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326 sentences
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1
Hello everyone and welcome back to Mind the Gap.
2
It's really lovely to have you with us again.
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I'm Jen.
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And I'm Casey.
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So Jen, I've been hearing this from so many learners recently, and I think it's such a big worry.
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They say, why do native speakers talk so fast?
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Is it because we don't know enough words?
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Ah, yes.
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That question comes up all the time, doesn't it?
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And honestly, I completely understand why learners feel that way.
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You sit in front of a film, or maybe you're listening to a conversation on the bus, and it just feels like everything is racing past you.
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It can be so frustrating.
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But here's the good news: it's not just you and it's not that your English is bad.
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This is something almost every learner experiences.
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In today's episode, we're going to unpack this problem step by step and, more importantly, we'll share some practical ways to deal with it.
16
By the end, you'll know exactly what to focus on and how to train your brain to keep up with fast English.
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That sounds perfect.
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or if something else is going on.
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Exactly, so let's dive in.
20
So, Jen, let me put this to you.
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A lot of people genuinely believe that the reason they don't understand native speakers is simply because they don't know enough vocabulary.
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The thinking goes, if I just memorise more words, I'll finally get it.
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Is that true?
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Well, vocabulary definitely helps.
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I mean, if you don't know the word 'umbrella' and someone asks you 'have you got an umbrella', you'll be lost.
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So, of course, vocabulary is really important, it's not the main problem when it comes to fast native speech.
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Not the main problem?
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Then what is going on?
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Think about this.
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Sometimes you know all the words in a sentence, but you still don't understand what the speaker means.
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For example, if I say to you, "It's on me." Now, the words are simple, aren't they?
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"It" – you know that.
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"On" – you know that.
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"Me" – you know that. for you.
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I'll treat you.
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Right, so the problem isn't the words themselves, it's more about how they're used together.
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Exactly.
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Language isn't just Lego bricks of vocabulary, it's patterns, it's chunks, it's expressions that carry a meaning bigger than the individual words.
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Learners often get frustrated because they're trying to decode each word separately, then translate it into their own language,
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and by the time they've finished that process, That sounds familiar.
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I've definitely had that moment when I'm still translating the first part and I've already missed the second part completely.
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Yes, and that's why simply adding more words to your memory isn't enough.
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Imagine watching a film in English.
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You recognise the words 'go', 'home', 'late', 'bus'.
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But if the actors are speaking quickly, linking words together or using an idiom, you suddenly feel lost.
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The problem isn't your vocabulary list, it's the way your brain is processing it the language.
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So would you say the real challenge is what you sometimes call thinking in English?
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Spot on.
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I like to call it building an English brain.
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Instead of stopping to translate each word into Chinese or another language, you want to train yourself to react directly in English.
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That way, when someone says "Fancy a cuppa?" your brain doesn't go "Fancy = shihuan,
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cuppa = chabei" want a cup of tea.
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That makes so much sense.
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So the real danger here is not a lack of words, but relying too much on translation.
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Yes, that's exactly it.
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Translation is like carrying a heavy backpack.
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You can move forward, but very slowly.
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To really keep up with fast English, you need to drop that backpack and build a quicker route in your brain.
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And that's what we're going to explore today.
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How to get rid of the constant translation and start thinking directly in English.
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So Jen, you've mentioned this idea of an English brain a few times now, but what exactly is it?
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Good question.
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When I talk about an English brain, I mean the ability to understand English directly, without having to stop and translate it into Chinese or any other language first.
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It's that mental switch where English goes in and meaning comes out straight away, no middleman involved.
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So it's like cutting out the translation step.
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Sometimes if someone says "Tri fan le ma" you don't stop and think "Hmmm, chu means eat, fan means rice or meal,
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ma is a question particle." No, you instantly know it's just a friendly greeting.
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You don't even consciously notice the words.
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That's your Chinese brain at work.
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Right, so in English we want the same thing.
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going, jinxingzhong.
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If you do that, you'll be painfully slow.
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Instead, your English brain should jump straight to, "Oh, they're just saying hello, asking how I am." That makes sense.
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So it's more about instinctive understanding, isn't it?
