Shadowing Practice: Lotus - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This video has 19 sentences and 202 words to shadow. The speech runs for 5:06. 85% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start.
Key vocabulary in this video
14 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| guitar noun | /ɡɪˈtɑɹ/ | A stringed musical instrument, of European origin, usually with a fretted fingerboard and six strings, played with the fingers or a plectrum (guitar pick). |
| trick noun | /ˈtɹɪk/ | Something designed to fool, dupe, outsmart, mislead or swindle. |
| mirror noun | /ˈmiɹɚ/ | A smooth surface, usually made of glass with reflective material painted on the underside, that reflects light so as to give an image of what is in front of it. |
| poverty noun | /ˈpɑːvɚti/ | The quality or state of being poor; lack of money |
| chase verb | /t͡ʃeɪs/ | To follow at speed. |
| shake verb | /ˈʃeɪk/ | To cause (something) to move rapidly in opposite directions alternatingly. |
| demon noun | /ˈdiː.mən/ | An evil being resident in or working for Hell; a devil. |
| essence noun | /ˈɛsəns/ | The inherent nature of a thing or idea. |
| abandon verb | /əˈbæn.dən/ | To give up or relinquish control of, to surrender or to give oneself over, or to yield to one's emotions. |
| admire verb | /ədˈmaɪɹ/ | To regard with wonder and delight. |
| instinct noun | /ˈɪn.stɪŋkt/ | A natural or inherent impulse or behaviour. |
| navigate verb | /ˈnæv.ɪ.ɡeɪt/ | To plan, control and record the position and course of a vehicle, ship, aircraft, etc., on a journey; to follow a planned course. |
| roam verb | /ɹoʊm/ | To wander or travel freely and with no specific destination. |
| wildness noun | /ˈwaɪld.nəs/ | The state or quality of being wild. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| run away from verb | To avoid or shirk a problem or consequences; to rush to back away from or disclaim responsibility for something. | |
| wake up verb | /ˌweɪk ˈʌp/ | To stop sleeping; to awake. |
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | We've been tricked · has led |
| Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thing | one who is · one who wakes |
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | We've been tricked |
| Future with “will” will + verb — a decision, promise or prediction | will all · will leave |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 3 contractions and reduced forms, such as don't, we're, we've. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
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 guitar, trick, mirror.
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.