Shadowing Practice: Improve your English with this study PLAN: Elementary to Intermediate - Learn English Speaking with Video
Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This speaking lesson is built on the video “Improve your English with this study PLAN: Elementary to Intermediate”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: English, example, learning, learn, grammar. This video has 146 sentences and 1499 words to shadow. The speech runs for 11:39. The speaker talks at a steady 129 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 83% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| grammar noun | /ˈɡɹæm.ə(ɹ)/ | A system of rules and principles for the structure of a language, or of languages in general. |
| skill noun | /skɪl/ | A capacity to do something well; a technique, an ability, usually acquired or learned, as opposed to abilities that are regarded as innate. |
| tutor noun | /ˈtjuːtəː/ | One who teaches another (usually called a student, learner, or tutee) in a one-on-one or small-group interaction. |
| lesson noun | /ˈlɛs.ən/ | A section of learning or teaching into which a wider learning content is divided. |
| intermediate adjective | /ɪn.tə(ɹ)ˈmi.di.ət/ | Being between two extremes, or in the middle of a range. |
| beginner noun | /bəˈɡɪnɚ/ | Someone who is just starting at something, or has only recently started. |
| boost verb | /buːst/ | To lift or push from behind (one who is endeavoring to climb); to push up. |
| remote adjective | /ɹəˈməʊt̞/ | At a distance; disconnected. |
| productive adjective | /pɹəˈdʌk.tɪv/ | Capable of producing something, especially in abundance; fertile. |
| anytime adverb | At any time. | |
| podcast noun | /ˈpɑdˌkæst/ | A program, especially an audio program, produced on a regular basis, delivered over the Internet in a compressed digital format and designed for playback on… |
| productivity noun | /ˌpɹɒdʌkˈtɪvəti/ | The state of being productive, fertile, or efficient. |
| flexible adjective | /ˈflɛk.sɪ.bəl/ | Capable of being flexed or bent without breaking; able to be turned or twisted without breaking. |
| tense noun | /tɛns/ | The property of indicating the point in time at which an action or state of being occurs or exists. |
| 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. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| find out verb | To discover, as by asking or investigating. | |
| follow along verb | To continue behind or beside an animal, person, vehicle or other object, especially as a companion. | |
| mix up verb | To mix or blend thoroughly and completely. | |
| wake up verb | /ˌweɪk ˈʌp/ | To stop sleeping; to awake. |
| write down verb | To produce or set (something) down in writing; to record something. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- First, let's find out where you are right now.
- Are you ready to get started?
- Do you know them?
- How comfortable are you right now with listening?
- What's easier for you?
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Conditional sentences if + clause, will/would + verb — a condition and its result | if I had studied harder, I would be · If you stay consistent, you will see |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | have mastered · I've tried |
| Verb + -ing enjoy, keep, stop… + -ing — verbs that are followed by the -ing form | loves reading · started learning · practice speaking |
| Possibility with “might / may” might/may + verb — something that is possible but not certain | might read · might say · might misunderstand |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 14 contractions and reduced forms, such as don't, I'll, I'm. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: casual /ˈkæʒ(u)əl/, motivation /ˈmoʊ.tə.veɪ.ʃən/, workshop /ˈwɝk.ʃɑp/, invitation /ɪnvɪˈteɪʃən/, negotiate /nəˈɡəʊ.ʃi.eɪt/
- Long words — get the stress right: intermediate /ɪn.tə(ɹ)ˈmi.di.ət/, productivity /ˌpɹɒdʌkˈtɪvəti/, vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/, successfully /səkˈsɛs.fə.li/, participate /pɑːˈtɪs.ɪ.peɪt/
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 grammar, skill, tutor.
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.













