Shadowing Practice: Get ready for Starters track 12 ,13 - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Listening Twelve Listen and read, then act.
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One How many brothers have you got?
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I've got one brother.
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What's his name?
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His name's Tom.
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Two How old is he?
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He's seven.
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Three And you've got a dog, too.
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What's his name?
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Bouncer.
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Hello, Bouncer.
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Four.
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Yes, Tom and Bouncer are my friends.
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Now listen again.
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listening 12 listen
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and read then act one how many brothers have you got i've got one brother what's his name his name's tom
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two how old is he he's seven And you've got a dog, too.
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What's his name?
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Bouncer.
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Hello, Bouncer.
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Yes, Tom and Bouncer are my friends.
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Listening 13.
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Listen and write a name or a number.
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Has Sam got a brother?
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No, he hasn't.
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No brothers?
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Oh.
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But he's got two sisters.
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How many?
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Two.
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Yes, there's Jill.
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How do you spell Jill?
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J -I -L -L.
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And how old is she?
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She's twelve.
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Twelve?
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Yes, and then there's Kim.
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Kim.
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How do you spell Kim?
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Oh, that's K -I -M.
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Thanks.
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And how old is she?
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Oh, she's a baby.
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A baby?
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Yes.
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Oh.
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But Sam's got a cat.
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Oh, what's the cat's name?
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It's Chippy.
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That's a funny name.
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How do you spell it?
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C -H -I -double -P -Y I like cats.
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Yes, I do too.
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Now listen again.
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Listening 13.
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Listen and write a name or a number.
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Has Sam got a brother?
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No, he hasn't.
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No brothers?
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Oh.
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But he's got two sisters.
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How many?
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Two.
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Yes, there's Jill.
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How do you spell Jill?
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J -I -L -L.
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And how old is she?
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She's twelve.
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Twelve?
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Yes.
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And then there's Kim.
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How do you spell Kim?
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Oh, that's K -I -M.
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Thanks.
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And how old is she?
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Oh, she's a baby.
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A baby?
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Yes.
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Oh.
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But Sam's got a cat.
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Oh, what's the cat's name?
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It's Chippy.
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That's a funny name.
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How do you spell it?
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C -H -I -double -P -Y I like cats.
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Yes, I do too.

Why This Video Is Perfect for Boosting Your Speaking Skills

This video is a goldmine for English learners—its short, conversational dialogues mirror real-life interactions, making it easy to pick up natural rhythm and tone. The simple, repetitive structure focuses on everyday questions like "How many brothers have you got?" and "What's his name?"—exactly the phrases you’ll use in daily chats. Plus, the mix of listening and speaking practice helps you connect what you hear to how you speak, a key step in fluency. Whether you’re new to English or refining basics, this clip turns "practice" into "progress" in minutes.

Breaking Down Natural Speech: 3 Phrases That Sound Like a Native

Let’s unpack why the dialogue feels so authentic. First, "I've got one brother" uses the casual "got" instead of "have," which is how most people speak in real life—formal "I have one brother" works, but "I've got" sounds friendlier. Next, "He's seven" drops the "years old" for brevity; native speakers often shorten age statements, so mastering this makes you sound more natural. Finally, "That's a funny name" uses "that's" instead of "it is," a common contraction that keeps conversations flowing. These small tweaks are what separate "textbook English" from "real-world English."

Your 5-Minute Practice Routine: Master the Shadowing Technique

Ready to speak like the dialogue? Try this shadowing technique loop: Play a 5-second clip, pause, and repeat it out loud immediately, mimicking the tone and speed. Do this 3 times for each line—focus on matching the speaker’s rise and fall (intonation) when asking questions like "What's his name?" For extra practice, use a shadowing app or shadowing site to record yourself; comparing your version to the video helps spot gaps. This "shadowspeak" method trains your brain to think and speak in English simultaneously, turning slow, awkward sentences into smooth, confident speech. In a week, you’ll notice your responses feel faster and more natural—no memorization required!

Remember: Every time you repeat a line, you’re building muscle memory for real conversations. Start small, stay consistent, and watch your skills soar.

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 →