Shadowing Practice: Learn English with MOANA - Learn English Speaking with Video

Hey!

Crab cake!

I'm back.

Mwah!

It's Maui time!

What do you say, little buddy?

Giant Hawk?

Coming up!

Hi, guys!

I'm Ksenia, your real -life English fluency coach, and I hope you like legends and myths.

Because the Disney animation we will be watching today is based on the legends of Maui a demigod from Polynesian mythology.

And in the scene I chose for you, we will see how Moana tricks Tamatoa,

this huge crab monster, and helps Maui get his magic hook back.

So, this is how the lesson will work.

First, you will watch the clip with the subtitles.

Then we will teach you the most important pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar.

And then comes your favorite part, a comprehension test, where you will watch the clip without subtitles and answer some of our questions.

But before we get started, let me remind you

that every week we put out lessons just like this one to help you understand your favorite movies

and TV series without getting lost, without missing the jokes, and without subtitles.

So hit that subscribe button and bell down below to never miss any of our new lessons.

Wow!

The shiny glittery cave!

And just like me, it is covered in sparkly treasure.

Sparkle, sparkle, sparkle.

You're not selling it.

This is stupid!

I'm just gonna walk up and get it!

You go up there, he will kill you.

Just stick to the plan.

Oh, when he shows up, keep him distracted.

Make him talk about himself.

He loves bragging about how great he is.

You two must get along swell.

Oh, not since I ripped off his leg.

You ripped off his leg?

Bowie?

What have we here?

It's a sparkly, shiny...

Wait a minute.

It's a human!

What are you doing down here in the realm of the month?

Just pick an eye, babe.

I can't concentrate on what I'm saying if you keep...

Yeah, pick one.

Pick one.

Iguana is a crab's cave, acting as a bait to distract his attention from Maui, who's trying to get his hook back.

By the way, In fishing, The word "bait" refers to a small amount of food on a hook used to attract

and catch a fish or an animal.

Wow!

The shiny glittery cave!

And just like me, it is covered in sparkly treasure.

Sparkle, sparkle, sparkle.

If something is glitter and sparkly, it shines like gold or diamonds.

Check out this example from the movie Minions.

There was going to be a coronation

and I was going to be made Queen every moment was planned I'd wear a dress so sparkly it glowed.

So you know the verb "to sell", right? like selling products or services

But did you know? that you can also sell ideas or stories For example,

here Moana's role is to convince the crab that she is a shiny object he would want to have in his collection.

The act of trying to convince him could be referred to as Selling it.

Now let's say you are not convinced You don't believe a story or an idea.

Then you can say, I'm not buying it.

Meaning that you don't believe it, you are not convinced.

Now what if I told you

that there is an app where with the click of a button you actually get connected to another person

to have a short conversation with and practice your English speaking.

Would you buy it?

I mean, the app is free and downloading it would cost you nothing, but would you buy the idea?

Well, that's exactly what you can do on the real -life app.

You can access a new lesson every week with me, Ethan, and Tiago, where we talk about many interesting topics.

And along with these lessons, you get digital transcripts and flashcards of the most difficult vocabulary,

new words, all in one place.

Look at what one of our users, Nesma, said about their experience: Awesome application!

I like the flashcards, the script and all the tips and motivation we have in the lessons.

Great job, dears.

So if you want to go from feeling lost and insecure English learner to becoming a confident English speaker,

download the RealLife English app right now you can click in the link up here or in the description below.

You can also find Realize app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Now let's continue with the lesson.

This is a conditional or "if" sentence.

But you might be asking yourself: where is the word "if"?

Well, In informal conversations, natives can sometimes omit the word "if" at the beginning of the sentence.

The meaning stays the same though.

In writing it would be: "If you go up there,

he will kill you." This is the first type conditional sentence where we talk about the possibility and the result.

In the "if" clause we have present simple and in the main clause will + infinitive.

Let me give you an example.

If you hit that subscribe button, you will receive our newest lessons every week.

Now try this.

Pause this video.

And write in the comments three sentences in the first conditional.

Remember, you should use "if" at the very beginning or you may try avoiding it.

Stick to the plan.

Oh, when he shows up, keep him distracted.

Make him talk about himself.

When you stay focused and on track with the original plan, You stick to the plan.

Check out another example in this clip from Storks.

100

But your wing's broken, you can't-- Make a plan!

101

Stick to the plan!

102

Always deliver!

103

Just stick to the plan.

104

Oh, when he shows up, keep him distracted.

105

Make him talk about himself.

106

He loves bragging about how great he is.

107

Do you know somebody who's always talking about something they've accomplished or done in life?

108

Well, that's called bragging or boasting.

109

And it could be really annoying to others.

110

Now, what do you think we should call a boastful person who likes to brag?

