Shadowing Practice: MOVERS D WORDLIST SONG BY CAMBRIDGE SMART - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This video has 27 sentences and 312 words to shadow. The speech runs for 2:55. The speaker talks slowly, about 107 words per minute, so there is time to copy every sound. 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
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| spin verb | /spɪn/ | To rotate, revolve, gyrate (usually quickly); to partially or completely rotate to face another direction. |
| swim verb | /swɪm/ | To move through the water, without touching the bottom; to propel oneself in water by natural means. |
| dentist noun | /ˈdɛntɪst/ | A medical doctor who specializes in teeth. |
| splash verb | /splæʃ/ | To hit or agitate liquid so that part of it separates from the principal liquid mass. |
| dolphin noun | /ˈdɑlf.ɪn/ | A carnivorous cetacean, typically with a beak-like snout, famed for their intelligence and occasional willingness to approach humans. |
| taxi noun | /ˈtæksi/ | A vehicle that may be hired for single journeys by members of the public, particularly one with an automated meter to calculate the fare. |
| pencil noun | /ˈpɛnsəl/ | A writing utensil with a graphite (commonly referred to as lead) shaft, usually blended with clay, clad in wood, and sharpened to a taper. |
| dough noun | /doʊ/ | A thick, malleable substance made by mixing flour with other ingredients such as water, eggs, or butter, that is made into a particular form and then baked. |
| superhero noun | /ˈs(j)upɚhɪɹoʊ/ | Any fictional crime-fighting character, often with supernatural powers or equipment, in popular children's and fantasy literature; a fictional hero who does… |
| zoom verb | /zuːm/ | To move fast with a humming noise. |
| downstairs adverb | /daʊnˈstɛɹz/ | Down the stairs. |
| blond adjective | /blɑnd/ | Of a bleached or pale golden (light yellowish) colour. |
| beep noun | /biːp/ | The sound produced by the horn of a car, or any similar sound. |
| grandparent noun | /ˈɡɹæn(d)pɛəɹənt/ | The parent of someone's parent. |
| stomp verb | /stɑmp/ | To trample heavily. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| dress up verb | To put on special or fancy clothes. |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 12 contractions and reduced forms, such as we're, you'll, isn't. 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 spin, swim, dentist.
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 | They've been · they've taught |
| Future with “will” will + verb — a decision, promise or prediction | you'll agree · will stay |
| Present continuous am/is/are + -ing — something happening right now or around now | are swimming · we're learning |
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.
































