Shadowing Practice: Monday Morning Team Motivation | Jack Ma Life Story ( CEO of Alibaba) | Goal Quest - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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I did not have a rich father not from you know well educated I said I tried it three times for university all failed for the last time I went to the teachers college which was considered the third or full class of my city but I think that is the best university I've ever had better than Harvard and Wharton I I applied for Harvard for 10 times all field they don't want to see me you know terrible and I I think that is a normal life it was so difficult at that time I was so frustrated…
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I did not have a rich father not from you know well educated I said I tried it three times for university all failed for the last time I went to the teachers college which was considered the third or full class of my city but I think that is the best university I've ever had better than Harvard and Wharton I I applied for Harvard for 10 times all field they don't want to see me you know terrible and I I think that is a normal life it was so difficult at that time I was so frustrated because I taught in the university my pay was $10 a month was not easy but I believe that something something is waiting for me 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 because everybody say well this guy think differently think it crazily you know they think about something never work nobody agree with as I said I believe it because I saw the computer in 1994 when I went to the USA I think this thing could be big I never thought it would be that big like today honestly people say you're smart you have a big vision I'm I'm lucky to know a lot of famous people 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 where everybody agrees, why this opportunity should be yours.
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Because a lot of people don't agree with it.
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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 or not that's not important you believe it your team believe it and work day and night on this that's all the things happens everybody is the same because we are stuck from the same line the best the best assets you have is that you are young don't complain let the other people complain those people complain those people who still think about how you can make things different 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 and think again.
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Make the move.
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Make the action.
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everybody to any person tomorrow is new they have to work very hard right either work for the others or work for yourself and I choose the way work my for myself but working for myself that means working for the society if you really want to work for yourself think about the others making sure you help others because only when the other have other people are successful when the other people happy you'll be successful you will be happy

Context & Background

In this motivational talk, Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba, shares his life experiences and the challenges he faced on his journey to success. Despite a humble beginning, including multiple failures in his educational pursuits and a modest salary, Ma emphasizes the importance of hard work, optimism, and the ability to think differently. His story illustrates a crucial life lesson: viewing complaints as opportunities for innovation. By addressing the problems that bother others, one can forge a path to success. This narrative serves as an inspiring backdrop for learners seeking to enhance their English through the shadowing technique.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “I never thought I was smart.” – A reminder that intelligence is subjective and success comes from perseverance.
  • “Think about opportunities where others complain.” – Encourages a proactive approach to problem-solving.
  • “Make the move. Make the action.” – A call to stop delaying and start pursuing your goals.
  • “Your success is linked to helping others.” – Highlights the interconnected nature of success and community support.
  • “Use your own brain to think.” – Promotes independent thinking and creativity.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

Improving your English speaking skills through shadow speech can be both efficient and enjoyable. Here’s a step-by-step guide tailored for this particular motivational video:

  1. Active Listening: Watch the video without taking notes. Focus on Jack Ma's intonation, rhythm, and passion. This will help you grasp the emotional tone behind the words, which is vital for effective communication.
  2. Text Preparation: Find a transcript of the video. Having the words written down will aid your comprehension and allow you to follow along more easily during practice.
  3. Shadowing Technique Application: Play the video again, this time pausing after each sentence. Repeat what Jack Ma says immediately after he says it. Try to mimic not just the words, but also the intonation and emotion behind them. This practice will help enhance your fluency and pronunciation.
  4. Record Yourself: Using your smartphone or computer, record yourself repeating the lines. Play it back to compare your speech with the original. This will help you identify areas for improvement.
  5. Consistent Practice: Make this shadowing session a part of your daily English speaking practice. Aim for 15-30 minutes each day to build your confidence and fluency over time. You may even explore more shadowing sites to diversify your learning materials.

Incorporating these phrases and techniques into your routine will not only improve your English but also instill a mindset geared for achieving personal and professional goals. Remember, consistent practice and a positive outlook are key components of successful language acquisition.

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.

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