Shadowing Practice: How to learn English as an adult? 0 to fluency (Resources, Methods and Study Plans) - Learn English Speaking with YouTube
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hey guys welcome to the new video If you're like me, someone who studied English at school but never really spoke it and wants to pick up or improve your English as an adult, this video is for you.
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hey guys welcome to the new video If you're like me, someone who studied English at school but never really spoke it and wants to pick up or improve your English as an adult, this video is for you.
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My name is Zoe, and I'm a polyglot who can speak 7 languages.
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Chinese is my mother tongue I've never been to an international school or lived in an English-speaking country. I did quite well in English at school in China, but I couldn't speak it fluently. I realized that our learning system was very focused on vocabulary and grammar but lacked practice, which led to the phenomenon known as , we say in Chinese "哑巴英语", we say we can understand, but just can't speak.
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Then, I noticed that my friends from France, Iran, Turkey, Japan, Italy, or other countries had the same problem. When I was doing my master's degree in France, I realized that if I wanted to have a more international academic career in the future, I needed to speak English fluently. So, I set a goal for myself: to be fluent in English before starting my Ph.D. program. I made a self-learning plans and improved my English in one year. Now, I'm happy to be able to write and present conferences confidently in English. to be honest My English isn't perfect, but I understand the struggles of learning or relearning English as an adult outside of the school system. I've built up my own list of learning resources, effective methods, and study plans, which I will be sharing with you guys today.
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Let's get straight into the video! First,I would recommend testing yourself to evaluate your current level before beginning to study English.
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Many people are already familiar with English to some extent.
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Being aware of your own level can help you identify the most appropriate learning materials and methods. There are a lot of online resources available for self-testing, including the Cambridge Test.
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You can also use the app "EnglishScore" from the British Council to take a 30-minute test.
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What you should focus on before jumping into speaking exercises, were: Correcting the pronunciation Building up the vocabulary Reviewing grammar points Pronunciation Pay attention! There is a difference between pronunciation and accent.
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Pronunciation refers to the way letters are pronounced, including individual sounds and intonation. On the other hand, accent refers to the way people speak, which can vary depending on the region and background.
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It's important to have clear pronunciation when speaking English because it makes it easier for others to understand what you're saying.
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Sometimes people judge someone's English level only based on whether they can speak like a native or with a "native accent." This is not fair because there are various English accents, even in the UK or the US, There are different accents in different regions!
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so Remember, the goal of language learning is effective communication.
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If you can convey your meaning clearly and be understood, you're already on the right track.
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To improve your pronunciation, you can check out videos like this one for a more British pronunciation or this one for a more American accent.
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Personally, I've watched about two short videos per day to fix my pronunciation. I used to pronounce everything like in French, such as "festival" and "structure" If you're not sure about the pronunciation of a word, dictionaries like Reverso or even Google Translate have audio recordings available.
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One tip: I always note down the phonetic symbols for future reference.
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For vocabulary, I don't recommend memorizing a bunch of words without understanding how to use them, like we used to do in China.
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We used to have long vocabulary lists and had to repeat and memorize 50 words per day, then use spaced repetition to review them. This method was super boring, overwhelming, and ineffective. Learning words in context is the best way to go. There are a lot of Anki or Quizlet decks with examples and pronunciation available. All you need to do is set a goal, such as learning 10 to 20 new words per day. You can also use an app like Busuu, which offers well-structured lessons for different levels.
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The great thing is that they have real people speaking in videos.
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Most of the activities use flashcards and mini-lessons on English phrases, vocabulary, and grammar. Another thing I like about Busuu is that they break language learning into chunks. You just need to stick to your daily learning routine, for example, 30 minutes in the morning or 15 minutes taking public transport.
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This is completely applicable even if you have a full-time job. If you're interested in Busuu, please check out the link in the description box.
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To combine pronunciation and vocabulary exercises, you can listen to videos of essential word pronunciations while driving or walking. Grammar I've noticed that some of my friends can speak English but they still make basic grammar mistakes, such as incorrect verb conjugation. Actually, fixing these mistakes is not difficult.
