Shadowing Practice: Listening #english #speakenglish - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
1
Hello, my name is, sorry, you can't see me, I'm here, the lights.
2
My name is Bill Hayter and I'm training journalists at MRTV at the moment.
3
This evening I hope that state television might broadcast you talking about politics for the first time ever,
4
but at the moment they're going to take a soundbite of you speaking in English with a Burmese voiceover.
5
They're a bit shy to ask the question themselves.
6
Could you say the same thing again in Burmese, explaining that you wish to stand for the presidency and the obstacles that stand in your path, but in Burmese?
7
I'm getting a little bit tired of this presidency business.
8
And I think the reason why people are so interested is
9
that given to me by the BBC interviewer who said that she'd never come across any politician who admitted to wanting office.
10
And that whenever she asked him, do you want to become the president or the prime minister, the answer usually was something like, well, if the people really want me to,
11
and so on and so on.
12
So I said to her, and do you believe them when they say this?
13
And she said, no, I don't believe them.
14
So I said, I might as well be honest and say, yes, I do aspire to the presidency,
15
as I should, as a leader of a political party that is going to take part in the electoral process.
16
The whole thing?
17
All right.
18
This is why you have to say that you are the one who is a child and who is a child.
19
So, if you have to talk to someone, you have to say that you are the first person to know and how those children are.
20
If you have to ask someone to look at things, they are the ones who are and what will be like.
21
If you are the ones who are the ones who are in your house,
22
they are the ones who are Thank you.
23
Right?

Context & Background

The dialogue presented in the video features Bill Hayter, who is training journalists at MRTV. He discusses the complexities of political aspirations, specifically focusing on candidacy for the presidency. This context not only sheds light on the political landscape but also emphasizes the importance of effective communication in English, especially in public speaking scenarios. Bill's frankness about his ambitions contrasts with typical political rhetoric, making this conversation rich in vocabulary and conversational skills that learners can appreciate and adopt.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “Do you want to become the president?” - A straightforward way to ask someone about their political ambitions.
  • “I wish to stand for the presidency.” - A formal declaration of one’s political intent.
  • “The obstacles that stand in your path.” - Useful for discussing challenges in any context.
  • “I might as well be honest.” - A phrase indicating transparency in dialogue.
  • “If the people really want me to.” - A common phrase reflecting responsiveness to public support.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To master the phrases and communication tactics shared in this video effectively, consider utilizing the shadowing technique. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you improve your English pronunciation:

  1. Watch the video without subtitles. - Focus on the pronunciation and intonation of the speaker.
  2. Listen to specific phrases. - Note the way expressions are articulated, particularly those listed above.
  3. Pause and repeat. - Use the shadowspeak method by mimicking the speaker immediately after they say something. This helps with accent and rhythm.
  4. Record yourself. - Hearing your own pronunciation compared to the original will help you identify areas for improvement.
  5. Utilize online resources. - Find a shadowing site or additional videos where you can practice similar dialogues, allowing for further exposure and learning opportunities.

By consistently practicing these steps, you can dramatically improve your English pronunciation and develop confidence in your speaking abilities, whether in political contexts or everyday communication. Remember, learning English with YouTube can be both effective and engaging when you utilize the right techniques!

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.