Shadowing Practice: OneRepublic - Counting Stars - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

B1
Lately I've been, I've been losing sleep Dreaming about the things that we could be But baby I've been,
⏸ Paused
45 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
Lately I've been, I've been losing sleep Dreaming about the things that we could be But baby I've been,
2
I've been praying hard Said no more counting dollars,
3
we'll be counting stars Yeah,
4
we'll be counting stars
5
I see this life like a swinging vine Swing my heart
6
across the line In my face is flashing signs Seek it out
7
and ye shall find the old But I'm not that old Young,
8
but I'm not that bold
9
And I don't think the world is sold I'm just doing what we're told I feel something
10
so right Doing the wrong thing And I feel something so wrong Doing the right thing
11
I could lie, could lie,
12
could lie Everything that kills me makes me feel alive Lately I've been,
13
I've been losing sleep Dreaming about the things that we could be Baby I've been,
14
I've been praying hard Said no more counting dollars,
15
we'll be counting stars Lately I've been,
16
I've been losing sleep Dreaming about the things that we could be But baby I've been,
17
I've been playing hard Said no more counting dollars,
18
we'll be, we'll become stars I feel your love and I feel it burn Down this river every time Hope is awful,
19
let her work Make that bunny watch it burn Old,
20
but I'm not that old Young,
21
but I'm not that bold
22
And I don't think the world is sold I'm just doing what we're told And I feel something so wrong
23
Doing the right thing I could lie,
24
could lie, could lie Everything that drowns me makes me wanna fly Lately I've been,
25
I've been losing sleep Dreaming about the things that we could be But baby I've been,
26
I've been praying hard Said no more counting dollars,
27
we'll be counting stars Lately I've been,
28
I've been frozen asleep Dreaming about the things that we could be But maybe I've been,
29
I've been playing hard Sending on my counting dollars We'll be,
30
we'll be counting stars Take that money,
31
watch it burn Sink in the river the lessons I learned Take that money,
32
watch it burn Sink in the river the lessons I learned Take that money,
33
watch it burn Sink in the river,
34
the lessons I learned Take that money,
35
watch it burn Sink in the river,
36
the lessons I learned Everything that kills me Makes me feel alone Baby,
37
I've been, I've been losing sleep Dreaming about the things that we could be Baby,
38
I've been, I've been losin' sleep Dreamin' about the things that we could be But baby,
39
I've been, I've been praying hard Said no more,
40
countin' dollars, we'll be countin' stars Lately,
41
I've been, I've been losin' sleep Dreamin' about the things that we could be But baby,
42
I've been, I've been fertig Said no more,
43
countin' dollars, we'll be, we'll be Take that money
44
and watch it burn Sink in the river the lessons I've learned
45
Thank you.

Download App

AI scoring for every sentence you speak

Scan To Download
Scan To Download
Download on theApp Store
Get it onGoogle Play
TRENDING

Popular

About This Lesson

This lesson focuses on enhancing your English speaking skills through the popular song "Counting Stars" by OneRepublic. As you learn English with YouTube, you'll engage with the lyrics to practice pronunciation, intonation, and the rhythm of spoken English. The lyrical content encourages you to think deeply about aspirations, hopes, and the meaning behind your dreams, making it a rich source for both vocabulary and emotional expression. This approach not only aids in IELTS speaking practice but also strengthens your overall communication abilities. By practicing with music, you can improve your fluency while enjoying compelling narratives and melodies.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Losing sleep - Refers to being unable to sleep due to worries or excitement.
  • Counting dollars - A metaphor for focusing on money rather than dreams or aspirations.
  • Counting stars - Symbolizes dreaming, hoping, and aspiring to greater things in life.
  • Feel alive - The sensation of being energized and fully engaged in life.
  • Watch it burn - A metaphor for letting go of material possessions or past mistakes.
  • Lessons learned - The morals or insights gained from experiences.
  • Dreaming about the things that we could be - Imagining potential future possibilities.
  • Old, but I'm not that old - A phrase reflecting on youth and experience.

Practice Tips

To make the most of your English speaking practice with this song, consider the following shadowing tips:

  • Start Slow: Listen to the song at a slower speed initially. This allows you to clearly hear the pronunciation and rhythm of each line.
  • Repeat After Each Line: Play a line, pause, and then try to mimic the singer's pronunciation and intonation. This shadow speech technique helps reinforce your learning.
  • Focus on Emotion: Pay attention to the emotional weight of the lyrics. Practice delivering lines with the same feeling, which is crucial for natural conversation.
  • Record Yourself: Use a recording device or app to capture your voice as you practice. Listening back can help you identify areas for improvement in your speaking skills.
  • Regular Practice: Incorporate this practice into your daily routine to maintain consistency. Just a few minutes each day can significantly enhance your fluency.

Engaging with the song in this way will not only improve your pronunciation but will also boost your confidence in using English in real-life situations. Remember, learning English with YouTube is not just about academic success—it's about connecting through language and understanding.

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.

☕ Buy us a coffee