Shadowing Practice: Lesson 172: Passport control - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This speaking lesson is built on the video “Lesson 172: Passport control”. This video has 33 sentences and 115 words to shadow. The speech runs for 1:10. The speaker talks slowly, about 99 words per minute, so there is time to copy every sound. 9 of its 33 sentences are questions, so it is good practice for question intonation and short answers.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| occupation noun | /ˌɑkjʊˈpeɪʃən/ | An activity or task with which one occupies oneself; usually specifically the productive activity, service, trade, or craft for which one is regularly paid; a… |
| declare verb | /dɪˈklɛɚ/ | To assert or announce formally, officially, explicitly, or emphatically. |
| cloth noun | /klɒθ/ | A fabric, usually made of woven, knitted, or felted fibres or filaments, such as used in dressing, decorating, cleaning or other practical use. Sometimes… |
| custom noun | /ˈkʌstəm/ | Frequent repetition of the same behavior; way of behavior common to many; ordinary manner; habitual practice; method of doing, living or behaving. |
| vacation noun | /veɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/ | An extended trip or journey away from home for rest or pleasure. |
| poem noun | /ˈpoʊ.əm/ | A literary piece written in verse. |
| homework noun | /ˈhoʊmˌwɝk/ | Exercises assigned by a teacher to a student which review concepts studied in class. |
| passport noun | /ˈpæspɔɹt/ | An official document normally used for international journeys, which proves the identity and nationality of the person for whom it was issued. |
| occupy verb | /ˈɑkjəpaɪ/ | To fill. |
| 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. |
| item noun | /ˈaɪ.təm/ | A distinct physical object. |
| purpose noun | /ˈpɜːpəs/ | The end for which something is done, is made or exists. |
| welcome | /ˈwɛl.kəm/ | Greeting given upon someone's arrival. |
| hotel noun | /həʊˈtɛl/ | An establishment that provides accommodation and other services for paying guests; normally larger than a guesthouse, and often one of a chain. |
| nobody noun | /ˈnoʊ.bə.di/ | A person dismissed as unimportant. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- What's the purpose of your visit?
- I'll occupy one room, a small one.
- What do you do?
- Are you carrying any goods for someone else?
- Tell customs what you're bringing into the country.
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 8 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, don't, I'll. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: occupation /ˌɑkjʊˈpeɪʃən/, vacation /veɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/
- Long words — get the stress right: occupation /ˌɑkjʊˈpeɪʃən/, vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like occupation, declare, cloth.
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.