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Absolutely.
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Think of it like this.
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When you first start learning English, it feels a bit like riding a bike with training wheels.
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You wobble, you have to check every movement,
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plane, it's like the training wheels come off.
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You don't analyse each pedal stroke, you just ride.
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I love that metaphor.
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So how do we actually practice that?
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Let's try a mini exercise with our listeners right now.
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I'm gonna say a very British phrase: fancy a cuppa.
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Now, don't translate word by word.
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Don't think fancy equals xihuan, cuppa equals chabei.
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Just try to feel what it Alright, shall we give people a second?
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Yes, let's pause for a moment.
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I OK, if your English brain kicked in, you probably got it.
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"Fancy a cuppa" is just a friendly way of asking, "Would you like a cup of tea?" Very British, isn't it?
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So it's really about reacting naturally rather than analysing.
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Exactly.
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And the more you practice, the quicker your brain makes these direct connections.
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At first it feels slow and a bit awkward, but over time it becomes automatic.
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Just like when you learn to recognise 'okay', you don't translate it anymore.
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It just means "how".
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That's what we want with whole phrases in English.
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So the English brain is basically training yourself to link English sounds directly to meaning without Chinese getting in the way.
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That's it.
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No dictionary in the middle, no delay.
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And once you build that reflex, suddenly fast English doesn't feel impossible anymore.
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It just flows.
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But Jen, let me play devil's advocate for a moment.
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Can't we just take our time?
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in my head, English in, Chinese out.
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Isn't that fine?
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Oh, I get why you'd think that.
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And yes, technically you can do that.
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But here's the problem: in real life, English doesn't wait for you.
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Native speakers don't press pause while you translate.
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By the time you've worked out the first sentence, they're already three steps ahead.
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Yes, that's exactly the problem I've had when watching British dramas.
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I'm still chewing on one line and the characters have already fired off two more.
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Exactly.
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Native speech is naturally quick, especially in the UK.
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We love to link words, swallow sounds, throw in expressions.
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It's not because we want to make life difficult, it's just how people talk day to day.
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So the speed is one reason What else makes translation tricky?
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Well, another big reason is context.
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English is full of phrases that don't make sense if you translate word by word.
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Let me give you an example.
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I'll give you a bell.
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A bell?
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Like.. like a church bell.
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Exactly.
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If you translate it literally, you'll picture me handing you an actual bell.
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But in British English, it just means I'll give you a phone call.
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Unless your brain can make that direct leap, English phrase straight to meaning, you'll get completely confused.
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That's a really good example.
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So if I tried to translate that step by step, I'd totally miss the point.
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is nonsense because languages don't map perfectly onto each other.
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And then there's the third reason: thinking styles.
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English tends to be more direct and structured.
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For example, we'd say: I don't agree very clearly.
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In Chinese, you might just say something softer like, which is less direct.
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If you keep trying to process English through a Chinese lens, you'll always feel a mismatch.
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So it's not just about words, it's about culture and communication style as well.
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Exactly.
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That's why an English brain isn't a luxury.
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It's not something nice to have.
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up with real English.
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Without it, you'll always be translating, always behind, always second -guessing.
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With it, you'll finally be able to follow conversations naturally and respond in real -time.
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So really, it's the only way to bridge that gap between what we learn in textbooks and how people actually speak.
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That's a brilliant way to put it.
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The English brain is your ticket from the classroom into the real world.
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Oh right, Jen.
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So far, I've got to say, 'I'm you've convinced me that we do need an English brain.
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But here's the big question: how do we actually build one?
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Yes, that's the heart of it, isn't it?
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And the good news is it's not some mysterious talent.
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Anyone can train their brain to think in English.
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I like to break it down into three core ingredients.
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Okay, go on.
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Number one: stop translating word by word.
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Number two: focus on chunks, not individual words.
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And number three: get as much natural input as possible real English, not just textbook sentences.
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Let's unpack those one at a time.
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The first one, you said stop translating word by word, but that's easier said than done, right?
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True, it's a tough habit to break, but think about it like this: If you see the word 'dog', what happens in your head?
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You don't really think "oh go" equals dog, you just instantly picture a dog.
