Shadowing Practice: How to create your dream reality - Learn English Speaking with Video
Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This B2 speaking lesson is built on the video “How to create your dream reality”. This video has 383 sentences and 4637 words to shadow. The speech runs for 23:24. The speaker talks fast, about 198 words per minute, so expect linked and reduced sounds. 87% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is easy to follow.
Key vocabulary in this video
The 15 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| wizard noun | /ˈwɪzɚd/ | Someone, usually male, who uses (or has skill with) magic, mystic items, and magical and mystical practices. |
| embarrass verb | /ɪmˈbæɹəs/ | To disrupt someone's composure or comfort with acting publicly or freely. |
| mindset noun | /ˈmaɪn(d)ˌsɛt/ | A way of thinking; an attitude or opinion, especially a habitual one. |
| cringey adjective | /ˈkɹɪnd͡ʒi/ | Characterised by causing feelings of embarrassment; embarrassing. |
| unlearn verb | /ʌnˈlɝn/ | To discard the knowledge of. |
| unlucky adjective | /ʌnˈlʌki/ | Unfortunate, marked by misfortune. |
| perfection noun | /pɚˈfɛk.ʃən/ | The quality or state of being perfect or complete, so that nothing substandard remains; the highest attainable state or degree of excellence. |
| strive verb | /ˈstɹaɪv/ | To try to achieve a result; to make strenuous effort; to try earnestly and persistently. |
| consistency noun | /kənˈsɪs.tən.si/ | Local coherence. |
| embarrassed adjective | /ɪmˈbæɹ.əst/ | Having a feeling of shameful discomfort. |
| drain noun | /dɹiːn/ | A conduit allowing liquid to flow out of an otherwise contained volume; a plughole (UK) |
| heal verb | /ˈhiːl/ | To make better from a disease, wound, etc.; to revive or cure. |
| podcast noun | /ˈpɑdˌkæst/ | A program, especially an audio program, produced on a regular basis, delivered over the Internet in a compressed digital format and designed for playback on… |
| spaceship noun | A manned vehicle that flies through space. | |
| manifest noun | /ˈmæn.ɪ.fɛst/ | A list or invoice of the passengers or goods being carried by a commercial vehicle or ship. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| look up to verb | To show respect or admiration for (someone); to see (someone) as a role model. | |
| write down verb | To produce or set (something) down in writing; to record something. | |
| come back verb | To return to a place. | |
| go out verb | To leave, especially a building. | |
| calm down verb | To become less excited, intense, or angry. | |
| end up verb | To bring to a conclusion. | |
| fall down verb | /fɔl ˈdaʊn/ | To fall to the ground. To collapse. |
| grow up verb | To mature and become an adult. |
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | was not born · are inspired · are given |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | have realized · has taught · i've told |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 146 contractions and reduced forms, such as you're, I'm, don't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “th” sounds: empathic /ɛmˈpæθɪk/, ethic /ˈɛθ.ɪk/, thankful /ˈθæŋkfəl/, authentic /ɔˈθɛn.tɪk/, pathetic /pəˈθɛtɪk/
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: perfection /pɚˈfɛk.ʃən/, passionate /ˈpæʃənɪt/, socialize /ˈsoʊʃəlaɪz/, delusional /dɪˈluːʒənəl/, rash /ɹæʃ/
- Long words — get the stress right: consistency /kənˈsɪs.tən.si/, bulimia /bjuˈlimi.ə/, delusional /dɪˈluːʒənəl/, manipulate /məˈnɪp.jʊ.leɪt/, millionaire /ˌmɪl.i.əˈnɛə(ɹ)/
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 wizard, embarrass, mindset.
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.






























