Shadowing Practice: Financial success is a marathon, not a sprint - 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 “Financial success is a marathon, not a sprint”. This video has 13 sentences and 133 words to shadow. The speech runs for 1:32. The speaker talks slowly, about 86 words per minute, so there is time to copy every sound.
Key vocabulary in this video
The 15 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| comfort noun | /ˈkʌm.fət/ | Contentment, ease. |
| initiative noun | /ɪˈnɪʃ.ə.tɪv/ | A beginning; a first move. |
| invest verb | /ɪnˈvɛst/ | To spend money, time, or energy on something, especially for some benefit or purpose; used with in. |
| punch noun | /pʌnt͡ʃ/ | A hit or strike with one's fist. |
| asset noun | /ˈæsɛt/ | A thing or quality that has value, especially one that generates cash flows. |
| climb verb | /ˈklaɪ̯m/ | To traverse a slope or contour, either upwards (ascending) or downwards (descending). |
| marathon noun | /ˈmæɹəθən/ | A 42.195-kilometre (26-mile-385-yard) road race. |
| sprint noun | /spɹɪnt/ | A short race at top speed. |
| allocation noun | /ˌæl.əˈkeɪ.ʃən/ | The process or procedure for allocating things, especially money or other resources. |
| obstacle noun | /ˈɑbstəkəl/ | Something that impedes, stands in the way of, or holds up progress, either physically or figuratively |
| weighting noun | The weight or significance given to something, sometimes by means of a statistical multiplier. | |
| laugh verb | /læf/ | To show mirth, satisfaction, or derision, by peculiar movement of the muscles of the face, particularly of the mouth, causing a lighting up of the face and… |
| bond noun | /bɑnd/ | A document constituting evidence of a long-term debt, by which the bond issuer (the borrower) is obliged to pay interest when due, and repay the principal at… |
| sing verb | /ˈsɪŋ/ | To produce musical or harmonious sounds with one’s voice. |
| retirement noun | /ɹəˈtaɪə(ɹ).mənt/ | An act of retiring; withdrawal. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| step forward verb | to take one or more steps forward, especially in response to a request for identification |
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 | be made · will be broken · be noticed |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 3 contractions and reduced forms, such as don't, isn't, we're. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: initiative /ɪˈnɪʃ.ə.tɪv/, allocation /ˌæl.əˈkeɪ.ʃən/, formation /fɔːˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/
- Long words — get the stress right: initiative /ɪˈnɪʃ.ə.tɪv/, allocation /ˌæl.əˈkeɪ.ʃən/
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 comfort, initiative, invest.
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.