Shadowing Practice: NYE vlog!! *prep & clubbing!* - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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Hello. Is this focus going to work?
0:00.32 – 0:02.56 (2.2s)
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Yeah. Hey everyone. Welcome back to my channel. Today I thought I would bring you along on my New Year's Eve and we can spend New Year's Eve together. So, starting off, I've woken up. I just had some breakfast and I'm going to head to the gym right about now because I need to go and do a big workout because I missed the gym yesterday because the girls came around and we managed to literally sit down and talk for like 3 hours. I'm literally seeing them today as well. But we just had such a nice like girly night. We went to watch Jude and the pants mime and then they end up staying at mine until about 10:30. But I am going to go head in my car now. I will talk to you guys when I get to the gym and all of that jazz. I also need to go and get my manifestation stuff sorted because I bought a ball and I want to make a manifestation board this year because I've never done that before, but I've seen a lot of people do it and I really really really really really want to do it. So, I'm going to go head to the gym, work out, and then yeah, we'll carry on with the day. I'm just in the car now. But yeah, no, I have a few things I need to get sorted today, and I am getting my hair done at 3:30 at Lakeside, which I'm really excited for.
0:03.36 – 1:08.08 (64.7s)
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Basically, guys, um the plan of action is to go to the gym, hit legs, do a 30 minute upper body as well as legs. I'm doing like a full body sesh today and then I'm going to head to Tesco, print out some pics for this manifestation board. But it felt really weird cuz I did like my full body like shave, exfoliate, tan, moisturize, like really really really like good body selfcare.
1:08.88 – 1:35.28 (26.4s)
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But I couldn't wash my hair cuz I'm getting my hair blowdried. Never not washed my hair in my biggest full body showers, but it's because I'm obviously getting it done. There's no point me washing it last night. So yeah, now I'm just driving to the gym. We went to watch Jude, my best friend, in the pantheon yesterday. He was so good. It was Cinderella. And to be honest, the best part was just watching him because I feel like watching someone who is just like he's always been so good at dance.
1:36.08 – 2:00.56 (24.5s)
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I feel like he's really just come out of his shell and become such a amazing human and like really really like learned and discovered himself like this past 2 years since he's been dancing like full time. And it's just really nice to watch him basically. So, it was fun. All the girls went. I drove everyone. You see some people like get beaten up in an alleyway and it was kind of scary. Like actually very scary.
2:01.36 – 2:23.76 (22.4s)
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Frankie went to a wig shop to get a weave for tonight. I was going to say tomorrow, but tonight now it's New Year's Eve today. Um, crazy that it's already this far and like it's New Year's Eve. Like, what the hell?
2:24.56 – 2:39.02 (14.5s)
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How's the year gone this quickly? To be fair, I feel like I've had a really really good year. Like my life this year has been so crazy and like I've done things I've always dreamt of. But to be honest, obviously it came with it downs and I feel like a lot of people have been doing like what I accomplished this year and it's so nice to talk about that. But there's so much that does happen in people's lives that they don't talk about which is for their own reasons and problems or whatever.
2:39.82 – 3:00.32 (20.5s)
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But I just hope you know that obviously with every year there's good and there's bad. Um I'd say I've had a very good year. Like I met Ollie this year. Yeah, it's been magical to be honest, but yeah, it's came with it ups and downs, but it truly has had a lot of ups, which I'm happy about. I am actually going on a massive workout, like 9 week plan soon. So, in that plan, it's like your nutritional um diet, it's working out, it's like every single bit to make you feel stronger and better in yourself. And for me, it's not really about like weight loss or anything like that. If I am honest, I feel like I have been slacking a lot with like gym and just like the mindset hasn't been there. So then it means I'm not been as like I've still been good at going to the gym, don't get me wrong, but like I used to be mad for it and I've lost the love for it a lot.
3:01.12 – 3:51.36 (50.2s)
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So going on to this should make me first of all gain the love that I had originally for the gym and second of all just get me in a bit more of a healthy eating state because I've been trying so much new food recently which I'm really proud of myself but sometimes I feel like I'm eating the wrong foods for what I'm trying to achieve. And like I was saying it's not about losing weight.
3:52.16 – 4:12.08 (19.9s)
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It's just about like I want to be a bit more toned and I want people to look at me and go yeah I can tell she goes to the gym. I don't know how to describe it, but I just want to be a bit more like toned up basically and a bigger boot. An hour and a half session complete. I'm going to drive to Tesco, go and print out some pickies and then we're going to head home. I probably got like an hour and a half until I need to leave for Lakeside just to make sure I get there on time. But wo, what a session that was. I feel like I need to sneeze.
4:12.88 – 4:45.44 (32.6s)
