Shadowing Practice: FUN FOR FLYERS 4TH - UNIT 1D - PAGE 7 - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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1D.
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Hello again.
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Listen and look at the picture.
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There is one example.
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Is that your new game, Robert?
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Yes.
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But it's quite difficult to play.
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But you're really good at computer games.
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Not always.
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Shall I teach you how to play it?
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Okay, yes What's it called?
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Silver Moon.
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Can you see the answer?
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Now you listen and write.
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So, it's a new game.
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When did you get it?
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It was my birthday last Friday.
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My grandparents gave it to me when they came to see me that day.
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I really love it.
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Let me see.
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Can you play it with another person?
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Yes, my brother and I played it a lot yesterday.
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We had lots of fun with it.
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But he always wants to win.
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Ha!
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So, who's that alien?
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The one on the screen.
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It's called Zappy.
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You spell that Z -A -Z.
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Double P Y.
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There's a website, too, where you can choose other aliens to add to the game.
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Wow!
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Its faces are funny color green.
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Is its body green too?
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Yes, but its feet are orange.
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Look!
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OK, so what happens in the game?
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The alien hops from one place to another and you've got to give it food.
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because it gets tired.
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It collects socks from different places.
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What do you mean?
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It loves socks.
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It takes them from washing lines in people's gardens and puts them in its backpack.
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It likes socks that are any colour, but red ones are its favourite.
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Hmm...
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I don't think I want to play it, Robert.
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Skateboarding is much more exciting

Why practice speaking with this video?

This engaging dialogue featuring Robert and his new game offers an excellent opportunity for English learners to practice speaking in a relatable context. By discussing topics like games and family interactions, students can improve their conversational skills while enjoying the content. In particular, the scenario encourages learners to express opinions, ask questions, and share personal experiences, which are vital components of fluency.

Utilizing a shadowing app can enhance this practice. By mimicking the speakers' intonation and pronunciation, you can solidify your understanding of the language. Moreover, using a shadowing site or incorporating shadow speech techniques in this video allows for an interactive learning experience. You can listen to Robert’s excitement about his game and emulate his delivery, boosting your confidence when discussing similar topics in English.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

The transcript is rich with useful grammatical structures and expressions that can be applied in everyday conversations. Here are a few key examples:

  • “Can you see the answer?” - This phrase uses the modal verb can to ask for permission or ability, a common structure in English.
  • “What’s it called?” - This expression is a direct way to inquire about the name of something, showcasing how to make questions about unfamiliar subjects.
  • “He always wants to win.” - This sentence includes the adverb always, which modifies the verb, providing insight into habits or repeated actions.
  • “It loves socks.” - Simple present tense is used here to describe general truths, which is fundamental for learners to master.

By understanding these expressions, learners can better articulate their thoughts and engage in discussions about entertainment and hobbies, which are often relatable subjects.

Common Pronunciation Traps

While practicing with this video, pay attention to elements of pronunciation that might pose a challenge. Words like “zappy” and “collects” might be tricky due to their vowel sounds and consonant blends. Emphasizing the correct pronunciation will improve your clarity when speaking.

Additionally, the names of colors, such as “green” and “orange,” can also present difficulties for non-native speakers, particularly in differentiating the vowel sounds. Practicing these through repeated listening and speaking within a shadow speech framework can help solidify your pronunciation skills.

Remember, taking advantages of resources like shadowspeaks can lead to significant improvements in your spoken English, making your practice sessions both enjoyable and effective.

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.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →