Shadowing Practice: How to Stop Negative Self-Talk | Level B1 | English shadowing - Learn English Speaking with Video

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How to stop negative self-talk Have you ever said to yourself,
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I'm not good enough, or I can't do this?
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If you have, you're not alone.
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Many people experience negative self-talk.
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These are the small, critical voices in our heads that tell us we are not smart, not capable, or not worthy.
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Negative self-talk can hurt our confidence and stop us from trying new things.
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But here's the good news.
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We can learn how to stop it.
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First, we need to recognize when we're doing it.
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Sometimes, we speak badly to ourselves without even noticing.
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We might make a small mistake and immediately say, I'm so stupid.
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But would we say that to a friend?
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Probably not.
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So, why say it to ourselves?
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The first step to change is being aware Listen to your inner voice When you hear something negative,
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pause and think Is this thought true?
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Is it helpful?
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Second, we should try to replace negative thoughts with kinder ones For example,
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instead of saying, I always fail Try saying, I didn't do well this time, but I can try again Instead of,
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I look terrible, try, I'm doing my best and that's okay.
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Changing the way we talk to ourselves takes time, but it really works.
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Kind words help us feel stronger and more positive.
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Another useful idea is to talk to yourself like you would talk to a close friend.
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Imagine your best friend feels sad or unsure.
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You would probably say, don't be too hard on yourself, or you did great.
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So next time you feel down, try speaking to yourself in the same kind way.
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Give yourself support, not criticism.
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Also, writing in a journal can help.
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At the end of the day, write down your negative thoughts.
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Then, try to write more positive responses next to them.
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This will help you see your thinking more clearly and slowly change your mindset.
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Over time, this becomes a helpful habit.
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Sometimes, negative self-talk comes from past experiences, like someone being unkind to us or us failing at something before.
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But remember, the past doesn't define you.
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Everyone makes mistakes.
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Mistakes are part of learning.
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What matters is how you grow from them, not what went wrong.
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Finally, try to surround yourself with positive people.
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The people around us can affect the way we see ourselves.
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When we hear encouragement from others, it becomes easier to believe in ourselves too.
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To stop negative self-talk, we must be patient and gentle with ourselves.
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It's okay to have bad days.
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It's okay to feel down sometimes.
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But we should always remind ourselves that we are trying, we are learning, and we are enough.
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So the next time that little voice in your head says, You can't, answer back with, Yes, I can.
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I'm trying my best, and that's what matters.
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Thank you for listening, and remember, Your thoughts shape your feelings, and your feelings shape your life.
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Be kind to yourself, always.

About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will practice recognizing and overcoming negative self-talk, an important skill for building your confidence. The video teaches you how to change the way you speak to yourself, transforming self-criticism into self-compassion. You'll learn effective methods to replace harmful thoughts with positive affirmations, allowing you to improve your mindset. By using the shadowing technique, you’ll mirror the speaker to enhance both your listening and speaking skills as you internalize these valuable lessons.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Negative self-talk - Critical thoughts we express to ourselves that undermine our confidence.
  • Replace - To change something for another; in this context, changing negative thoughts for positive ones.
  • Support - Encouragement given to oneself, similar to what you might offer a close friend.
  • Journal - A personal record, where you can write your thoughts and feelings to reflect on them.
  • Mindset - The established set of attitudes held by someone; a key element for growth.
  • Encouragement - Words or actions that motivate and uplift someone.

Practice Tips

To make the most out of this shadowing practice, first find a quiet space where you can fully concentrate. Use a shadowing app or a simple video player to replay sections of the lesson. Start by listening carefully to how the speaker delivers the content. Focus on the tone and rhythm of their voice as you follow along. Repeat phrases out loud, imitating the speaker's speed and emotion.

This video is delivered at a comfortable pace, ideal for learners at the B1 level. Don't hesitate to pause the video after key sentences, allowing yourself time to echo the shadow speech before proceeding. This technique helps reinforce your understanding and pronunciation skills. Remember, the goal is not just to mimic but to internalize the kind messages being shared. The more you practice, the more natural your positive self-talk will become.

Incorporate these exercises into your routine and try to reflect on your own negative thoughts in a journal afterward. Write down what you hear, along with your thoughtful, kinder responses. This habit will help you apply the principles discussed while improving your English speaking skills. As you progress, you’ll find that the challenges of learning English can be conquered with a positive, encouraging mindset. So, get started on your journey to learn English with YouTube and empower yourself through constructive self-talk!

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.