Shadowing Practice: Greatest of All Time - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This B2 speaking lesson is built on the video “Greatest of All Time”. This video has 16 sentences and 204 words to shadow. The speech runs for 1:19. The speaker talks at a natural 156 words per minute, close to everyday conversation. 82% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start.
Key vocabulary in this video
The 12 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| pretend verb | /pɹəˈtɛnd/ | To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance. |
| angel noun | /ˈeɪ̯n.d͡ʒəl/ | An incorporeal and holy or semidivine messenger from a deity or other divine entity, traditionally depicted as a youthful, winged figure in flowing robes. |
| pray verb | /pɹeɪ/ | To direct words, thoughts, or one's attention to a deity or any higher being, for the sake of adoration, thanks, petition for help, etc. |
| rip verb | /ɹɪp/ | To divide or separate the parts of (especially something flimsy, such as paper or fabric), by cutting or tearing; to tear off or out by violence. |
| rage noun | /ɹeɪd͡ʒ/ | Violent uncontrolled anger. |
| champ verb | /t͡ʃæmp/ | To bite or chew, especially noisily or impatiently. |
| drown verb | /dɹaʊn/ | To die from suffocation while immersed in water or other fluid. |
| crave verb | /kɹeɪv/ | To desire strongly, so as to satisfy an appetite; to long or yearn for. |
| repent verb | /ɹɪˈpɛnt/ | To feel pain, sorrow, or regret for what one has done or omitted to do; the cause for repenting may be indicated with "of". |
| stump noun | /stʌmp/ | The remains of something that has been cut off; especially the remains of a tree, the remains of a limb. |
| jump verb | /d͡ʒʌmp/ | To propel oneself rapidly upward, downward and/or in any horizontal direction such that momentum causes the body to become airborne. |
| replace verb | /ɹɪˈpleɪs/ | To restore to a former place, position, condition, etc.; to put back. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| get away verb | To move away (from). |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- Don't pretend to be okay when you're not okay.
- Don't pretend to be happy when you're sad.
- I'll forever be the other thing in my life.
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | should've heard · should've kept |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 19 contractions and reduced forms, such as don't, I'll, I'm. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like pretend, angel, pray.
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.