Shadowing Practice: Learn ANY Language With This Simple Habit (backed by science) - Learn English Speaking with Video

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Do you ever wish learning a language was faster?

Research shows that a simple writing habit could be the secret to help you unlock fluency.

I was pessimistic, but since starting, it's fixed problems in my Spanish I didn't even know I had.

So in this video, I'm going to show you exactly why it's so effective, the easy way to get started,

and how you can use AI to supercharge the process.

Let's start with the surprising benefits.

So to learn a language, you absolutely have to get a lot of exposure.

But that constant immersion can lead you to feeling a little bit overstimulated.

So after months of soaking up Spanish through YouTube, podcasts and reading, I wanted to slow down as well as improve my speaking.

And to be honest, I just wanted to spend less time staring at a screen.

The antidote I found was starting to journal every day.

Now, first off, I had never journaled in any language before.

So if you're thinking this isn't for me, I would have thought exactly the same but the benefits are incredible.

I started trying to fill a page with whatever random thoughts I had in Spanish.

You can take your time and try to find those words

that aren't always there at the tip of your tongue in a conversation

and pretty quickly I noticed that my speaking started getting better too.

So why is writing so effective?

Well first slowing down and actually thinking about what you want to say helps you to remember it better.

So in the research, there's a thing called depth of processing, which basically means the more you think about a language, the more it gets ingrained.

Instead of just recognizing words, you're actually pulling them out of your memory so that they're ready when you need them.

That extra effort reinforces your new language.

Writing also helps you connect new words to things you already know, something called elaborative rehearsal, which is known to boost learning.

All of those individual connections help us with storing new words and phrases as well as using them later on.

And I found just writing about my life, my thoughts, my feelings naturally reinforces new words as I try to use them in different contexts.

And on top of all of that, there's evidence that writing really can help your speaking.

So when writing, you're forced to find the words you need and put them together to convey whatever meaning you want.

That's exactly what you do when you speak and in fact speaking

and writing activate the same parts of your brain linked to language production.

Now it's an oversimplification to say they're exactly the same

but research shows that generally the same neural networks are involved proving how powerful writing is

and definitely from my own experience there have been words

and phrases that I've used when speaking with people

that I remembered much easier because I deliberately been trying to use them when I journal.

And on top of that, when you're writing, there isn't the same time pressure as a conversation.

So you can take your time and find the words you need to nail all the grammar.

So weirdly, writing will actually help you speak better.

And by the way, if you want a simple guide with prompts to get you started, I've created a free download,

which you can get with the code on screen or just use the link in the description.

So I break down the process and provide some simple things you can do to make the most of every session.

So before we look at the steps you can follow, there is a mindset shift that helped me get started and stay consistent.

So I'll be honest, writing and journaling never really interested me before.

On top of that, What do you write about?

What if you don't have anything to say?

Well, there were a couple of mindset shifts that really, really helped me.

The first is that journaling, or any kind of writing, it isn't a test.

You don't have to get everything perfect.

And in fact, making mistakes is actually a good thing.

That's how you learn.

So if you have that inbuilt perfectionism, think of writing as play you're experimenting and seeing what works for you.

If I'm not sure if something's right or not I just try it out just to find out.

I'd much rather stay in the flow instead of getting stuck looking up the exact way to say something.

So I put things down as best I can and when I get feedback I'll find out for next time.

So the whole point is

that you want to be able to express yourself freely in the language you're learning

and to do that you've got to try things out and see how it goes.

Over time you'll notice the progress you've made.

I've definitely had moments where I tried something one day

and then a few days later I remembered what I'd learned and put it into practice.

The other thing that is super important is that writing shouldn't feel like something that you have to do.

But if you actively engage with it you'll start to find it really interesting.

Like I won't always know what I think about something until I start getting my thoughts down.

And if you're anything like me, you're probably really busy and don't often have much time to stop and reflect about your plans or even experiences.

Honestly, I've ended up being my own unofficial therapist just by taking time to work through my thoughts on paper.

Now… You don't have to go that deep.

You might just want to talk about your plans for the weekend.

But once you start, you'll end up using all sorts of vocabulary

that might never come up in a chat with your tutor.

And so apart from helping you to learn a language, journaling can help you to manage your stress and help you process your own thoughts.

And remember, you can adjust this however you want.

Maybe instead of journaling, you're imagining you're writing a letter to a friend

or simply just getting some plans down on the page so that they're out of your head.

So avoid perfectionism and focus on what interests you.

With that in mind, let's look at how to get started.

So when I first started, honestly, I had no idea what to write.

I just wanted to give it a go.

But the more I did it, the easier it got.

And now I actually look forward to starting my day with a cup of tea whilst I journal.

