Shadowing Practice: Steve Jobs Stanford Commencement Speech 2005 - Learn English Speaking with Video

Choose a practice mode

Each mode opens a full-screen practice room.

199 sentences

If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.

Thank you.

I'm Honored to be with you today for your commencement from one of the finest universities in the world.

Truth be told, I never graduated from college.

And this is the closest I've ever gotten to a college graduation.

Today, I want to tell you three stories from my life.

That's it.

No big deal.

Just three stories.

The first story...

is about connecting the dots.

I dropped out of Reed College after the first six months, but then stayed around as a drop -in for another 18 months or so before I really quit.

So why'd I drop out?

It started before I was born.

My biological mother was a young, unwed graduate student and she decided to put me up for adoption.

She felt very strongly that I should be adopted by college graduates So everything was all set.

for me to be adopted at birth by a lawyer and his wife.

except that when I popped out they decided at the last minute that they really wanted a girl.

So my parents, who were on a waiting list, got a call in the middle of the night asking We've got an unexpected baby boy.

Do you want him?

They said, "Of course."

My biological mother found out later that my mother had never graduated from college

and that my father had never graduated from high school.

she refused to sign the final adoption papers.

She only relented a few months later when my parents promised that I would go to college.

This was the start.

in my life.

- And 17 years later, I did go to college.

But I naively chose a college that was almost as expensive as Stanford.

and all of my working class parent savings were being spent on my college tuition.

After six months, I couldn't see the value in it.

I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, and no idea how college was going to help me figure it out.

And here I was, spending all the money my parents had saved their entire life.

So I decided to drop out and trust that it would all work out okay.

It was pretty scary at the time, but looking back, It was one of the best decisions I ever made.

The minute I dropped out, I could stop taking the required classes that didn't interest me

and begin dropping in on the ones that looked far more interesting.

It wasn't all romantic.

I didn't have a dorm room, so I slept on the floor in friends rooms.

I returned Coke bottles for the five -cent deposits to buy food with.

and I would walk the seven miles across town every Sunday night

to get one good meal a week at the Hare Krishna temple.

I loved it.

And much of what I stumbled into by following my curiosity and intuition turned out to be priceless later on.

let me give you one example Reed College at that time offered perhaps the best calligraphy instruction in the country,

Throughout the campus, every poster, every label on every drawer was beautifully hand -calligraphed.

Because I had dropped out and didn't have to take the normal classes, I decided to take a calligraphy class to learn how to do this.

I learned about serif and sans serif typefaces, about varying the amount of space between different letter combinations about what makes great typography great.

It was beautiful, historical, artistically subtle in a way that science can't capture.

And I found it fascinating.

None of this had even a hope of any practical application in my life.

But 10 years later, when we were designing the first Macintosh computer, It all came back to me.

And we designed it all into the Mac.

It was the first computer with beautiful typography.

if I had never dropped in on that single course in college, the Mac would have never had multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts.

And since Windows just copied the Mac, it's likely that no personal computer would have them.

Thank you.

If I had never dropped out, I would have never dropped in on that calligraphy class, and personal computers might not have the wonderful typography that they do.

Of course, it was impossible to connect the dots looking forward when I was in college.

But it was very, very clear looking backwards ten years later.

Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward.

You can only connect them looking backwards.

So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.

You have to trust in something, your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever.

Because believing that the dots will connect down the road, will give you the confidence to follow your heart even when it leads you off the well -worn path.

and that will make all the difference.

Thank you.

My second story is about love and loss.

- Thank you.

I was lucky.

I found what I loved to do early in life.

Was and I started Apple in my parents garage when I was 20.

We worked hard

and in 10 years Apple had grown from just the two

of us in a garage into a $2 billion company with over 4000 employees.

We just released our finest creation, the Macintosh, a year earlier, and I just turned 30.

And then I got fired.

How can you get fired from a company you started?

Well?

As Apple grew, we hired someone who I thought was very talented to run the company with me.

And for the first year or so, things went well.

But then our visions of the future began to diverge, and eventually we had a falling out.

When we did, our board of directors sided with him.

And so at 30, I was out.

and very publicly out.

What had been the focus of my entire adult life was gone, and it was devastating.

I really didn't know what to do for a few months.

I felt that I had let the previous generation of entrepreneurs down.

that I had dropped the baton as it was being passed to me.

I met with David Packard and Bob Noyce, and tried to apologize for screwing up so badly.

