Shadowing Practice: I vlogged my 18th Birthday! - Learn English Speaking with Video

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269 sentences

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Guys, I have gotten so, so sick.

It is 11 .58.

It's okay, it's my birthday.

Look how cute my mom got me.

Oh, you got two sod bags!

It's a sour sod!

Okay, well, it tastes pretty much the same.

I got this top from Arryptia, and then these are my mom's jeans.

And then I got these shoes.

I'm going to visit

Bella and Kai in Miami.

guys look who made it to my birthday dinner hi guys welcome to this week's video

this week it is my birthday as you can hear i'm super super sick

but whatever you're gonna watch me get my hair blown out with my mom try a new starbucks drink um

i'm basically what i did on my actual birthday day

and then that night we got to dinner

and then you'll also get to watch some clips of me going over to Miami um

and then you'll reroute back to me the day after my birthday

so you get to see day before my birthday my birthday

day after my birthday with a little bit of Miami in there before we get into the video go ahead

and like the video and then hit the subscribe button

and hit the notification button too so

that you can see me again next week with another video

if you haven't already also go follow my other social medias you can follow my tiktok

or my instagram let's just get right into the video guys i have gotten

so so sick this is unbelievable it is august 25th right now my birthday is tomorrow

and i have been in bed all day so far

and i'm in

so much pain my chest hurts i'm like nasally

i just like shot this stuff up my nostrils

i can't stop coughing i've gone through box of tissues my mom made me soup

because she's an angel

but like it's of course of course i get sick the day before my birthday like naturally

but we still have plans for tomorrow hopefully i'm feeling a little bit better um me

and my mom are gonna wake up

and get some coffee I'm hoping to get the pumpkin cream chai from Starbucks

because like obviously I want to try it it just came out

and then we're going to get our hair blown out we always get blouse for like special occasions

and I love blouse they make me feel so pretty

and then I have class so I'm gonna do class for an hour

and a half and then get ready because we have dinner and I have a feeling heavy suspicion that

Kai is gonna drive up from Miami to Palm Beach to go to dinner with me

and my family for my birthday I had the idea randomly just came to me

that like I can decide on my first word to say when I turn 18 like

when I wake up or if I just stay up what is like my first word as an adult gonna be

i'm gonna post a little tiktok on my spam account

and have you guys pick what word i say i'm gonna go post

that and see what word you guys select to be my first word as an adult

okay guys it is 11 58 i set an alarm for my alexa

so it goes off and then i will just

say my word your guys's comments i've i didn't love many of them

but the one

that i was like okay like i could vibe with this like there was a few i liked like nutella

and there were some that were just like positive like words

that i thought were good

if like nutella is very mean it's like it's a little stupid

but you know like i i love that like it's 11 59

so in a couple seconds my alarm will go off and then we'll say our word

nutella i feel like that's how you know

you're really like reaching maturities like that's what i chose to be my first word like i thought

that was just like it's so deep and mature

but anyways i'm super sick and i'm super tired and i'm exhausted

so now i'm 18 years old yay 18 years of life completed

but i'm gonna go to bed now

because i'm really not feeling well i'm exhausted i took a nyquil

and i'm i'm ready to just get some rest honestly

so i'll see you guys in the morning for my birthday day good morning everybody

i know i look like crab

but it's okay it's my birthday look how cute my mom

got me let me show you she got balloons with pink and then she got me a card, some candies and stuff.

I've been talking about those Fruity Pebbles all week.

And then two gifts and a card.

I'm very excited.

I kind of want to peek.

Oh.

Hello? So cute.

Thank you, guys.

You're welcome.

No, let's see.

We have peeks.

So that's Mia.

Mia picked that for you.

This one?

Awesome.

And the Kindergarten. So good.

Thank you for the Fruity Pebbles.

It's a special location.

okay let's see oh well the rabbits

oh look at these these

that's a cute is it pants or shorts sure perfect thank you mama what is this

oh it's a sod bag

so pretty oh you guys know i love my bees bags look how pretty this one is it's pink oh

so pretty oh thanks guys i love it oh you got two sod bags they're so cute

hey guys ignore how rough i look we are going to get our hair done we're going to get our blowouts

Very exciting.

