Shadowing Practice: Speak Like an American: Accent & Pronunciation Training 🇺🇸 - Learn English Speaking with Video

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Let's talk about the American accent.

And the very first thing I want to say is that, you know, when it comes to English and your speaking fluency,

you should not feel as though you need to speak with any particular accent, whether it's the US, Australia, the UK.

The most important thing is that people understand what you're saying.

Now, that being said, I know there are people who live in the US and English is their second language, or they're getting ready to visit the US,

or they just like the American accent.

And if that's the case, then this lesson is for you.

I really just want to talk about why the accent sounds the way that it does, and really dive deep.

You're talking about connected speech and a variety of things, if this is one of your speaking goals.

So I want you to, well, I was going to say something.

Let's look at the dialogue.

But if this is something that you enjoy, you can please subscribe, turn on notifications.

That way I can become your teacher and teach you more about accent, pronunciation, vocabulary, as well as grammar.

My name is Wes.

The channel is Interactive English.

And that is what it's all about.

So let's just look.

This is the dialogue that we're going to go through.

And I want to read it right now.

And then we're going to go through each part.

And I'm going to talk about what's going on.

We're going to practice.

I want you to practice and say these sentences with me say it out loud

and just get some speaking practice today and

Afterwards we're gonna say this dialogue together and and we're gonna practice it together

So let me go through

and I'm just gonna say it right now You can hear my pronunciation

and the way that I'm saying these different sentences So it starts out.

So what are you gonna work on next year?

I'm trying to get in shape, but I keep putting it off Yeah, it's hard to stay consistent, especially when life gets in the way.

I got to stick with it if I want this year to be a success.

Simple enough.

I feel like if you hear me say this, or if you were to hear this dialogue on a TV show, you would understand it.

It's not super difficult.

There is one phrase that I would like to point out, even though I think many of you may already know it.

But before, as we get into this, with each sentence, one thing I want you to keep in mind,

because when it comes to not even just accent but just your speaking in general,

English is a stress time language and this is what helps give it that rhythm and flow.

So essentially it means that the stressed words

or syllables are said at approximately the same length and then the words that come in between often get reduced.

And I am going to point this out as we go through this

and it also is kind of what makes the language sound like a song a little sing song

so i could even ask this question what did you do last night

and you can hear the way that i'm talking

and it sounds a little like a song what did you

do last night i could also clap with those stresses what did you do last night

and the idea is that again those those intervals come at regular, regular intervals.

It's going to give that rhythm and flow.

And even if you took out everything and you just had what do night, you kind of get the idea of what, what somebody is trying to say.

So as we go through this, I want you to keep that in mind.

And as you practice with me, I want you to try to maintain the same pace.

That's important.

The other thing that's important, which I wanted to point out is if you would like to join my speaking course, Check out the link down below in the description.

This is for intermediate to advanced speakers

And it's all about helping you speak confidently speak clearly

and speak naturally at the beginning of each lesson We talk

a little bit about connected speech different parts of the American accent

That is more the warm-up

and then we dive into the topic look at vocabulary do

different engaging speaking activities role plays debates little mini presentations so

if this is something that you're interested in please check out

that link down below

and I would like I look forward to speaking with you soon here is the first question

so what are you gonna work on next year

and I'm trying to go ahead and say it with

that melody let's listen for it

if I were to make it sound a little more like a song

so what are you gonna do next year

but in general here would be the claps like

so what are you gonna work on next year Not what are you going to do next year?

What are you going to work on next year?

And even if I speed it up, I'm still maintaining that stress timing.

What are you going to work on next year?

So let's look at what's going on and I want you to practice with me.

Okay.

So really, I trust, I trust that you are going to say these sentences with me and shadow, try to say them at the same time.

The first thing, what are, looks like there's a lot going on, but really what I want to point out is remember that the question, what, that vowel sound is,

it's more of a schwa sound.

I know you may find different, if you look on at the IPA may slightly, but I really do think it's more of an unstressed vowel sound.