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All you need to do is to put “fixing one grammar point” per day in your program.
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You can use “Essential Grammar in Use ” by Cambridge to do grammar exercises.
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I used to do one lesson per day with this book.
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Or websites like the British Council, which offer online exercises such as this one for A1-A2 level grammar Another helpful resource is the "6 Minute Grammar" podcast, which I used to listen to every day on my way to the gym.
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You can also study with one grammar video per day on the channel like “BBC Learning Enlgish”, “English with Lucy” or “Speak English With Vanessa” taking notes and creating sentences on your own.
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The key is to incorporate these activities into your daily routine and make sure to do them every day.
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Here are two sample study plans for reference.
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Intermediate B1-B2 ok now If you feel that your grammar is still too weak, you can integrate grammar exercises with "English Grammar in Use" into your learning routine.
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i even found a free related Anki Deck Besides the basic exercises I mentioned before, for this level, please focus more on listening and speaking These two skills are often overlooked in school systems.
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Most schools focus on grammar and writing which can cause problems later on when it comes to scoring high on tests or understanding what someone is saying without being able to speak. The best exercise to improve your speaking and listening skills is shadowing. Shadowing is an exercise where you listen to someone speaking and repeat what they're saying in real-time.
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It's a really effective way to develop a better ear for the language and build muscle memory for correct pronunciation and intonation. and you can do it alone To practice shadowing, you can start by finding videos or podcasts with the accent and content you like. You can break the recording down into smaller segments and repeat each segment several times before moving on to the next one.
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If you have watched my other videos, you must know that I have listened to a BBC lecture podcast and shadowed a couple of paragraphs every day.
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I used a total of six months to finish shadowing all the episodes.
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During the first listening, I printed the script and highlighted the pronunciation mistakes I always make with phonetic symbols. During the second listening, I repeated what the speaker was saying as closely as possible, pausing and repeating sentence by sentence.
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During the third listening, I repeated right after the speaker, matching their rhythm, intonation, and stress patterns. The point of this exercise is to do it less but consistently, only 15 minutes per day. After several weeks, you will see obvious improvement. You can find a channel you like, such as “BBC Learning English”. You can also discover their podcast, which has a lot of great content! Shadow one video per day.
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You can learn vocabulary and grammar, it´s a win-win exercise.
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If you’ve ever wanted to learn English by watching TV, the channel “Learn English with TV Series” might be your perfect channel. The presenters show clips from famous English language TV series, and explain the expressions, words and technical vocabulary.
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Another great channel for this level is is "To Fluency", its channel for people who are interested in language learning strategies. His video speed and content are great to do shadowing exercises. You can start to find a tandem partner to practice speaking with. Apps like Tandem or HelloTalk are great to connect with native English speakers. Aim for at least two study sessions per week, not less than 30 minutes per session. I assume you have built up a large vocabulary count and a good grasp of basic to intermediate grammar.
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I suggest integrating more TV shows, series, movies, and music on YouTube or Netflix.
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There's a large variety of choices, and this is the easiest resource to obtain I personally like science fiction and documentaries. how about you At this level, you may still need subtitles, but you should be able to understand most of the things. You can use the Reverso add-on to check and save new vocabulary from the subtitles. Another awesome way to practice speaking and reading is to use lyrics apps. You can sing along with your favourite songs. a bit like karaoke Another new way to practice your English is to chat with "the Chat GPT." One tip is to give Chat GPT the order to correct your grammar mistakes while you chat. It's better to set a topic every time you practice, but I personally prefer to talk to real humans - it's still different.
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Here are two study plans for reference. Advanced C1 to C2 For this level, all you need to do is immerse yourself in English. Read, write, speak, and listen as much as possible. Step out of your comfort zone and don't settle for basic conversations or simple topics. If you need academic English like I do, you can check out the book "Academic Vocabulary in Use." You can also find a more advanced level vocabulary list on Anki or Quizlet.
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I still recommend doing the shadowing exercise, but this time with more complex topics.
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One channel I highly recommend is TED Talks, where you can find presentations by experts in many fields. You can find TED Talks on science, philosophy, self-help, education, and much more. For this level, you don't need to pause sentence by sentence. Just repeat after the speaker to gain fluency.
