Shadowing Practice: Finance Degree in California Appeals to Chinese - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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From VOA Learning English, this is the Education Report in Special English.
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From VOA Learning English, this is the Education Report in Special English.
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Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is more than 120 years old.
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In 2009, the university opened Drexel University Sacramento in California.
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Eleven international students were part of the first class at Drexel University, Sacramento.
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Today, 32 international students are at the school, and they are all from China.
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The master's degree in finance program is almost entirely Chinese students.
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Most of the students are from Shanghai, a big financial center.
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Some are from the capital, Beijing.
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Sandra Kirschman is executive director at the university.
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She says a master's degree in finance is very attractive and a top degree in terms of return on investment.
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Drexel University started its master's degree in finance program in Philadelphia in Philadelphia.
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Sandra Kirschman says it became popular with Chinese students from Shanghai and Beijing,
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and they told their friends.
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The Philadelphia campus has finance students from other countries as well.
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But Sandra Kirschman says the Sacramento program may appeal to Chinese students because the West Coast is closer to China,
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and a gateway to the Pacific Rim.
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The courses are taught in English.
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She says students must do well on the TOEFL, or test of English as a foreign language,
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to be admitted to the university.
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The 18-month program costs about $55,000.
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International students pay full tuition.
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Sandra Kirschman says this helps the nonprofit university balance its budget and offer financial help to American students.
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Drexel's Sacramento location currently accepts only graduate students.
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But, an undergraduate business program will start in the fall of 2013.
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For VOA Learning English, I'm Carolyn Prasuti.

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Why practice speaking with this video?

Practicing speaking through videos like this one provides a rich context for language learners to develop their skills. By listening to discussions about international education, specifically the appeal of finance degrees for Chinese students at Drexel University in California, learners engage with relevant vocabulary and concepts. The content is informative and stimulates discussion, making it an excellent resource for shadowing exercises.

Using the shadowing technique allows learners to mimic pronunciation, intonation, and rhythm directly from native speakers. This method not only strengthens verbal skills, but also enhances listening comprehension. As learners repeat the sentences, they actively participate in the learning process, which is crucial for boosting overall fluency and improving English pronunciation. Moreover, the context of studying abroad adds cultural knowledge, further enriching the learning experience.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

In this video, several grammatical structures and expressions are noteworthy for learners:

  • Passive Voice: "is opened," "is taught." Using the passive voice helps shift focus from the subject to the action, a common construction in academic contexts.
  • Conditional Statements: "if the Sacramento program may appeal..." Conditional phrases help in discussing possibilities and outcomes, essential for making informed decisions.
  • Present Perfect Tense: "has become popular..." This tense is useful for indicating actions or situations that have relevance to the present moment, frequently used in discussions about trends and developments.
  • Comparative Structures: "attractive and a top degree in terms of return on investment." Comparisons are pivotal when discussing advantages, particularly in an academic or financial context.

By focusing on these structures, learners can practice forming similar sentences and enhance their overall grammatical range in conversations.

Common Pronunciation Traps

As you practice speaking with this video, be aware of specific pronunciation challenges:

  • International: The difference in syllable stress can often lead to mispronunciation, particularly for learners whose first language does not place stress on syllables in the same manner.
  • Finance: The correct pronunciation emphasizes the second syllable. Practicing this word can help when discussing topics related to economics and business.
  • Investment: This word can be tricky due to its combination of syllables. Focus on segmenting the pronunciation to capture the rhythm accurately.

Utilizing the shadowing technique with these challenging words within the video can significantly aid in properly articulating them in conversation, reducing accent influences. Consider making a recording of your practice sessions to analyze your progress and adjust accordingly. This focused approach will help improve English pronunciation and boost confidence when discussing such topics.

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.

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