Shadowing Practice: How to Use the Socratic Method (for Dialogue, Debate and Critical Thinking) - Learn English Speaking with Video

How to use the Socratic method.

The Socratic method is a process of dialogue based on questioning that inspires critical thinking and analysis.

Primarily, the method was designed for moral and philosophical inquiry, but the technique can be used in almost any discussion.

It helps to structure constructive and even challenging conversations without descending into argument or pure rhetoric.

Here are the five steps to follow to have a Socratic dialogue.

Number one, receive.

First, receive what the other person has to say.

Listen to the other person's premise, view or argument.

And remember, you have to properly listen at this stage to be able to do the next step.

Two, reflect.

Sum up the person's viewpoint or argument and reflect it back.

Do this by first getting them to clarify and sum up their position, and then by paraphrasing or repeating it back to them.

Three, refine.

Ask them to provide their evidence.

Find out why they are thinking or acting in that way.

Discover the facts, beliefs, or assumptions that underpin their standpoint.

Often the premise will be based on assumptions rather than hard facts.

Assumptions are fine, but challenge these assumptions to test their validity use further questions to uncover fallacy

or any wrong presuppositions you can often use why questions at this stage to help with this four restate

now that you have refined your thinking get them to reformulate

and restate their position if they see

that they had a wrong assumption get them to adapt

or renew their wording

and then restate it five repeat now they have a new

viewpoint you can go back to the start of the process you can assess the new premise

and challenge any further wrong assumptions in their thinking this iterative

or dialectic process helps to drill down to the core of the issue this method becomes a cycle of dialogue and

that's it simple the question technique framework is easy to remember and the This skill comes in applying it.

The challenge is to really listen to the other person

and truly commit to coming to a better shared understanding of the issue.

This may come through challenging assumptions or logical viewpoints, but the goal of the Socratic method is not about winning an argument,

it is about finding understanding, knowledge and truth.

It's about getting to the heart of an idea.

If you'd like more detail on this or similar subjects, then please do follow the links or head over to the website

which is www .therightquestions .co and if you found this helpful please do like and subscribe.

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72 sentences

Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

This video has 35 sentences and 434 words to shadow. The speech runs for 2:52. The speaker talks at a natural 151 words per minute, close to everyday conversation. 82% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start.

Key vocabulary in this video

15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
assumption noun	/əˈsʌm(p).ʃ(ə)n/	The act of assuming, or taking to or upon oneself; the act of taking up or adopting.
dialogue noun	/ˈdaɪəˌlɑɡ/	A conversation or other form of discourse between two or more individuals.
premise noun	/ˈpɹɛm.ɪs/	A proposition antecedently supposed or proved; something previously stated or assumed as the basis of further argument; a condition; a supposition.
viewpoint noun	/ˈvjuː.pɔɪnt/	The position from which something is observed or considered
technique noun	/tɛkˈniːk/	The practical aspects of a given art, occupation etc.; formal requirements.
reflect verb	/ɹɪˈflɛkt/	To bend back (light, etc.) from a surface.
primarily adverb	/ˈpɹaɪ.mə.ɹə.li/	Of a primary or central nature, first and foremost.
belief noun	/bɪˈliːf/	Mental acceptance of a claim as true.
moral adjective	/ˈmoɹəl/	Of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behaviour, especially conforming to principles of rectitude.
helpful adjective	/ˈhɛlp.fl̩/	Furnishing help; giving aid; useful.
skill noun	/skɪl/	A capacity to do something well; a technique, an ability, usually acquired or learned, as opposed to abilities that are regarded as innate.
discover verb	/dɪˈskʌvə/	To find or learn something for the first time.
commit verb	/kəˈmɪt/	To give in trust; to put into charge or keeping; to entrust; to consign; used with to or formerly unto.
framework noun	/ˈfɹeɪm.wɜːk/	A support structure comprising joined parts or conglomerated particles and intervening open spaces of similar or larger size.
inquiry noun	/ɪnˈkwaɪ(ə)ɹi/	The act of inquiring; a seeking of information by asking questions; interrogation; a question or questioning.

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Word	Meaning
sum up verb	To produce a total by adding.
come through verb	To come into a room or other space through a door or passageway.
find out verb	To discover, as by asking or investigating.
go back to verb	To stem from; to originate in.

Pronunciation to watch

The “sh” and “zh” sounds: assumption /əˈsʌm(p).ʃ(ə)n/, presupposition /pɹiː.sʌ.pəˈzɪ.ʃ(ə)n/
Long words — get the stress right: primarily /ˈpɹaɪ.mə.ɹə.li/, inquiry /ɪnˈkwaɪ(ə)ɹi/, philosophical /ˌfɪl.əˈsɑ.fɪ.kl̩/, validity /vəˈlɪd.ɪ.ti/, iterative /ˈɪt(ə)ɹətɪv/

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 assumption, dialogue, premise.

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 →

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