Shadowing Practice: 'If people don't like me, that's their loss.' Eileen Gu responds to haters and her dual heritage - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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Here's the thing, I'm not trying to keep anyone happy.
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Here's the thing, I'm not trying to keep anyone happy.
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I'm an 18-year-old girl out here living my best life.
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Like, I'm having a great time, you know?
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It doesn't really matter if other people are happy or not because I feel as though I am doing my best,
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I'm enjoying the entire process,
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and I'm using my voice to create as much positive change
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as I can for the voices who will listen to me in an area that is personal and relevant to myself.
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And so if other people don't really believe that that's where I'm coming from,
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then that just reflects that they do not have the empathy to empathize with a good heart,
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perhaps because they don't share the same kind of morals that I do.
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And in that sense, I'm not going to waste my time trying to placate people who are,
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one, uneducated, and two, probably are never going to experience the kind of joy
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and gratitude and just love that I have the great fortune to experience on a daily basis.
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So yeah, if people don't believe me and if people don't like me,
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then that's their loss.
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They're never going to win the Olympics.
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I definitely feel as though I am just as American as I am Chinese.
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I'm American when I'm in the US and I'm Chinese when I'm in China.
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And I've been very outspoken about my gratitude to both the US and China for making me the person who I am.
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I don't feel as though I'm taking advantage of one
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or the other because both have actually been incredibly supportive of me and continue to be supportive of me
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because they understand that my mission is to use sport as a force for unity,
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to use it as a form to foster interconnection between countries,
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and not use it as a divisive force.
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So that benefits everyone, and if you disagree with that,
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then I feel like that's someone else's problem.
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Thank you.

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Why practice speaking with this video?

This video featuring Eileen Gu is a prime example of authentic conversation that encompasses personal experience and cultural identity. By practicing with this video, you will engage with a young, vibrant voice that expresses thoughts and feelings clearly. This context allows you to improve not only your speaking skills but also your ability to articulate opinions on complex topics such as identity, culture, and self-acceptance.

Using this video for practice enhances your understanding of how to convey emotions and principles effectively. Eileen's confident and assertive tone can inspire you to find your voice in English. Moreover, the blend of personal stories and social commentary serves as excellent material for those learning English with YouTube, as it allows for rich discussions and a deeper grasp of various English expressions. Using the shadow speak method, you can replicate her impactful speaking style, letting it resonate with your own thoughts.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

In the video, Eileen employs several grammatical structures and expressions that can serve as useful models for learners:

  • "If people don't like me, that's their loss." - This conditional structure is a great way to express a cause-and-effect relationship. It emphasizes the sentiment of self-worth and independence.
  • "I'm using my voice to create as much positive change as I can." - The present continuous tense here reflects ongoing actions and intentions, which can be vital for learners aiming to convey their active roles in situations.
  • "I definitely feel as though..." - This phrase indicates a strong opinion and certainty. Practice using similar structures to express your viewpoints more convincingly.
  • "I don't feel as though I'm taking advantage of one or the other." - This phrase offers insight into using formal structures that express balance and fairness, useful in a range of discussions.

Common Pronunciation Traps

When learning English, especially from a video like this, awareness of pronunciation is crucial. Here are common traps and tips to enhance your speaking:

  • "Empathy" - Pay attention to the pronunciation of this term. It may challenge many learners due to its emphasis on the middle syllable.
  • "Supportive" - The pronunciation can be tricky because of the double "p." Make sure to clearly articulate the "sup" and "port" parts to avoid slurring.
  • "Gratitude" - A common word used for expressing thankfulness, learners often mispronounce it by rushing. Break it down as "grat-i-tude" to ensure clarity.

Practicing with this transcript using a shadowspeak technique can significantly improve not just your pronunciation but also your confidence in speaking English fluently. Embrace the nuances of the language and enjoy the learning journey!

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.

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