Shadowing Practice: Scrum Report - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This C1 speaking lesson is built on the video “Scrum Report”. This video has 7 sentences and 127 words to shadow. The speech runs for 0:35. The speaker talks fast, about 215 words per minute, so expect linked and reduced sounds.
Key vocabulary in this video
The 15 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| sprint noun | /spɹɪnt/ | A short race at top speed. |
| authentication noun | /ɔːˌθɛntɪˈkeɪʃn̩/ | Something which validates or confirms the authenticity of something; or the process of doing so. |
| backlog noun | /ˈbæk(ˌ)lɔɡ/ | A large log to burn at the back of a fire. |
| blocker noun | /ˈblɑkɚ/ | One who blocks or impedes the movement of an opponent. |
| impediment noun | /ɪmˈpɛdɪmənt/ | A hindrance; that which impedes or obstructs progress; impedance. |
| increment noun | /ˈɪŋkɹɪmn̩t/ | The action of increasing or becoming greater. |
| roadblock noun | Something that blocks or obstructs a road. | |
| validate verb | /ˈvæl.ɪ.deɪt/ | To render valid. |
| outdated adjective | /aʊtˈdeɪtɪd/ | Out of date, old-fashioned, antiquated. |
| vendor noun | /ˈvɛn.dɚ/ | A person or a company that vends or sells. |
| thankfully adverb | In a thankful manner; giving thanks. | |
| token noun | /ˈtoʊkən/ | Something serving as an expression of something else. |
| coordinate verb | /koʊˈɔɹ.dəˌneɪt/ | To place in the same order or rank. |
| sync noun | /sɪŋk/ | Harmony. |
| threaten verb | /ˈθɹɛt.n̩/ | To make a threat against someone; to use threats. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| move forward verb | To cause to make progress. |
Pronunciation to watch
- The “th” sounds: authentication /ɔːˌθɛntɪˈkeɪʃn̩/, threaten /ˈθɹɛt.n̩/
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: authentication /ɔːˌθɛntɪˈkeɪʃn̩/, documentation /ˌdɑkjəmɛnˈteɪʃən/
- Long words — get the stress right: authentication /ɔːˌθɛntɪˈkeɪʃn̩/, impediment /ɪmˈpɛdɪmənt/, coordinate /koʊˈɔɹ.dəˌneɪt/, documentation /ˌdɑkjəmɛnˈteɪʃən/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like sprint, authentication, backlog.
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.