I'm going to leave looking nice and pretty.

And then we are going to try the pumpkin cream chai.

Right?

Pumpkin cream chai.

100

I remember that being my favorite fall drink last year.

101

So I'm excited to get it again this year.

102

And yeah, I'll update after our blowouts.

103

Okay, my hair is done.

104

It's blown out nice and straight.

105

How's your hair?

106

and now we're gonna zip through the starbucks um drive through and get a pumpkin cream chai

107

and then i have glass okay we just got

108

it it does not look like how i remember it too

109

i feel like usually it's like the cold foam on top is the orange stuff

110

and then it's like a normal chai something went wrong here

111

but we're we're gonna i guess

112

it's like already stirred in it's not even like cold foam

113

it wasn't good no no it's good it's good i'm just like i wanted you to try

114

and i feel really bad that i took a sip oh i don't care really

115

that does not appeal to me at all okay well

116

it tastes pretty much the same my hair was like okay like whatever it's straight

117

and nice it's really nice on the bottoms

118

but like up here like she was like brushing like like outwardly like like this

119

and now the ones on like they go like

120

that like i'm gonna have to fix that

121

when i get home i'm complaining so much

122

but okay i'm starting to get ready for dinner my closet is such a mess so

123

when i show you guys my outfit don't don't look back

124

there nobody make fun of me i don't want to see this in a tiktok later okay

125

so i got this top from aritzia and then

126

these are my mom's jeans and then i got these shoes to match the top i thought they were fun

127

now i have to do my makeup look my mom also spoiled me she got me um a makeup palette

128

because i've been needing one honestly and she has this one

129

and i steal it all the time

130

so she bought it for me isn't she so kind tripping with tart oh crap oh

131

guys this weekend I did go to Miami to visit

132

Kai and Bella um I was initially planning on recording it

133

but then I slowly realized like there really wasn't

134

that much to record like I I was more there just to see them and hang out with them.

135

Like there wasn't that much of a recordable stuff for you,

136

but I can show you the clips of me getting on a train and going there by myself.

137

Insert those clips.

138

Okay, it's my 18th birthday weekend.

139

So to celebrate, I'm going to visit

140

Bella and Kai Miami and I'm catching a train by myself.

141

You know, like I am technically, technically an adult now so I should be able to do this just fine.

142

I can definitely do this.

143

I did it in Italy and it was quite the experience so I imagine it can't be.

144

Oh there's literally no like attendance.

145

I just scanned my ticket.

146

I don't want to look like a crazy person talking to myself so I'm going to listen to this.

147

But I'm in the Lousers.

148

I'm waiting.

149

So my train will be called and then I'll go down and board to Gdadi.

150

Alright, I'm waiting for the train to pull up.

151

Just waiting by the train on track.

152

Okay guys, arrived to Miami and now I'm trying to find the exit.

153

Okay, down.

154

Kai is picking me up.

155

okay guys i'm in guy's apartment very fun i just had some breakfast i had an omelet

156

which was yummy with spinach and feta and a pistachio flavored latte very good

157

but last night we just went and got dinner

158

and now today i'm kind of on my own i'm like liking miami

159

but it is so freaking hot like I don't know how it got

160

so much hotter from where we live to Miami like genuinely

161

I sweat through every single shirt I've worn since getting here it's insane

162

and I have to straighten my hair every morning

163

and it still frizzes up like crazy but it's fine like other than

164

that I'm honestly having fun here like I enjoy Miami

165

and like a new city so I'm obviously ecstatic like for when school starts.

166

I'm giving my makeup like, it's so, so, so simple.

167

Damn.

168

Hello.

169

Oh wait, what was my first meal this morning?

170

The first thing I ate, it was my pumpkin cream chai.

171

My first like consumed item as an adult, Starbucks pumpkin cream chai.

