Shadowing Practice: Leonardo DiCaprio winning Best Actor | 88th Oscars (2016) - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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These five actors have rewarded moviegoers with fully dimensional characters, some drawn from real life, all of them larger than life.
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These five actors have rewarded moviegoers with fully dimensional characters, some drawn from real life, all of them larger than life.
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The blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo,
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the resourceful astronaut abandoned on Mars,
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The vengeful frontiersman betrayed by his companions.
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The brilliant and complicated co-founder of Apple.
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And one of the first people to undergo gender confirmation surgery.
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Here are the outstanding nominees for performance by an actor in a leading role.
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Brian Cranston, Trumbo.
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Matt Damon, The Martian.
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Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant.
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Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs.
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Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl.
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And the Oscar goes to...
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Leonardo DiCaprio.
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This is the first Oscar and sixth nomination for Leonardo DiCaprio.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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Thank you all so very much.
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Thank you to the Academy.
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Thank you to all of you in this room.
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I have to congratulate the other incredible nominees this year for their unbelievable performances.
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The Revenant was a product of the tireless efforts of an unbelievable cast and crew I got to work alongside.
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First off, to my brother in this endeavor, Mr. Tom Hardy.
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Tom, your fierce talent on screen can only be surpassed by your friendship off screen to Mr. Alejandro Iñárritu.
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As the history of cinema unfolds, you have forged your way into history these past two years.
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What an unbelievable talent you are.
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Thank you to you and Chivo for creating a transcendent cinematic experience for all of us.
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Thank you to everybody at Fox and New Regency, in particular Arnon Milchan, you were the champion of this endeavor.
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My entire team, I have to thank everyone from the very onset of my career, Mr. Caten Jones, for casting me in my first film,
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Mr. Scorsese for teaching me so much about the cinematic art form, to Mr. Rick Yorn, thank you for helping me navigate my way through this industry,
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and to my parents, none of this would be possible without you, And to my friends, I love you dearly.
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You know who you are.
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And lastly, I just want to say this.
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Making The Revenant was about man's relationship to the natural world, a world that we collectively felt in 2015 as the hottest year in recorded history.
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Our production needed to move to the southern tip of this planet just to be able to find snow.
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Climate change is real.
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It is happening right now.
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It is the most urgent threat facing our entire species,
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and we need to work collectively together and stop procrastinating.
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We need to support leaders around the world who do not speak for the big polluters or the big corporations, but who speak for all of humanity,
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for the indigenous people of the world, for the billions and billions of underprivileged people who will be most affected by this,
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for our children's children, and for those people out there whose voices have been drowned out by the politics of greed.
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I thank you all for this amazing award tonight.
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Let us not take this planet for granted.
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I do not take tonight for granted.
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Thank you so very much.

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Why practice speaking with this video?

Practicing speaking with Leonardo DiCaprio's Oscar acceptance speech offers a unique opportunity to enhance your English language skills in a real-world context. This video is not only inspiring but also packed with rich vocabulary and expressions that are relevant for anyone looking to excel in English speaking, particularly in scenarios like the IELTS speaking practice. By mimicking DiCaprio's delivery, you can learn how to convey emotions effectively and articulate your thoughts clearly, which are essential skills for both academic and conversational English.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

Here are some key structures and expressions from the speech that can enhance your English speaking skills:

  • "Thank you all very much." - This expression is a polite way to show gratitude and can be used in various contexts.
  • "What an unbelievable talent you are." - This phrase recognizes someone's abilities in a positive light, making it a great way to compliment others.
  • "We need to work collectively together." - Notice the emphasis on collaboration. The use of "collectively" adds a formal touch to your speech, which is useful in discussions about teamwork.
  • "Climate change is real." - This straightforward statement can help learners understand the value of clear and concise messaging in advocacy or persuasive speaking.

By integrating these structures into your practice, you can improve your English fluency and expression.

Common Pronunciation Traps

When watching the video, pay attention to certain tricky words and sounds that DiCaprio articulates. Here are common pronunciation traps to watch out for:

  • "Unbelievable" - Make sure to emphasize the 'un' sound at the beginning to avoid mumbling.
  • "Transcendent" - Practice the pronunciation of this word by breaking it down into syllables: tran-scend-ent.
  • "Procrastinating" - This word often trips up speakers; focus on the 'pro' sound followed by the stress on 'cras'.
  • "Collectively" - Pay special attention to the 'collect' portion, ensuring clear articulation to improve your English pronunciation.

Using techniques like shadow speech—where you mimic DiCaprio’s intonation and rhythm with the help of a shadowing app—can significantly enhance your speaking skills. This method helps you internalize the flow of natural spoken English, making it easier to express yourself confidently in discussions.

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.

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