Just sounds like, uh, what now you hear that soft D because that final T, I'm gonna pronounce it as a flap T

and this is a distinct part of the American accent It often occurs

when the T comes between two vowel sounds even though it's

at the end of the word the next word R begins with a vowel sound so I'm gonna

pronounce it as a flap T and then I'm gonna link it

with the vowel sound in R and this is

when we link the final consonant sound of one word with the beginning vowel sound of the next word so

So what are, instead of pronouncing the individual words, I am just going to say what are, what are, what are.

Say it with me, what are.

It sounds a little weird if I, if just I, I just like we're saying it together like one word but just give it a try.

What are, what are.

What are you going to is often reduced to gonna.

I think many of you probably are using this already Probably the most common reduction in English.

What are you gonna?

Work on again.

We're gonna move that consonant sound over at least.

That's what it sounds like and work on

Next year the other the last thing I want to say and you could see it talking about assimilation next year

That T and Y, it's like they blend together.

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Now I know assimilation is when you basically have two sounds and one becomes more like the next.

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I think in its simplest terms, I just say like they're blending together.

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So it's like that T and Y gives you a slight CH sound.

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This is not something that you have to force.

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It's not something you're always going to hear.

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People may pronounce those individual words, but as you're transitioning from one sound to the next, you could hear that slight CH.

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next year next year I'm emphasizing it a little bit right now

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but if I were to put all this together this is what it's gonna sound like

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and this is what I want to practice I've given you the phonetic spelling

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so you can see the pronunciation if it's

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if it's easier for you just to look at the actual words please go ahead

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and do that but let's practice saying it right now say I'll say it slowly

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so what are you gonna work on next year what are you gonna work on next year?

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I want you to say it with me right now.

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Let's say it three times, one time slowly, and then two times at a more normal speed.

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So slowly, ready?

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So what are you going to work on next year?

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Now a little that normal speed.

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So what are you going to work on next year?

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One more time together.

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So what are you going to work on next year?

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Okay, if you were practicing with me, let me know.

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Write the word speaking in the comments, in the chat.

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I'm going to do that with each of these lines.

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So just let me know down in the chat, in the comments, if you are participating.

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And I'm just, I'm not talking to myself right now.

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I want to think that I'm talking to you.

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Okay, the next sentence.

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I'm trying to get in shape, but I keep putting it off.

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So we talked about stress timing.

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That comma, think about it, That's a pot.

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There's a pause there.

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So it's like we're gonna reset that that pattern I'm trying to get in shape or I'm trying to get in shape,

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but I keep putting it off I'm trying to get in shape, but I keep putting it off.

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I'm trying to get in shape, but I keep putting it off So let's talk about what's going excellent.

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I'm glad.

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Thank you.

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Thank you for speaking with me

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Ike Lolly to Kyo great to see you Manuel to lol welcome So I'm trying to get in shape, but I keep putting it off.

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There's a lot going on here.

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This may be a little challenging, but I think as we go through this, just one thing at a time, hopefully it makes sense.

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The other thing I would say when it comes to connected speech and we do these practice lessons, even if this is not one of your goals, and that's perfectly fine, I told you,

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you don't feel like you need to speak with any specific accent.

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I do think it will help with your listening comprehension.

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And which is also very important because if you're listening to a TV show, a podcast, you may hear, this is the way you may hear people speak,

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especially people from the US, just like me.

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So I'm trying a lot of times with verbs in the continuous tense, we're going to drop that G just get rid of it.

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We don't need it.

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It just makes the, it just makes it's easier to say instead of it's easier just to say in.

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So instead of trying, I'm going to say, try it.

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I'm trying to...

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So, to is one of those words that is often reduced.

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It's a function word, which means it's not really going to be stressed.

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And when it's reduced, that vowel sound may change slightly.

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So instead of to, like I'm saying the number to, it's going to sound softer, more like it has that schwa sound, to, to, to.

