Shadowing Practice: Taylor Swift – august (Official Lyric Video) - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Salt air
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and the rust on your door I never
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needed anything more Whispers of are you sure Never have I ever before
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But I can see I was lost in the memory August slipped away into a moment in time
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Cause it was never mine
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And I can see I was twisting in bed sheets August slipped away like a bottle of wine
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Cause you were never mine You're back beneath the sun
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Wishing I could write my name on it Will you call when you're back at school?
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I remember thinking I had you
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But I can see us lost in the memory August slipped away into a moment in time
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Cause it was never mine
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And I can see us twisting bed sheets August slipped away like a bottle of wine Cause you were never mine
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Back when we were still changing for the better Wanting was enough For me it was enough
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To live for the hope of it all
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Cancel plans just in case you call And say meet me behind the mall
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So much for someone loving and seeing us Cause you weren't mine to lose You weren't mine to lose,
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no
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But I can see us lost in the memory August slipped away into a moment in time
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Cause it was never mine
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And I can see us twisting in bed sheets August slipped away like a bottle of wine
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Cause you were never mine Cause you were never mine Never mind Do you remember?
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Remember when I pulled up and said get in the car
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And then cancel my plans just in case you called Like
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when I was living for the hope of it all For
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the hope of it all Meet me behind the mark I'm
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gonna get in the car I'm gonna get in the car I'm gonna get in the car I don't know
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if it's all over it all I don't know if it's all over it all
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I remember when I pulled up and said get in the car
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And then get to my plans just in case you called Like
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when I was living for the hope of it all For the hope of it all
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For the hope of it all
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Thank you.
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Thank you.

Boost Your Speaking Fluency with This "august" Lyric Video

Practicing English speaking doesn’t have to be boring! The "august" lyric video by Taylor Swift is a fantastic tool to level up your skills, especially if you’re working on shadowing technique or prepping for IELTS speaking practice. This clip targets natural rhythm and emotional expression—key milestones for sounding more like a native.

Your Go-To Phrase Bank for Everyday Conversations

Extract reusable phrases from the dialogue to add flair to your speech:

  • "Never have I ever before" – Perfect for sharing unique experiences.
  • "Slipped away into a moment in time" – Describe fleeting memories vividly.
  • "Living for the hope of it all" – Express optimism in challenging situations.
  • "Cancel plans just in case you call" – Talk about flexible arrangements naturally.
These phrases work in casual chats or even English speaking practice sessions—they’re versatile and memorable!

Master Rhythm and Intonation with Shadowing

The video’s slow, melodic pace makes it ideal for shadowspeak (or shadow speech). Focus on matching Taylor’s gentle rise and fall—notice how she stresses words like "never" and "mine" to convey emotion. A common weak spot is rushing through long sentences, but this clip trains you to pause naturally (e.g., after "August slipped away"). Repeat lines like "I can see us lost in the memory" until your rhythm matches hers—you’ll be surprised how quickly your fluency improves!

Whether you’re practicing shadowing technique or prepping for an exam, this video turns learning into a fun, effective activity. Hit play, mimic the tone, and watch your speaking skills shine!

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 →