Shadowing Practice: Talk About Your Favourite Subject| English Speaking for Kids | Cambridge Smart - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Hello everyone, I am Lana.
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Today I want to talk about my favourite subject.
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My favourite subject is English.
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I like English because it is fun and useful.
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I learn English at school every day.
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I can read stories, learn new words and sing English songs.
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I enjoy speaking English with my teacher and friends.
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English makes me happy.
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I also like art and music.
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These subjects are fun too but English is my favourite subject.
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I want to speak English very well in the future.
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Now let's talk about my friend Liam.
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Hello Liam, what is your favourite subject?
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Hi Lana, my favourite subject is maths.
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Why do you like maths?
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Because it is interesting and fun.
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What do you do in maths lessons?
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I learn numbers and solve problems.
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Are you good at maths?
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Yes, I am.
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Do you like English?
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Yes, I do, but maths is my favourite subject.
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Thank you, Liam.
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Now, let's talk about you.
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Listen and answer the questions.
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Are you ready?
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What is your favourite subject? Do you like English? Do you like maths?
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Maths.
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What do you do in English lessons?
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Are you good at your favourite subject?
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When do you have your favourite subject?
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Why do you like your favourite subject?
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Who is your favourite teacher?
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Thank you for listening.
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Subscribe and follow Cambridge Smart so we can help you score well in Cambridge exams.
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See you in our next lessons.
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Bye bye.

Why practice speaking with this video?

In this engaging video, young learners are encouraged to share their favorite subjects in English. By watching and participating, students not only practice their speaking skills but also foster a sense of confidence in their language abilities. Speaking about personal interests, such as favorite school subjects, enhances vocabulary and encourages expression, which is vital for effective communication. Utilizing a shadowing app can further boost this experience, allowing learners to replicate the pronunciation and intonation of native speakers, thus facilitating a more profound mastery of the language. Engaging in activities like shadow speech helps to solidify learning while making the process enjoyable.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

The transcript features several key structures and expressions that are useful for learners:

  • “My favorite subject is...” - This structure is great for introducing personal preferences. It encourages learners to express their interests clearly.
  • “I like [subject] because...” - This phrase can be utilized to provide reasons behind preferences, helping students construct more complex sentences.
  • “What do you do in [subject] lessons?” - This question format invites discussions and encourages learners to elaborate on their learning experiences.
  • “Are you good at [subject]?” - This structure helps in evaluating personal skills and articulating confidence in one’s abilities.

Practicing these expressions with a shadow speak technique can significantly enhance your English fluency and comfort in conversations.

Common Pronunciation Traps

In this video, certain words and phrases could be challenging for learners, especially new speakers. Here are some pronunciation traps to be aware of:

  • “English” - The initial vowel sound can be tricky; ensure to pronounce it clearly, avoiding the common mistake of blending it too closely with the following consonant.
  • “Subject” - Pay attention to the stress on the first syllable and the final consonant sounds to avoid sounding too soft.
  • “Maths” - This word often trips up learners due to the final “s” sound. Emphasizing the clear “s” at the end is crucial for correct pronunciation.

Using techniques to improve English pronunciation through shadowing can help in mastering these tricky words, making your speech more natural and fluent.

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.