Shadowing Practice: October 23, 2026 - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This speaking lesson is built on the video “October 23, 2026”. This video has 1040 sentences and 5115 words to shadow. The speech runs for 41:18. The speaker talks at a steady 124 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. Only 77% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding. 218 of its 1040 sentences are questions, so it is good practice for question intonation and short answers.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| lesson noun | /ˈlɛs.ən/ | A section of learning or teaching into which a wider learning content is divided. |
| package noun | /ˈpæk.ɪd͡ʒ/ | Something which is packed, a parcel, a box, an envelope. |
| clock noun | /klɑk/ | A chronometer, an instrument that measures time, particularly the time of day. |
| 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. |
| cancel verb | /ˈkæn.sl̩/ | To cross out something with lines etc. |
| passport noun | /ˈpæspɔɹt/ | An official document normally used for international journeys, which proves the identity and nationality of the person for whom it was issued. |
| arrive verb | /əˈɹaɪv/ | To reach; to get to a certain place. |
| noon noun | /nun/ | The time of day when the Sun seems to reach its highest point in the sky; solar noon. |
| stamp noun | /stæmp/ | An act of stamping the foot, paw or hoof. |
| luggage noun | /ˈlʌɡ.ɪdʒ/ | The bags and other containers that hold a traveller's belongings. |
| meal noun | /ˈmiːl/ | Food that is prepared and eaten, usually at a specific time, and usually in a comparatively large quantity. |
| gate noun | /ˈɡeɪ̯t/ | A doorlike structure outside a house. |
| muscle noun | /ˈmʌs.əl/ | A contractile form of tissue which animals use to effect movement. |
| mall noun | /mɔːl/ | A pedestrianised street, especially a shopping precinct. |
| menu noun | /ˈmɛn.juː/ | The details of the food to be served at a banquet; a bill of fare. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| wake up verb | /ˌweɪk ˈʌp/ | To stop sleeping; to awake. |
| write down verb | To produce or set (something) down in writing; to record something. | |
| check out verb | To record the departure or withdrawal of someone or something (such as guests, employees, books, etc.). | |
| come back verb | To return to a place. | |
| fill out verb | /fɪl ˈaʊt/ | To complete a form or questionnaire with requested information. |
| get out of verb | To leave, exit or escape from; to become free of. | |
| go past verb | To elapse. (said of time) | |
| pick up verb | To lift; to grasp and raise. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- Do you have a pet?
- What's your phone number?
- Could you help me please?
- Can you repeat that please?
- Can I have a kid's menu?
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | is closed · is delayed · is lost |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | have you been · have been |
| Verb + -ing enjoy, keep, stop… + -ing — verbs that are followed by the -ing form | enjoy listening · love painting · enjoy cooking |
| Advice with “should” should + verb — saying what is a good idea | should I take · should I put · should save |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 34 contractions and reduced forms, such as don't, I'm, can't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “th” sounds: thick /θɪk/, bath /bɑːθ/, theater /ˈθi(ə)tɚ/, throat /ˈθɹoʊt/, gather /ˈɡæðɚ/
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: reservation /ˌɹɛz.ɚˈveɪ.ʃən/, delicious /dɪˈlɪ.ʃəs/, dish /dɪʃ/, cashier /kaˈʃɪə/, vacation /veɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/
- Long words — get the stress right: reservation /ˌɹɛz.ɚˈveɪ.ʃən/, supermarket /ˌsupɚˈmɑɹkət/, vegetarian /vɛ.d͡ʒɪˈtɛ.ɹi.ən/, celebration /ˌsɛl.ɪˈbɹeɪ.ʃən/, examination /ɪɡˌzæm.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/
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 lesson, package, clock.
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.











