Shadowing Practice: Michael Jackson - Billie Jean (Official Video) - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

B1
Skips She
⏸ Paused
36 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
Skips She
2
was more like a beauty queen from a movie scene I said don't mind
3
but what do you mean I am the one That could dance or that blow in the round
4
She said I am the one Who would dance on the floor,
5
in the round
6
She told me her name was Billie Jean And she caused her scene
7
Then her heavy head turned with her eyes To dream of being the one Who would dance on the floor,
8
in the round People always told me,
9
be careful what you do Don't go around breaking young girls' hearts And mother always told me,
10
be careful who you love Be careful what you do,
11
cause the love ain't come true You're a bitch,
12
not my lover She's just a girl,
13
and I'm the one But the kid is not my son She says I'm the one
14
But the kid is not my son For forty days and for forty nights I was on her side
15
But who can stand when she's in demand Her schemes and the lands Come and dance,
16
come and blow, get around So take my strong advice Just remember to always think twice
17
Do think twice She told my baby,
18
dance to three She looked at me,
19
then showed a photo with baby Pride's eyes look like mine Go and dance,
20
old or lord, ill around,
21
babe People always told me,
22
be careful what you do
23
Don't go around breaking young girls' hearts Don't break no use But she came and stood right by me
24
Just a smell and sweet perfume This happened soon,
25
she'd call me true
26
The Billie Jean is not my lover She's just a girl who claims that I am the one
27
But the Billie Jean is not my son
28
The Billie Jean is not my lover She's just a girl who claims that I am the one
29
But the kid is not my son She says I am the one But the kid is not my son
30
The future's in my life She said I'm the one But the kid is not my son
31
That little chain is not my daughter She's just a girl
32
But then I'm the
33
one She says I am,
34
you know she did She says she is what's a ring in my heart,
35
babe She says I am,
36
you know she did Bye.

Download App

AI scoring for every sentence you speak

Scan To Download
Scan To Download
Download on theApp Store
Get it onGoogle Play
TRENDING

Popular

About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will practice your English speaking skills by engaging with the iconic lyrics of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean." This exercise emphasizes rhythm, pronunciation, and emotional expression, crucial elements in speaking fluently and naturally. By analyzing the lyrics and their storytelling aspects, you will enhance your ability to communicate effectively in different contexts, making this an excellent addition to your english speaking practice routine.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Beauty queen - A term used to describe a beautiful woman, often representing a specific beauty pageant.
  • In demand - A phrase indicating that someone is highly sought after or popular.
  • Dance on the floor - Refers to dancing, often in a social setting or event.
  • Breaking young girls' hearts - A metaphor about causing emotional pain to young women.
  • Be careful who you love - A cautionary phrase advising mindfulness in romantic relationships.
  • Claims that I am the one - Suggests someone asserting a significant emotional connection or responsibility.
  • Heavy head - A metaphor for feeling burdened or consumed by thoughts.
  • Sweet perfume - Evokes a sense of romance and attraction, often used in lyrical contexts.

Practice Tips

To get the most out of this lesson, consider applying the shadowing technique. Start by listening closely to the song, paying attention to the rhythm and the emotional intonation of Michael Jackson's voice. The pacing of the song is moderate, which allows you to effectively mirror his pronunciation and stress patterns. Here are some suggestions for your shadowing practice:

  • Listen intently: Focus on the lyrics as you listen, picking up on the nuances of the words and overall tone.
  • Repeat phrases: After you hear a line, pause and repeat it aloud. Aim to match the speed and emotion of his delivery.
  • Record yourself: Use a recording device and listen back. This will help you assess your pronunciation and fluency.
  • Practice consistently: Frequent repetition will deepen your grasp of the vocabulary and improve your confidence in speaking.
  • Utilize shadowspeak: This method connects you to the rhythm and flow of the song, enhancing your enjoyment and engagement with the material.

Engaging with music through shadowing can be a fun and productive way to develop your English skills, so don't hesitate to explore this -- you will find it an essential part of your shadowing site journeys!

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.

☕ Buy us a coffee