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Maybe a Labrador, maybe a little Corgi.
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That's the direct connection we want.
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English to meaning, no Chinese in the middle.
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So instead of thinking dog means go, we should jump straight to the image of a dog.
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Exactly.
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And once you start doing this with longer phrases, it really speeds things up.
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Which brings me nicely to ingredient number two.
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Learn chunks, not just words.
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go together?
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Yes.
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For example, instead of memorising 'take', 'bus', 'work' as three separate items,
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learn the whole chunk 'take the bus to work' because that's how people actually use it.
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When you hear it, you won't waste time assembling it piece by piece, you'll just recognise it as one familiar unit.
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That really does sound more efficient, and it must make listening easier too, because you don't have to decode every single word.
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Spot on!
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In fact, research shows that native speakers rely heavily on chunks.
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That's why learners often feel overwhelmed.
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Natives aren't really speaking in words, they're speaking in ready -made blocks.
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The more chunks you know, the faster your brain can keep up.
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instead of single bricks.
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Yes, lovely analogy.
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If you've only got bricks, it takes ages to build something.
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But if you've got ready -made pieces, say a window or a door, you can build a house in no time.
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Alright, so that's translating less and chunking more.
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What about your third ingredient, natural input?
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Ah yes, this one's crucial.
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listen to how people actually speak.
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And then when they finally hear real British English, with all the linking, the slang, the humour, it's a shock.
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So, you need to flood your brain with real input: podcasts, radio shows, conversations.
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But won't that feel impossible to follow at first?
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It will, and that's completely normal.
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At the beginning, you might only catch every word.
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It's to train your ear, to let your brain get used to the rhythm, the intonation, the common phrases.
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Over time, what felt like noise starts turning into familiar patterns.
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So it's about exposure, not perfection.
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Exactly.
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And if you combine those three things, stop translating, learn chunks and get natural input,
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you're already halfway to building an you So,
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Jen, we've talked a lot about why we need an English brain and what it involves, but can you give us something practical,
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like a step -by -step method that people can actually follow at home?
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Yes, definitely.
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I think it helps to imagine this as a journey with three main stages.
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The early stage, the middle stage, and the advanced stage.
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it up gradually, brick by brick.
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Alright, let's start with the early stage then.
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What should learners actually do?
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In the early stage, the focus is very simple: connect English words directly to images or feelings,
209
not to Chinese translations.
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For example, if you hear the word 'apple', don't think 'oh, apple equals ping -wo'.
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Instead, picture Maybe imagine the crunch as you bite into it.
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That direct link trains your brain to cut out the middleman.
213
So it's about retraining your brain's first reaction.
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Exactly.
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You can do this with all sorts of everyday words: chair, dog, school, bus.
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It might feel childish at first,
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but that's exactly how native speakers built their language as children. That makes sense.
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And what about the middle stage?
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Now, in the middle stage, you move beyond single words into chunks.
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This is where shadowing comes in too.
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Let's say you're listening to 'Take the bus to work'.
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Instead of breaking it into four words, you practice recognising it as one block.
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Then you shadow it.
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Repeat it immediately after you hear it, matching the rhythm and the intonation.
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That sounds tricky at first.
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It is!
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You'll stumble, you'll mumble, you'll feel a bit silly, but that's the point.
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It's training.
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You're teaching your mouth and your ears to move at the same time, like a dancer copying the steps.
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And the more you do it, the more natural it feels.
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And it helps with listening too, right?
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Oh, massively.
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When you shadow, you're not just copying sounds,
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you're training your brain to the end of the day.
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On top of that, I'm not sure if
236
These chunks become familiar friends and you no longer need to process them word by word.
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Okay, so that's the middle stage: shadowing and chunk learning.
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What about the advanced stage?
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Good question.
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In the advanced stage, you add two powerful techniques: predictive listening and self -talk.
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Predictive listening is what I like to call the pause -predict -play method.
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You listen to a podcast or a video, then pause it for a few seconds and ask yourself, what do I think they're going to say next?
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Then hit play and check.
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That sounds fun, like a guessing game.
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forces your brain to stay one step ahead, just like in real conversations.
