Shadowing Practice: Since or For? The Timeline Trick - Learn English Speaking with Video
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18 sentences
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1
Lovely! You're chatting with someone new at a party.
2
They ask, how long have you lived here?
3
And you say, since three years.
4
They nod politely... but they look a bit confused.
5
Here's the trick. Picture a timeline.
6
Since points to one moment on that line.
7
For measures the whole stretch.
8
Since Monday. Since last summer. Since I was ten.
9
Each one is a single point in time.
10
But for three years. For two weeks. For ages.
11
See? Each one is a length, like a piece of string!
12
Oh, and here's a bonus!
13
Both usually go with the present perfect.
14
I've lived here for three years. I've lived here since last summer.
15
So next time, ask yourself one thing.
16
Can I point at it on a calendar?
17
Yes? Since. No? It's a length, so for.
18
Now, how long have you been learning English?
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This B1 speaking lesson is built on the video “Since or For? The Timeline Trick”. This video has 18 sentences and 143 words to shadow. The speech runs for 1:04. The speaker talks at a steady 133 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 6 of its 18 sentences are questions, so it is good practice for question intonation and short answers.
Key vocabulary in this video
The 12 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| trick noun | /ˈtɹɪk/ | Something designed to fool, dupe, outsmart, mislead or swindle. |
| confused adjective | /kənˈfjuːzd/ | unable to think clearly or understand |
| bonus noun | /ˈbəʊ.nəs/ | Something extra that is good; an added benefit. |
| string noun | /stɹɪŋ/ | A long, thin and flexible structure made from threads twisted together. |
| stretch verb | /stɹɛt͡ʃ/ | To lengthen by pulling. |
| calendar noun | /ˈkæl.ən.də/ | Any system by which time is divided into days, weeks, months, and years. |
| timeline noun | /ˈtaɪmˌlaɪn/ | A graphical representation of a chronological sequence of events (past or future). |
| politely adverb | /pəˈlaɪtli/ | in a polite manner |
| measure noun | /ˈmeɪ.ʒɚ/ | A limit that cannot be exceeded; a bound. (Now chiefly in set phrases.) |
| chat verb | /ˈt͡ʃæt/ | To be engaged in informal conversation. |
| length noun | /leɪŋ(k)θ/ | The distance measured along the longest dimension of an object. |
| lovely adjective | /ˈlʌv.li/ | Delightful for beauty, harmony, or grace. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- You're chatting with someone new at a party.
- They ask, how long have you lived here?
- I've lived here for three years.
- I've lived here since last summer.
- Can I point at it on a calendar?
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Present perfect continuous have/has been + -ing — an action that started earlier and is still going on | have you been learning |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | have you lived · I've lived |
| Present continuous am/is/are + -ing — something happening right now or around now | You're chatting |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 3 contractions and reduced forms, such as I've, you're. 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 trick, confused, bonus.
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.