111

"Bragman" Boastman, Brega Raggot.

112

These aren't very common words, but the two last words are correct.

113

Bregger and Bregut.

114

Oh, this is delicious.

115

Well, they're also great in stews.

116

Now, I don't mean to brag, but I make a mean Weed rat stew.

117

Oh, when he shows up, keep him distracted.

118

Make him talk about himself.

119

Now listen to the connected speech example in this clip.

120

Did you notice how Maui pronounces the word him?

121

He doesn't say "Keep him" and "Make him".

122

He drops the "h" sound, so we hear "Keep him", "Make him".

123

He loves bragging about how great he is.

124

You two must get along swell.

125

Oh, not since I ripped off his leg.

126

Now, to get along with somebody, means to have a good relationship with them.

127

Like, for example, it's nice to get along with your neighbors.

128

And if you are good friends, then you can say, "You get along swell." The phrasal verb 'get along' can also have other meanings.

129

Let me play you some clips.

130

and you'll try to guess the meaning from the context.

131

Oh look, the kids are finally getting along!

132

That's nice.

133

Here, it means to have a good, harmonious relationship with someone.

134

Here.

135

It means to move forward, to go forward.

136

Here, it simply means to live or survive.

137

To rip off means to cut off or to tear off something violently.

138

It may also mean stealing from or cheating someone.

139

me.

140

Wait a minute.

141

The "T" sound in English, especially American English, changes depending on the other sounds that surround it.

142

In the phrase, Wait a minute! the letter T, is between two vowel sounds so we hear a "da" sound instead.

143

Wait a minute.

144

Wait a minute.

145

Wait a minute.

146

What have we here?

147

It's a sparkly, shiny...

148

Wait a minute.

149

Ugh, it's a human!

150

What are you doing down here in the realm?

151

of the month.

152

And in this sentence: What are you doing down here?

153

The first three words get linked together.

154

Let's break down the pronunciation.

155

What are you?

156

The letter T from what is between two vowel sounds so we get the flap T sound.

157

that get connected to the word "are".

158

What a...

159

What a...

160

It is then followed by U in its weak form - Y.

161

and all three words Together, pronounces one sound what a yeah What are you doing down here?

162

What are you doing down here?

163

What are you doing down here in the realm of the month?

164

Just pick an eye, babe.

165

I can't.

166

When you pick something, you choose it among other things.

167

Sometimes it's so hard for us to pick something, especially for us, girls, when we go shopping.

168

Then our eyes dart back and forth just like Moana did in this clip.

169

Now, let's see what happens next and learn some more interesting vocabulary.

170

They're funny looking little thing, aren't you?

171

Don't!

172

That's my grandma's!

173

That's my grandma's!

174

I ate my grandma, and it took a week, 'cause she was absolutely humongous.

175

Why are you here? Because you're amazing!

176

And we mortals have...

177

heard of the tale of the crab, who became a legend.

178

And I just had to know how you became so...

179

crab.

180

Ulysse!

181

Are you just trying to get me to talk about myself?

182

Because if you are, I will gladly do so!

183

They are funny looking little thing, aren't you?

184

Don't!

185

Aren't you?

186

Ooh, this is one of my favorite features of the English grammar, the tag question.

187

It's often used when you make a statement

188

and want to get a confirmation from another person or you simply want to encourage them to respond to you.

189

You can also add a tag question if you are in doubt or want to check your understanding.

190

then it truly functions as a question.

191

Now, if you want to use it, There are two important things to remember.

192

You should always match the verb in the tag question with the verb "to be" or the auxiliary verb in the statement.

193

For example: She's a nice friend, isn't she?

194

In both parts of the sentence, we have the verb "to be" in the third person singular.

195

The second thing is to add negative tag questions to positive statements and positive tag questions to negative statements.

196

For example, So, I think you have a new plan, don't you?

197

She's no joke, is she?

198

Can you make up your own sentences following our examples?

199

Write them down in the comments!

200

A quick note about connected speech here in this sentence:

201

Words AND and it gets reduced and linked together with the verb tog.

202

The D at the end of "AND" gets dropped

203

and then the T at the end of it merges with the T from 2.

204

And it too.

205

any tube.

206

And there is actually no pause before a week either, which here results in pronouncing all five words together.

207

and it took a week.

208

And it took a week 'cause you was Bye.

209

you .

210

I ate my grandma and it took a week because she was absolutely humongous.

211

The word "humongous" means huge, extremely large that it's hard to really measure.

212

You could understand it as a mix of the words "huge" and "monstrous".

213

Look at this hilarious example from Jack Frost.

214

Ulysse!

215

Crabulous is actually a made -up word It probably refers to a combination of the words "scrab" and "fabulous".

216

There might be a pun intended.

