Shadowing Practice: Rishi Sunak: "I am disgusted" – Minister confronted over murderer's release - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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In 1990, Dr David Burkett was briefly murdered in a crime that shocked the Teesside community.
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In 1990, Dr David Burkett was briefly murdered in a crime that shocked the Teesside community.
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He was discovered by his young daughter,
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who is a constituent of mine.
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Despite the Deputy Prime Minister's very welcome opposition,
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the murderer was recently released.
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Can I thank the Ministry for agreeing to a request from myself
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and the Honourable Member for Middlesbrough
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and Thornaby East to meet with my constituent to hear about her concerns about the process
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and interactions she had with the parole board,
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leading up to his release.
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Now I know this is subject to an ongoing JR,
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but could I thank the Ministry for their continued attention to this case
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and urge them to learn what we can to support victims in the future?
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Minister.
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I'm grateful to the Right Honourable Member for raising this deeply distressing case
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and I would like to pay tribute to Dr Birkett's daughter for the courage in continuing to engage,
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which I think is truly commendable.
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He's right that the Parole Board is independent of government
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and the Deputy Prime Minister's application for reconsideration was considered not sufficient to reach threshold,
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but the Deputy Prime Minister decided to seek permission for judicial review of the Parole Board's decision,
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not to set aside their decision,
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and this has been filed.
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I await the response and hope the permission is granted,
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but I do want to reassure the right honourable member
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and Dr Burkitt's family that this department will continue to seek to mitigate the hurt that they are feeling.

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Context & Background

The recent remarks by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have ignited discussions on sensitive topics related to criminal justice and the impact of parole decisions on victims' families. During a parliamentary session, Sunak expressed his disgust regarding the release of the murderer of Dr. David Burkett, a case that has long haunted the Teesside community. At the heart of the dialogue was Dr. Burkett's daughter, who has bravely advocated for clarity and justice in her father's case. Her engagement highlights the emotional toll and the complexities inherent in dealing with the legal system. This situation not only raises questions about the effectiveness of the Parole Board but also emphasizes the importance of listening to the experiences and concerns of victims’ families.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • I am disgusted - A powerful expression of disapproval or disappointment.
  • Could I thank the Ministry - A polite way to express gratitude, often used in formal settings.
  • Deeply distressing case - A phrase to describe a situation that causes significant emotional pain.
  • Continuing to engage - Refers to actively participating in discussions or efforts concerning a matter.
  • Seek to mitigate the hurt - An expression that conveys the desire to lessen the emotional impact on someone.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

If you're looking to learn English with YouTube using the shadowing technique, this video provides a compelling opportunity. Follow these steps to practice effectively:

  1. Watch the Video Without Sound: Start by watching the video without audio. Observe the speaker's facial expressions and body language to understand the context.
  2. First Listening: Play the video with sound and listen carefully to the dialogue. Pay attention to the phrases mentioned above.
  3. Repeat and Imitate: Pause the video and attempt to repeat after the speaker. Focus on mimicking pronunciation, intonation, and rhythm. This is where the shadowspeaks technique comes in handy.
  4. Break it Down: If certain phrases are challenging, break them down into smaller parts. Repeat them until you feel comfortable.
  5. Record Yourself: Use a voice recorder to capture your attempts. Compare your recordings with the original audio to identify areas needing improvement.
  6. Engage with the Content: Reflect on the themes presented regarding justice and empathy. Consider how they relate to current events or personal experiences.

This structured approach not only enhances your speaking skills but also deepens your understanding of sensitive topics in English, making it an essential part of your language learning journey on a shadowing site.

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.

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