Shadowing Practice: If I Had to Learn English Again… I'd Do This - Learn English Speaking with Video
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If you feel bad at English, it's probably not because you're bad at it.
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It's because you haven't used it enough in real life.
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Maybe you understand English, you watch videos, you recognize words, but when you want to speak, nothing comes out.
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Or you start a sentence and then you stop.
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And that's the moment when people think, I'm just not good at English.
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But that's not the problem.
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The problem is you've been learning English passively listening reading watching
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but not using it
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and honestly it's something I see all the time people who know a lot of English
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but don't feel confident using it hi I'm Monica
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and this is just saying the channel that helps you feel confident speaking English in real life
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I'm actually on a little holiday right now in a really beautiful place surrounded by nature
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and it's made me reflect a little so I wanted to share this with you.
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A lot of people think they need more grammar, more vocabulary, more time but in reality all they need is to start speaking.
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If I had to learn English again I would start speaking from day one.
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Not perfectly, not even confidently at first, just speak.
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Because the truth is you don't really learn a language by understanding it.
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You learn it by using it.
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So if you have any opportunity to speak English, use it.
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Don't wait until you feel ready.
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Don't worry that you don't have enough words and don't be embarrassed.
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So if you want to start using more English, here are a few simple techniques I recommend.
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First, speak to other people in English, if you can.
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And even if it's just a short conversation every day.
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It could be a friend, a colleague at work, or someone online.
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There are also so many apps now where you can talk to someone in English.
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Second, instead of texting, just try sending voice notes.
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It's easier and it forces you to speak.
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And don't worry
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if it's not perfect third create a small english moment every day it could be just two minutes
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or five minutes trust me it will make a difference just you thinking speaking revising watching short english videos
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and finally number four and probably the most powerful one try thinking in english
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because then you make your english more active and words come easier
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when you actually speak
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and the way to practice it is very simple just speak
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english to yourself describe what you're doing just narrate your day even simple things like i'm making my favorite coffee
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or i need to go to the shop
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and buy other list of things in english
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so for example right now i could describe what i'm doing
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i'm sitting in a hammock in this beautiful place i'm on holiday surrounded by nature it's
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so quiet and there are trees everywhere from time to time i can hear birds
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and i'm just thinking in english as I relax.
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And this is exactly how you practice.
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Nothing complicated, just simple thoughts in English.
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You don't need perfect English.
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You just need active English.
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And you don't become a confident speaker by waiting.
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You become confident by doing it.
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Even if it's not perfect, even if it feels a little uncomfortable at first, just try at least one of those techniques to start using English today
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and tell me in the comments what's the one thing you will say
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or do in English today thanks for watching
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if you learn something new today please like this video
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and let me know in the comments subscribe
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if you'd like to see more videos like this one every week
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and follow me on social media for more tips on speaking fluent English bye
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This video has 55 sentences and 632 words to shadow. The speech runs for 4:02. The speaker talks at a natural 157 words per minute, close to everyday conversation. 91% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is easy to follow.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| technique noun | /tɛkˈniːk/ | The practical aspects of a given art, occupation etc.; formal requirements. |
| surround verb | /səˈɹaʊnd/ | To encircle something or simultaneously extend in all directions. |
| complicated adjective | /ˈkɑm.plɪˌkeɪ.tɪd/ | Difficult or convoluted. |
| reflect verb | /ɹɪˈflɛkt/ | To bend back (light, etc.) from a surface. |
| relax verb | /ɹɪˈlæks/ | To make something loose. |
| uncomfortable adjective | /ʌnˈkʌm.fɚ.tə.bl̩/ | Not comfortable; causing discomfort. |
| grammar noun | /ˈɡɹæm.ə(ɹ)/ | A system of rules and principles for the structure of a language, or of languages in general. |
| embarrassed adjective | /ɪmˈbæɹ.əst/ | Having a feeling of shameful discomfort. |
| subscribe verb | /səbˈskɹaɪb/ | To write (one’s name) at the bottom of a document; to sign (one's name). |
| colleague noun | /ˈkɒliːɡ/ | A fellow member of a profession, staff, academic faculty or other organization; an associate, a workmate. |
| vocabulary noun | /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/ | A usually alphabetized and explained collection of words e.g. of a particular field, or prepared for a specific purpose, often for learning. |
| fluent adjective | /ˈfluənt/ | That flows; flowing, liquid. |
| confidently adverb | /ˈkɑnfɪdəntli/ | In a confident manner; with confidence; with strong assurance; positively. |
| hammock noun | /ˈhæmək/ | A swinging couch or bed, usually made of netting or canvas about six feet (1.8 meters) wide, suspended by clews or cords at the ends. |
| narrate verb | /ˈnæɹeɪt/ | To relate (a story or series of events) in speech or writing. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| come out verb | /ˌkʌm ˈaʊt/ | To be discovered; to be revealed. |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 22 contractions and reduced forms, such as don't, I'm, you're. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- Long words — get the stress right: complicated /ˈkɑm.plɪˌkeɪ.tɪd/, uncomfortable /ʌnˈkʌm.fɚ.tə.bl̩/, vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/, confidently /ˈkɑnfɪdəntli/
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 technique, surround, complicated.
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.