So no matter what happens after that, I know I've already spent some quality time with my Spanish.

So if you want to try this yourself, remember that when creating a new habit, the key is to start small.

Short regular sessions are way better than the occasional brain dump.

Just build it up over time rather than feeling overwhelmed.

But looking at a blank page or note on your laptop can be daunting at first.

So here's a simple way to make it easier write the date at the top

and then with your first session set a timer for 15 minutes.

Jot down whatever you can.

It doesn't have to be perfect and you'll definitely make mistakes but that's the whole point.

It's in those moments where you learn and I'll talk about feedback in a minute.

When the timer is up finish your sentence and congratulate yourself on trying something new.

Of course you can write for longer if you want but starting small is a great way to go.

So Personally, I prefer to write by hand.

It is slower, but I like to avoid starting my day staring at a screen.

More than that though, there is some evidence

that writing by hand makes you process the language more deeply

and might actually help you in storing or reinforcing the new words and phrases.

And honestly, I just prefer it.

The tactile sensation of pen and paper just feels way more chilled for me

and there are no distractions like other browser tabs or whatever.

If you'd rather type though, that is totally fine.

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Just be mindful that it will auto correct things for you.

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Normally that's a good thing, but I want those little mistakes so I can learn say, I don't know, where an accent marker might go

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or a particular spelling or conjugation because that helps me to notice and remember them.

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It's your journey though and by keeping things digitally you can involve other tools

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or if you're learning a language with say a different script like Chinese.

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Do not be a hero.

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Digital is probably the way to go.

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You can always go analog down the line if you really want.

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If you need a bit of inspiration there are a few prompts I can give you to get you started.

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So try yesterday I or I would love to or recently I've been thinking about obviously write them in your target language.

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I'll put some more prompts in the free download but you can write about your goals, your plans for the weekend,

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or even where you see yourself in five years.

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Honestly, I've been blown away by how powerful a pen and a piece of paper can be.

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If you are more of a beginner, do not worry at all.

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Keep the sessions short and write whatever you can.

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So some simple prompts are something like, I'm studying French because I want to.

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just lots of short simple sentences like

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that will get you going just do your best you can also steal the hack

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that I use to make those short sentences more natural

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and flow better so actually

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when I write I have a printout of connectors sitting in front of me things like on the other hand

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so for example all in Spanish of course I try not to look at the sheet

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but if I need a reminder I can quickly just glance over and add whatever I need.

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I found I need this sheet less and less over time

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but more than that I've started using the same phrases on conversations to sound a bit more polished.

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And whilst we're talking about words try

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and work with the ones you know of course

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but it's totally fine to look up vocabulary if you need to

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and that's actually a good thing as it will be words specific to you

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and your life so you'll pick up new words and phrases that are super relevant for you.

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DeepL, Google Translate, pretty much any AI are all absolutely fine for this.

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Don't overthink it.

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And if you want, you can underline the new words or put them in bold if you've gone digital.

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It will make it clear which words you've looked up

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and serves as a little reminder to try and use them again in the future.

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So that is getting started.

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Next, I'll show you a couple of simple steps you can add to journaling that will make it even more effective.

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Yeah, yeah.

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Okay so here is a simple system you can follow which I found super helpful.

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I actually do a bit more than these steps these days but to keep things straightforward let's just stick to the basics.

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This is how I got started and it really works.

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So for me this is the first thing I do when I wake up in the morning.

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Life happens and sometimes if you plan on doing it later, later might never come.

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That said it does need to fit your routine so do what's best and works for you.

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Now it's not mandatory but before I get started I make a cup of tea.

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I am British and I cannot function without it.

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I know it sounds silly but

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if you associate writing with a comfortable familiar routine you're way more likely to stick with it.

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Feeling relaxed will also let things flow more.

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If you're stressed or anxious that's going to stop your brain firing up in the way that you want it to.

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So as well as a cuppa I also have some water to hand to keep hydrated

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and keep my brain firing on all cylinders

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and then it's time to sit down and start writing

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so at the minute i aim for about two pages a day in an a5 notebook

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so you can do more if you want

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but i found just a couple of pages gives me enough time for the steps

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that come later so literally write whatever comes to mind but

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if you're stuck you can use those prompts you can download

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if you need a hand to get started

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and you can write for as long as you want if you're just starting out keep it short and fun,

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this should not feel like a chore.

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That way you'll come back to it the next day and that consistent habit is how you make progress.

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Next, this is something that I've added recently but it's actually really useful.

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Once you've finished writing, go back and reread what you've written and correct any mistakes that you notice.

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The idea being that recognising those small mistakes you make reinforces the correct way of writing it for the future.

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Now, the next step is amazing if you write by hand.

