Shadowing Practice: Get motivated! | Dr. Olivia Remes - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
1
Hi everyone, I'm Dr. Olivia Reams and you've heard me talk in the past about how to overcome procrastination, how to get motivated, and there's one tip that I would like to share with you.
2
Oftentimes, as I've said before, perfectionism gets in the way.
3
We want to do something really well.
4
We aim for a very high standard, but all of this bogs us down, it slows us down, and it can make us feel like we are grinding to a halt.
5
and what people oftentimes tell me is
6
that they try to do something well they try to do it good
7
but what I say to
8
that is don't try to be good try to be better try to be better than the person
9
that you were a few moments ago try to be better when it comes to whatever area of your life
10
so think about what is important to you in life what is important to you when it comes to work
11
when it comes to relationships, when it comes to your social life.
12
And in each of those areas, don't try to be good, try to be better.
13
I would love to share more tips with you and I'm
14
so excited that we're on this journey together and I will be making more YouTube videos.
15
If you have requests for specific topics, specific questions that you want me to answer, then please put everything down below.
16
And if you enjoy the content that I've got in mind on well-being, you know, such as tips for tackling anxiety,
17
for becoming more resilient, for overcoming procrastination and becoming motivated, then hit the subscribe button, give this video a like,
18
and I'm looking forward to seeing you next time.
19
See you later, everyone.

About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will enhance your English speaking skills through the motivational insights of Dr. Olivia Remes. By focusing on the concepts of self-improvement and overcoming perfectionism, you will practice using the English language in an encouraging context. This lesson is designed to help you articulate your thoughts on motivation and personal growth, crucial topics that resonate in both everyday conversations and formal IELTS speaking practice. The goal is to make you more confident in expressing your ideas while improving your language fluency.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Perfectionism - The desire to achieve flawlessness, which can impede progress.
  • Procrastination - The act of delaying or postponing tasks.
  • Motivation - The process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors.
  • Resilience - The ability to recover quickly from difficulties.
  • Self-improvement - The process of becoming a better version of oneself.
  • Better, not good - A mindset focused on personal growth rather than unattainable perfection.
  • Journey - A pathway toward achieving personal goals or growth.

Practice Tips

To make the most of your practice, consider using a shadowing app to listen to Dr. Remes' speech and then repeat what you hear in real-time. This technique enhances pronunciation and helps you internalize the rhythm and intonation of English. Start by playing the video at a slower speed to familiarize yourself with the vocabulary and phrases, especially those related to motivation and self-improvement. Once you feel comfortable, gradually increase the speed to mirror Dr. Remes' natural speaking pace.

When shadowing, focus on mimicking not just the words but the emotional tone as well. Note how Dr. Remes emphasizes key phrases that inspire action; this will help you convey meaning effectively in your speaking practice. Strive for clarity in your articulation as you practice speaking about common themes in the IELTS speaking exam, such as personal development or challenges.

Additionally, engage with a shadowing site that encourages interaction and feedback. Ask yourself questions about motivation while practicing; for instance, "What areas of my life do I want to improve?" This self-reflective practice will not only enhance your vocabulary but also deepen your conversational skills, making you more articulate during your English discussions.

Through consistent shadow speech practice, you will improve your fluency and confidence while discussing important topics in English!

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.