Shadowing Practice: Jensen Huang: “The best career advice I got was from a gardener” - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Very few people know this, but I don't wear a watch.
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And the reason why I don't wear a watch is now is the most important time.
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Just dedicate yourself to now.
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The best career advice I got was from a gardener.
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I was on a family trip.
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We were in Kyoto.
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And many of you probably went to the temple that had the largest mosque collection in the world.
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The yard, the garden, the moss garden is incredible.
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All of the moss is perfect.
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Every species of the world's moss is there.
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And it was a hot summer day.
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And anybody who's been to Kyoto knows how incredibly hot it is during the summer.
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They're in a valley.
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It's hot, it's humid, there's no wind, no breeze, and it is insanely hot.
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And all of the tourists were walking by and my family walked by this old man that was on his squatted down working on the moss.
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And I walked by and I noticed he was using a bamboo tweezer.
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And his bamboo basket was nearly empty.
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There were only two or three small pieces of dead moss.
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And I asked him, what are you doing?
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And he says, he is taking care of this garden.
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His English was perfect.
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And I asked him how long he's been working there.
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He said he's been working there for almost 30 years.
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And he said that this is his garden.
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And I asked him, but this garden is so big, and your tweezer and your basket is so small.
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How can you take care of the whole garden?
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And he said something that is perfect.
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He said, I have plenty of time.
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And in fact, that's the best career advice I can give you.
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Most of the time, I wait for things to come to me.
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I'm rarely chasing things.
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I don't have a watch.
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I'm focused on now.
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I'm enjoying my job.
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I'm the longest running tech CEO in the world as you know.
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I am largely unemployable now.
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And thank goodness I enjoy my job.
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And so dedicate yourself to learning all the time, doing the best possible work you can.
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leave everything on the field you know by the time i get home i am exhausted by the time i go to bed i'm exhausted
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and i'm you know happy about my day because i did everything i could and those that kind of habit that
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kind of happen and people be you know you'll be surprised i'm not at all ambitious i don't aspire to do more i aspire to do better at what i'm currently doing i'm not reaching for more,
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I wait for the world to come to me.
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People who know me also know NVIDIA doesn't have a long-term strategy.
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We have no long-term plan.
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Our definition of a long-term plan is, you know, what are we doing today?
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And I know that that is almost counter your career strategy, But I think the advice that he gave me was a very good one.
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And, you know, you have plenty of time.
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Enjoy your work.
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Do the best you possibly can.
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And just keep learning every day.
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And good things will come to you.
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Thank you.

Context & Background

In a recent video titled "Jensen Huang: “The best career advice I got was from a gardener,” Jensen Huang, the CEO of NVIDIA, shares a unique perspective on work and personal development derived from an encounter with a gardener during a family trip to Kyoto, Japan. Huang emphasizes the importance of focusing on the present and dedicating oneself to continuous learning, rather than striving for future accolades or ambitions. This philosophy not only highlights career growth but also serves as powerful advice for language learners seeking to enhance their English speaking skills.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • "I have plenty of time." – This phrase encourages patience and the idea of being present.
  • "Enjoy your work." – A reminder to find joy in daily tasks.
  • "Do the best you possibly can." – Encouragement to strive for excellence in any endeavor.
  • "I’m focused on now." – A mantra for mindfulness and attentiveness.
  • "Keep learning every day." – An essential phrase for a continuous growth mindset.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively practice your English speaking skills using this video, follow these steps:

  1. Select a Shadowing App: Find a reliable shadowing app that allows you to play the video in segments, enabling you to repeat phrases and sentences after the speaker.
  2. Listen Actively: Watch the video attentively and note the flow of the speaker's delivery. Pay attention to pronunciation, intonation, and emotion, which are all vital components of effective English speaking.
  3. Start with Key Phrases: Focus on the highlighted phrases above. Listen to them multiple times to absorb their nuances before attempting to repeat them.
  4. Practice Shadow Speech: As you listen to each phrase, pause the video and repeat what you hear aloud, mimicking the speaker's tone and pace. This technique, known as shadow speech, helps enhance fluency and confidence.
  5. Record Yourself: Use your shadowing app to record your attempts. Listening to these recordings will help you identify areas for improvement, such as pronunciation and rhythm.
  6. Revisit Regularly: Consistency is key in language learning. Dedicate time each day to practice using these phrases and revisit the video to reinforce your understanding and improve your speaking skills.

By integrating Jensen Huang's insightful advice with active language practice through shadowing, you can significantly elevate your English speaking proficiency and create a richer learning experience.

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.