Shadowing Practice: Learn English Practice Reading Listening English Level 3 “The History of Trial By July” - Learn English Speaking with Video

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article number 14 the history of trial by July
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in most English-speaking countries a person who is accused of a crime has the right to a trial by jury.
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In a trial by jury, the guilt or innocence of the accused person is decided by a group of 12 people,
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called jurors, who must listen to the evidence about the case.
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The idea of trial by jury is over 800 years old, but there was a time when criminal cases were decided in other ways.
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Today, many of these methods seem ridiculous and cruel.
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Many accused people were forced to undergo a trial by ordeal.
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There were several different kinds of this trial.
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For example, in the ordeal by fire, an accused man was forced to carry a red-hot piece of iron in his hand.
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People believed that if the man were innocent then the gods would protect him, and his hand would not be burned or blistered by the iron.
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Another form of the trial by ordeal was the ordeal by combat.
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If one person accused another of a crime, they would be forced to fight each other with some weapon.
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People believed that the gods would help the man who was right and allow him to win the fight.
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Yet another kind of ordeal was the ordeal by water.
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If a woman was accused of a crime, such as witchcraft, she might be thrown into a river with rocks attached to her.
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People believed that the gods would help an innocent woman and allow her to float on the water.
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Gradually, people realized that the trial by ordeal was a completely worthless way to judge a person's innocence or guilt.
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They wanted a less barbaric way to decide criminal cases.
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During the 12th century, a new method was introduced by one of the kings of England, Henry II.
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Henry said that criminal cases should be decided by the opinions of 12 honest men who knew about the crime,
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the victim, and the accused person.
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This was the beginning of trial by jury in English-speaking countries, and the methods soon became very popular.
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People trusted this new method much more than they trusted the old methods.
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Later, the system of trial by jury changed somewhat.
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Instead of having a jury of 12 men and women who knew about the crime, juries were chosen so that the 12 people did not know anything about the crime.
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This change ensures that the jurors do not have any bias or prejudice about the case.
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When jurors do not know any of the people involved in the case,
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their decisions are more likely to be fair and accurate.
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Today, citizens in many countries are called occasionally for jury duty.
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This can be inconvenient for people who are busy with their work and family life.
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However, many men and women are willing to serve on juries because of a feeling of responsibility to society.
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The use of juries in criminal cases helps to ensure that justice is done.
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About This Lesson

In this lesson, learners will explore the fascinating history of trial by jury, tracing its roots from ancient practices to the modern judicial system. By engaging with the content, students will enhance their reading and listening skills, while also improving their English speaking practice. The focus will be on understanding historical contexts and the evolution of legal rights, allowing learners to articulate their insights and form opinions on justice in society. This lesson is particularly beneficial for those preparing for IELTS speaking practice, as it incorporates complex ideas and vocabulary related to law and ethics.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Trial by jury: A legal proceeding where a group of people decides the guilt or innocence of the accused.
  • Jurors: Members of the jury who evaluate evidence and make decisions.
  • Trial by ordeal: An ancient method of determining guilt or innocence through dangerous tests.
  • Ordeal by fire: A trial where a person handled hot metal to prove innocence.
  • Ordeal by water: A method where a person was thrown into water to determine if they would float, indicating innocence.
  • Impartiality: The principle of remaining unbiased and fair in judgment.
  • Jury duty: The obligation of citizens to serve on a jury when called.

Practice Tips

To maximize your learning experience, employ the shadowing technique while watching the video. Shadowing involves listening to the audio and simultaneously repeating the phrases aloud, mimicking the speaker's intonation and rhythm. Given the moderate pace and clear articulation in this video, it is a perfect fit for English learning with YouTube. While practicing, pay close attention to the pronunciation and nuances of each word, especially the legal vocabulary highlighted earlier. You can also use a shadowing app to record your voice and compare it to the original audio; this will help in refining your speaking skills and boost your confidence.

As you shadow, try to understand not just the words but the context and meaning behind them. This comprehension will aid you in your English-speaking practice, particularly when discussing complex topics such as legal systems and societal obligations. Committing to shadowing these lessons regularly will certainly enhance your vocabulary and fluency, making you better prepared for any IELTS speaking practice sessions.

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.