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I'm trying to get in.

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Get in there's more linking and that final T

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that is also a flap T

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which is right right here I've written flap T plus linking for both those phrases get in as well as

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but I But I so let's just say those get in

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one more time get in and then the next phrase but I

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but I We have that flap T plus linking and then down at the bottom.

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This is where maybe it gets a little trickier So I mentioned G dropping already.

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Get rid of that G.

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So instead of putting, I'm going to say putting.

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Now this is where, this is where we get into the weeds a little bit.

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So the T, the two T's in putting, when they come between two vowel sounds, it's going to sound like a flap T.

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If you want to say putting and it's easier for you, that's perfect.

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There's no problem.

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That's also the American accent because we're using that flap T.

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But if we drop that G, it's going to change from a flap T to a glottal stop.

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And the sound is coming from your throat when you have a T sound followed by an N.

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And there are many words that I could show you examples.

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Think of the word kitten, kitten.

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You hear that coming from your throat, that glottal stop.

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And to give you another, if you're trying to think about, well, how do you say this glottal T?

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If you make a mistake and somebody says, uh-oh, uh-oh, put your finger down here and say it, uh-oh.

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Between the uh and the o, your glottis is closing, it's blocking the flow of air, and that is a glottal stop.

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So this time it's like we're swallowing the T, puttin, puttin, puttin.

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All right, give it a try.

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I know it may seem a little weird.

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Puttin, puttin, puttin.

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Whether you want to say putting with the flap T or putting with the glottal stop, either one works.

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But we are going to link that last phrase, it off, putting it off, putting it off.

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That T in it, once again, you're going to hear me pronounce it as a flap T and we're going to link it with off, putting it off, putting it off.

185

Maybe if I say it again and again, you kind of start to register, but you can say it with me.

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Just try that last final phrase down there, putting it off, putting it off, putting it off.

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I could probably sit here for an hour and just keep saying, putting it off, putting it off.

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So let's, let's, let's practice this sentence.

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I know there's a lot going on in here.

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Um, so you can just listen and say it with me, or if it helps to look at that phonetic spelling and you could see the,

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you know, what I'm actually saying.

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I'm trying to get in shape, but I keep putting it off.

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So let me, let's say it slowly three times again, shadow, say it with me.

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And it's like we're, we're singing a song and keep in mind that pacing.

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So let's say it slowly.

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I'm trying to get in shape, but I keep putting it off now at a more normal speed.

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Ready?

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I'm trying to get in shape, but I keep putting it off.

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Once more time, I'm trying to get in shape, but I keep putting it off.

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All right.

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I'm sure when you set it down, you sounded, it sounded just like me.

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That was perfect.

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Okay.

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Again, if you're practicing, let me know, right speaking down in the comments and let's just keep speaking and speaking and speaking all the way through this dialogue.

205

The next, uh, the next sentence.

206

Yeah, it's hard to stay consistent, especially when life gets in the way.

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Now, this is the phrase that I wanted to highlight

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and talk about when life gets in the way is one that you may come across from time to time.

209

And all that means is that your your daily responsibilities or unexpected events,

210

they just prevent you from doing something that you may want to do or things that you need to do.

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And it's like, yeah, you know, I understand life gets in the way.

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It's another way of saying you're just you're busy.

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Things are coming up and you're not always able to do the things that you want to do.

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So let's look at what's happening with this one.

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I know it's a couple comments.

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Not easy.

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Yes, I know.

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I know it's not easy.

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This is when you look at these simple sentences, we dive deep into what's happening.

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But once again, it's good to practice, but also I think it does help with your listening comprehension.

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So this one, this is a little, I think a little more simple, straightforward, not as much going on here.

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So yeah, it's hard to stay consistent.

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There's that reduction to stay, to stay, to stay.

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Just try it, try it instead of saying to, try it with that to, to stay, to stay.

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One more time, to stay.

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We're just going to keep drill, drill, drill, to stay.

