Shadowing Practice: iPhone application developer... and 6th grader | Thomas Suarez | TEDxManhattanBeach - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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Transcriber: Translate TED Reviewer: Ivana Korom Hello everyone, my name is Thomas Suarez.
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Transcriber: Translate TED Reviewer: Ivana Korom Hello everyone, my name is Thomas Suarez.
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I've always had a fascination for computers and technology, and I made a few apps for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad.
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I'd like to share a couple with you today.
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My first app was a unique fortune teller called Earth Fortune that would display different colors of Earth depending on what your fortune was.
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My favorite and most successful app is Bustin Jieber - (Laughter) - which is a Justin Bieber Whac-A-Mole.
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I created it because a lot of people at school disliked Justin Bieber a little bit, so I decided to make the app.
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So I went to work programming it, and I released it just before the holidays in 2010.
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A lot of people ask me, how did I make these?
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A lot of times it's because the person who asked the question wants to make an app also.
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A lot of kids these days like to play games, but now they want to make them, and it's difficult, because not many kids know where to go to find out how to make a program.
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I mean, for soccer, you could go to a soccer team.
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For violin, you could get lessons for a violin.
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But what if you want to make an app?
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And the kid's parents might have done some of these things when they were young, but not many parents have written apps. (Laughter) Where do you go to find out how to make an app?
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Well, this is how I approached it. This is what I did.
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First of all, I've been programming in multiple other programming languages to get the basics down, such as Python, C, Java, etc.
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And then Apple released the iPhone, and with it, the iPhone software development kit, and the software development kit is a suite of tools for creating and programming an iPhone app.
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This opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me, and after playing with the software development kit a little bit, I made a couple apps, I made some test apps.
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One of them happened to be Earth Fortune, and I was ready to put Earth Fortune on the App Store, and so I persuaded my parents to pay the 99 dollar fee to be able to put my apps on the App Store.
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They agreed, and now I have apps on the App Store.
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I've gotten a lot of interest and encouragement from my family, friends, teachers and even people at the Apple Store, and that's been a huge help to me.
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I've gotten a lot of inspiration from Steve Jobs, and I've started an app club at school, and a teacher at my school is kindly sponsoring my app club.
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Any student at my school can come and learn how to design an app.
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This is so I can share my experiences with others.
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There's these programs called the iPad Pilot Program, and some districts have them.
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I'm fortunate enough to be part of one.
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A big challenge is, how should the iPads be used, and what apps should we put on the iPads?
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So we're getting feedback from teachers at the school to see what kind of apps they'd like.
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When we design the app and we sell it, it will be free to local districts and other districts that we sell to, all the money from that will go into the local ed foundations.
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These days, students usually know a little bit more than teachers with the technology. (Laughter) So - (Laughter) - sorry - (Laughter) - so this is a resource to teachers, and educators should recognize this resource and make good use of it.
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I'd like to finish up by saying what I'd like to do in the future.
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First of all, I'd like to create more apps, more games.
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I'm working with a third party company to make an app.
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I'd like to get into Android programming and development, and I'd like to continue my app club, and find other ways for students to share knowledge with others.
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Thank you. (Applause)

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Why practice speaking with this video?

In this TEDx talk by Thomas Suarez, an accomplished young iPhone app developer, learners have the unique opportunity to hear a clear, engaging, and inspirational narrative that emphasizes creativity and technology. By practicing speaking with this video, you can immerse yourself in the lively context of entrepreneurship and innovation. Such thematic elements are appealing and can motivate learners to actively engage in their own projects, enhancing both their language skills and their confidence.

Using the shadowing technique, you can repeat after Thomas as he speaks, capturing the natural rhythm and intonation of his English. This practice is beneficial for improving pronunciation, fluency, and listening comprehension, which are essential for anyone preparing for tests like the IELTS. In addition, by reflecting on Thomas's experiences, you can develop a richer vocabulary suited to technological discussions.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

Throughout the video, several key grammatical structures and expressions stand out:

  • First of all, I've been programming in multiple languages... - This introductory phrase is effective for listing multiple items, which showcases a smooth transition between ideas.
  • It's difficult because not many kids know... - Here, the speaker uses a complex sentence structure that emphasizes cause and effect, allowing learners to see how thoughts can be connected in English.
  • I've gotten a lot of interest and encouragement... - This present perfect construction illustrates past experiences that continue to affect the present, an essential aspect in English storytelling.
  • I'd like to create more apps, more games. - The conditional 'would' structure is commonly used in English to express desires and ambitions, making it a valuable addition to your conversational toolkit.

By learning these expressions, you can better articulate your thoughts in English, particularly when discussing technology or personal aspirations, which is beneficial during IELTS speaking practice.

Common Pronunciation Traps

As you practice with this video, pay attention to some pronunciation challenges you might encounter:

  • Entrepreneurship - This word can be tricky due to its multiple syllables. Ensure each part is pronounced clearly.
  • App vs. Aap - Notice how the speaker pronounces these terms distinctly, and practice differentiating them in your speech.
  • Encouragement - The rhythm of this word can often be mispronounced; focus on the emphasis placed on the second syllable.

Additionally, be aware of any local accents and how they may influence pronunciation. Try to mimic the speaker's intonation and pacing to enhance your shadowspeak skills, making it easier for you to communicate effectively

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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