Shadowing Practice: Rag'n'Bone Man - Human (Official Video) - Learn English Speaking with Video

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I'm only human I'm only,
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I'm only I'm only human Maybe I'm foolish,
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maybe I'm blind Thinking I can see through this and see what's behind Got no way to prove it,
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so maybe I'm lying But I'm only human after all I'm only human after all Don't put your blame on me
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Don't put your blame on me Take a look in the mirror, what do you see?
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Do you see it clearer, or are you deceived? In what you believe?
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Cause I'm only human after all You're only human after all Don't put the blame on me
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Don't put your blame on me
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Some people got the real problems Some people lie to love Some people think I can solve them Lord,
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heavens above I'm only human after all I'm only human after all Don't put the pain on me
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Don't put the pain on me Don't ask my opinion,
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don't ask me to lie And beg for forgiveness for making you cry
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For making you cry Cause I'm only human after all I'm only human after all Don't put your blame on me
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Don't put the blame on me Oh,
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some people got the real problem Some people out of love Some people think I can solve them,
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but Lord, heavens above I'm only human, after all, I'm only human,
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after all Don't put the blame on me, don't put the blame on me I'm only human,
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I've made mistakes, I'm only human It's all it takes to put the pain on me
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Don't put the blame on me Cause I'm no prophet or messiah You should go looking somewhere higher
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I'm only human after all Don't put the blame on me Don't put the blame on me
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I'm only human, I do what I can I'm just a man,
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I do what I can Don't put the blame on me Don't put your blame on me Thank you.

Speaking Goals for This Clip

This video is ideal for practicing shadow speak—a technique where you mimic the speaker’s rhythm, tone, and pronunciation in real time. It targets fluency milestones like maintaining natural pacing, expressing emotional nuance, and using contractions smoothly. For learners preparing for IELTS speaking practice, this clip helps build the ability to convey vulnerability and honesty, key for scoring well in part 3 discussions where personal opinions are critical.

Phrase Bank

  • "I'm only human after all" – A relatable expression to acknowledge limitations.
  • "Don't put your blame on me" – A firm yet polite way to deflect responsibility.
  • "Take a look in the mirror" – A rhetorical prompt to encourage self-reflection.
  • "Some people got the real problems" – A casual way to contextualize challenges.
  • "I do what I can" – A humble phrase to describe effort despite limitations.

These phrases are reusable in daily conversations, debates, or even IELTS speaking tasks where explaining personal boundaries or empathy is needed.

Fix Your Weak Spots

The video’s slow, deliberate rhythm makes it perfect for refining stress and intonation. Notice how "human" is emphasized in "I'm only human" to convey emotion—this is key for natural shadowspeak. Many learners rush through contractions like "I'm" or "don't," but the speaker here stretches them slightly for emphasis. Practice shadowing by pausing after each line, then repeating it, focusing on matching the stress pattern. This helps with rhythm, a common weak spot in shadow speech. Additionally, the dialogue’s repetition ("I'm only human after all") allows you to master consistent pronunciation, a must for clear communication in exams or daily interactions.

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 →