Shadowing Practice: Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra) [Official Music Video] - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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The End The End The End The End The End The End
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The End The End The End Now and then I think of when we were together
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Like when you said you felt so happy you could die
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I told myself that you were right for me But felt so lonely in your company
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But that was loving to make I still remember
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You can lead a addicted to a certain kind of sadness Like resignation to the end,
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always the end So when we found that we could not make sense Well you said that we would still be friends
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But I'll admit that I was claimed it was over
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But you didn't have to cut me off
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Make it like it never happened the night we were nothing
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And I don't even need your love But you treat me like a stranger and I feel so rough No,
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you didn't have to stop so long Having friends collect your records and you'll change your number.
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You said I need that door.
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Now you're just somebody that I used to know Now you're just somebody that I used to know
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Now you're just somebody that I used to know
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Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over
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But I may believe in it was always something that I'd done
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But I don't wanna live that way Leading into every word you say
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You said that you could let it go
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And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know
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But you didn't have to cut me off Make a look and never happen before we were nothing
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But I don't even need your love But you treat me like a stranger
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and I feel so rough And you didn't have to stop so long
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Having friends collect your records and then change your number and kiss it I don't need that door
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now you're just somebody that I used to know somebody that I used to know I used to know
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I used to that I used to I used to know somebody

Why practice speaking with this video?

Practicing speaking through music videos, like Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know," can be an engaging and effective way to enhance your English skills. Not only does it expose you to natural, conversational English, but the emotional context behind the lyrics provides deeper insights into word usage and intonation. Utilizing a shadowing technique while watching this video allows you to mimic the rhythm and tone of the speakers, which is beneficial for your IELTS speaking practice. As you repeat their phrases, you'll improve your fluency and pronunciation, while also embracing the nuances of emotional expression in their speech.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

Analyzing the lyrics reveals several key grammatical structures and expressions that might be beneficial for your learning:

  • Conditional Statements: The line "You said you could let it go" illustrates how conditional statements can express hypothetical situations and introduce an element of uncertainty.
  • Past Simple and Past Perfect: Phrases like "when we were together" and "I still remember" provide excellent examples of how to discuss past actions and experiences, which is frequently tested in examinations.
  • Emotionally Charged Language: Expressions such as "treated me like a stranger" help to convey feelings, which is important for authentic communication in English. This also enriches your vocabulary related to emotions.

Common Pronunciation Traps

While shadowing the video, pay attention to certain words and sounds that may pose pronunciation challenges:

  • Cut me off: The phrase tends to blend together in casual speech. Listen carefully to how the endings of these words are joined to master the fluidity of the speech.
  • It was always something that I'd done: Notice the elision in "that I'd done," which is important for sounding more natural when you speak.
  • Stranger: The 'str' sound in "stranger" can be tricky for non-native speakers. Ensure that you practice the initial consonant cluster for clear pronunciation.

Using the shadowspeak style for practice can give you a significant advantage. Integrate this shadow speech method into your routine, and you'll not only improve your speaking skills but also gain a better understanding of emotional context and cultural references in English. 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.