Shadowing Practice: HIMYM - Every one has gaps - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This speaking lesson is built on the video “HIMYM - Every one has gaps”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: chameleon, tussle, pole. This video has 37 sentences and 309 words to shadow. The speech runs for 1:54. The speaker talks at a natural 163 words per minute, close to everyday conversation. Only 75% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding. 9 of its 37 sentences are questions, so it is good practice for question intonation and short answers.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| pole noun | /pəʊl/ | Either of the two points on the earth's surface around which it rotates; also, similar points on any other rotating object. |
| pronounce verb | /pɹəˈnaʊns/ | To declare formally, officially or ceremoniously. |
| gap noun | /ɡæp/ | An opening in anything, made by breaking or parting. |
| alongside | /əˌlɔŋˈsaɪd/ | Side by side with. |
| pizza noun | /ˈpi.tsə/ | A baked Italian dish of a thinly rolled bread crust typically topped before baking with tomato sauce, cheese, and other ingredients such as meat or vegetables. |
| suck verb | /sʌk/ | To use the mouth and lips to pull in (a liquid, especially milk from the breast). |
| recall verb | /ɹɪˈkɔl/ | To withdraw, retract (one's words etc.); to revoke (an order). |
| fundamental adjective | /ˌfʌn.dəˈmɛn.təl/ | Related to a foundation, base, or basis; serving as a foundation. |
| pretend verb | /pɹəˈtɛnd/ | To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance. |
| robin noun | /ˈɹɑ.bɪn/ | A European robin, Erithacus rubecula. |
| candy noun | /ˈkæn.di/ | Crystallized sugar formed by boiling down sugar syrup. |
| habit noun | /ˈhæb.ɪt/ | An action performed on a regular basis. |
| homework noun | /ˈhoʊmˌwɝk/ | Exercises assigned by a teacher to a student which review concepts studied in class. |
| brutal adjective | /ˈbɹuːtəl/ | Savagely violent, vicious, ruthless, or cruel, often in an unintelligent manner. |
| architect noun | /ˈɑɹ.kɪˌtɛkt/ | A professional who designs buildings or other structures, or who prepares plans and superintends construction. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| break up verb | To break or separate into pieces. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- Come on, I don't have any gaps that fundamental.
- That's how I've always pronounced it.
- You want to tussle?
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 | have been · I've learned · I've always pronounced |
| Present continuous am/is/are + -ing — something happening right now or around now | you're going · i'm going |
| Future with “going to” be going to + verb — a plan or something you can see coming | gonna be |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 15 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, don't, gonna. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- Long words — get the stress right: fundamental /ˌfʌn.dəˈmɛn.təl/, architectural /ˌɑɹkɪˈtɛkt͡ʃəɹəl/, congratulate /kənˈɡɹæd͡ʒ.ʊˌleɪt/, chameleon /kəˈmi.li.ən/, biologist /baɪˈɒləd͡ʒɪst/
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 pole, pronounce, gap.
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.