217

The thing is, in the English language there is a word "crapulous".

218

which means suffering from excessive drinking or eating.

219

And because crab is so huge and so obsessed with eating and collecting treasures, We can really say that he is.

220

Scrapulous.

221

Alright, now let's get ready for a test, you will listen to the clip one more time, now without subtitles, and answer a few questions.

222

- Wow!

223

The shiny, glittery cave!

224

And just like me, it is covered in sparkly treasure.

225

Sparkle, sparkle, sparkle.

226

You're not selling it.

227

This is stupid!

228

I'm just gonna walk up and get it!

229

You go up there, he will kill you.

230

Just stick to the plan.

231

Oh, when he shows up, keep him distracted.

232

Make him talk about himself.

233

He loves bragging about how great he is.

234

What does "bragging" mean here?

235

To talk about how great someone is, to boast.

236

Sparkle, sparkle.

237

You're not selling it.

238

This is stupid!

239

I'm just gonna walk up and get it!

240

You go up there, he will kill you.

241

Just stick to the plan.

242

Oh, when he shows up, keep him distracted.

243

Make him talk about himself.

244

What phrasal verb describes a friendly relationship with someone?

245

Go along, get along, get away.

246

Thank you.

247

Thank you.

248

They are funny looking little things aren't you?

249

- Don't!

250

That's my grandma's!

251

- That's my grandma's!

252

I ate my grandma and it took a week 'cause she was absolutely humongous.

253

Why are you here?

254

What is the correct tag question here?

255

Thank you.

256

Thank you.

257

You're a funny -looking little thing, aren't you?

258

You're a funny looking little thing, aren't you?

259

Don't!

260

That's my grandma!

261

That's my grandma!

262

I ate my grandma and it took a week because she was absolutely humongous.

263

Why are you here?

264

What's the opposite of the word "humongous" here?

265

Human enormous, tiny

266

If you enjoyed learning English with Moana, continue by watching this other lesson we made with the movie.

267

Men and women.

268

Both.

269

All.

270

Not a guy /girl thing.

271

You know, Maui is a hero to all.

272

You're doing great.

273

What?

274

No, I'm here to-- Of course, of course.

275

Yes, yes, yes, yes.

276

Now he always has time for his fans.

277

Mm -hmm.

278

When you use a bird to write with, it's called tweeting.

279

Huh?

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Why practice speaking with this video?

Engaging with Disney's "Moana" presents a unique and entertaining way to learn English with YouTube. This video offers a captivating blend of storytelling and conversation that motivates learners to improve their speaking skills. The interaction between Moana and Maui, particularly in their playful banter with the character Tamatoa, showcases authentic English dialogues filled with humor and context. By practicing speaking with this video, you immerse yourself in everyday expressions, enhancing your fluency and confidence in various conversational scenarios, a crucial skill for IELTS speaking practice.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

Throughout the video, several key structures are used that can help learners enhance their English proficiency:

Imperatives: The use of commands, such as "Stick to the plan," teaches how to give instructions clearly and effectively, an essential part of English speaking practice.
Questions and Requests: Tamatoa’s line, "What are you doing down here?" exemplifies how to ask questions in an engaging manner. Practice turning statements into questions to become more adept at conversational English.
Descriptive Phrases: The phrase "sparkly, shiny" demonstrates how adjectives can be combined to create vivid imagery. This technique is useful in storytelling or everyday descriptions, adding depth to your speaking.
Comparative Expressions: For instance, "You two must get along swell" shows how to express relationships or similarities. This is vital for developing stronger conversational skills, especially when discussing experiences or opinions.

Common Pronunciation Traps

As you practice speaking, pay attention to the following pronunciation challenges presented in the video:

Intrusive Sounds: The phrase "sparkly treasure" may lead to blending sounds when spoken quickly. Focus on articulating each syllable clearly to enhance your clarity.
Contractions: Notice how characters use colloquial terms like "it's" instead of "it is." Mastering contractions will help you sound more natural in conversations.
Phonetic Variability: Words like "bait" may be pronounced differently depending on the speaker's accent. Practice listening to various pronunciations and mimic them to understand the nuances of shadow speak.

By incorporating these elements from "Moana" into your practice routine, you'll be better equipped to elevate your English speaking skills while enjoying the rich tapestry of culture and storytelling. Embrace the adventure!

Grammar in this video

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

Structure	In the video
Conditional sentences if + clause, will/would + verb — a condition and its result	if you are, I will gladly
Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it	is based · is covered · be made
Verb + -ing enjoy, keep, stop… + -ing — verbs that are followed by the -ing form	loves bragging · enjoyed learning
Possibility with “might / may” might/may + verb — something that is possible but not certain	might be · may try · may also mean

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 →

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Grammar in this video

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