Shadowing Practice: Self Motivation | Brendan Clark | TEDxYouth@BarnstableHS - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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Transcriber: Victor Borges Reviewer: David DeRuwe Thank you for such a wonderful introduction.
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Transcriber: Victor Borges Reviewer: David DeRuwe Thank you for such a wonderful introduction.
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Great. I'm here today to talk about motivation, and I've learned in my few years on this earth that motivation is really the key to effecting change in anything that you do.
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You can put a paper that was written without motivation, without any effort, and a paper that was written with drive and passion next to each other; it's clear which one is the winner.
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Motivation is the underlying factor, I believe, in everything that we do on a daily basis.
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If you don't have motivation in something that you do, then you really can't achieve what it is that you want to achieve.
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Everyone has motivation for things they're passionate about, things that interest you, things that inspire you, and of course you'll have motivation if you play a sport, if you're in drama, if you're in a band, you'll have motivation to accomplish that task.
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But the true test of finding motivation is if you can find it in something that doesn't interest you.
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Personally, I'm interested in sitting through town council meetings and reading the 404-page town of Barnstable budget.
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But others might not find so much paper so interesting.
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However, motivation can be found in everything that you do.
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I like to look at it, in terms of finding motivation, as just putting yourself in someone else's shoes.
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When you're questioning, "Why do I have to do this?
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Why do I have to put in the time and the effort?" you can just look at what you're doing and say, "This helps this person because ... " or "This person is going to appreciate my effort and my motivation on this task because ... " And I've always found that that appreciation that others have for the effort that you put in, that's what motivates me, the fact that someone is going to appreciate what I did.
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So when the teacher gives you a paper or something to do, and you say, "This is stupid. I have better things to do.
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I'd much rather go outside and throw a football." Whatever it is, look at it and say, "This person is going to appreciate the work.
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This person put in the effort to create the assignment.
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Now they're going to see it and appreciate it." I do that in every assignment I'm given and everything that is ever brought before me.
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And that's always something that I think we need to go out and look at when we go out to tackle an issue.
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Filing papers - people might not find it interesting.
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But think about how much help you're doing to somebody else.
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Think about the responsibility that you're helping someone else fulfill.
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And that sort of help and appreciation motivates you.
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For me, fine dressing is something that I like to do every single day, and I don't just do it because I enjoy it; I do it because people appreciate it.
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People see that I took the extra time to prepare myself for whatever it is that I'm doing, and they thank me for it, and that thanks, that appreciation, is truly what motivates me to go out and do whatever it is that is put before me.
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So I want to finish briefly just by saying that motivation is so important in anything that you do, and without it, you really can't accomplish what you want, but with it, you have the passion to effect change, the passion to make a difference, and you really do have the passion to go out and change the way things are done and make a difference in anything that you want to do.
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Thank you for your time and your ears.
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(Applause)

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Why practice speaking with this video?

This TEDx talk by Brendan Clark serves as an excellent resource for English learners looking to enhance their English speaking practice. The central theme revolves around the concept of motivation, which is universally relatable and encourages personal growth. By engaging with this video, you not only get to hear a native speaker but also understand how motivation influences performance in various aspects of life. This context allows learners to connect language use with real-life implications, facilitating deeper understanding and retention.

Practicing speaking with such motivational content can boost your confidence and help you articulate thoughts on personal and academic topics. Using the shadowing technique, you can mirror Brendan’s intonation and pacing, which is crucial for improving English pronunciation. Aim to repeat after him, paying attention to how he emphasizes certain words while conveying his message passionately.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

Brendan's talk includes several key phrases and structures that are essential for effective communication.

  • "You can put a paper that was written without motivation…”: This structure showcases conditional sentences, helping learners form complex ideas. Practice using similar constructions to express your own opinions.
  • "Motivation is the underlying factor…”: The use of "underlying factor" is a common expression in discussions; it's a useful phrase for academic speaking. Learn to incorporate terms like this when discussing your motivations.
  • "I like to look at it…”: This phrase emphasizes a personal approach. Using "I like to" can help you personalize your speech when expressing viewpoints.
  • "Think about how much help you’re doing…”: This structure encourages putting oneself in someone else's shoes, which is a valuable skill in conversation. Explore ways to ask similar questions to engage others in discussion.

Common Pronunciation Traps

When practicing with Brendan's talk, there are specific words and phrases that might be challenging, especially for non-native speakers:

  • Motivation: Ensure to stress the syllables correctly ("mo-ti-VA-tion"), as mispronouncing it can alter clarity in communication.
  • Appreciate: This word often confuses learners due to its rhythm. Practice saying "ap-pre-CI-ate" to get the stress right.
  • Effecting change: The connection between "effecting" and "change" requires a fluid tone. Practice this phrase using the shadow speak method to enhance natural flow.

By focusing on these phrases and practicing them repeatedly, you will significantly improve not just your speaking skills but also your confidence in pronouncing more complex vocabulary.

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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