Shadowing Practice: Speaking P1 - Day 1: Computers/Tablets - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This speaking lesson is built on the video “Speaking P1 - Day 1: Computers/Tablets”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: computer, tablet, lesson, teaching, materials. This video has 22 sentences and 333 words to shadow. The speech runs for 1:53. The speaker talks at a natural 176 words per minute, close to everyday conversation. Only 76% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding. 5 of its 22 sentences are questions, so it is good practice for question intonation and short answers.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| tablet noun | /ˈtæblət/ | A slab of clay, stone or wood used for inscription. |
| lesson noun | /ˈlɛs.ən/ | A section of learning or teaching into which a wider learning content is divided. |
| keyboard noun | /ˈki.bɔɹd/ | A set of keys laid out in a gridlike pattern, used for typing on a typewriter, computer, etc. |
| efficient adjective | /ɪˈfɪʃənt/ | Making good, thorough, or careful use of resources; not consuming extra. Especially, making good use of time or energy. |
| occasionally adverb | /əˈkeɪʒənəli/ | On occasion: at relatively infrequent intervals, from time to time, sometimes. |
| resource noun | /ɹɪˈzɔːs/ | Something that one uses to achieve an objective, e.g. raw materials or personnel. |
| routine noun | /ɹuˈtin/ | A course of action to be followed regularly; a standard procedure. |
| presentation noun | /ˌpɹɛzn̩ˈteɪʃn̩/ | The act of presenting, or something presented. |
| laptop noun | /ˈlæp.tɑp/ | A laptop computer. |
| depend verb | /dɪˈpɛnd/ | To be contingent or conditioned; to have something as a necessary condition |
| interactive adjective | /ˌɪn.tɚˈæk.tɪv/ | Interacting with or communicating with and reacting to each other; influencing or having an effect on each other; acting or capable of acting on each other or… |
| considerably adverb | /kənˈsɪdəɹəbli/ | Significantly; to a degree worth considering. |
| outlet noun | /ˈaʊtlɛt/ | A vent or similar passage to allow the escape of something. |
| portable adjective | /ˈpɔɹtəbəl/ | Able to be carried or easily moved. |
| uncommon adjective | /ʌnˈkɒmən/ | Rare; not readily found; unusual. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- Would you like to use a computer or tablet?
- In what conditions would you use a computer or tablet?
- When was the first time you used a computer or tablet?
- What would your life be like without computers or tablets?
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 8 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'd, I'm, didn't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: efficient /ɪˈfɪʃənt/, occasionally /əˈkeɪʒənəli/, presentation /ˌpɹɛzn̩ˈteɪʃn̩/
- Long words — get the stress right: occasionally /əˈkeɪʒənəli/, interactive /ˌɪn.tɚˈæk.tɪv/, considerably /kənˈsɪdəɹəbli/
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 tablet, lesson, keyboard.
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.