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The second technique is self -talk.
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It sounds odd, but it's really effective.
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You basically narrate your life in English.
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For example, while making tea, you might say to yourself, "I'm putting the kettle on.
250
I'll grab a mug.
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Where's the milk?" So you're turning everyday life into practice time.
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And here's a small but powerful tip: do at least 10 minutes of micro -output every day.
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That could be self -talk, recording a short voice note, or telling a story out loud.
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It doesn't have to be perfect.
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The point is to use the language so your brain gets used to producing English without stopping for translation.
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I like that.
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Ten minutes feels very doable.
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Exactly.
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If you think 'I have to study for two hours' you'll never start.
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But ten minutes of micro -output?
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Everyone can fit that in.
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And if you do it daily, it adds up quickly.
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words directly to images, no translation.
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Middle stage, shadowing and chunks, advanced stage, predictive listening and self -talk, plus 10 minutes of daily micro -output.
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That's it.
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And if listeners stick with this path, stage by stage, they'll find themselves moving from slow,
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translation -based thinking to fast, natural understanding.
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That's how you grow an English brain.
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Bye.
270
Jen, I imagine some of our listeners might be thinking, all right, this all sounds great, but when I actually try it, it feels impossible.
271
What kind of problems do you think learners usually run into?
272
Yes, that's such an important question because struggles are part of the process.
273
Let me share three really common ones.
274
First, a lot of learners tell me, I know all the words, but I still don't understand the sentence.
275
For example, if you only focus on the word 'cold', you might miss the meaning.
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'I've got a cold' doesn't mean 'wǒ hēng lēng', it means 'wǒ gàng mā lă'.
277
So the trick is to store words together with a situation.
278
Learning context, not in isolation.
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So instead of memorising single words, it's better to remember them as little stories.
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the faster you'll recall it in real conversations.
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Now, the second struggle, shadowing.
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Many learners try it once and then say, this is too fast, I can't keep up.
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My advice, slow it down.
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Use the playback speed button, drop it to 0 .8, even 0 .7 if you need to, and don't start with five minutes.
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Start with just 10 seconds.
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10 seconds is enough.
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Once you can do 10 seconds confidently, you add another 10 and so on.
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That feels much less scary, like breaking a big mountain into small steps.
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Exactly, and it's the small consistent steps that make the biggest difference.
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The third struggle is about speaking.
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Learners often freeze because they're worried about grammar.
292
sentence starters, little chunks that buy you time.
293
Things like, "The thing is, what I'd say is, from my point of view,
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once you've started, the rest of the sentence tends to follow." So it's about giving yourself permission to speak, even if it's not perfect?
295
Yes, language is for communication, not perfection.
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No native speaker is judging you for missing an article.
297
They care about the message, the feeling.
298
you speak, the smoother it gets.
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I really like that.
300
So, if we bring everything together, what's the big takeaway from today?
301
Here's the key.
302
If you don't understand Nita speakers, it's usually not because you don't know enough words.
303
It's because your brain is still stuck in translation mode.
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Building an English brain is the way forward.
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And if you follow the steps we shared, stop translating, learn chunks, share shadow, predict, self -talk, you will get there.
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So it's not about talent, it's about method and practice.
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Exactly.
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And remember, even 10 minutes a day is powerful.
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Don't wait for a perfect study plan, just start.
310
Okay, listeners, here's a challenge for you.
311
Today, right after this episode, try 30 seconds of English self -talk.
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Describe what you're doing, maybe making tea, maybe walking to the bus.
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It doesn't matter how simple, just do it.
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Yes, 30 seconds is enough to prove to yourself that you can think in English, and if you keep building on that day by day,
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your English brain will only get stronger.
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you And that's pretty much it for today's episode.
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We've covered a lot, so if you found it useful, do give this episode a like and don't forget to subscribe to Jen's English Hub.
318
Yes, and please do share it with friends or classmates who are also learning English.
319
The more people join us, the more fun it gets.
320
And of course, if there's a topic you'd really like us to talk about in future episodes, just leave us a comment below.
321
We'd love to hear from you.
322
Alright, thanks so much for listening.
