Shadowing Practice: Step-by-Step: Learn English Fast Using Podcasts | 5 Steps for Beginners | Enjoy English Talks - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Hello, everyone, and welcome back to Enjoy English Talks, where every conversation helps you learn.
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I'm Judy.
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Hello, Judy.
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Hello, everyone.
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I'm Jake.
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How are you today, Judy?
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I am wonderful today.
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Thank you.
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I read a very nice message this morning.
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And you, Jake?
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I am good, thank you.
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A nice message.
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Tell me about it.
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A listener wrote to us.
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They said, I listen to enjoy English talks every day, and my English is getting better.
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Wow, that makes me so happy.
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I love our listeners.
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Me too, but then they asked a very good question.
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A question?
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What did they ask?
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They asked, what is the best way to learn English with your podcast?
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That is a great question, because I also want to know.
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I am in this podcast but i still want to learn more
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and many of our listeners have the same question so today
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that is our topic we are going to teach people how
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to learn english with a podcast yes today i have five
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easy steps five steps to learn english with a podcast and you can start today
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five steps i love steps easy to follow let's go but first we have a small request Yes.
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If you like our podcast, please click the like button.
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Please subscribe to enjoy English talks.
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And share this episode with your friends and family.
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Thank you.
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It helps us so much.
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We love our listeners.
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Okay.
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Now let's start.
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First, let me tell you the problem.
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The big problem.
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The problem?
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What is the problem?
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Many people listen to English podcasts.
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They press play, they listen, but then they hear a word they do not know.
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And they stop.
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Yes, they stop.
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They open a dictionary, they look for the word, and then they forget where they were in the episode.
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That happens to me too.
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I stop every two minutes.
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And some people listen one time.
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They do not understand everything, and they think, this is too hard.
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I cannot do it.
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I know that feeling.
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You listen, you do not understand, and you feel bad.
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But here's the thing.
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That is the wrong way to use a podcast.
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Today, I am going to show you the right way.
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Five steps.
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Very easy.
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The right way.
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I'm ready.
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Tell me step one.
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Step number one.
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Just listen.
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Just listen?
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That is the step?
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Just listen?
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Yes the first time you listen to a podcast episode do
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not stop do not pause do not open a dictionary just listen but what
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if I do not understand a word that's okay keep listening
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do not stop try to understand the general idea the big
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picture the big picture yes the big picture means the main
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topic what are they talking about are they happy are they
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sad what is the subject you do not need every word you need the general idea so
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if I listen to a podcast about food I just need
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to know oh they're talking about food exactly you do not
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need to understand every sentence just the topic the feeling the big idea
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that feels much easier I always try to understand everything and then I get frustrated.
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Frustrated means upset, angry at yourself, and that's very normal.
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But step one says relax, just listen, enjoy the sound of English.
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Enjoy the sound.
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I like that.
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Think of it like music.
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The first time you hear a new song, do you understand every word?
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No, I just enjoy the music i enjoy the sound english
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is the same first enjoy the sound the words will come later
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so step one is just listen do not stop understand the
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big picture perfect you got it step number two read
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and listen read
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and listen at the same time yes the second time you listen play the same episode again
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but this time turn on the subtitles subtitles like words on
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the screen yes subtitles are the words you see at the
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bottom of the video s u b t l e t s you hear the words
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and you see the words at the same time oh
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so I can read what they're saying while I listen exactly
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and this is very powerful because sometimes you hear a word but you do not know how to spell it,
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or you hear two words together and they sound like one word.
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That happens to me.
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I hear wanna, but the subtitle says want to.
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Yes, want to becomes wanna when people speak fast.
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Subtitles help you see the real words.
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And if I see a new word, I can write it down.
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Yes, you can write it in a notebook or you can write it on your phone.
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When you see a new word, write it down.
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That is how you grow your vocabulary vocabulary.
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Vocabulary means all the words you know.
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So step two is listen again with subtitles and write down new words.
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That is right.
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The first time, you listen for the big picture.
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The second time, you listen for the details, the small things.
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Big picture first, detail second.
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That makes sense.
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And here is something important.
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On our podcast, Enjoy English Talks, we always explain new words so
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when you hear a new word wait a moment I will explain it for you
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that is true Judy explains everything I never need a dictionary
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when I listen to our podcast that is why podcasts for learners are
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so good we speak slowly we use simple words
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and we explain everything step 2 listen
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and write you subtitles write down new words i can do
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that step number three repeat after us repeat after you you
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mean say the same words yes this is called shadowing s
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h a d o w i n g shadowing means you
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listen to a sentence then you say the same sentence you
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copy the speaker i copy you like a shadow exactly like a shadow.
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A shadow follows you everywhere.
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It copies your shape.
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When you do shadowing, your voice follows my voice.
