Shadowing Practice: Giving blood so that life can go on | Vietnam Today - Learn English Speaking with Video

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For our next story, on the occasion of June 14th, which marks World Blood Donor Day, we're spotlighting Chen Văn Phu,
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who is an officer with Hòa Liukh Comin Police in Cần Thơ City, who has made blood donation his 17-year commitment.
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And since his first donation as a university student, he has given blood more than 100 times, earning him Vietnam's National Volunteer Award in 2025.
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And so on this World Blood Donor Day, we take a closer look and celebrate his inspiring journey.
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I donated blood for the first time when I turned 18, joining a blood donation campaign organized by my school.
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Doctors and volunteers claim the benefits of donating blood, and I have continued ever since.
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Every time I donate, I think that I may be having saved someone's life, a patient who is in need of blood.
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Among his daily work document, Fuster carefully keeps the blood donation cards he has collected over the years, what started as a volunteer activity,
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gradually became a regular part of his life.
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Beyond scheduled blood donation tries, he has also responded many times when hospitals needed emergency blood donations for patients.
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Because I donate blood regularly, hospitals keep my records and know that my health is suitable for donation.
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Whenever there is an urgent case, they often contact me.
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There have even been patients who travel hundreds of kilometers for emergency treatment.
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Trang Phu doesn't keep a diary or take photos, but he keeps his journey with a blood donation card like this.
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Every card represents one donation and every donation gives another patient a chance.
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It is a story that does not need many words to be told, but through years of dedication, these acts of kindness have earned respect and recognition from the community.
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Fu's commitment to blood donation is a truly meaningful act.
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It reflects the spirit of a police officer and serves as a positive example within the People's Public Security Force.
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His actions help inspire others to take part as well.
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Whenever there is a need for blood or platelets, no matter where it is, he is always willing to help.
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Some values cannot be measured by numbers.
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They are reflected in the joy of helping others and in the impact left behind through the acts of kindness.
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Knowing that my blood can help save lives brings me happiness.
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I will continue donating until doctors no longer need my help or until I am no longer eligible to donate.
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Youth passes quickly, so we should do things that we will never regret.

About This Lesson

In this lesson, learners will focus on enhancing their English speaking skills through a captivating story of Chen Văn Phu, a dedicated blood donor in Vietnam. The transcript showcases the noble act of blood donation and highlights the emotional and community aspects of this selfless service. By engaging with this content, learners can practice their listening skills, improve vocabulary related to altruism and health, and gain insights into how personal stories can motivate collective action. As you watch the video, you will learn how to effectively use the shadowing technique to mimic speech patterns, pronunciation, and intonation.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Blood donation - The act of giving blood for transfusion to patients in need.
  • Volunteer - A person who offers to do something without pay.
  • Emergency - A serious, unexpected situation requiring immediate action.
  • Commitment - A promise or dedication to a cause or activity.
  • Recognize - To acknowledge or give special attention to someone’s contribution.
  • Health suitability - The assessment of whether a person is fit enough to donate blood.
  • Journey - A passage or process through which someone evolves or grows, often used metaphorically.
  • Acts of kindness - Behaviors that show generosity or concern for others.

Practice Tips

To maximize your learning experience from this video, consider using the shadowing technique. This method involves listening to the audio while simultaneously repeating what you hear. Make use of resources like a shadowing app to record your voice and analyze your pronunciation. Start by playing the video at a slower speed to catch every word, then gradually increase the speed as you become more comfortable. Try to mimic Chen Văn Phu's tone and enthusiasm, especially when he expresses the joy of helping others. This can significantly boost your fluency and confidence in speaking English.

Additionally, pay attention to the emotional undertones in the narration. Emphasizing the right words will help convey your message more effectively. Remember, as you learn English with YouTube, the practice of shadow speech not only improves your linguistic skills but also enhances your ability to connect with others on a deeper level. Happy practicing!

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.