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Yeah, it's hard to stay consistent.

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I wanted to include the pronunciation of especially

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because people have told me before this word can be a little tricky and it is a common one.

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So I wanted to go ahead and give you both the phonetic spelling as well as the IPA pronunciation.

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Just keep in mind the stress is on that second syllable, especially, especially.

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And that third syllable has that schwa.

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There's that unstressed vowel sound, especially, especially when life gets in the way.

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There, we're going to link that phrase again, moving that consonant sound over to the vowel sound in N, gets in, gets in.

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You can say it again.

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Just say it after me, gets in, gets in, gets in.

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One thing I will say, a lot of this is a little bit like a drill.

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Just keep saying it again and again and again.

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And basically the next time you're having a conversation, you'll just start linking these phrases.

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You'll be using these reductions.

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And over time, you're just going to develop that more natural way of speaking.

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And essentially you'd be developing the American accent because that's what we're talking about.

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So I told you not too much going,

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not as much happening, but let's go ahead and say it one time slowly and then two times at a normal speed. So slowly.

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Yeah, it's hard to stay consistent, especially when life gets in the way.

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Let's say it at a normal speed.

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Say it with me.

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Yeah, it's hard to stay consistent, especially when life gets in the way.

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One more time.

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Yeah, it's hard to stay consistent, especially when life gets in the way.

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I apologize because I realized I didn't talk about the stress timing, but if I were to clap, hopefully you can hear that melody.

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The more I talk about it, you can kind of pick up on it.

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Yeah, it's hard to stay consistent, especially when life gets in the way.

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And as I say it, again, hopefully let your ears do all the work and you can pick up on that melody, on that stress timing.

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Then we got to we got to we're moving to our final sentence.

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I got to stick with it if I want this year to be a success.

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So this is what I meant.

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I meant to talk about the stress timing at the beginning.

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Right now, I got to stick with it if I want this year to be a success.

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So each of those claps, that is my stressed word or syllable.

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I got to stick with it if I want this year to be a success.

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I got to stick with it if I want this year to be a success.

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Whether I'm saying it slowly or fast, the stress timing doesn't change.

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I'm just either saying it slowly, moving it farther apart, or condensing it and saying it much faster.

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What is happening with this beautiful sentence right here?

266

So got to, we can reduce that to gotta.

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This is another, I think, fairly common reduction to stick with it.

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We're going to link that consonant sound over with it.

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If I, if I, we're going to link that phrase as well.

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Now you may be thinking to yourself, and this is something we haven't really like discussed.

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You might be thinking, well, why is that T and it not getting linked with the vowel sound?

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And if this is because it's a separate clause.

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And basically when you hear me say it, I'm going to separate it into two different thought groups.

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And there's going to be a short pause in between there, which is why I'm not linking it over.

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So even if I move back here and just listen for that pause, I got to stick with it or I got to stick with it.

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If I want this year to be a success, can you hear that pause between it and if I got to stick with it if I want this pause to be, if I want this pause,

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okay, I got to stick with it if I want this year to be a success.

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So basically if I move the if statement to the front, then and you're going to use a comma.

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If I have it come after the main clause, I'm not going to use a comma,

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but speaking I still am going to make that pause.

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I got to stick with it if I want this year to be a success.

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So want, one thing to keep in mind with this word that NT.

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NT a lot of times the T may allied

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when it follows an sound think about words like internet or center or interactive You don't hear that sound

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Want is also similar in and it allies you're really gonna remove it

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If I say I wouldn't say what do you want me to do?

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I would say what do you what do you want me to do?

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What do you want me to do?

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What do you want me to do again?

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You don't really hear that T so So this case, it does elide even though the T and the TH,

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the position is the same in your mouth.

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So even if you're putting your tongue up behind your top front teeth, one, even with the N and the T and the TH, you're going to release into that, that voiced this sound.

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It want this year to, there's that reduction with two, be a success.