172

you know what i really need to do guys is i really need to tan i've been so pale lately

173

and it's summer and i somehow like still didn't pick up the tan oh crap i didn't do my bottom lash

174

you know what i'm really dreading is that we're gonna go to dinner

175

and they're gonna sing me happy birthday i hate being

176

so happy birthday i literally feel like such an awkward child

177

like i don't know what to do like you just like sit down like

178

modern things it feels so weird

179

that was like my one request of my birthday

180

i was like please no cake no singing like you can get me a dessert

181

but just verbally say happy birthday like we're not saying

182

that out in public at the restaurant and then like random people join in

183

and the waiters sing like i can't i get so shy

184

and embarrassed it honestly kind of takes a lot to embarrass me but that really does it

185

i just freaking broke my lip liner bro bro bro

186

and i literally never do the sides of my mouth here

187

because i feel like they already go like pretty deep like they already finish really deep

188

But then today I was like, you know what, freak it.

189

Like, I'm just gonna, I'm an adult now.

190

I'm gonna freaking line my lips all the way to the edge.

191

Apparently a huge mistake.

192

And then we're just gonna do Aquaphor.

193

All right, chat.

194

We're pulling up to dinner now.

195

We're almost there.

196

Very exciting stuff.

197

Guys, look who made it to my birthday dinner.

198

Oh, our table's ready.

199

Let's go.

200

And she got me Kinder Bueno.

201

Thank you.

202

All right, guys.

203

So we're here at dinner.

204

I want to show you all what

205

Kai drew for me inside the car.

206

It's very nice.

207

Oh.

208

Okay, there we go.

209

Okay, here we are.

210

So that's me pulling Emma.

211

Whenever we walk in crowds, I feel like

212

Emma's always so slow behind me.

213

So I'm pulling Emma.

214

I'm not.

215

You just like to run.

216

I'm pulling Emma.

217

And then that's the heart I drew.

218

That's me, and then that's Emma.

219

Why do I have like a lock of hair?

220

Like one lock?

221

And why is yours curly?

222

And why are you like in a split?

223

No, there's me walking.

224

I never passed art.

225

That's so good.

226

No, that is so good.

227

Thank you so much.

228

Thank you so much.

229

Wishing you the happiest on your birthday and in all the years ahead.

230

Wow!

231

I was friends with freaking Picasso over here. So good.

232

Now let me read the letter.

233

We got some croissant over here.

234

We got some tuna tartare.

235

We got some jambon.

236

okay i'm home it's the next day dinner was

237

great i loved it so nice to see kai so nice that she came back for my dinner

238

and i'm still morbidly sick

239

but something i want to tell you okay first day being 18

240

you guys want to see a step of maturity i took okay you remember how messy the closet was yesterday

241

boom fixed it i mean it's it's definitely not perfect actually like looking at it like i have

242

so much clothes i could get rid of like

243

so much like this clothes goes back all the way to like middle school

244

that I just like haven't been able to get rid of.

245

Like I'm low -key a little bit of a hoarder like I can't let go of stuff.

246

I also reorganized my like the top half of my shelving here which is like the bookshelf.

247

I like reorganized it the other day and just like so organized lately.

248

Here I also want to give you guys an up close of the bags from yesterday

249

because I didn't really like put them in detail before here's the navy one it's like

250

so pretty guys come on it's

251

so pretty i love this is the other one this one it's

252

so me like like it's so me it's so pretty right

253

and then i found some like red beads on my bed

254

so i have a feeling that it like broke somewhere i just i'm not sure where

255

but i found like eight red beats on my oh is this it this is it i found it

256

one of the little petals is broken that sucks but anyway isn't it gorgeous

257

okay we're doing the amazing thing guys we're making a bowl of broody pebbles honestly we're going cereal first

258

then i'm going in with my milk here

259

perfect i mean take a look at that it's amazing majestic

260

i haven't had that in like over a year

261

so good hey guys i do want to wrap up the video now i'm

262

so sick i need to get some rest sorry

263

that this wasn't a longer video

264

but don't worry i'm gonna go try to be back on my normal posting schedule starting this week

265

and i'm gonna say love you all thank you

266

so much for watching if you haven't already go ahead

267

and like the video and subscribe to my channel

268

and hit the notification button so you can see me again next week

269

i will see you all with the next video love you so much goodbye

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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

