Shadowing Practice: President Obama on the Importance of Education - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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Through education, you can also better yourselves in other ways.
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Through education, you can also better yourselves in other ways.
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You learn how to learn.
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how to think critically and find solutions to unexpected challenges.
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I remember we used to ask our teachers, why am I going to need algebra?
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The President: Well, you may not -- have to solve for X to get a good job, or to be a good parent.
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But you will need to think through tough problems.
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You'll need to think on your feet.
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You'll need to know how to gather facts.
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evaluate information.
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So, math teachers, you can tell your students that the President says they need algebra.
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.
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Thank you.
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Education also teaches you the value of discipline.
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that the greatest rewards come not from instant gratification, but from sustained effort.
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and from hard work.
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This is a lesson that's especially true today.
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In a culture that prizes flash over substance.
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that tells us that the goal in life is to be entertained.
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that says you can be famous just for being famous.
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May you get on a reality show.
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Don't know what you've done.
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Suddenly you're famous.
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But that's not going to lead to lasting, sustained achievement.
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And finally, with the right education both at home and at school, you can learn how to be a better human being.
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For when you read a great story, or You learn about an important moment in history.
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It helps you imagine what it would be like to walk in somebody else's shoes.
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to know their struggles, The success of our economy will depend on your skills,
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but the success of our community will depend on your ability to follow the golden rule.
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to treat others as you would like to be treated.

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Context & Background

In this enlightening speech, President Obama emphasizes the critical role of education in personal and community development. He articulates how education not only equips individuals with knowledge but also instills essential life skills such as critical thinking, discipline, and empathy. Through his reflections, he highlights the necessity of persevering through challenges and the value of hard work in achieving long-lasting success. This message serves as both motivation and instruction, showing learners the connection between education and their future responsibilities as contributing citizens.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • "You learn how to learn." - A reminder of the continuous nature of education.
  • "Think on your feet." - An essential skill for quick decision-making in daily life.
  • "Gather facts and evaluate information." - Encouraging critical thinking in any situation.
  • "The greatest rewards come from sustained effort." - An important principle about hard work and dedication.
  • "Treat others as you would like to be treated." - A timeless guideline for ethical interactions.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

Shadowing is a valuable technique for improving your English speaking skills. Here’s a structured approach to effectively use this video for your English speaking practice:

  1. Select Your Tools: Use a reliable shadowing app or a shadowspeaks feature to play the video. Make sure to have subtitles enabled for better understanding.
  2. Listen Actively: Play the first few sentences, focusing on the natural rhythm and intonation of President Obama’s speech. Pay attention to pauses and emphases in his delivery.
  3. Repeat Aloud: After listening, pause the video and repeat the sentences aloud. Mimic the speaker's pronunciation and intonation to build muscle memory.
  4. Take Notes: Write down key phrases and expressions that resonate with you. This will help reinforce what you've learned and serve as a reference for future practice.
  5. Practice Regularly: Revisit the video multiple times. With each session, increase the length of the sections you shadow, and begin to focus on conveying the emotions present in the speech.

By following these steps, you will enhance your speaking capabilities, build confidence, and improve your ability to engage in conversations, making this shadowing site a powerful tool in your language learning journey.

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.