I was a very public failure and I even thought about running away from the valley.

But something slowly began to dawn on me.

I still loved what I did.

- Okay.

The turn of events at Apple had not changed that one bit.

I'd been rejected, but I was still in love.

Thank you.

And so I decided to start over.

I didn't see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me.

100

The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again less sure about everything.

101

It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life, During the next five years I started a company named Next

102

Another company named Pixar and fell in love with an amazing woman who would become my wife.

103

Pixar went on to create the world's first computer animated feature film, Toy Story.

104

and is now the most successful animation studio in the world.

105

In a remarkable turn of events, Apple bought next, and I returned to Apple, and the technology we developed it next is at the heart of Apple's current renaissance.

106

And Lorene and I have a wonderful family together.

107

I'm pretty sure none of this would have happened if I hadn't been fired from Apple.

108

It was awful tasting medicine.

109

But I guess the patient needed it.

110

sometime life sometimes life's gonna hit you in the head with a brick Don't lose faith.

111

I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did.

112

You've got to find what you love.

113

And that is as true for work as it is for your lovers.

114

Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work.

115

And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.

116

If you haven't found it yet, keep looking and don't settle.

117

as with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it.

118

And like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on.

119

So keep looking.

120

don't settle.

121

Thank you.

122

My third story is about death.

123

When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like, If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right.

124

It made an impression on me.

125

and since then for the past 33 years I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself, If today were the last day of my life, what I want to do,

126

what I am about to do today.

127

And whenever the answer has been no for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.

128

Remembering

129

that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've

130

ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life because almost everything All external expectations,

131

all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure, These things just fall away in the face of death.

132

leaving only what is truly important, Remembering

133

that you are going to die is the best way I

134

know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.

135

You are already naked.

136

There is no reason not to follow your heart.

137

About a year ago, I was diagnosed with cancer.

138

I had a scan at 7 :30 in the morning, and it clearly showed a tumor on my pancreas.

139

I didn't even know what a pancreas was.

140

The doctors told me this was almost certainly a type of cancer that is incurable.

141

and that I should expect to live no longer than three to six months.

142

My doctor advised me to go home and get my affairs in order.

143

which is doctor's code for prepare to die.

144

It means to try and tell your kids everything.

145

You thought you'd have the next 10 years to tell them.

146

in just a few months.

147

It means to make sure everything is buttoned up so that it will be as easy as possible for your family.

148

It means to say your goodbyes.

149

Thank you.

150

I live with that diagnosis all day.

151

Later that evening I had a biopsy where they stuck an endoscope down my throat through my stomach and into my intestines.

152

put a needle into my pancreas and got a few cells from the tumor.

153

I was sedated.

154

but my wife, who was there, told me that when they viewed the cells under a microscope, the doctor started crying because it turned out to be a very rare form of pancreatic cancer.

155

that is curable with surgery.

156

I had the surgery.

157

And thankfully, I'm fine now.

158

This was the closest I've been to facing death.

159

and I hope it's the closest I get for a few more decades.

160

Having lived through it, I can now say this to you with a bit more certainty than

161

when death was a useful but purely intellectual concept.

162

No one wants to die.

163

Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there.

164

And yet, death is the destination we all share.

165

No one has ever escaped it.

166

And that is as it should be because death is very likely the single best invention of life.

167

It's life's change agent.

168

It clears out the old to make way for the new.

169

Right now, the new is you.

170

But someday, not too long from now, you will gradually become the old, and be cleared away.

171

Sorry to be so dramatic, but it's quite true.

172

Your time is limited.

173

So don't waste it living someone else's life.

174

Don't be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people's thinking.

175

Don't let the noise of others opinions drown out your own inner voice.

176

and most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.

177

they somehow already know what you truly want to become.

178

Everything else is secondary.

179

Thank you.

180

When I was young, There was an amazing publication called the Whole Earth Catalog, which was one of the Bibles of my generation.

181

It was created by a fellow named Stuart Brand not far from here in Menlo Park

182

and he brought it to life with his poetic touch.

183

This was in the late 60s, before personal computers and desktop publishing So it was all made with typewriters, scissors, and Polaroid cameras.

184

It was sort of like Google in paperback form 35 years before Google came along.

185

It was idealistic.

186

overflowing with neat tools and great notions.

187

Stewart and his team put out several issues of the Whole Earth Catalog.

188

And then, when it had run its course, they put out a final issue.

189

It was the mid -1970s and I was your age.

