Shadowing Practice: Everything You Need To Know BEFORE Getting A Betta Fish - Learn English Speaking with Video
Creating lesson...
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You may fall in love with him at the store, but don't take him home on the first date.
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Betta fish need a special environment to live.
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And here's all you'll need.
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A glass fish tank of at least 19 liters or 5 gallons.
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A filter.
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There are multiple options available.
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But preferably, you'll want a filter with a low flow or an adjustable one.
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You also need a heater.
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Betta fish are tropical and they need a temperature of 25 to 27 degrees Celsius.
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A ledelite.
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An environment with life plants is the best for betta fish.
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Make sure to get a light for planted aquariums.
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Substrate.
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Check out my video about substrates to find out which one's the best.
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And you can add a cool piece of driftwood.
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You can attach plants to it and it'll make your aquascape unique.
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Some plants.
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I recommend to start with easy plants like anubias and java fern.
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Those can be attached to your piece of driftwood using aquarium plant glue or some thread.
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And finally, a freshwater test kit.
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They're essential for cycling your tank.
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And once your tank is cycled, you'll have everything you need for your new companion.
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This video has 22 sentences and 195 words to shadow. The speech runs for 0:56. The speaker talks fast, about 209 words per minute, so expect linked and reduced sounds. Only 77% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| filter noun | /ˈfɪltɚ/ | A device which separates a suspended, dissolved, or particulate matter from a fluid, solution, or other substance; any device that separates one substance from… |
| attach verb | /əˈtæt͡ʃ/ | To fasten, to join to (literally and figuratively). |
| aquarium noun | /əˈkwɛɹ.i.jəm/ | A tank, often made of glass, for keeping live fish or other aquatic animals. |
| thread noun | /ˈθɹɛd/ | A cord formed by spinning or twisting together textile fibers or filaments into one or more continuous strands, typically used in needlework. |
| tropical adjective | /ˈtɹɑ.pɪ.kəl/ | Of or pertaining to the tropics, the equatorial region between 23 degrees north and 23 degrees south. |
| companion noun | /kəmˈpæn.jən/ | A friend, acquaintance or partner; someone with whom one spends time or accompanies |
| java noun | /ˈd͡ʒɑː.və/ | A blend of coffee imported from the island of Java. |
| glue noun | /ɡlu/ | A hard gelatin made by boiling bones and hides, used in solution as an adhesive; or any sticky adhesive substance. |
| gallon noun | /ˈɡælən/ | A unit of volume, equivalent to eight pints |
| preferably adverb | /ˈpɹɛf.ɹəˌbli/ | In preference; by choice; in a preferable manner. |
| substrate noun | /ˈsʌbˌstɹeɪt/ | An underlying layer; a substratum. |
| adjustable adjective | /əˈd͡ʒʌstəbəl/ | Capable of being adjusted. |
| heater noun | /ˈhitɚ/ | A device that produces and radiates heat, typically to raise the temperature of a room or building. |
| freshwater adjective | /ˈfɹɛʃˌwɔːtə(ɹ)/ | Living in fresh water. |
| driftwood noun | /ˈdɹɪftwʊd/ | Floating wood that drifts with the current of a body of water. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| check out verb | To record the departure or withdrawal of someone or something (such as guests, employees, books, etc.). |
| find out verb | To discover, as by asking or investigating. |
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | can be attached · is cycled |
| Superlatives the -est / the most … — the top or bottom of a group | the best |
| Future with “will” will + verb — a decision, promise or prediction | you'll need · you'll want · it'll make |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 6 contractions and reduced forms, such as you'll, don't, it'll. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- Long words — get the stress right: aquarium /əˈkwɛɹ.i.jəm/, adjustable /əˈd͡ʒʌstəbəl/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like filter, attach, aquarium.
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.