Shadowing Practice: I Made an EMP Device... It Actually Works - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This video has 19 sentences and 1414 words to shadow. The speech runs for 11:42. The speaker talks at a steady 121 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. Only 74% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| coil noun | /kɔɪl/ | Something wound in the form of a helix or spiral. |
| voltage noun | /ˈvəʊltɪd͡ʒ/ | The difference in electrostatic potential between two points in space, especially between live and neutral conductors or the earth. |
| circuit noun | /ˈsɝ.kɪt/ | The act of moving or revolving around, or as in a circle or orbit; a revolution |
| wire noun | /ˈwaɪɚ/ | Metal formed into a thin, even thread, now usually by being drawn through a hole in a steel die. |
| output noun | /ˈaʊtpʊt/ | Production; quantity produced, created, or completed. |
| parallel adjective | /ˈpæ.ɹəˌlɛl/ | Equally distant from one another at all points. |
| pulse noun | /pʌls/ | A normally regular beat felt when arteries near the skin (for example, at the neck or wrist) are depressed, caused by the heart pumping blood through them; the… |
| generate verb | /ˈd͡ʒɛn.ə.ɹeɪt/ | To bring into being; give rise to. |
| generator noun | /ˈdʒɛnəɹeɪtə(ɹ)/ | An apparatus in which vapour or gas is formed from a liquid or solid by means of heat or chemical process, as a steam boiler, gas retort etc. |
| shield noun | /ˈʃild/ | A broad piece of defensive armor, held in hand, formerly in general use in war, for the protection of the body. |
| spark noun | /ˈspɑɹk/ | A small particle of glowing matter, either molten or on fire, resulting from an electrical surge or excessive heat created by friction. |
| gate noun | /ˈɡeɪ̯t/ | A doorlike structure outside a house. |
| electricity noun | /ɪˌlɛkˈtɹɪsɪti/ | Originally, a property of amber and certain other nonconducting substances to attract lightweight material when rubbed, or the cause of this property; now… |
| solve verb | /sɒlv/ | To find an answer or solution to a problem or question; to work out. |
| coat noun | /ˈkoʊ̯t/ | An outer garment covering the upper torso and arms. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| pick up verb | To lift; to grasp and raise. |
| pass through verb | To go through, to travel through, to transit or lie across a place or from one place to another. |
| stick out verb | To protrude. |
| wipe up verb | To dry utensils, dishes etc. that have been washed. |
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 | are made · is charged · is left |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | haven't insulated · I've built |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 14 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, can't, don't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “th” sounds: thick /θɪk/, thread /ˈθɹɛd/, mathematics /mæθ(.ə)ˈmæt.ɪks/
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: shield /ˈʃild/, ratio /ˈɹeɪ.ʃoʊ/, crucial /ˈkɹuː.ʃəl/, measurement /ˈmɛʒ.ə.mənt/, unleash /ʌnˈliʃ/
- Long words — get the stress right: generator /ˈdʒɛnəɹeɪtə(ɹ)/, electricity /ɪˌlɛkˈtɹɪsɪti/, electronics /ɪˌlɛkˈtɹɑ.nɪks/, naturally /ˈnæt͡ʃ.(ə.)ɹə.li/, mathematics /mæθ(.ə)ˈmæt.ɪks/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like coil, voltage, circuit.
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.