323
We'll see you in the next episode.
324
Bye for now.
325
Bye for now.
326
you you
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This B1 speaking lesson is built on the video “【地道英式Podcast】提升英語最快的方法：打造你的英文腦，擺脫翻譯思維|學習必聽攻略！|聽懂英語、敢說出口，一次解決學習痛點｜B1聽力Podcast|Mind the Gap系列”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: English, word, brain, exactly, stage. This video has 326 sentences and 3281 words to shadow. The speech runs for 23:56. The speaker talks at a steady 137 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 85% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start.
Key vocabulary in this video
The 15 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| translate verb | /tɹænzˈleɪt/ | To change spoken words or written text (of a book, document, movie, etc.) from one language to another. |
| chunk noun | /t͡ʃʌŋk/ | A part of something that has been separated; a generally squat, thick, irregular piece of something, e.g. wood or stone. |
| learner noun | /ˈlɜɹnəɹ/ | One who is learning; one receiving instruction. |
| phrase noun | /ˈfɹeɪ̯z/ | A short written or spoken expression. |
| cuppa noun | /ˈkʌp.ə/ | A cup of tea (or sometimes any hot drink). |
| vocabulary noun | /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/ | A usually alphabetized and explained collection of words e.g. of a particular field, or prepared for a specific purpose, often for learning. |
| brick noun | /ˈbɹɪk/ | A hardened rectangular block of mud, clay etc., used for building. |
| listener noun | /ˈlɪs(ə)nɚ/ | Someone who listens, especially to a speech or a broadcast. |
| pause noun | /pɔːz/ | A temporary stop or rest; an intermission of action; interruption; suspension; cessation. |
| predictive adjective | /pɹɪˈdɪk.tɪv/ | Useful in predicting. |
| ingredient noun | /ɪnˈɡɹiːdi.ənt/ | One of the substances present in a mixture, especially food. |
| microwave noun | /ˈmaɪkɹoʊˌweɪv/ | An electromagnetic wave with wavelength between that of infrared light and radio waves. |
| analyse verb | UK standard spelling of analyze. | |
| decode verb | /dɪˈkəʊd/ | To convert from an encrypted form to plain text. |
| frustrate verb | /ˈfɹʌsˌtɹeɪt/ | To disappoint or defeat; to vex by depriving of something expected or desired. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| cut out verb | To refrain from (doing something, using something etc.), to stop or cease (doing something). | |
| keep up verb | To maintain; to preserve; to prevent from deteriorating or falling. | |
| keep up with verb | To manage to remain beside or just behind someone or something that is moving away from one. | |
| add up verb | To take the sum of; to total. | |
| come off verb | To become detached. | |
| come out verb | /ˌkʌm ˈaʊt/ | To be discovered; to be revealed. |
| come up verb | To emerge or become known, especially unexpectedly. | |
| go together verb | To be in a relationship. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- It's really lovely to have you with us again.
- Is it because we don't know enough words?
- That question comes up all the time, doesn't it?
- Can't we just take our time?
- What about your third ingredient, natural input?
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Conditional sentences if + clause, will/would + verb — a condition and its result | if I just memorise more words, I'll finally · If you do that, you'll be · If you translate it literally, you'll picture |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | they've finished · I've definitely had · you've mentioned |
| Verb + -ing enjoy, keep, stop… + -ing — verbs that are followed by the -ing form | start thinking · start learning · keep trying |
| Possibility with “might / may” might/may + verb — something that is possible but not certain | might just say · might only catch · might feel |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 115 contractions and reduced forms, such as don't, you'll, isn't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: intonation /ɪntəˈneɪʃən/, perfection /pɚˈfɛk.ʃən/, childish /ˈt͡ʃaɪldɪʃ/, isolation /ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃən/, dictionary /ˈdɪk.ʃəˌnɛ.ɹi/
- Long words — get the stress right: vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/, ingredient /ɪnˈɡɹiːdi.ənt/, intonation /ɪntəˈneɪʃən/, confidently /ˈkɑnfɪdəntli/, analogy /əˈnæləd͡ʒi/
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 translate, chunk, learner.
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.