Shadowing Practice: The 2 Habits That Changed Everything About My English - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

B2
so after 10 years of learning english people always ask me what's my secret how do you maintain your level
⏸ Paused
48 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
so after 10 years of learning english people always ask me what's my secret how do you maintain your level
2
and honestly it comes down to just two daily habits that's it they're simple they're sustainable
3
and most importantly you can actually see progress every single day
4
and i'm still doing them every day now the first one
5
is read aloud every day i think it is massively underrated i see
6
so many people obsessing over creating content
7
or speaking practice at the very beginning of their study journey
8
but actually they completely skip this fundamental step here's why reading
9
aloud is incredible for you first it can help you boost confidence
10
when speaking english and also you will have daily pronunciation practice
11
and it can give you a solid foundation for everything else including fluency intonation natural rhythm
12
when you vocalize these words
13
and sentences you are literally training your brain to connect the
14
sounds with meaning you are teaching your mouth how to move you are building muscle memory
15
but here's the crucial part don't just be a reading robin you know what i mean
16
that kind of word by word lifeless reading actually don't do
17
that let me give you an example learning english is all about persistence
18
and perseverance you cannot give up don't do that instead you should do like learning english it's all about persistence and perseverance
19
You cannot give up when difficulties emerge.
20
You can be slow, but pay attention to the place that you naturally pause.
21
And also where does one idea end and another begin?
22
When you figure this out,
23
suddenly the sentence structure becomes crystal clear for you.
24
I still do this every single day even now is how
25
i maintain my english environment especially since i'm not surrounded by native speakers 24 7 now
26
so the second habit is write something every day people will say like
27
but we have chat gpt we have ai now why do
28
i need to write here's the reality writing is just another
29
form of speaking actually it's speaking with a pause button think about it
30
if someone writes well with great grammar clear logic smooth flow do you think
31
that they're going to struggle when speaking of course not strong writing skills translate directly
32
and smoothly to strong speaking skills here's what makes writing
33
so powerful when you write you have time to think before you commit you see your thoughts on paper
34
or a screen you can rearrange them you can visualize your sentence structures your vocabulary choices
35
and your argument flow
36
but actually with speaking it's gone the moment it leaves your mouth right you don't get
37
that visual feedback so my recommendation is
38
that you should start a daily journal no matter on your phone
39
or laptop or just with a notebook just take notes about your work
40
or your life write down random thoughts doesn't matter what
41
but just write something down every day after you write just threw it into chat gpt
42
and ask it to polish your language
43
and then read improved version aloud i'll give you a very useful prompt here
44
and just take a screenshot actually learning english is not about
45
magically becoming c2 level overnight it's not about perfect grammar
46
or sounding exactly like native speaker tomorrow it's about showing up consistently it's about building sustainable habits
47
that actually stick just start small five minutes of reading aloud a a few sentences in your journal,
48
that's all you need to begin.

Download App

AI scoring for every sentence you speak

TRENDING

Popular

Why practice speaking with this video?

This video presents two essential habits that can significantly enhance your English speaking skills. The speaker emphasizes the importance of reading aloud and writing daily, which not only helps in improving English pronunciation but also builds confidence and fluency. By incorporating reading aloud into your routine, you engage with the language actively. When you vocalize sentences, you train your mouth to form the sounds accurately, thus developing muscle memory.

Furthermore, writing serves as a powerful tool for thinking through your ideas. Just like speaking, writing allows you to organize your thoughts before presenting them. This combined approach of speaking and writing enables you to communicate more effectively, making it a valuable strategy for learners eager to boost their English skills. Consider using a shadowing app or shadowing site to practice these habits in real-time, mimicking natural speech patterns and rhythm.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

The speaker employs several key structures that are vital for effective communication in English. Here are a few noteworthy examples:

  • “Learning English is all about persistence and perseverance.” This phrase highlights the importance of commitment in the learning process.
  • “You can be slow, but pay attention to the place that you naturally pause.” This structure encourages learners to focus on sentence rhythm and pauses, fostering better fluency.
  • “Writing is just another form of speaking.” This comparison emphasizes that the skills developed in writing directly translate into spoken English, reinforcing the importance of both habits.
  • “Learning English is not about magically becoming C2 level overnight.” This realistic perspective reduces pressure on learners, promoting a gradual improvement in proficiency.

Common Pronunciation Traps

While practicing the habits discussed in the video, be aware of some common pronunciation traps:

  • “Persistence” can often be mispronounced. Focus on emphasizing the second syllable: per-SI-stence.
  • “Perseverance” may cause confusion with its length; practice breaking it down: per-se-VER-ance, paying attention to the stressed syllable.
  • “Naturally” is another tricky word; ensure you pronounce it clearly: NAT-ur-ally, stressing the first syllable.

As you incorporate reading aloud and writing into your daily routine, consider using the shadowing technique to reinforce these sounds and improve English pronunciation further. By listening and mimicking fluent speakers, you can develop a more natural intonation and rhythm in your English speech.

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.

Buy us a coffee