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You copy my words, my speed, and my rhythm.
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Rhythm.
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Rhythm means the music of the sentence.
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R -H -Y -T -H -M.
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Some words are long.
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Some words are short.
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Some words are loud.
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Some words are quiet.
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That pattern is the rhythm.
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So, I should not just say the words.
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I should say them the same way you say them.
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Yes.
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The same speed, the same feeling.
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Let me show you.
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Listen to me.
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I am happy to be here today.
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I am happy to be here today.
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Good.
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But try to copy my rhythm.
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Listen again.
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I am happy to be here today.
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I am happy to be here today much better did you hear the difference happy
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and here are a little louder a little stronger yes I can feel it it feels more natural
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when I copy your rhythm
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that is the magic of shadowing your mouth learns how to
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make English sounds your brain learns the rhythm of English but
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when do I pause do I pause the video great question yes you can pause the video after one
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or two sentences then repeat then press play again listen to
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the next sentence pause repeat listen pause repeat listen pause repeat yes
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and don't worry
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if you sound funny at first everyone sounds funny at first
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that's normal i always sound funny you sound wonderful jake
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and the more you practice the more natural you'll sound step
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three repeat after us shadowing copy the words the speed
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and the rhythm you got it step number four make your
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own sentences make my own sentences with what with the new
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words from the podcast in step two you wrote down new
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words now use those words make your own sentences oh so
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if I learned the word frustrated today yes make a sentence with frustrated um i feel frustrated
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when i cannot find my keys that is a perfect sentence
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and now frustrated is your word not my word not the podcast's word your word
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because you used it in your own life my word i like that idea
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when i use a word in my own sentence i remember it better exactly that's how your brain works
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When you just hear a word, you might forget it.
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When you read a word, you might forget it.
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But when you use a word in a sentence, you remember it.
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Hear it, read it, use it.
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Three steps for one word.
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That is beautiful, Jake.
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You just explained it perfectly.
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And here's another tip.
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You can write your sentence in the comments below our video.
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In the comments?
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Yes.
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When you write a comment in English, you practice writing and other learners can see your sentence.
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Maybe they learn from you too.
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I can help other people.
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That's cool.
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You can.
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And writing is also practicing.
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Every sentence you write makes your English a little stronger.
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Step four.
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Make your own sentences.
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Use new words in my own life and share them in the comments.
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Perfect.
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Step number five.
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Build a habit.
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Build a habit.
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What is a habit?
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A habit is something you do every day without thinking.
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H -A -B -I -T.
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You brush your teeth every day.
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That's a habit.
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You drink water every day.
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That's a habit.
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So, listening to a podcast should become a habit.
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Yes.
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The best way to learn English is to practice every day, not one hour on Saturday.
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Fifteen minutes every day.
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Fifteen minutes?
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That is not a lot.
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It is not a lot, but it is enough.
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Fifteen minutes every day is better than two hours once a week.
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Really?
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Fifteen minutes is better than two hours yes
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because your brain likes small regular practice every day your brain gets a little bit of english
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and it remembers but if you wait one week your brain forgets
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that explains a lot i used to study for three hours on sunday
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and then nothing until next sunday
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and by next sunday you forgot almost everything almost everything yes
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that is exactly what happened
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so here is my advice pick a time every day at
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the same time maybe in the morning maybe after lunch maybe before bed
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and listen to one episode of our podcast you do not
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need to finish a whole episode in one day you can listen to 10 minutes
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or 15 minutes the important thing is do it every day every day same time even just 15 minutes
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and here is the beautiful thing you can listen
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while you do other things other things like what you can listen
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while you walk while you cook dinner while you clean your house
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while you drive to work I can learn English
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while I wash the dishes yes many of our listeners do this they put on their headphones they press play
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and they listen to enjoy English talks while they do their daily activities.
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That is so smart.
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I do not need extra time.
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I just add English to my normal day.
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Exactly.
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You do not need to sit at a desk.
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You do not need a textbook.
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Just press play and let English become part of your daily life.
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Step 5.
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Build a habit.
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Listen every day, even 15 minutes.
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And remember, do not be hard on yourself.
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If you miss one day, that's okay just come back the next day come back the next day I can do
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that now let me put all five steps together this is
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your learning plan a complete plan I love plans day one
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you find an episode maybe this one you press play you
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listen one time just listen that's step one just listen get the big picture.
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Day two, you listen to the same episode again.
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This time, you turn on subtitles.
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You read and listen.
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You write down new words.
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That's step two.
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Read and listen.
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Write down new words.
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Day three, you listen again, but this time you pause after each sentence and you repeat.
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You copy the speaker.
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That's step three, shadowing.
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Listen, pause, repeat.
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Shadowing.
