Shadowing Practice: Listen and Repeat: SPEAK with me in English - Learn English Speaking with Video
Creating lesson...
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In today's English lesson, you are going to practice the number one technique to help you with your English speaking skills.
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What's that?
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Well, it's pretty simple.
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I'm going to say a commonly used English phrase and you are going to repeat out loud after me.
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This type of repetition practice or shadowing practice is an excellent way to grow your vocabulary,
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your grammar skills, your speaking skills, and your pronunciation skills.
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So let's do it.
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If you're new here, hi, I'm Vanessa from SpeakEnglishWithVanessa.com.
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And for over the past 10 years, I have been teaching real life English here on my YouTube channel.
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Now to more than 7 million of you.
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I can't believe it.
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Thank you for learning English with me.
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And every week I create a free PDF worksheet for you with everything you're about to learn in today's lesson.
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Plus in this worksheet, there is a bonus speaking practice.
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Many of you have told me that you love these bonus speaking practices, so I have continued to include them.
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All you need to do to get this worksheet plus bonus speaking practice is click on the link in the description, enter your name and email address,
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And voila, just like that, this will land in your email inbox.
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It is my gift to you so
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that you can actually go out into the real world and use everything that you're about to learn today.
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How today's lesson is going to work is I'm going to say a complete, full, wonderful sentence, and then I will pause.
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I want you to speak out loud during that pause.
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It is essential for you to not only hear your own voice, but to use the same type of intonation,
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the same vocabulary, and the same structure that I'm using in the sentence.
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Today's topic is a really common one.
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It is hobbies and activities.
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So all of our sentences are going to answer this question, what are you into?
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This is a great way to ask someone, what are your hobbies?
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But this question is a lot more natural.
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So let's start by practicing this sentence and I want you to listen to the intonation in my voice, that rhythm and flow.
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Are you ready?
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What are you into?
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What are you into?
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Notice the pronunciation here.
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What are you?
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What becomes wud with a D.
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What are you into?
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What are you into?
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What are you into?
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Can you say that out loud?
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Go ahead.
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Excellent work.
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All right, let's get started with our answers to this question.
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What are you into?
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And I want to know in the comments, which one of these answers was true for you.
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What are you into?
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I'm a big reader.
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I usually read 30 or 40 books a year.
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I'm a big reader.
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I usually read 30 or 40 books a year.
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Great work.
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Did you speak out loud during that pause?
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And did you notice this great phrase, a big reader?
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Each of the sentences that we're going to repeat together have a key vocabulary phrase.
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This is going to be included in the PDF worksheet so that you can review it and use it yourself.
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All right, let's say this sentence one more time and I want you to listen and repeat with me.
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I'm a big reader.
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I usually read 30 or 40 books a year.
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Excellent.
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Let's go on to number two.
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I collect and construct Lego sets and display them in my room.
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I collect and construct Lego sets and display them in my room.
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Music is a huge part of my life.
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I'm always listening to something.
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Notice the pronunciation here of something.
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You need that TH with your tongue out of your mouth.
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Something, something.
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Go ahead.
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All right, one more time.
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Music is a huge part of my life.
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I'm always listening to something.
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I'm kind of a foodie,
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so I'm always checking out new places to eat.
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I'm kind of a foodie, so I'm always checking out new places to eat.
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I enjoy going on little adventures in the city.
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I enjoy going on little adventures in the city.
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I enjoy refurbishing old furniture to give it a new look.
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I enjoy refurbishing old furniture to give it a new look.
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I'm a movie buff.
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I'm always browsing Netflix to see what's new.
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I'm a movie buff.
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I'm always browsing Netflix to see what's new.
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I've recently developed a love for old movies.
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I've recently developed a love for old movies.
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I've been really drawn to podcasts on self-development these days.
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I've been really drawn to podcasts on self-development these days.
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I get a lot of enjoyment out of working on cars and repairing them.
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I get a lot of enjoyment out of working on cars and repairing them.
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The next sentence is a two for one.
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I consider myself a fitness junkie and I'm all about staying active and trying to eat healthy.
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I consider myself a fitness junkie and I'm all about staying active and trying to eat healthy.
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I'm an outdoorsy person, so taking walks in nature and hiking are kind of my thing.
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I'm an outdoorsy person, so taking walks in nature and hiking are kind of my thing.
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I love writing stories, but I have to jot down my ideas first to get the creative juices flowing.
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I love writing stories, but I have to jot down my ideas first to get the creative juices flowing.
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I tend to gravitate toward outdoor activities.
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I'll do anything such as hiking, biking, or skateboarding just to get out of the house.
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I tend to gravitate toward outdoor activities.
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I'll do anything such as hiking, biking, or skateboarding just to get out of the house.
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I'm really into DIY projects I just love making things with my hands
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I'm really into DIY projects I just love making things with my hands
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Do you know what DIY stands for?
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It means do it yourself.
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So whether you're putting together Ikea furniture, or maybe you're painting something, or you're building a sculpture,
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or you're gardening totally from scratch.
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Well, these are all DIY projects that you use your hands for.
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The next section of sentences that you're going to listen to and repeat, they're going to answer this question.
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What do you like to do in your free time?
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What do you like to do in your free time?
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Can you say that with me?
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What do you like to do in your free time?
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I'm going to pause and you'll say it.
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Go ahead.
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Great.
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All right.
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Let's go to the second half of these sentences.
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I live near the ocean, so I just love taking long walks down the beach.
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I live near the ocean, so I just love taking long walks down the beach.
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I'm into competitive chess and every week I practice my moves with other players online.
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I'm into competitive chess and every week I practice my moves with other players online.
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Just to let you know, you could use this phrase, practice my moves with a physical sport as well.
