Shadowing Practice: The Fat man | Learn English through Stories | Beginner - Learn English Speaking with Video

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38 sentences
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Fat man.
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There is a fat man.
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The man is very fat.
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He weighs 500 pounds, 227 kilos.
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When he walks, he always gets tired.
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The very fat man wants to lose weight.
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In fact, his doctor tells him, you must lose weight or you will die.
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The fat man is scared.
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He doesn't want to die.
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So he starts a diet.
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For one month, he eats only grass.
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Of course, the grass tastes terrible.
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But the man really wants to lose weight.
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Unfortunately, after one month, he He is still very fat.
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He doesn't lose any weight, not one pound.
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The fat man is frustrated.
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He decides to exercise.
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Every day he walks 12 miles, 20 kilometers.
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Every day he is very tired.
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In fact, he is exhausted.
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But after one month, the man is still very fat.
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Oh no!
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He is extremely frustrated.
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He decides to give up.
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He goes to a restaurant.
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He wants to eat everything because he is so frustrated.
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At the restaurant, he meets a beautiful woman.
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She likes him.
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He likes her.
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They begin to date.
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Every day, the woman cooks healthy food for the fat man.
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His new girlfriend makes a difference in his life.
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The fat man loses weight.
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After six months, he weighs only 170 pounds.
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77 kilos.
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He is thin and he has a wonderful girlfriend.
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The man is thrilled.
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The man and his girlfriend are both thrilled.

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Real-Life Weight Loss Journey in Simple English

The video tells a relatable story of a man struggling to lose weight, facing setbacks, and finding unexpected support. This everyday scenario is perfect for beginners to practice understanding conversational English, as it uses simple sentences and common topics like health, diet, and relationships. Whether you’re preparing for IELTS speaking practice or just want to improve your daily communication, stories like this help you connect language to real life.

Useful Chunks & Collocations to Memorize

  • Lose weight: A common phrase for reducing body mass (e.g., "He wants to lose weight").
  • Get tired: To feel exhausted after activity (e.g., "When he walks, he gets tired").
  • Give up: To stop trying (e.g., "He decides to give up").
  • Make a difference: To have a positive effect (e.g., "His girlfriend makes a difference").
  • Be thrilled: To feel very happy (e.g., "The man is thrilled").

These chunks are essential for building fluency, especially in IELTS speaking practice, where natural phrasing matters.

Your Shadowing Challenge: Practice "Shadow Speak" Now

Shadowing—also called "shadowspeak"—is a proven way to improve pronunciation and fluency. Here’s your task: Watch the video once to understand the story. Then, play short clips (5-10 seconds) and repeat them immediately, copying the tone, speed, and pauses. Focus on phrases like "He weighs 500 pounds" and "His new girlfriend makes a difference." Do this for 10 minutes daily, and you’ll notice your speaking becomes more natural. For extra practice, record yourself and compare it to the video. This method works for all levels, from beginners to those prepping for IELTS speaking practice. Remember, "shadow speech" isn’t just about repetition—it’s about mimicking the rhythm of real English.

By practicing shadowing, you’ll build confidence and master the chunks that make conversations flow. Start today, and turn simple stories into speaking success!

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 →