This speaking lesson is built on the video “I vlogged my 18th Birthday!”. This video has 269 sentences and 2643 words to shadow. The speech runs for 17:36. The speaker talks at a natural 150 words per minute, close to everyday conversation. Only 81% 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
pumpkin noun	/ˈpʌm(p).kɪn/	A domesticated plant, in species Cucurbita pepo, similar in growth pattern, foliage, flower, and fruit to the squash or melon.
clip noun	/klɪp/	Something which clips or grasps; a device for attaching one object to another.
lately adverb	/ˈleɪt.li/	Recently; not long ago; of late; not long since.
alarm noun	/əˈlɑɹm/	A summons to arms, as on the approach of an enemy.
shoe noun	/ˈʃu/	A protective covering for the foot, with a bottom part composed of thick leather or plastic sole and often a thicker heel, and a softer upper part made of…
closet noun	/ˈklɑzɪt/	A small room within a house used to store clothing, food, or other household supplies.
technically adverb	/ˈtɛk.nɪˌkəl.i/	Based on precise facts, which, however, may be contrary to common belief or casual terminology.
jeans noun	/d͡ʒiːnz/	A pair of trousers made from denim cotton.
subscribe verb	/səbˈskɹaɪb/	To write (one’s name) at the bottom of a document; to sign (one's name).
notification noun	/ˌnoʊtɪfɪˈkeɪʃn̩/	The act of notifying.
maturity noun	/məˈtjʊəɹɪti/	The state of being mature, ready or ripe; the prime state of productibility and self expression.
exhaust verb	/ɪɡˈzɔst/	To draw or let out wholly; to drain completely.
foam noun	/ˈfɔʊ̯m/	A substance composed of a large collection of bubbles or their solidified remains, especially
peek verb	/piːk/	To look slyly, or with the eyes half closed, or through a crevice; to peep.
ignore verb	/ɪɡˈnɔː/	To deliberately not listen or pay attention to.

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
blow out verb		To extinguish something, especially a flame, especially by means of a strong current of air or another gas.
go ahead verb	/ˌɡoʊ əˈhɛd/	To proceed with; to begin.
go off verb		To explode.
wake up verb	/ˌweɪk ˈʌp/	To stop sleeping; to awake.
come out verb	/ˌkʌm ˈaʊt/	To be discovered; to be revealed.
go back verb		To return to a place or state after having been there at a previous time.
go down verb		To descend; to move from a higher place to a lower one.
go in with verb		To commit to something with; to partner with.

Sentences worth repeating

Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:

It's okay, it's my birthday.
I'm going to leave looking nice and pretty.
Alright, I'm waiting for the train to pull up.
We're pulling up to dinner now.
Why do I have like a lock of hair?

Grammar in this video

The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:

Structure	In the video
Present perfect continuous have/has been + -ing — an action that started earlier and is still going on	I've been talking · i've been needing
Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now	have gotten · have been · i've gone
Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it	will be called · is broken
Present continuous am/is/are + -ing — something happening right now or around now	I'm hoping · i'm complaining · i'm starting

Pronunciation to watch

The speaker uses 129 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, gonna, we're. Say them the short way, as you hear them.

The “sh” and “zh” sounds: shoe /ˈʃu/, notification /ˌnoʊtɪfɪˈkeɪʃn̩/, occasion /əˈkeɪ̯ʒən/, tissue /ˈtɪʃ.(j)u/, brush /bɹʌʃ/
Long words — get the stress right: technically /ˈtɛk.nɪˌkəl.i/, notification /ˌnoʊtɪfɪˈkeɪʃn̩/, maturity /məˈtjʊəɹɪti/, naturally /ˈnæt͡ʃ.(ə.)ɹə.li/, genuinely /ˈd͡ʒɛn.ju.ɪn.li/

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 pumpkin, clip, lately.

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 →

Shadowing Practice: I vlogged my 18th Birthday! - Learn English Speaking with Video

Choose a practice mode

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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

Key vocabulary in this video

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Sentences worth repeating

Grammar in this video

Pronunciation to watch

How to practise with this video

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing Practice: I vlogged my 18th Birthday! - Learn English Speaking with Video

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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

Key vocabulary in this video

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Sentences worth repeating

Grammar in this video

Pronunciation to watch

How to practise with this video

What is the Shadowing Technique?

what’s in my backpack 2026 📓✏️ sophomore year