Shadowing Practice: Poetry In Motion - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This speaking lesson is built on the video “Poetry In Motion”. This video has 20 sentences and 142 words to shadow. The speech runs for 2:31.
Key vocabulary in this video
13 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| poetry noun | /ˈpoʊ.ə.tɹi/ | Literature composed in verse or language exhibiting conscious attention to patterns and rhythm. |
| sway verb | /ˈsweɪ̯/ | To move or swing from side to side; or backward and forward; to rock. |
| gentle adjective | /ˈd͡ʒɛntl̩/ | Tender and amiable; of a considerate or kindly disposition. |
| flower noun | /ˈfloʊɚ/ | A reproductive structure in angiosperms (flowering plants), often conspicuously colourful and typically including sepals, petals, and either or both stamens… |
| devotion noun | /dɪˈvoʊʃən/ | The act or state of devoting or being devoted; a feeling of being devoted (to something). |
| adore verb | /əˈdoɹ/ | To worship. |
| rearrange verb | /ˌɹiːəˈɹeɪndʒ/ | To change the order or arrangement of (one or more items). |
| gracefully adverb | /ˈɡɹeɪsfəli/ | In a graceful manner. |
| locomotion noun | /ləʊ.kəˈməʊ.ʃən/ | The ability to move from place to place, or the act of doing so. |
| potion noun | /ˈpoʊ.ʃən/ | A small portion or dose of a liquid which is medicinal, poisonous, or magical. |
| motion noun | /ˈmoʊ.ʃən/ | A change whereby something goes from one place to another; a state of progression from one place to another; a change of position with respect to time. |
| wave verb | /weɪv/ | To move back and forth repeatedly and somewhat loosely. |
| improvement noun | /ɪmˈpɹuːvmənt/ | The act of improving; advancement or growth; a bettering |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 4 contractions and reduced forms, such as doesn't, I'll. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: devotion /dɪˈvoʊʃən/, locomotion /ləʊ.kəˈməʊ.ʃən/, potion /ˈpoʊ.ʃən/, motion /ˈmoʊ.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 poetry, sway, gentle.
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.