Shadowing Practice: HARDWORK & DEDICATION | Words of Inspiration from Cristiano Ronaldo - Learn English Speaking with Video

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Are you the best footballer in the world right now?
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I think so, yes.
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In my mind, I'm always the best.
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I don't care what the people are thinking, what they say.
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In my mind, not just this year, but always, I'm always the best.
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I'm always gonna say that.
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I respect the opinions.
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Maybe in your opinion Messi is better than me, but in my mind I'm better than him.
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For me rival don't exist.
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The means of this world is not...don't exist.
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Rivals is in a war, this is it.
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We have rivals.
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They say everything.
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I don't need to say, "I'm an Easter off football, I'm a legend." The numbers say everything.
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So, this is how I'm very comfortable.
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It's not secrets, there don't exist secrets.
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The secret is dedication and hard work, you know, to be able to work 100 % all the time.
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This is, if it exists, works, this is my secret.
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You have to work.
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I try to do it almost every day.
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This is why I'm in a top level many, many years.
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I think it's not by coincidence.
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because I do it extra outside the pitch.
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When I'm 12 years old, most of the people told me Christian, you are a very, very good talent player.
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But you are very skinny.
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Very slim.
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And I put it in my mind: the body we can improve.
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We can improve, we got gym, dedication and hard work.
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you can improve, so I'm improving myself.
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Athleticism means a lot.
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For me, I think the small details in the hands.
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gonna make a huge difference to compare with the with the other players, so I think it's very important to do this kind of work and I think It's going well on me,
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this is why I'm in good shape almost all the year.
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And I want to carry on like that because it's It's helped me a lot.
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Come on.
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It's part of me.
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I'm not doing that kind of work because I have to.
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It's because it's part of me.
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I don't want to cry about that, but sometimes I think yes.
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Why?
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Why?
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It's a question that I never give 100 % the right answer.
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because sometimes I really don't know.
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Maybe sometimes I agree, maybe I have bad image in the pitch because I'm too serious I take serious.
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But if you really know me, if you are my friend, if you live inside my house, if you share the day with me,
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you will know that I hate to lust.
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The people who call me arrogant, most of them, I like one day to sit with them and to have a shot with them,
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to see which way they see that I am arrogant.
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to speak with me to know who is the real Christian.
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So who is the real Christian?
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Well, I will describe myself like I'm a friend of who is my friend.
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I hate to lose.
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I'm honest.
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I'm the direct person.
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So do you think you pay the price for being too honest?
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Yeah, sometimes yes.
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Definitely yes.
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But this is part of my education.
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I am a very famous player, but you are the true heroes.
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Don't lose your hope.
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The world is with you.
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We care about you.
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I am with you.
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Thank you.
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you

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Context & Background

The video titled "HARDWORK & DEDICATION | Words of Inspiration from Cristiano Ronaldo" features one of the most iconic footballers discussing his mindset and the values that drive his success. Ronaldo speaks candidly about his self-belief and the rigorous dedication required to stay at the top level of his sport. Throughout the dialogue, he emphasizes the importance of hard work and perseverance, which can inspire English learners not only in language acquisition but also in their personal pursuits. By observing his passion and commitment, learners can gain insights into how these traits can be applied to their journey of mastering English.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

Here are five impactful phrases extracted from Ronaldo's dialogue that can be useful for everyday conversations:

  • "In my mind, I'm always the best." - A powerful statement about self-confidence.
  • "The secret is dedication and hard work." - A reminder of the value of effort in achieving one's goals.
  • "I try to do it almost every day." - Emphasizing the importance of consistency.
  • "You can improve, so I'm improving myself." - Encouraging a growth mindset.
  • "I hate to lose." - A strong expression of competitive spirit.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

Using the shadowing technique is an effective way to improve your English pronunciation and fluency. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you tackle the video's content:

  1. Listen Actively: First, watch the video once without interruption. Focus on understanding the overall message instead of individual words.
  2. Segment the Transcript: Break down the transcript into manageable sections. Start with short phrases, such as the ones listed above, to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
  3. Shadow Speech: Play the video again and attempt to mimic Ronaldo as closely as possible. Repeat his phrases immediately after he says them. Pay attention to his intonation and pace.
  4. Record Yourself: After shadowing, record your voice and listen back. This will help you identify areas for improvement in your pronunciation.
  5. Practice Regularly: Integrate this shadowing into your IELTS speaking practice by revisiting the video several times a week. Consistency is vital for improvement.

By applying this structured approach and utilizing the “learn English with YouTube” strategy, you can significantly enhance your English speaking abilities, making learning both fun and effective. Whether you're preparing for the IELTS or simply wish to express yourself more confidently, dedication and hard work will lead to remarkable progress.

Grammar in this video

The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:

StructureIn the video
Superlatives the -est / the most … — the top or bottom of a groupthe best
Present continuous am/is/are + -ing — something happening right now or around noware thinking · I'm improving · I'm not doing
Future with “going to” be going to + verb — a plan or something you can see cominggonna say · gonna make
Future with “will” will + verb — a decision, promise or predictionwill know · will describe

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 →