Shadowing Practice: It Keeps Happening - Learn English Speaking with Video

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Sometimes it's the little things that infuriate you the most.
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This happened on a train in Italy.
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Yeah, the
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conductor seems to have mysteriously forgotten to check a couple of tickets there.
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Another form of white privilege we all get to enjoy.
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Respondents noted a similar thing happening all across Europe.
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In France, in Finland, in Germany.
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Have you witnessed this kind of thing where you live?
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Let me know in the comments.
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In fact, in the state of Thuringia in Germany, train conductors were told not to check the train tickets of migrants to keep the peace.
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Keep the peace being a euphemism for not being violently attacked.
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A German newspaper was contacted by a married couple who had recently travelled on a Sud-Thuringian barn train
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and noticed that those they assumed to be foreigners were not having their tickets checked, while German commuters were still scrutinised.
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The train company initially denied it, but then admitted it was their policy that conductors had the discretion to not demand proof of valid tickets,
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if they consider the situation is at risk of escalation and they feel threatened or intimidated.
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And for good reason.
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In a letter to the government, the same train company made clear why they were forced to adopt the policy.
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State and federal politics repeatedly talk about integration and tolerance towards migrants' refugees.
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We ask you seriously, how can you expect citizens of this country to be open to the refugee policy being practiced when they have to witness,
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practically every day and not just on public transport, such violence, brutality and absolute contempt and mockery of our laws and society,
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including its so-called values?
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A study out of Italy confirmed that non-European immigrants are more likely to evade fares, primarily because they're more likely not to be asked for proof that they've paid.
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Fair evasion on the London Underground also seems to be a speciality reserved for certain demographics.
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This is the moment a suspected migrant in a Gucci jacket pushed straight through tube barriers without paying.
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Two men believed to be staying at the taxpayer-funded Holiday Inn were seen dodging the fair
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while everyone else tapped in as normal.
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In France, asylum seekers can get 50 to 75% off the price of public transportation tickets.
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That's their reward for illegally entering the country.
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Your reward for being a law-abiding, tax-paying citizen?
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Pay up or get off.
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Still, I guess you can always get a taxi instead, right?
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Maybe not.
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to join my community, get early access videos and message me directly.
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And exclusive live streams coming soon too, promise.
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Check out the locals link down in the description.
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And don't forget to take a look at the brand new website, modernity.news.
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That's where you'll find all my content, including exclusive articles.
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That's modernity.news.

About This Lesson

In this lesson, learners will practice their English speaking skills by engaging with a video discussing social issues surrounding public transport in Europe. This content will not only enhance your listening comprehension but also improve your fluency and vocabulary. By shadowing the speaker's phrases and intonation, you will get a real feel for spoken English in a contextual scenario. Expect to encounter themes of inequality, privilege, and societal observations that can serve as a springboard for further discussion or debate.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Ticket check - The process of verifying that passengers have purchased tickets for travel.
  • White privilege - A societal privilege that benefits white people over non-white people in various cultural contexts.
  • Integration - The process of combining or incorporating newcomers into a society.
  • Evade fares - The act of escaping or avoiding payment for transportation services.
  • Public transport - Systems of transport that are available for all members of the public, including buses and trains.
  • Asylum seekers - Individuals who seek refuge in another country due to persecution or danger in their home country.
  • Scrutinised - Examined or inspected very closely for accuracy or validity.
  • Violently attacked - Subjected to aggression or physical harm.

Practice Tips

To effectively utilize this video for shadow speech practice, follow these tips:

  • Watch and Listen: First, watch the video without attempting to shadow. Get a grasp of the content and the speaker’s tone.
  • Slow Down: Use playback speed settings to slow the video down if necessary. This can aid in capturing the nuances of pronunciation and rhythm.
  • Repeat and Imitate: Choose short segments of 20-30 seconds to repeat out loud immediately after the speaker. Focus on matching their intonation, speed, and emotion.
  • Record Yourself: Use your phone or computer to record yourself shadow speaking. Listen to the playback to assess your pronunciation and pacing compared to the speaker.
  • Engage with Content: Discuss the themes in the video with others or write about them. This will deepen your understanding of the vocabulary and context, key for IELTS speaking practice.
  • Consistent Practice: Make shadowing a regular part of your studies. Try to incorporate shadow speech into your daily routine to build fluency and confidence.

By practicing with this engaging content, you are sure to enhance your English skills effectively while enjoying the learning process!

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.