Shadowing Practice: Luyện nghe tiếng Anh | Jack Ma Motivational Speech - Learn English Speaking with Video

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I did not have a rich father not from you know
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well educated I said I tried three times for university all
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failed for the last time I went to the teachers college
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which was considered the third or fourth class of my city
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but I think that is the best university I've ever had better than Harvard
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and Wharton I I applied for Harvard for ten times.
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Old field, they don't even want to see me.
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You know, terrible.
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And I think that is a normal life.
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It was so difficult at that time.
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I was so frustrated.
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Because I taught in the university.
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My pay was ten dollars a month.
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It was not easy.
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But I believe that something is waiting for me there.
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And I have to work hard to prove myself.
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That was the tough experience.
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And I never thought I was smart.
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Nobody believed that I could be successful.
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Because everybody say, well, this guy think differently, think crazily, you know, they think about something never worked.
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Nobody agree with it.
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As I said, I believe it.
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Because I saw the computer in 1994 when I went to the USA.
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I think this thing could be big.
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I never thought it would be that big like today.
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Honestly, people say you're smart, you have a big vision.
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I'm lucky to know a lot of famous people.
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Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Jack Welch, Larry Page, Mark Zuckerberg.
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I would like to share with you the difference between those people and other people.
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They are always optimistic for the future.
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They never complain.
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They always try to solve the problems of the others.
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And I think, where is the opportunity?
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The opportunity always lies in the place where people complain.
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Some people sit there complain, you think, hmm, if I can solve that complaint, that's the opportunity.
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Because when everybody agrees, why this opportunity should be yours.
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Because a lot of people don't agree with them.
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And you think this is good.
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Think carefully and find a group of people working together.
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And making sure the people working with you together believe the dreams.
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Whether investors believe in this or not, whether your friends believe it or not whether your parents believe it
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or not that's not important you believe it your team believe it
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and work day and night on this that's all the things happens everybody is the same
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because we are start from the same line the best the best assets you have is that you are are young.
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Don't complain.
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Let the other people complain.
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Those people complain, those people who steal.
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Think about how you can make things different.
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Use your own brain to think.
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Is that an opportunity inside?
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Is there anything I can do that make the difference?
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Think about this.
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And then when you think about this, start to do it.
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I saw a lot of people, young people, have fantastic ideas every evening.
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But in the morning, they go to the office again.
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Make the move.
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Make the action. To everybody.
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To any person.
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Tomorrow is new.
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They have to work very hard.
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Right?
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Either work for the others or work for yourself.
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And I choose the way to work for myself.
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But working for myself, that means working for the society.
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If you really want to work for yourself, think about the others.
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Making sure you help others.
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Because only when the other people are successful, when the other people are happy, you'll be successful.
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You will be happy.

Why practice speaking with this video?

Listening to motivational speeches like Jack Ma's provides an excellent opportunity for English learners to enhance their speaking skills. By applying the shadowing technique, learners can imitate the speaker's tone, pace, and rhythm, which is crucial for effective communication. This technique not only helps in improving English pronunciation but also fosters confidence in speaking. The themes of perseverance and optimism expressed in this speech motivate learners, reinforcing the idea that difficult beginnings do not determine future success. The context in which Jack Ma speaks about overcoming challenges can inspire learners to persist in their language practice, making this video a valuable resource.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

Analyzing the transcript reveals several important grammatical structures and expressions that can enhance your spoken English:

  • Past Simple Tense: “I tried three times for university all failed.” This structure is useful for narrating past experiences, a common requirement in IELTS speaking practice.
  • Present Simple for General Statements: “They are always optimistic for the future.” This sentence illustrates a universal truth, which can be used to discuss habitual actions in English.
  • Conditional Sentences: “If I can solve that complaint, that's the opportunity.” Understanding conditionals can aid learners in expressing possibilities, which is crucial during conversations or interviews.
  • Question Formation: “Where is the opportunity?” Practicing how to form questions will aid in making conversations more interactive and dynamic.

Common Pronunciation Traps

As learners engage with Jack Ma's speech, there are certain words and phrases that may pose challenges in pronunciation:

  • “Frustrated” – This word contains sounds that can be tricky; focus on the initial ‘fr’ combination and the placement of stress on the second syllable.
  • “Opportunities” – Pronouncing this word requires attention to syllable stress and can often lead to mispronunciation due to its length.
  • “Complaints” – The presence of the ‘-ts’ sound can be difficult for non-native speakers. Make sure to clearly articulate the ending.

By incorporating these expressions and practicing challenging pronunciations, learners can leverage the shadow speak method effectively. This will not only enhance English pronunciation but also elevate overall speaking proficiency.

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.