Shadowing Practice: 'Never be ashamed of trying': Taylor Swift tells Class of 2022 in commencement speech l GMA - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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I'd like to thank NYU for making me technically, on paper at least, a doctor.
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I'd like to thank NYU for making me technically, on paper at least, a doctor.
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Not the type of doctor you would want around in case of an emergency.
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Unless your specific emergency was that you desperately needed to hear a song with a catchy hook and an intensely cathartic bridge section.
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I'm 90% sure the main reason I'm here is because I have a song called 22.
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And let me just say I am elated to be here with you today as we celebrate and graduate New York University's class of 2022.
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Someone read stories to you and taught you to dream and offered up some moral code of right and wrong for you to try and live by.
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And maybe they didn't do it perfectly.
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No one ever can.
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Maybe they aren't with us anymore.
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In that case, I hope you'll remember them today.
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Words are supposed to be my thing, but I will never be able to find the words to thank my mom and dad, my brother Austin,
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for the sacrifices they made every day so I could go from singing in coffee houses to standing up here with you all today, because no words would ever be enough.
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To all the incredible parents, family members, mentors, teachers, allies, friends and loved ones here today who have supported these students in their pursuit of educational enrichment,
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let me say to you now, welcome to New York, it's been waiting for you.
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You and I both learned that you don't always get all the things in the bag that you selected from the menu in the delivery surface that is life.
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You get what you get.
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And as I would like to say to you wholeheartedly, you should be very proud of what you've done with it.
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Today, you leave New York University and then go out into the world searching what's next.
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And so will I.
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Please bear in mind that I in no way feel qualified to tell you what to do.
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You've worked and struggled and sacrificed and studied and dreamed your way here today.
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I will however give you some life hacks I wish I knew when I was starting out my dreams of a career and navigating life,
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love, pressure, choices, shame, hope, and friendship.
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The first of which is life can be heavy especially if you try to carry it all at once.
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Part of growing up and moving into new chapters of your life is about catch and release.
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You can't carry all things, all grudges, all updates on your ex.
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Decide what is yours to hold and let the rest go.
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I'd like to say I'm a big advocate for not hiding your enthusiasm for things.
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Never be ashamed of trying.
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Effortlessness is a myth.
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Now you leave the structure and framework of school and chart your own path.
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Every choice you make leads to the next choice which leads to the next and I know it's hard to know which path to take and as long as we are fortunate enough to be breathing we will breathe in,
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breathe through, breathe deep, breathe out.
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And I am a doctor now so I know how breathing works.
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I hope you know how proud I am to share this day with you.
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We're doing this together, so let's just keep dancing like we're the class of 22.
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About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will practice English listening and speaking skills by engaging with Taylor Swift's commencement speech delivered to the Class of 2022 at New York University. By shadowing her speech, you will enhance your pronunciation, intonation, and rhythm, while gaining insights into her motivational messages. The themes of perseverance, self-acceptance, and the journey of personal growth will not only help you improve your language skills but also inspire you to embrace challenges in your own life.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Catch and release: A metaphor for letting go of things that burden you.
  • Effortlessness is a myth: The idea that success requires hard work and effort.
  • Chart your own path: To create your own direction in life.
  • Life can be heavy: Acknowledging that life brings challenges and responsibilities.
  • Never be ashamed of trying: Encouragement to always put in effort, regardless of the outcome.
  • Breathing through challenges: The concept of managing stress or pressure through mindful breathing.
  • Keep dancing: A metaphor for continuing to move forward joyfully, despite difficulties.

Practice Tips

When shadowing Taylor Swift's speech, pay particular attention to her speed and the emotional nuances in her tone. Here are some tailored practice tips:

  • Listen first: Replay sections of the speech to get a sense of the rhythm and emotional delivery.
  • Use a shadowing app: Record yourself while shadowing her speech, then listen back to compare your pronunciation and intonation with hers.
  • Start slow: Begin by repeating short phrases and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable with the content.
  • Emphasize emotions: Focus on the feelings behind her words; this will help you convey the same emotions while speaking.
  • Practice with a partner: Find someone to practice with, using the shadow speech technique to improve each other's fluency and confidence.

By consistently practicing these techniques on a shadowing site or using shadowing records, you will make significant strides in your English speaking abilities.

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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