190

On the back cover of their final issue was a photograph of an early morning country road

191

the kind you might find yourself hitchhiking on if you were so adventurous.

192

Beneath it were the words, stay hungry Stay foolish.

193

It was their farewell message as they signed off.

194

Stay hungry.

195

Stay foolish.

196

And I have always wished that for myself.

197

And now, as you graduate to begin anew, I wish that for you.

198

Stay hungry, stay foolish.

199

Thank you all very much.

Download App

Everything you need to speak fluently

AI PronunciationScore every sentence

IPA PracticeMaster every sound

VocabularyBuild your word bank

Vocab GameLearn while playing

Scan QR

Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play

FOR YOU

Recommend Video

169 sentences

[Luyện nghe tiếng Anh] Diễn văn của Steve Jobs 2005 - Stanford Commencement Address

Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students

57 sentences

Arnold Schwarzenegger Leaves the Audience SPEECHLESS | One of the Best Motivational Speeches Ever

Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students

170 sentences

( Português com legendas em inglês)English Speeches Steve Jobs Stanford Commencement Speech 2005葡萄牙文

Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students

Context & Background

The Stanford Commencement Speech delivered by Steve Jobs in 2005 is a memorable address that has inspired countless individuals around the world. In his speech, Jobs reflects on pivotal moments in his life, emphasizing how unconventional decisions can shape our futures. By sharing his personal anecdotes, he encourages graduates to pursue their passions, take risks, and connect the dots of their experiences, even if they seem disconnected at first. This speech serves as a valuable resource for English learners not only to grasp the power of storytelling but also to learn valuable language skills through engaging content.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

“Thank you for having me.” - A polite way to express gratitude in various situations.
“I decided to drop out.” - Useful when discussing educational choices or experiences.
“It turned out to be priceless.” - A way to express the high value of an experience or lesson learned.
“I followed my curiosity.” - Encourages others to pursue their interests and passions.
“It was one of the best decisions I ever made.” - A phrase to highlight positive outcomes from personal choices.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

If you want to improve your English pronunciation and speaking skills, "shadowing" is a powerful technique to adopt. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you effectively shadow Steve Jobs' speech:

Choose a Short Segment: Start with a manageable portion of the speech, ideally a 1-2 minute clip. This way, you won’t feel overwhelmed.
Listen Actively: Play the segment a few times. Focus on Jobs’ intonation, rhythm, and emphasis. This is essential for learning English with YouTube.
Repeat with Intent: As you play the video, pause after each sentence. Repeat what you hear, mimicking his pronunciation and emotion. This technique will significantly boost your ability to shadow speak effectively.
Record Yourself: After several repetitions, record your voice while shadowing the same segment. Listen to your recording and compare it with the original to identify areas for improvement.
Practice Regularly: Set a routine to shadow specific segments daily. Regular practice using this shadowing site method will make a noticeable difference in enhancing your skills.

Engaging with meaningful content like Jobs’ speech not only increases your vocabulary but also enriches your understanding of cultural context. As you practice, remember that the journey of learning English is an exploration, just as Jobs’ journey was. Embrace it!

Grammar in this video

The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:

Structure	In the video
Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it	be told · was born · should be adopted
Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now	I've ever gotten · haven't found · have looked
Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thing	someone who I · woman who would · people who want

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 →

Shadowing Practice: Steve Jobs Stanford Commencement Speech 2005 - Learn English Speaking with Video

Choose a practice mode

Download App

[Luyện nghe tiếng Anh] Diễn văn của Steve Jobs 2005 - Stanford Commencement Address

rory's graduation speech

Steve Jobs passion in work

"每当我身处低谷，我就会听这段讲话”【乔布斯在斯坦福大学毕业典礼上的演讲】中英大字幕/英语长句快语速 Steve Jobs' Stanford Speech

View From The Top with Roelof Botha, Managing Partner of Sequoia Capital

Steve Jobs - 2005 Stanford Commencement Address (Enhanced to HD/1080p)

Bill Gates Harvard Commencement Address 2007

Steve Jobs: Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish

Finally Sending a Text She Put Off for 15 Years

케빈 시스트롬: 행동의 열매

Arnold Schwarzenegger Leaves the Audience SPEECHLESS | One of the Best Motivational Speeches Ever

( Português com legendas em inglês)English Speeches Steve Jobs Stanford Commencement Speech 2005葡萄牙文

Context & Background

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

Grammar in this video

What is the Shadowing Technique?