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Oh, it's really cold outside today, guys. I don't know what is going on, but I hate this time of year. Ah, there's so many potholes. But I'm going to drive to Tesco, go and print out my stuff, and then I'm going to get back home, do some of my vision board, and then I'm going to excited to get my hair done. I think I'm going to leave and give myself plenty of time just in case of traffic anyway. So, we'll keep you guys updated. But yeah, I need to go home, shower, um, and then get in a nice tracksuit that I'm going to be in all day once I get ready and get my hair done and etc, etc. But I also need to make sure that whatever I wear is a zip up instead of a hoodie because I'm going to have pink cows and I don't want them to get all wrecked.
4:46.24 – 5:28.96 (42.7s)
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So, but anyway, bye guys. I have made it in here. Let's get it done.
5:29.76 – 5:38.12 (8.4s)
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Oh my god, I just had such a nice Tesco worker serve me. I love when I get like I don't know. I just love when like they're happy cuz I think like it's New Year's Eve. They're probably just going to go home. So, it's just nice seeing that he was really like smiley and happy and he was really nice. Anyway, I got donuts for later. I got some chocolate clusters, some Brookie Bice. I can't say I've ever tried these, but they look really good. And then I just got like some little cocktail cans. Not a lot.
5:38.16 – 6:04.88 (26.7s)
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And then I got cranberry juice, Fanta orange, and Coke. I don't actually drink fizzy drinks, so they're not for me.
6:05.68 – 6:10.88 (5.2s)
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They're actually for everyone else, but I don't know if anyone's actually going to drink like if any mixers or if they just want to drink a Coke. So, I kind of just went for the in between. I had to try one. Sorry. That was good. Um Oh, I was meant to get PVA glue and I forgot.
6:11.68 – 6:28.80 (17.1s)
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Anyway, it's fine. Come back. I've sorted myself out and these dogs are making me cry. They're so cute. But I come back from Tesco. I got dressed. I got in the shower and I'm now heading to Lakeside. This is my fit check. Travis's Skiims Berska top and I got this cute jacket from Entire Studios. And my hat is Cole Buckston. I'm only wearing it because I didn't want to give my hair up anymore and I needed something to cover cover this hair. But these two honestly, they're just freaking adorable. I know all I do is talk about my dogs, but don't I just love you?
6:29.60 – 7:12.28 (42.7s)
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Oh, you're the best. Um, but Nan's on her way round, so when I come back, I'll see Nan, which will be really nice. But I'm just going to head upstairs, get some lip balm, and then I'm heading to the hair salon. I just need to double check.
7:15.04 – 7:31.60 (16.6s)
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It's definitely this time. I'm heading, guys. Let's go.
7:32.40 – 7:37.44 (5.0s)
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I am in Dry Bar now. Finally getting the hair love that it needs cuz guys, it's disgusting. I look orange. This isn't okay. But getting my hair washed and then we're going to blow dry. Guys, I'm just having a little look around Harrods. Have my hair done. Okay, it is go time. It is time to do my glam. So, I got teeth whitening strips in. I've just got in. I'm going to pop some of this Tatcha Chewy all over my face. I feel like I need some primer, but I never use primer and I don't know what to use if I was to use it, if that makes any sense.
7:38.24 – 8:11.84 (33.6s)
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So, I don't know if I should just leave it, but I used to use a lot of primers when I was a bit younger on my face. I'm actually just going to use this, which is the Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter, and pop this on. Today, I'm actually going to be mixing this into my makeup. I never put this on my forehead.
8:12.64 – 8:31.12 (18.5s)
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I don't know why. Just don't like it on my forehead. It breaks me out, I think.
8:31.92 – 8:35.28 (3.4s)
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I can never I can never know for sure, but And I'm just going to use this.
8:36.08 – 8:39.68 (3.6s)
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Blend this out into my face. Oh my god.
8:40.48 – 8:42.80 (2.3s)
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Why is my whole for forehead Why is my head bleeding? That is not good. Okay, we're just literally blending this out absolutely everywhere. We want my skin to look so glowy. Now I've done that, I need to also pop on I keep finding spot stickers that I've had on. Oops.
8:43.60 – 9:07.48 (23.9s)
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Okay. Pop that all over my face. I'm going to be back with you guys once I've done a little bit more. Guys, we are dressed and ready.
9:14.72 – 9:22.08 (7.4s)
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Yeah. Slay. Slay.
9:22.88 – 9:25.84 (3.0s)
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Slay. Slay.
9:26.64 – 9:31.40 (4.8s)
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Oh, hi guys. Nice to see your head.
9:31.60 – 9:37.64 (6.0s)
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Hey guys, hope everyone had a great day.
9:38.80 – 9:41.20 (2.4s)
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We just had to get some sushi.
9:42.00 – 9:46.04 (4.0s)
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Happy hangover.
9:48.20 – 10:17.36 (29.2s)
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Happy. Happy New Yan. Happy doing.
10:18.16 – 10:23.56 (5.4s)

