Shadowing Practice: Ivan Joseph | 5 Keys to self confidence (Key Points Talk) - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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The easiest way to build self confidence - there's no magic button.
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Repetition Repetition Repetition.
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I did my speech, I practiced in front of the mirror.
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Da da da da dadadada - Hey I'm sounding good!
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And then I went in front of my kids, then I get in front of the Glen Gool, Oh my goodness I'm a little more nervous.
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By the time I get to the ACG, I won't have a single ounce of nervousness because of my ability to practice.
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How many of us bail after the first bit of failure?
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JK Rowling - you know how many publishers she took her Harry Potter book to?
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I believe the number was 12 or 13?
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I mean 12 times somebody said No.
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Maybe it shouldn't be repetition, maybe the answer should be persistence.
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So that's one way to build self confidence.
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The other one is self talk.
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We all have a self talk tape that plays in our head.
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If you're a woman, the first thing that always comes: Damn I look fat in these pants.
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And if you're a man, it's the opposite.
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- Oh God I have no muscle I'm so flabby.
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We need to get our own self affirmations.
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Muhammad Ali, what was his self affirmation?
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"I am the greatest!" Who else is going to tell you?
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We need to reaffirm: I am the captain of my ship and the master of my fate.
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How do you build self confidence?
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Get away from the people who will tear you down.
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There's enough of that.
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Because I make enough mistakes and people around me will recognize it and they'll tear me down and pretty soon I'll begin to believe it.
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There was a time when my confidence was really low.
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I had to bring out my self confidence letter.
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Ivan, congratulations on getting your PhD before 40.
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Good job on raising three good kids and marrying the right woman.
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If you'll watch, you'll see some athletes, they'll have a little bandage or a little band around them.
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Lance Armstrong's a perfect one.
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Livestrong.
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He would move that from one arm to the next arm when doubt and fear came into his mind.
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We are coaches or educators, we are teachers, we are people who will create value in the world.
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I am a coach, I want you to score a goal.
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Ball went over high.
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Dangit! The ball went high!
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Thank you coach, I know that...
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Ignore what Johnny does wrong and find Bob or Sally or Frida over here.
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Great goal, Frida!
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I love how you kept your knee low, you followed through, great job!
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Johnny's not demoralized, his confidence isn't shot and what I've done is built up Frida's.
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Catch them when they're good.
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We forget it, it's simple!
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Last and certainly not least.
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Self confident people interpret feedback the way they choose to.
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I asked my son, how was the game?
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Oh great! I scored three goals I got two assists!
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I'm like I did not see him touch the puck!
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But he has his own perception of how he did!
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If I could give you one thing to take from this, it is: No one will believe in you unless you do.
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We're supposed to be different, folks.
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And when people look at us, believe in yourself.
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Thank you.

Why This Video Is Perfect for English Speaking Practice

This clip from Ivan Joseph’s talk is a goldmine for english speaking practice and improving english pronunciation. It blends conversational flow with impactful storytelling, making it ideal for shadowspeaks (repeating aloud to mimic rhythm and tone). The natural pauses, emphasis on key phrases, and relatable examples—like JK Rowling’s rejections or Muhammad Ali’s affirmations—keep the language accessible yet dynamic, perfect for building confidence in both casual and structured settings, including IELTS speaking practice.

Breaking Down Natural Speech Patterns

Let’s unpack a few lines to master natural delivery. First: “The easiest way to build self confidence—there's no magic button. Repetition Repetition Repetition.” The dash creates a conversational pause, mimicking how we think aloud. Repeating “Repetition” three times adds emphasis, a common technique in spoken English to drive a point home. Next: “Who else is going to tell you? We need to reaffirm: I am the captain of my ship and the master of my fate.” The rhetorical question engages the listener, while the colon introduces a powerful affirmation—great for practicing intonation shifts. Finally: “Catch them when they're good. We forget it, it's simple!” Short, punchy sentences reflect everyday speech, showing how brevity can make ideas memorable. These patterns are key for sounding natural, whether you’re practicing shadow speak or preparing for an exam.

A Simple Repeat-and-Record Routine for Confidence

Here’s a proven practice loop using this video: 1) Watch a 30-second segment, focusing on Joseph’s pace and stress (e.g., the “Repetition” line). 2) Pause and shadow speak—repeat the segment aloud, matching his tone and rhythm. 3) Record yourself. 4) Compare: Did you stress the right words? Did you pause naturally? 5) Repeat with a new segment, like the self-talk example. For IELTS speaking practice, focus on the feedback section: “Self confident people interpret feedback the way they choose to.” Practice explaining this idea in your own words, using Joseph’s structure as a guide. Over time, this routine will help you internalize natural speech patterns and build the confidence to speak fluently, even under pressure.

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.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →