Shadowing Practice: Phát âm chuẩn - Anh ngữ đặc biệt: Russia Economy (VOA) - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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Music From VOA Learning English,
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this is the Economics Report.
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Russia's economy is struggling at the beginning of 2016.
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Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev thinks the economy is looking better than it did one year ago.
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But he told a conference in January that Russia must prepare for the worst.
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Medvedev spoke in Moscow at the yearly Guider Forum on Economics.
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He said 2015 was probably the most difficult year for Russia economically in the past 10 years.
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The level of economic activity shrank 3.8% last year.
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Two main reasons for this were the sharp drop in the price of oil and Western economic sanctions.
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Oil is Russia's main export.
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Its price has dropped about 70% to $30 a barrel over the past 12 months.
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Western countries placed sanctions on Russia because of its 2014 takeover of Crimea.
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Russia also has continued its military support for rebels in eastern Ukraine.
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The Western measures have cut off Russian banks from international credit.
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The value of the ruble has dropped from a high of 30 to the U.S dollar to about 75.
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Inflation was a major concern for Russians last year.
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On average, prices increased at a rate of 15% in 2015.
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But consumer food prices increased between 20 and 30 percent.
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High inflation has hurt Russia's poor.
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The number of Russians below subsistence poverty rose to more than 20 million last year from 18 million a year earlier.
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Medvedev admitted the government would likely face budget cuts.
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About half of Russia's budget depends on oil export revenues.
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Observers say oil prices could drop further to $20 a barrel.
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For VOA Learning English, I'm Jonathan Evans.

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About This Lesson

In this lesson, learners will practice their English speaking skills through the analysis of the economic situation in Russia as presented in a VOA Learning English report. This transcript focuses on important economic terms and concepts, while also reflecting on the challenges faced by the Russian economy in recent years. By engaging with this content, learners will improve their pronunciation, vocabulary, and comprehension, essential elements for effective communication in English. Utilizing techniques such as shadowspeak and the shadowing technique, learners can enhance their ability to articulate thoughts clearly during discussions or presentations.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Economy - the system of production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services in a particular country or region.
  • Inflation - the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises, eroding purchasing power.
  • Sanctions - punitive measures taken by one or more countries against another country to influence its actions or policies.
  • Export - sending goods or services to another country for sale.
  • Budget cuts - reductions in spending, often made to balance a budget during economic hardship.
  • Substance poverty - a condition where an individual or community lacks the financial resources to meet basic needs for survival.
  • Economic activity - any action that involves the production, distribution, or consumption of goods and services.

Practice Tips

To effectively enhance your speaking skills using this transcript, consider employing the shadowing technique. This method involves repeating what you hear in real-time, which can be particularly beneficial given the pacing and tone of the original report. Here are some key tips for your practice:

  • Start Slow: Listen to the video at a reduced speed with the intention of grasping the pronunciation and intonation before moving to normal speed.
  • Focus on Sounds: Pay attention to how different sounds are produced, especially in words like “sanctions” and “inflation.” This will be particularly helpful in your IELTS speaking practice.
  • Use a Shadowing App: If possible, use a shadowing app that allows you to listen and practice simultaneously, making it easier to repeat phrases accurately.
  • Record Yourself: After shadowing, record your voice to identify areas for improvement, focusing on fluency and pronunciation.
  • Repetition is Key: Repeat this exercise multiple times, as frequent practice will solidify your command over the vocabulary and improve your overall speaking confidence.

By integrating shadowspeak into your routine, you will see noticeable improvements in your confidence and clarity when speaking English, especially concerning complex topics like economics.

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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