About This Lesson

This New Year's Eve vlog captures the excitement and anticipation of preparing for a celebration. Learners will practice vocabulary related to daily activities, social interactions, and personal reflections. Key grammar patterns may include the use of the present continuous tense to describe ongoing events and the past simple to recount previous experiences. Throughout the video, learners will be exposed to informal speaking contexts that enhance their understanding of conversational English.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Manifestation board: A visual representation of goals, wishes, or aspirations, often created to motivate oneself.
  • Fit check: A casual term used to describe an outfit review or showcase before an event.
  • Self-care: Activities and practices that individuals engage in to improve their well-being and maintain personal health.
  • Glam: Short for glamour, this term refers to a stylish or attractive appearance, often related to makeup and fashion.
  • Slay: A slang term used to praise someone’s impressive appearance or behavior.
  • Doing my hair: Refers to the process of styling one's hair, often indicating preparation for a special occasion.
  • Catch up: To engage in conversation with someone about recent events or to reconnect.
  • Hangover: The unpleasant physical effects following the consumption of too much alcohol.

Practice Tips for This Video

To effectively utilize this vlog for your English speaking practice, follow these specific tips:

  • Shadowing Technique: While watching the video, try to imitate the speaker's words and intonation. Note the informal phrasing and casual expressions, as they are common in everyday English conversation.
  • Speaking Speed: Be aware that the speaker has a natural conversational pace. Start by pausing the video after each sentence to repeat it aloud. Gradually increase your speed to match the original.
  • Accent Exposure: Pay attention to the speaker's accent and pronunciation. Practicing with varying accents will help improve your overall English fluency.
  • Focus on Context: Engage with the different social situations presented in the video, such as going to the gym, preparing for a night out, and reflecting on the past year. This will enhance your vocabulary and prepare you for similar conversations.
  • Pronunciation Practice: Take time to repeat the key phrases listed above, focusing on clarity and enunciation. This will help refine your pronunciation skills in contexts relevant to everyday life.

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.

How to Practice Effectively on ShadowingEnglish

  1. Choose your video: Pick a YouTube video with clear, natural English speech. TED Talks, BBC News, movie scenes, podcasts, or IELTS sample answers all work great. Paste the URL into the search bar. Start with shorter videos (under 5 minutes) and content you find genuinely interesting — motivation matters.
  2. Listen first, understand the context: On your first pass, keep the speed at 1x and just listen. Don't try to repeat yet. Focus on understanding the meaning, picking up new vocabulary, and noticing how the speaker stresses words, links sounds, and uses pauses.
  3. Set up Shadowing mode:
    • Wait Mode: Choose +3s or +5s — after each sentence plays, the video pauses automatically so you have time to repeat it out loud. Choose Manual if you want full control and press Next yourself after each repetition.
    • Sub Sync: YouTube subtitles sometimes appear slightly ahead or behind the audio. Use ±100ms to align them perfectly so you can follow along accurately.
  4. Shadow out loud (the core practice): This is where the real work happens. As soon as a sentence plays — or during the pause — repeat it out loud, clearly and confidently. Don't just mouth the words: mirror the speaker's exact rhythm, stress, pitch, and connected speech. Aim to sound like a shadow of the speaker, not just a word-by-word recitation. Use the Repeat feature to drill the same sentence multiple times until it feels natural.
  5. Scale up the challenge: Once a passage feels comfortable, push your limits. Increase speed to <code>1.25x</code> or even <code>1.5x</code> to train high-speed language reflexes. Or set Wait Mode to <code>Off</code> for continuous shadowing — the most advanced and rewarding mode. Consistent daily practice of 15–30 minutes will produce noticeable results within weeks.

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