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The last thing that I want to talk about, I said with assimilation, you don't need to force it it will just occur naturally

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and I think intrusion is the same way this is

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when you add a slight sound generally between two vowel sounds

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and it's going to be either a ya or a what sound

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and that is what allows us to link

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or connect these vowel sounds together be

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so you hear a slight ya sound between them be a

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success be a success let's practice I know I'm giving you a lot with this last sentence.

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Let me say it one time and then you can practice with me and then I'll say it slowly.

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I got to stick with it if I want this year to be a success.

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So let's say it slowly, shadow, say it with me and then you can tell me whether you're actually doing this.

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So let's say it slowly.

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I got to stick with it if I want this year to be a success.

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And when I say it slowly, I think you can hear that melody.

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Let's say it again.

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Shadow, say it with me, but at a normal speed.

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I got to stick with it if I want this year to be a success.

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One more time.

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I got to stick with it if I want this year to be a success.

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Perfect.

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All right.

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You sound like you're from maybe like the New York area, somewhere around there.

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That's what I would say.

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Okay.

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Now that we've gone through

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each sentence and we've dive deep if you

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if you've been practicing once again let me know I want to write right speaking down in the comments

321

or hit a heart or a like button that way I know

322

that you're participating which is all which is really what all I all I want

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and and just keep practicing and practicing

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and practicing here is our dialogue I will say all of it now and then we're gonna say together.

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I'll stay A, you say B, and then we'll switch.

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Like we're having a conversation, which is true.

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Well, we're about to.

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So let me say all of it right now, and then we're going to practice together.

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So what are you going to work on next year?

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I'm trying to get in shape, but I keep putting it off.

331

Yeah, it's hard to stay consistent, especially when life gets in the way.

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I got to stick with it if I want this year to be a success.

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All right, are you ready?

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Let's begin.

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I will say A, and I just want you to say B, and we're going to have this conversation right now.

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Are you ready?

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I'll begin, and you say B.

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Here we go.

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So what are you going to work on next year?

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Yeah, it's hard to stay consistent,

341

especially when life gets in the way. That was perfect.

342

Flawless.

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Okay.

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All right.

345

Excellent.

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That's what I wanted to hear.

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That's what I wanted to hear.

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Now I want to switch you.

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I want you to say A.

350

I am going to say B this time, and we're going to have this conversation.

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So you can begin with A.

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Ready?

353

Go.

354

I'm trying to get in shape, but I keep putting it off.

355

I got to stick with it if I want this year to be a success.

356

Well done.

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All right.

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We, we just rocked it.

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And I know I've given you a lot and I know that as we've gone through this, like some of you had mentioned, it is a, it is challenging.

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It can be difficult, but it's not, it's not something that you have to start using all of these different parts at the same time.

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Start with some of the things that are more common.

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For example, reductions like going to and using gonna.

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Or I mentioned that to often reduce the sounds like to,

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to stay consistent or to be a success.

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And as you just keep repeating some of these phrases using that weaker to, then your brain is going to make that change already when you're having a conversation.

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So I'm giving you a range of different things when it comes to the American accent.

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And hopefully, hopefully if this is one of your goals, it is going to help you feel more comfortable and confident when you are speaking.

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And even if it's not, I hope that it helps with your listening comprehension.

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But if you enjoyed this lesson and learned something new or just enjoyed speaking with me, let me know by hitting that like button.

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And remember if you want to join my course check out that link down below in the description

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Thank you for being here I hope

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that you have a wonderful day a Merry Christmas

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if you are celebrating

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if not then I just hope you have a great end

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of the year I wish all of you a happy new year, and I guess the way it turns out.

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No, maybe I might I'll see you before the end of

377

the year all right I'm just gonna keep keep going but have a great day, and I will see you next

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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

This B1 speaking lesson is built on the video “Speak Like an American: Accent & Pronunciation Training 🇺🇸”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: sound, putting, hear, word. This video has 377 sentences and 4648 words to shadow. The speech runs for 25:44. The speaker talks fast, about 181 words per minute, so expect linked and reduced sounds. 86% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start.

