Shadowing Practice: Speaking Practice For B1 (intermediate) | English Imitation Lessons - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Hello!
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I'm Emma from mmmEnglish, helping you to build your confidence as an English speaker.
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In this video, I have a very special lesson for you that's using the imitation technique.
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I also have something that's very exciting to share at the end of this lesson so make sure you keep watching!
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Practicing with the imitation technique can dramatically improve your English communication skills.
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It's worked for thousands of my students already and it can work for you too.
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Why?
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Because with this technique you learn to communicate with more than just words.
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Is clear pronunciation important when you're speaking English?
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Yes of course it is but so is stress and intonation.
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So is using tone and body language to express your emotions and so is pause to create suspense or add emphasis.
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It's not just what you say but how you say it in English.
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With the imitation technique you'll learn how to perform English.
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It's like an actor in the movies or a pop star singing on stage.
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Are you ready to give it a try?
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In this imitation lesson you'll hear me telling you a story.
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Listen to the tone and the intonation in my voice while I'm speaking.
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You'll hear that I'm being supportive and I'm encouraging a friend to do something.
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Here's how it works.
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You'll hear the same story three times.
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The first time you hear it, you'll just need to listen and read.
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Listen to the topic, the vocabulary and my expression.
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You're learning the script.
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Then you'll hear the same script again.
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But this time there will be a short pause after each clause or sentence.
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This is so that you can say it aloud, exactly as it was said in the recording.
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I want you to imitate me, to copy me, the native English speaker.
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The last step is the most challenging one.
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Try to shadow me while I'm speaking.
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Perform each sentence with the same expression and intonation while I'm speaking.
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If you don't shadow me perfectly, don't worry!
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It's meant to be a challenge!
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But this step is really important.
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It helps you to practice all of these skills in a different way.
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Okay, it's time to give it a try!
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Good luck!
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You can do this.
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Ready?
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This is step number one.
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Listen and read.
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You know what?
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I think you should just go for it.
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I mean, what have you got to lose?
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You've got plenty of experience and nobody is more passionate about this kind of work than you.
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Just because you don't have a degree shouldn't make a difference.
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I mean, you've been doing this for real for so much longer than anyone who's just come out of university.
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Besides, what's the worst thing that can happen?
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They might turn you down but who cares?
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It's not like you really need this job but imagine if you get it.
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Living on an island, going for a swim every morning before work, eating fresh fruit and seafood every day?
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I think you should just go for it.
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Then I can come and visit you.
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What if I help you?
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I could make you a logo or something or I could help you with your cover letter?
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You've got to admit, it's pretty exciting and you're perfect for this role.
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Come on, what do you think?
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Step two.
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Great!
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Now you're ready to imitate the speaker.
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Listen to the speaker and in the pause, repeat what they said exactly as they said it.
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You know what?
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I think you should just go for it.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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This is your chance to improve the way that you speak English as fast as possible.
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To find these new lessons,
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head over to my website at www .mmenglish .com forward slash imitation.
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Thank you for spending the time with me today practicing your English.
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I'll see you in the next video lesson.
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Bye for now!
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This B1 speaking lesson is built on the video “Speaking Practice For B1”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: English, imitation, lesson, listen, hear. This video has 79 sentences and 675 words to shadow. The speech runs for 10:26. The speaker talks slowly, about 65 words per minute, so there is time to copy every sound. 87% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is easy to follow. 13 of its 79 sentences are questions, so it is good practice for question intonation and short answers.
Key vocabulary in this video
The 15 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| imitation noun | /ɪmɪˈteɪ̯ʃən/ | The act of imitating. |
| intonation noun | /ɪntəˈneɪʃən/ | The rise and fall of the voice in speaking. |
| pause noun | /pɔːz/ | A temporary stop or rest; an intermission of action; interruption; suspension; cessation. |
| excite verb | /ɪkˈsaɪt/ | To stir the emotions of; to cause to feel excitement. |
| imitate verb | /ˈɪmɪteɪt/ | To follow as a model or a pattern; to make a copy, counterpart or semblance of. |
| pronunciation noun | /pɹəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/ | The formal or informal way in which a word is made to sound when spoken. |
| aloud adverb | /əˈlaʊd/ | With a loud voice, or great noise; loudly; audibly. |
| suspense noun | /səˈspɛns/ | The condition of being suspended; cessation for a time. |
| seafood noun | /ˈsiːfuːd/ | Food from the sea, including that derived from fish, shellfish, crustaceans, cephalopods, seaweed, algae, marine mammals, and other marine organisms. |
| litter noun | /ˈlɪt.ɚ/ | Straw, grass, and similar loose material used as bedding for people or animals. |
| vocabulary noun | /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/ | A usually alphabetized and explained collection of words e.g. of a particular field, or prepared for a specific purpose, often for learning. |
| dramatically adverb | In a dramatic manner. | |
| distress noun | /dɪˈstɹɛs/ | Physical or emotional discomfort, suffering, or alarm, particularly of a more acute nature. |
| clause noun | /klɔːz/ | A group of words that contains a subject and a verb; it may be part of a sentence or may constitute the whole sentence, depending on the syntax in each… |
| supportive adjective | /səˈpɔɹtɪv/ | Providing support. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- Are you ready to give it a try?
- I mean, what have you got to lose?
- They might turn you down but who cares?
- What if I help you?
- Come on, what do you think?
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Advice with “should” should + verb — saying what is a good idea | should just go · shouldn't make |
| Superlatives the -est / the most … — the top or bottom of a group | the most challenging · the worst |
| Future with “will” will + verb — a decision, promise or prediction | you'll learn · you'll hear · you'll just need |
| Present continuous am/is/are + -ing — something happening right now or around now | you're speaking · is using · I'm speaking |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 24 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, you'll, you're. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: imitation /ɪmɪˈteɪ̯ʃən/, intonation /ɪntəˈneɪʃən/, pronunciation /pɹəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/, passionate /ˈpæʃənɪt/, emotion /ɪˈməʊ.ʃən/
- Long words — get the stress right: imitation /ɪmɪˈteɪ̯ʃən/, intonation /ɪntəˈneɪʃən/, pronunciation /pɹəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/, vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/, communicate /kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪt/
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 imitation, intonation, pause.
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.