Shadowing Practice: Rapunzel Shadowing | Learn English with Tangled Movie - Learn English Speaking with Video
Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This video has 95 sentences and 577 words to shadow. The speech runs for 6:11. The speaker talks slowly, about 93 words per minute, so there is time to copy every sound. Only 81% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding.
Key vocabulary in this video
13 less common words from the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
- lantern /ˈlæ̝ntɚn/ (noun) — A case of translucent or transparent material made to protect a flame, or light, used to illuminate its surroundings.
- chase /t͡ʃeɪs/ (verb) — To follow at speed.
- climb /ˈklaɪ̯m/ (verb) — To traverse a slope or contour, either upwards (ascending) or downwards (descending).
- safely /ˈseɪfli/ (adverb) — In a safe manner; without risk; using caution above all else.
- rider /ˈɹaɪ̯.dəː/ (noun) — An old Dutch gold coin with the figure of a man on horseback stamped upon it.
- lean /ˈliːn/ (verb) — To incline, deviate, or bend, from a vertical position; to be in a position thus inclining or deviating.
- satchel /ˈsæt͡ʃəl/ (noun) — A bag or case with one or two shoulder straps, especially used to carry books etc.
- prepare /pɹɪˈpɛ(ə)ɹ/ (verb) — To make ready for a specific future purpose; to set up; to assemble or equip; to forearm.
- princess /ˈpɹɪnsɛs/ (noun) — A female member of a royal family other than a queen, especially a daughter or granddaughter of a monarch.
- tower /ˈtaʊɚ/ (noun) — A tall, narrow structure (significantly taller than it is wide, either standing alone or forming part of a larger structure.
- sell /sɛl/ (verb) — To transfer goods or provide services in exchange for money.
- guide /ɡaɪd/ (noun) — Someone who guides, especially someone hired to show people around a place or an institution and offer information and explanation, or to lead them through…
- somewhere /ˈsʌm.wɛɹ/ (adverb) — In an uncertain or unspecified location.
Phrasal verbs you will hear
- do for (verb) — To doom; to bring about the demise of someone; to injure or harm someone.
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 20 contractions and reduced forms, such as don't, I'm, I've. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
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 lantern, chase, climb.
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | I've hidden |
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | being chased |
| Past continuous was/were + -ing — an action in progress at a moment in the past | was being |
| Future with “will” will + verb — a decision, promise or prediction | you'll never find · will light · will act |
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.


