Key vocabulary in this video

The 15 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
vowel noun	/ˈvaʊ.əl/	A sound produced by the vocal cords with relatively little restriction of the oral cavity, forming the prominent sound of a syllable.
accent noun	/ækˈsɛnt/	A higher-pitched or stronger (louder or longer) articulation of a particular syllable of a word or phrase in order to distinguish it from the others or to…
flap noun	/flæp/	Anything broad and flexible that hangs loose, or that is attached by one side or end and is easily moved.
phrase noun	/ˈfɹeɪ̯z/	A short written or spoken expression.
distress noun	/dɪˈstɹɛs/	Physical or emotional discomfort, suffering, or alarm, particularly of a more acute nature.
pause noun	/pɔːz/	A temporary stop or rest; an intermission of action; interruption; suspension; cessation.
dialogue noun	/ˈdaɪəˌlɑɡ/	A conversation or other form of discourse between two or more individuals.
glottal adjective	/ˈɡlɑ.təl/	Of or relating to the glottis.
pronunciation noun	/pɹəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/	The formal or informal way in which a word is made to sound when spoken.
pronounce verb	/pɹəˈnaʊns/	To declare formally, officially or ceremoniously.
consonant noun	/ˈkɑn.sə.nənt/	A sound that results from the passage of air through restrictions of the oral cavity; any sound that is not the dominant sound of a syllable, the dominant…
syllable noun	/ˈsɪl.ə.bəl/	A unit of human speech which often forms words corresponding to one opening of the mouth; a vowel and its surrounding consonants.
clap verb	/klæp/	To strike the palms of the hands together, creating a sharp sound.
melody noun	/ˈmɛl.ə.di/	A sequence of notes that makes up a musical phrase.
drill noun	/dɹɪl/	A tool or machine used to remove material so as to create a hole, typically by plunging a rotating cutting bit into a stationary workpiece.

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
go through verb		To travel from one end of something to the other.
go ahead verb	/ˌɡoʊ əˈhɛd/	To proceed with; to begin.
check out verb		To record the departure or withdrawal of someone or something (such as guests, employees, books, etc.).
point out verb		To identify among a group of similar subjects, or in a scene where the subject might not be readily seen or noticed, with a gesture of the body.
pick up on verb		To notice, observe, learn, or understand, especially something otherwise overlooked.
come across verb		To change sides; to cross over to work for the opposition.
come up verb		To emerge or become known, especially unexpectedly.
look forward to verb		To anticipate, expect, or wait for, especially with a feeling of approval or pleasure; to be excited or eager to.

Sentences worth repeating

Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:

Let's look at the dialogue.
What are you going to work on next year?
What do you want me to do?
What do you want me to do again?
All right, are you ready?

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 given · I've written · have told
Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thing	people who live · word, which means · there, which is
Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it	being said · are said · is often reduced
Possibility with “might / may” might/may + verb — something that is possible but not certain	may already know · may find · may pronounce

Pronunciation to watch

The speaker uses 141 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, we're, you're. Say them the short way, as you hear them.

The “th” sounds: rhythm /ˈɹɪð.əm/, throat /ˈθɹoʊt/
The “sh” and “zh” sounds: pronunciation /pɹəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/, assimilation /əˌsɪməˈleɪʃən/, schwa /ʃwɑ/, comprehension /ˌkɑmpɹɪˈhɛnʃn̩/, intrusion /ɪnˈtɹuːʒən/
Long words — get the stress right: pronunciation /pɹəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/, assimilation /əˌsɪməˈleɪʃən/, vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/, interactive /ˌɪn.tɚˈæk.tɪv/, confidently /ˈkɑnfɪdəntli/

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 vowel, accent, flap.

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.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →

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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

Key vocabulary in this video

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Sentences worth repeating

Grammar in this video

Pronunciation to watch

How to practise with this video

What is the Shadowing Technique?