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If you've done it digitally, it is even more straightforward.

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So I use ChatGPT and I take a photo of what I've written.

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I then give it the prompt, transcribe the writing on these pages, give me detailed corrections and tell me what my level is today.

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If you're writing on a device, it's even easier.

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Just copy and paste your text and ask for feedback.

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Now, it's not perfect at reading handwriting, but it is surprisingly good.

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I do try

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and write a little bit neater though sometimes I do have to give it a correction here

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or there but the fact that it can do it at all is absolutely mind -blowing

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so chat gpt will give me the feedback

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which I'll then have a read through

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and then I take my trusty red pen

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and I go through making all of those corrections on the page by doing

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it in a different color it makes what I need to work on super obvious for next time

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and remember this isn't a test this is you getting better

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so here's your challenge start a writing habit in your target

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language let me know how you get on down in the comments below

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and then next

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if you want to boost your vocabulary even more check out

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this video here where i show you some simple ways you can remember more words in your target language.

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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

This speaking lesson is built on the video “Learn ANY Language With This Simple Habit”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: writing, words, write, language. This video has 185 sentences and 2505 words to shadow. The speech runs for 13:12. The speaker talks fast, about 190 words per minute, so expect linked and reduced sounds. 86% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start.

Key vocabulary in this video

15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
prompt verb	/pɹɑmpt/	To lead (someone) toward what they should say or do.
phrase noun	/ˈfɹeɪ̯z/	A short written or spoken expression.
feedback noun	/ˈfiːdˌbæk/	Critical assessment of a process or activity or of their results.
habit noun	/ˈhæb.ɪt/	An action performed on a regular basis.
reinforce verb	/ˌɹiː.ɪnˈfɔːs/	To strengthen, especially by addition or augmentation.
vocabulary noun	/vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/	A usually alphabetized and explained collection of words e.g. of a particular field, or prepared for a specific purpose, often for learning.
consistent adjective	/kənˈsɪs.tənt/	Of a regularly occurring, dependable nature.
boost verb	/buːst/	To lift or push from behind (one who is endeavoring to climb); to push up.
sheet noun	/ʃit/	A thin bed cloth used as a covering for a mattress or as a layer over the sleeper.
whilst adverb	/waɪlst/	Often preceded by the: During the time; meanwhile.
routine noun	/ɹuˈtin/	A course of action to be followed regularly; a standard procedure.
reminder noun	/ɹɪˈmaɪndə(ɹ)/	Someone or something that reminds.
stare verb	/stɛɚ/	To look fixedly (at something).
mindset noun	/ˈmaɪn(d)ˌsɛt/	A way of thinking; an attitude or opinion, especially a habitual one.
straightforward adjective	/ˌstɹeɪtˈfɔː(ɹ)wə(ɹ)d/	Proceeding in a straight course or manner; not deviating.

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
look up verb	/ˌlʊk ˈʌp/	To have better prospects.
end up verb		To bring to a conclusion.
slow down verb		To decelerate.
blow away verb		To cause to go away by blowing, or by wind.
break down verb		To stop functioning.
check out verb		To record the departure or withdrawal of someone or something (such as guests, employees, books, etc.).
find out verb		To discover, as by asking or investigating.
go back verb		To return to a place or state after having been there at a previous time.

Sentences worth repeating

Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:

Do you ever wish learning a language was faster?
Let's start with the surprising benefits.
What if you don't have anything to say?
You don't have to get everything perfect.
Over time you'll notice the progress you've made.

Grammar in this video

The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:

Structure	In the video
Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now	have been · I've used · I've created
Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it	is known · are involved · I've been blown

Pronunciation to watch

The speaker uses 70 contractions and reduced forms, such as you're, I've, you've. Say them the short way, as you hear them.

The “sh” and “zh” sounds: sheet /ʃit/, corrections /kəˈɹɛkʃənz/, exposure /ɪkˈspəʊ.ʒə(ɹ)/, inspiration /ˌɪn.spɪˈɹeɪ.ʃən/, associate /əˈsoʊʃi.ət/
Long words — get the stress right: vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/, naturally /ˈnæt͡ʃ.(ə.)ɹə.li/, inspiration /ˌɪn.spɪˈɹeɪ.ʃən/, associate /əˈsoʊʃi.ət/, experiment /ɪkˈspɛɹ.ə.mənt/

How to practise with this video

Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like prompt, phrase, feedback.

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 →

Shadowing Practice: Learn ANY Language With This Simple Habit (backed by science) - Learn English Speaking with Video

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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

Key vocabulary in this video

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Sentences worth repeating

Grammar in this video

Pronunciation to watch

How to practise with this video

What is the Shadowing Technique?