Shadowing Practice: In her Home Country | IELTS LISTENING TEST | SECTION-3 - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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You will hear a conversation between an English teacher called Paul and a former student of his called Kira.
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First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 25.
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Now listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 25.
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Hello, Kira.
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How are you?
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Fine, thanks, Paul.
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How are you?
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Well, thanks.
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It's good to see you.
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It must be twelve months since you did our course.
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That's right.
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It's nice to come back and say hello.
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What course did you enrol in?
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Actually, I went straight into third-year pharmacy.
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They credited me with two years, which probably made it more difficult for me.
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On the other hand, you were lucky to be granted credits.
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Is that why you chose the course?
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Yes, and as I'd already finished a course in it in my country, I thought it would be easier if I studied something I already knew.
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I didn't realise you went into third year.
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I thought you started in first year.
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No wonder it was so hard.
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And what do you think is one of the big differences between studying at a university here and studying in your country?
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Well, I found it very difficult to write assignments, because I wasn't familiar with that aspect of the system here.
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The main problem is that the lectures expect you to be critical.
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That made me feel really terrible.
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I thought, how can I possibly do it?
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How can I comment on someone else's research when they probably spent five years doing it?
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I think a lot of people who come from overseas countries have similar problems.
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But after a while, it became easier for me.
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People expect you to have problems with the process of reading and writing.
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But in fact, it is more a question of altering your viewpoint towards academic study.
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Hmm.
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How was the content of the lectures?
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Was it easy for you?
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I didn't really have many problems understanding lectures.
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The content was very similar to what I'd studied before.
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And what about the lecturers themselves?
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Are they essentially the same as lecturers in your country?
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Well, actually, no. Here they're much easier to approach.
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After every lecture, you can go and ask them something you didn't understand.
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Or you can make an appointment and talk to them about anything in the course.
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Maybe you found them different because you're a more mature student now, whereas when you were studying in your country, you were younger and not so assertive.
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No, I don't think that's the difference.
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Most of the students here do it.
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In my faculty, they all seem to make appointments, usually to talk about something in the course that's worrying them,
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but sometimes just about something that might really interest them, something they might want to specialize in.
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The lecturers must set aside certain times every week when they're available for students.
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That's good to hear.
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Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 26 to 30.
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Now listen and answer questions 26 to 30.
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And how was your timetable?
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Was it a very busy year?
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Oh, very, very busy.
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They make you work very hard.
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Apart from lectures, we had practical sessions in a lot of subjects.
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We did these in small groups.
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I had to go and work four hours every week in a community pharmacy.
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Actually, I enjoyed this very much, meeting new people all the time.
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Then in second semester, we had to get experience in hospital dispensaries.
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So every second day, we went to one of the big hospitals and worked there.
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And on top of all that, we had our assignments, which took me a lot of time.
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Oh, I nearly forgot.
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Between first and second semesters, we had to work full-time for two weeks in a hospital.
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That does sound a very heavy year.
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So, are you pleased now that you did it?
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Do you feel some sense of achievement?
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Yeah, I do feel much more confident, which I suppose is the most important thing.
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And have you got any recommendations for people who are studying from overseas?
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Well, I suppose they need very good English.
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It would be much better if they spent more time learning English before they enter the university,
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because you can be in big trouble if you don't understand what people are saying and you haven't got time to translate.
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Anything else?
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Well, as I said before, the biggest problem for me was lack of familiarity with the education system here.
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It sounds as if it was a real challenge.
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Congratulations, Kira.
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Thanks, Paul.
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That is the end of Section 3.
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You now have half a minute to check your answers.
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Thank you.

About This Lesson

This lesson is designed to enhance your English listening and speaking skills through the context of a conversation between a teacher and a former student. As you engage with this material, you will practice answering questions based on the dialogue, which revolves around academic experiences and cultural differences in education. By focusing on the challenges faced by students from overseas, you will develop a better understanding of academic language and improve your ability to express similar thoughts and experiences in English. This not only prepares you for the IELTS Listening Test but also enhances your overall English speaking practice.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Enrol - To formally register for a course or program.
  • Credit - Recognition of completed coursework that counts towards a degree.
  • Assignments - Tasks or projects given to students to complete outside of class.
  • Critical - Analyzing and evaluating information, often expected at the university level.
  • Lecturers - University teachers who deliver lectures on a specific subject.
  • Mature student - An older student, often with life experience that differs from younger peers.
  • Approach - The manner in which you address or interact with someone.
  • Specialize - To focus on a specific area of study or profession.

Practice Tips

To make the most of this lesson, consider using shadowing techniques as you engage with the transcript. Shadowing involves listening to the audio while simultaneously mimicking the speech patterns, intonation, and pronunciation of the speakers. Here are some tips to effectively incorporate shadow speak into your practice:

  • Start Slowly: Begin by listening to the audio at a slower speed to grasp the pronunciation and tone of the speakers. Gradually increase the speed as you become more comfortable.
  • Pause and Repeat: Feel free to pause the audio after each sentence or phrase. Repeat what you hear, focusing on matching the rhythm and tone.
  • Record Yourself: Use your mobile device or computer to record yourself as you practice. Listening back can help you identify areas for improvement in your English pronunciation.
  • Focus on Diction: Pay attention to how words are enunciated. This will help you enhance your clarity and confidence in speaking.
  • Utilize Resources: Join online forums or use a shadowing site that focuses on academic English to find similar dialogues and further practice your skills.

By incorporating these strategies into your routine, you'll not only boost your listening comprehension but also enhance your overall speaking abilities, making you more adept at navigating academic conversations.

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.