivating daily routine described by pop star Charli XCX in her interview. By watching the video and engaging in shadow speaking, you'll enhance your listening comprehension and speaking fluency. This activity will help you improve pronunciation, intonation, and the use of everyday vocabulary. Whether you want to learn English with YouTube or incorporate shadowspeak techniques into your practice, this lesson will provide valuable insights into both casual and professional speech.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Set my phone alarm - To configure an alarm on your mobile phone for waking up.
  • Skincare routine - A series of skincare activities performed daily, including moisturizing and cleansing the skin.
  • Religious experience - An expression used to describe an activity that is done with significant dedication or importance.
  • Barry’s Boot Camp - A popular fitness program that could refer to a specific type of workout or gym.
  • Getting in the zone - To focus and concentrate fully on a task, often used when preparing for creativity or performance.
  • Distraction - Something that diverts attention from focusing on a task.
  • Driving, playing music - The action of operating a vehicle while listening to music, often used to help set the mood or enhance motivation.

Practice Tips

For effective shadow speaking practice with this video, here are some tips:

  • Watch with intention: Play the video a few times without pausing. Focus on understanding Charli XCX’s tone and rhythm.
  • Repeat immediately: Try to repeat phrases right after you hear them to improve your pronunciation and intonation. This technique helps in shadowspeaks practice.
  • Match the speed: Charli speaks at a natural, conversational pace. Start slow if needed, then gradually increase your speed to match hers, enhancing your English speaking practice.
  • Emphasize key vocabulary: When shadowing, pay special attention to the key vocabulary listed above. Use them in your sentences to deepen your understanding.
  • Record and listen: Record your speaking practice and play it back. Compare your intonation and pronunciation with the original video to track improvement.

Integrating these methods will significantly boost your English language skills while making the learning process enjoyable. Embrace the challenge and have fun practicing with Charli XCX's dynamic routine!

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.