Shadowing Practice: Storyfun for Starters Unit 7 - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This video has 26 sentences and 169 words to shadow. The speech runs for 2:38. The speaker talks slowly, about 64 words per minute, so there is time to copy every sound. 79% 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
13 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| coat noun | /ˈkoʊ̯t/ | An outer garment covering the upper torso and arms. |
| robot noun | /ˈɹoʊ.bɑt/ | An intelligent mechanical being designed to look like a human or other creature, and usually made from metal. |
| ruler noun | /ˈɹulɚ/ | A (usually rigid), flat, rectangular measuring or drawing device with graduations in units of measurement; a straightedge with markings. |
| sock noun | /sɑk/ | A knitted or woven covering for the foot. |
| cushion noun | /ˈkʊʃən/ | A soft mass of material stuffed into a cloth bag, used for comfort or support. |
| cupboard noun | /ˈkʌb.əd/ | A cabinet, closet, or other piece of furniture with shelves intended for storing cookware, dishware, or food; similar cabinets or closets used for storing… |
| handbag noun | /ˈhændˌbæɡ/ | A small bag used chiefly by women for carrying various small personal items, sometimes considered as a fashion accessory. |
| toothbrush noun | /ˈtuːθ.bɹʌʃ/ | A brush, used with toothpaste, for cleaning the teeth. |
| bike noun | /baɪk/ | Any vehicle sharing some characteristics with a bicycle or motorbike, such as pedal power, a handlebar, or a saddle. |
| glass noun | /ɡlɑːs/ | An amorphous solid, often transparent substance, usually made by melting silica sand with various additives (for most purposes, a mixture of soda, potash and… |
| ride verb | /ɹaɪd/ | To transport oneself by sitting on and directing a horse, later also a bicycle etc. |
| computer noun | /kəmˈpju.tɚ/ | A programmable electronic device that performs mathematical calculations and logical operations, especially one that can process, store and retrieve large… |
| dear adjective | /dɪɹ/ | High in price; expensive. |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 9 contractions and reduced forms, such as I've, aren't, can't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: cushion /ˈkʊʃən/, toothbrush /ˈtuːθ.bɹʌʃ/
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 coat, robot, ruler.
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.