Shadowing Practice: Phát âm chuẩn - Anh ngữ đặc biệt: “They” is the Word of the Year (VOA) - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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From VOA Learning English, this is the Education Report.
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From VOA Learning English, this is the Education Report.
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American language experts have chosen they as the 2015 Word of the Year.
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The American Dialect Society, or ADS,
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voted on the issue at a conference in Washington.
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They is a plural pronoun.
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For years, people speaking English have used it as a singular pronoun.
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For example, I am meeting a friend for coffee,
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and I hope they are not late.
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The correct use, however, is as a third-person plural pronoun.
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For example, when I meet my school friends for coffee,
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they are always late.
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Ben Zimmer writes about language for the Wall Street Journal.
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He says there has been a lot of debate recently about something that has been in our language for centuries.
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He explains that English does not have a third-person singular pronoun that does not identify as male or female.
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Zimmer says that more and more,
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they is being used to replace the traditional phrase he or she.
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For example, they is used for people who identify as transgender.
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When former Olympic athlete Bruce Jenner took a female identity last year,
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he changed his name to Caitlyn Jenner.
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The new use of they would replace he and the word their would replace his.
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For example, they changed their name to Caitlyn Jenner.
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ADS President Alan Metcalf says,
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People have argued about the use of a singular they for more than 100 years.
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And he says, 100 years from now,
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people will still be debating it.
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Metcalf says, The decision for the word of the year is not based on science.
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Instead, he says, the ADS chooses from words that express the concerns and stories of the past year.
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For VOA Learning English, I'm Ana Mateo.

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About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will practice and enhance your understanding of the inclusive pronoun "they." This term has gained significant recognition, being named the 2015 Word of the Year by the American Dialect Society. By watching the video and following along with the provided content, you will learn how to correctly use "they" as both a plural and singular pronoun, especially in contexts involving gender identity. This practice will help you improve English pronunciation and gain confidence in your communication skills, which is beneficial for settings such as IELTS speaking practice.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Pronoun: A word that replaces a noun.
  • Singular: Referring to one person or thing.
  • Plural: Referring to more than one person or thing.
  • Transgender: A term for people whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.
  • Debate: A discussion involving opposing viewpoints.
  • Identity: The fact of being who or what a person is.
  • Concerns: Issues that are important or worrying.
  • Caitlyn Jenner: A public figure who has undergone a gender transition.

Practice Tips

For effective shadowing, you can leverage the content presented in the video featuring discussions on the use of "they." Here are some tips to guide you:

  • Listen to the pronunciation: Focus on how the speakers say "they" and other relevant terms. Pay attention to their tone and intonation.
  • Shadow speech: As you listen, try to repeat immediately after the speaker, matching their speed and pronunciation. This practice helps improve English pronunciation significantly.
  • Break it down: If the video feels too fast, pause and repeat shorter segments. This allows you to stabilize your understanding of complex phrases and sounds.
  • Emphasize clarity: Make sure your own pronunciation is clear when mimicking the speakers. This is crucial for IELTS speaking practice where clarity affects scoring.
  • Use the materials multiple times: Revisiting the video a few times, focusing on different vocabulary or phrases each time, can thoroughly cement your learning.

Utilizing shadowing techniques from resources like this helps enhance your language acquisition journey, making learning both effective and enjoyable. Remember, consistent practice on this shadowing site can yield substantial improvements in your English speaking skills.

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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