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If you're playing basketball, maybe you ask someone else to play a quick pickup game with you
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so that you can practice your moves.
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You want to see if you can dribble the ball, if you can shoot, you're practicing those moves in a physical way instead of just chess moves,
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which are somewhat physical, but a little less.
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Let's go to our next sentence.
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Lately, I've been experimenting with some new recipes.
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Lately, I've been experimenting with some new recipes.
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I enjoy doing yoga and meditation sessions at sunrise.
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I enjoy doing yoga and meditation sessions at sunrise.
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With the little free time that I have, I love giving back to my community by volunteering.
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With the little free time that I have, I love giving back to my community by volunteering.
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First thing in the morning, I like to hike a trail and take pictures of the wildlife with my camera.
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First thing in the morning,
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I like to hike a trail and take pictures of the wildlife with my camera.
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I try to attend live jazz performances at local venues throughout the month.
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I try to attend live jazz performances at local venues throughout the month.
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All right, before we practice this one again, I wonder if the word throughout was tricky for you slow this word down a bit.
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First, I want you to put your tongue between your teeth for that TH.
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And then we're going to add an R.
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I want you to think of an angry dog.
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Rrr.
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Rrr.
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This is the American English R sound.
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And we're going to add it with the TH.
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Thrr.
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Thrr.
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Can you say that with me?
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Thur, and then we'll add the rest of the word.
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Throughout, throughout.
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Okay.
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Let's say that sentence one more time with your new throughout skills.
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I try to attend live jazz performances at local venues throughout the month.
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I'm training for a marathon and I'm trying to follow a strict training schedule.
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I'm training for a marathon and I'm trying to follow a strict training schedule.
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I typically spend my weekends learning digital art.
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Notice the pronunciation of this, digital.
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That T changes to a D in American English, digital art.
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Try to say it one more time with me.
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I typically spend my weekends learning digital art.
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I typically spend my weekends learning digital art.
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I usually catch up on shows and movies that I've been meaning to watch.
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I usually catch up on shows and movies that I've been meaning to watch.
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I usually unwind by journaling my thoughts.
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I usually unwind by journaling my thoughts.
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I find it relaxing to play video games and disconnect from the world for a while.
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I find it relaxing to play video games and disconnect from the world for a while.
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I love to take a stroll around the thrift store and see if there are any good finds.
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I love to take a stroll around the thrift store and see if there are any good finds.
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I'm more of a homebody.
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I usually just stay at home and do things around the house.
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I'm more of a homebody.
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I usually just stay at home and do things around the house.
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And for our final sentence, right now I'm dabbling in video editing and I'm making videos for my social media page.
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Right now I'm dabbling in video editing
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and I'm making videos for my social media page.
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Great work practicing listening and repeating out loud after me.
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Your speaking skills have grown today
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and the best way to level them up even more is to download today's free PDF worksheet, which includes all of today's important sentences,
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key vocabulary phrases, plus there is a bonus speaking practice that you will have access to within that worksheet.
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You can practice speaking with me and leveling up your speaking skills even more.
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So how can you get this PDF worksheet plus bonus speaking practice?
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All you need to do is click on the link in the description, enter your name and email address, and voila, just like that,
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the free worksheet and bonus speaking practice will land in your email inbox.
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This is my gift to you.
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Well, thank you so much for learning English with me.
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And let me know in the comments, if you made it this far in the video, Do you like this exciting cheetah shirt?
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I think it's pretty cool.
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Let me know in the comments, what is an activity that you do in your free time?
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I can't wait to learn more about you
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and I hope to see you again next Friday for a new lesson here on my YouTube channel.
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Bye.
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But wait, do you want more?
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I recommend watching this video next where you will learn to listen and repeat to answer the question,
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what are you going to do this weekend? an important essential conversation question, and I will give you all the tools you need to
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be able to answer this easily in your real life English conversations.
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I'll see you there.
About This Lesson
In today's lesson, you will practice shadow speaking—a powerful technique to improve English pronunciation and enhance your speaking skills. This approach involves listening to commonly used English phrases and repeating them aloud, which serves to boost your vocabulary, grammar, and overall fluency. You'll be focusing on hobbies and activities, providing you with a relevant context to engage in conversation. By the end of this session, you'll be more confident in articulating your interests and asking about others' hobbies.
Key Vocabulary & Phrases
- What are you into? - A natural way to ask about someone’s hobbies.
- I'm a big reader. - An expression indicating a strong interest in reading.
- 30 or 40 books a year. - A phrase detailing reading frequency, great for discussions about literary habits.
- Repeat out loud. - An instruction that emphasizes the importance of vocal practice.
- Intonation - The rise and fall of your voice, crucial for natural speech.
- Vocabulary - The set of words you know and use, essential for effective communication.
Practice Tips
To make the most of this shadowing technique, follow these tips:
- Listen carefully to the full sentences before you repeat. Pay attention to the speaker's intonation, rhythm, and flow. This will help you emulate natural English-speaking patterns.
- Practice at a comfortable speed. If the speaker is too fast, don't hesitate to pause the video or go back a few seconds to catch up. The goal is to ensure you are accurately mimicking the pronunciation and cadence.
- Use a mirror while shadow speaking. Watching your mouth movements can aid you in refining your pronunciation and achieving clarity in your speech.
- Record yourself while practicing. Comparing your shadow speaks with the original sentences can provide instant feedback on areas for improvement.
- Don’t rush through the sentences. Allow yourself time during pauses to articulate your answers clearly. The more you practice, the easier it will become to express yourself confidently.
Incorporate these strategies into your practice sessions to see significant improvements in your speaking abilities. Embrace the shadowspeaks concept, and you'll soon notice a remarkable growth in your English speaking skills!
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.