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Another good tip is to record a one-minute video of yourself talking about a topic.
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For example, after watching a TED video, you can make a video discussing your opinion on this topic. The great thing about this exercise is that you can check the mistakes you make in detail and focus on them the next time.
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Another platform I recommend is Coursera. It partners with universities and other organizations around the world to offer high-quality courses and programs.
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The courses are typically structured as a series of video lectures, reading materials, and assignments. It's the best way to train all your English skills, and you can also learn vocabulary and information in the field you're interested in. you guys know I'm a big fan of documentaries.
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Here are the documentary channels I recommend: For listening, in addition to all kinds of radio, you can listen to audiobooks. Choose contents that you really enjoy.
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Recently, I've been using Audible and listening to "The Language Instinct" by Steven Pinker.
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For reading and writing, I highly recommend "The Economist." It has a very high level of English writing, and you can also read the articles out loud or use the "Read Out Loud" add-on to listen to the text.
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Keep up the healthy habit of highlighting new words and adding them to your study sets.
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A good writing practice for this level is to write a summary of your conclusions about the article or book you read. Write about what you thought and how it made you feel. You can even write criticism if you have any!
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I also like "The Economist" YouTube channel and podcast.
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They are the best resources to practice listening and gain advanced vocabulary.
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Here are two study plans for reference. This is the end of the video. I have shared everything I have accumulated over the past years, and I hope that they are helpful for you. It's a way to show you the whole picture of the journey and offer you useful tools.
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The rest is up to you! Time to take action guys!
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I would be happy if you feel motivated and have a clearer vision for your English learning after watching this video. If you found this video helpful, don't forget to give it a thumbs up, share it, and subscribe. If you have any questions, please write them in the comments, and I will do my best to answer them!
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Why practice speaking with this video?
Practicing speaking is crucial for anyone looking to learn English as an adult. This video provides an authentic context for improving your speaking skills through personal experiences and recommendations. By engaging with the content, you not only gain insights into effective methods but also immerse yourself in the dynamic exchange of ideas. This conversational style fosters a more natural and confident way to express your thoughts, which is essential for fluency in English. Engaging with this material can also be a valuable addition to your IELTS speaking practice, allowing you to better understand how to articulate your ideas under exam conditions.
Grammar & Expressions in Context
The speaker, Zoe, utilizes various key structures that are particularly beneficial for learners. Here are a few noteworthy examples:
- Conditionals: Zoe often discusses hypothetical situations, such as, "If I wanted to have a more international academic career..." This structure is vital for expressing possibilities and making plans.
- Present Perfect Tense: Usage like "I have watched about two short videos per day" helps convey ongoing actions and experiences, crucial for discussing language learning progress.
- Imperatives: Zoe frequently offers advice through commands such as "set a goal" and "focus on pronunciation." This format is direct and encourages active participation from the learner.
- Descriptive Language: She uses descriptive phrases to paint a clear picture, e.g., "real people speaking in videos." This can enhance your vocabulary and understanding of context.
By analyzing how these structures operate within the context, learners can effectively integrate them into their own speech, making their conversations more engaging and fluid.
Common Pronunciation Traps
Improving pronunciation is essential when practicing shadow speech techniques. Zoe highlights some common challenges, especially for non-native speakers. Here are a few tricky words and tips to help you:
- Festival and structure: These words can be difficult, especially when influenced by the native language. Utilize phonetic symbols to practice correct sounds.
- Accent vs. Pronunciation: Zoe emphasizes the importance of having clear pronunciation rather than aiming for a specific accent. Understanding the difference can relieve pressure and enhance clarity in communication.
- Phonetic Resources: Tools like dictionaries that provide audio can be invaluable. Make use of these to ensure you're practicing the correct sounds as you refine your English.
Incorporating these elements into your shadowing practice will significantly enhance both your speaking confidence and articulation. By consistently repeating after proficient speakers, you will notice an improvement in fluency and pronunciation accuracy—key aspects of mastering the shadowing technique.
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.
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