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Day four, you take your new words and you make your own sentences.
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You write them down or you share them in the comments.
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That's step four.
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Make my own sentences.
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Use the words in my life.
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And every day you do this.
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You build a habit.
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That's step five.
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So I can use one episode for three or four days?
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Yes.
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One episode has so much to learn.
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You do not need a new episode every day.
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Use one episode for three or four days listen read repeat practice i never thought about
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that i always listened one time
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and then moved to the next episode many people do that
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but the secret is go deeper not faster one episode many
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times that's how you really learn go deeper not faster that's a great tip
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and after three or four days you move to a new episode
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and you start the five steps again five steps same steps new episode over
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and over over and over
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and every week your english gets a little better a little
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stronger a little more natural i'm excited to try this starting today.
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Starting today.
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That's the spirit, Jake.
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Okay, let's review.
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Yes, let's see what we learned.
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Today we talked about how to learn English with a podcast.
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Five easy steps.
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Yes, first, just listen, relax, and get the big picture.
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Good.
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Then, read and listen.
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Use subtitles and write down new words.
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Then, repeat after us.
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Shadowing.
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Copy the words in rhythm.
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Then, make your own sentences.
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Use new words in your own life.
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And finally, build a habit.
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Listen every day, even 15 minutes.
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Perfect!
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You remembered everything.
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I learned a lot today.
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Me too!
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Well, that's all the time we have for today.
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Thank you so much for listening to Enjoy English Talks.
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Yes, thank you everyone.
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It was fun.
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Please subscribe to Enjoy English Talks.
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Please give this episode a like.
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And share it with a friend.
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Now, we have a question for you today.
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Yes, please leave a comment below.
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Tell us, which step will you try first?
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Step 1, step 2, step 3, step 4, or step 5?
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We would love to read your answers.
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See you next time.
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Bye, everyone.
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Keep practicing your English.
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This A2 speaking lesson is built on the video “Step-by-Step: Learn English Fast Using Podcasts”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: word, listen, step, english, sentence. This video has 314 sentences and 2415 words to shadow. The speech runs for 16:13. The speaker talks at a steady 149 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 87% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is easy to follow.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| podcast noun | /ˈpɑdˌkæst/ | A program, especially an audio program, produced on a regular basis, delivered over the Internet in a compressed digital format and designed for playback on… |
| shadow noun | /ˈʃædəʊ̯/ | A dark image projected onto a surface where light (or other radiation) is blocked by the shade of an object. |
| habit noun | /ˈhæb.ɪt/ | An action performed on a regular basis. |
| rhythm noun | /ˈɹɪð.əm/ | The variation of strong and weak elements (such as duration, accent) of sounds, notably in speech or music, over time; a beat or meter. |
| pause noun | /pɔːz/ | A temporary stop or rest; an intermission of action; interruption; suspension; cessation. |
| jake noun | /dʒeɪk/ | A juvenile male turkey. |
| listener noun | /ˈlɪs(ə)nɚ/ | Someone who listens, especially to a speech or a broadcast. |
| fifteen noun | /ˈfɪf.tiːn/ | An Irish traybake made with crushed digestive biscuits, marshmallows and glacé cherries combined with condensed milk and desiccated coconut. |
| topic noun | /ˈtɑpɪk/ | A subject; a theme; a category or general area of interest. |
| dictionary noun | /ˈdɪk.ʃəˌnɛ.ɹi/ | A reference work listing words or names from one or more languages, usually ordered alphabetically, explaining each word's meanings or senses, oftentimes also… |
| 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. |
| relax verb | /ɹɪˈlæks/ | To make something loose. |
| subscribe verb | /səbˈskɹaɪb/ | To write (one’s name) at the bottom of a document; to sign (one's name). |
| desk noun | /dɛsk/ | A table, frame, or case, in past centuries usually with a sloping top but now usually with a flat top, for the use of writers and readers. It often has a… |
| spell noun | /spɛl/ | Words or a formula supposed to have magical powers. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| write down verb | To produce or set (something) down in writing; to record something. |
| come back verb | To return to a place. |
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 not just say · should say · should become |
| Verb + -ing enjoy, keep, stop… + -ing — verbs that are followed by the -ing form | keep listening · practice writing · Keep practicing |
| Possibility with “might / may” might/may + verb — something that is possible but not certain | might forget |
| Comparatives -er than / more … than — comparing two things | better than |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 10 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, they're, wanna. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: shadow /ˈʃædəʊ̯/, dictionary /ˈdɪk.ʃəˌnɛ.ɹi/, brush /bɹʌʃ/, dish /dɪʃ/
- Long words — get the stress right: dictionary /ˈdɪk.ʃəˌnɛ.ɹi/, vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/
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 podcast, shadow, habit.
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.