Shadowing Practice: I Just can't sleep - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This B2 speaking lesson is built on the video “I Just can't sleep”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: sleep, insomnia, tried. This video has 24 sentences and 332 words to shadow. The speech runs for 1:52. The speaker talks at a natural 177 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.
Key vocabulary in this video
The 15 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| insomnia noun | /ɪnˈsɒmniə/ | A sleeping disorder that is known for its symptoms of unrest and the inability to sleep. |
| frustrate verb | /ˈfɹʌsˌtɹeɪt/ | To disappoint or defeat; to vex by depriving of something expected or desired. |
| herbal adjective | /ˈɝbəl/ | Made from or with herbs. |
| hypnosis noun | /hɪpˈnəʊ.sɪs/ | A trancelike state, artificially induced, in which a person has a heightened suggestibility, and in which suppressed memories may be experienced. |
| shatter verb | /ˈʃætɚ/ | To violently break something into pieces. |
| terrify verb | /ˈtɛɹɪfaɪ/ | To frighten greatly; to fill with terror. |
| addict noun | /ˈæd.ɪkt/ | A person who is addicted, especially to a harmful drug. |
| exhaust verb | /ɪɡˈzɔst/ | To draw or let out wholly; to drain completely. |
| stressful adjective | /ˈstɹɛsfəl/ | Irritating; causing stress. |
| meditation noun | /mɛdɪˈteɪʃn̩/ | A devotional exercise of, or leading to, contemplation. |
| adapt verb | /əˈdæpt/ | To make suitable; to make to correspond; to fit or suit. |
| borrow verb | /ˈbɑɹ.oʊ/ | To receive (something) from somebody temporarily, expecting to return it. |
| pill noun | /pɪl/ | A small, usually round or cylindrical object designed for easy swallowing, usually containing some sort of medication. |
| awake verb | /əˈweɪk/ | To become conscious after having slept. |
| yoga noun | /ˈjoʊ.ɡə/ | Any of several Hindu or Buddhist disciplines aimed at training the consciousness for a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquillity; especially a system… |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| get back to verb | Return to (an activity) | |
| go round verb | To physically swirl or rotate. | |
| wake up verb | /ˌweɪk ˈʌp/ | To stop sleeping; to awake. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- That's a typical night for me.
- Money's also a huge worry for me.
- I've tried nearly everything to cure my insomnia.
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 13 contractions and reduced forms, such as I've, I'm, don't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: shatter /ˈʃætɚ/, meditation /mɛdɪˈteɪʃn̩/
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 insomnia, frustrate, herbal.
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.