Shadowing Practice: PTE Retell lecture test 1 - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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In today's lecture I'm going to talk about changes in air pollution since the middle of the last century
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and what has created these changes.
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So by the 1950s air pollution was very visible with frequent
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thick black fogs known as smogs in many large cities around the world.
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The main source of this pollution was from factories and it caused severe health problems.
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For example, a particularly severe smog in London in 1952 caused over 4,000 deaths.
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Obviously, something had to be done.
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And in 1956, a Clean Air Act was introduced in Britain.
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This addressed the pollution from factories and the smog soon disappeared.
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However, as you know, these days air pollution is still a big issue.
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The main difference between now and the 1950s is that you can't see it, it's invisible.
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Also, the main source of pollution now is from cars and lorries, and although these don't produce visible signs, this air pollution is still a significant risk to health.
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And one of the key factors in the rise of this type of pollution is
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that we have all become much more vehicle dependent.
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There are far more cars and lorries, trains and planes than in the 1950s, and this is now the main source of air pollution around the world.

About This Lesson

You're practicing English with "PTE Retell lecture test 1" using the Shadowing technique — a method originally developed for professional interpreter training.

Focus on sounding like the speaker — not just repeating words. With 15–30 minutes of daily practice, you'll build real-world speaking confidence.

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.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →