Shadowing Practice: The Fisherman and His Wife | Classic Tales Level 2 - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

A2
A poor fisherman lives in this hut.
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A poor fisherman lives in this hut.
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He lives here with his wife.
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Every day he goes to the sea.
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One day he sees a strange fish.
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It is strange and beautiful.
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Oh, fisherman, put me back in the sea, says the fish.
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I'm not a fish.
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I'm a magic prince.
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Oh, a magic prince, says the fisherman.
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We can't eat you.
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He puts the fish back in the sea, and he goes home.
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What?
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No fish?
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Says his wife.
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Are there no fish in the sea?
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There's a magic fish, says the fisherman.
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We can't eat a magic fish,
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so it's back in the sea." "'What?' says his wife.
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"'You silly man.
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A magic fish can help us.
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I want something.
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I want a nice little cottage.
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Go and ask the fish." The fisherman goes back to the sea.
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Now the water is green.
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The fisherman shouts, "'Oh, magic fish in the sea,
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please come up and speak to me.'" What do you want? says the fish.
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My wife wants something, says the fisherman.
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She wants a cottage.
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Go home, says the fish.
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She has it.
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The fisherman goes home.
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Look!
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says his wife.
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Look at this cottage.
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This is nice.
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Yes, wife, says the fisherman.
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We can be happy now.
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Yes, says his wife.
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Perhaps we can.
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Then she starts to think.
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A week later, the fisherman's wife says,
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"'Husband, this cottage is very small.
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I want something.
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I want a nice big house.' "'No,
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wife, please,' says the fisherman.
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We don't want a big house.
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Yes, we do, says his wife.
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Go and ask the fish.
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The fisherman goes back to the sea.
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Now the water is purple.
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The fisherman shouts, Oh, magic fish in the sea,
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please come up and speak to me.
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What do you want? says the fish.
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My wife wants something, says the fisherman.
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She wants a big house.
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Go home, says the fish.
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She has it.
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The fisherman goes home.
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Look, says his wife.
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Look at this house.
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This is nice.
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Yes, wife, says the fisherman.
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It's very nice.
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We can be happy now.
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Yes, says his wife.
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Perhaps we can.
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Then she starts to think.
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A week later, the fisherman's wife says,
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Husband, this house is very small.
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I want something.
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I want a nice big castle.
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No, wife, please, says the fisherman.
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We don't want a castle.
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Yes, we do, says his wife.
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Go and ask the fish.
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The fisherman goes back to the sea.
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Now, the water is gray.
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The fisherman shouts, Oh, magic fish in the sea,
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please come up and speak to me.
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What do you want?
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Says the fish.
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My wife wants something, says the fisherman.
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She wants...a castle." "'Go home,' says the fish she has it
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the fisherman goes home look says his wife look at this castle this is nice
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Yes, wife, says the fisherman.
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It's very nice.
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We can be happy now.
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Yes, says his wife.
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Perhaps we can.
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Then she starts to think.
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A week later, the fisherman's wife says,
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"'Husband, this castle is very small.
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I want something.
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I want a palace.
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And I want to be queen.' "'No,
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wife, please,' says the fisherman.
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We don't want a palace.
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You don't want to be queen?
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Yes, I do, says his wife.
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Go and ask the fish.
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The fisherman goes back to the sea.
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Now the water is brown.
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The fisherman shouts, Oh, magic fish in the sea,
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please come up and speak to me.
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What do you want? says the fish.
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My wife wants something, says the fisherman.
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She wants a palace and she wants to be queen.
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Go home, says the fish.
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She has a palace and she is queen.
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The fisherman goes home.
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Look, says his wife.
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Look at this palace.
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I'm the queen.
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This is nice.
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Yes, wife, says the fisherman.
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It's very nice.
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So now, now, wife, can we be happy?
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Yes, says his wife.
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Perhaps we can.
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Then she starts to think.
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The fisherman is tired.
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That night he sleeps well.
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But his wife can't sleep.
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I want...
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I want...
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something, she says.
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It is morning.
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Wake up, husband," she says.
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I know what I want.
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I want the world.
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I want to be emperor of all the world." Oh,
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wife, says the fisherman, no,
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you can't have all the world.
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No one can have all the world.
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Listen, you are queen.
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Now be happy.
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I can't be happy, cries his wife.
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I can't.
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I must have all the world.
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Now go.
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Go and ask the fish.
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The fisherman goes back to the sea.
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Now the water is black.
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The fisherman shouts, Oh, magic fish in the sea,
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please come up and speak to me.
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What do you want? says the fish.
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My wife wants something, says the fisherman.
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She wants the world.
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She wants to be emperor of all the world.
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Go home, says the fish, and don't come back.
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The fisherman goes home.
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Look, says his wife, look at this hut.
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It isn't very nice, but it's our home.
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Yes, wife, says the fisherman.
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Can we be happy now?
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The fisherman's wife starts to think.
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Yes, she says.
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I think we can.

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Context & Background

The enchanting tale of "The Fisherman and His Wife" captures a poignant mix of simplicity and aspiration. Set by the sea, the story unfolds around a humble fisherman who discovers a mystical fish that grants wishes. Despite their initial poverty, the fisherman's wife constantly desires more, illustrating the theme of ambition and the complexities of human nature. This not only provides a rich narrative but also presents learners with dialogues relevant to daily life, showcasing common expressions and cultural nuances. Understanding this context helps learners appreciate the underlying messages while enhancing their English speaking practice.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • What do you want? - A simple expression that conveys inquiry about someone’s desires or needs, perfect for initiating conversations.
  • I want something. - An assertive statement that serves as a starting point for requests, reflecting personal wishes.
  • This is nice. - A positive acknowledgment that can express satisfaction, useful in both casual and formal conversations.
  • We can be happy now. - A phrase expressing contentment, which can enhance discussions about feelings and expectations.
  • Go and ask the fish. - A playful directive that emphasizes the importance of seeking solutions, emblematic in many cultures.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively use the dialogues from "The Fisherman and His Wife" for shadowspeak exercises, follow this structured approach:

  1. Listen Actively: Start by attentively listening to the video. Pay close attention to the pronunciation, intonation, and rhythm of the spoken sentences.
  2. Repeat After: Use the shadowing technique by repeating phrases immediately after hearing them. Focus on mimicking the speaker's emotions and tone for a more natural flow.
  3. Break down the Phrases: Isolate challenging sentences or phrases. For example, practice saying, "What do you want?" multiple times until you feel confident.
  4. Slow Down: If a section seems difficult, slow down the playback speed. This allows you to grasp the nuances in pronunciation that are key to improving English pronunciation.
  5. Engage in Conversations: Pair up with a partner or even use solo practice to create dialogues inspired by the story. Incorporate the phrases learned to build fluency and confidence in genuine conversations.

By employing these techniques, you will enhance your english speaking practice and improve your ability to communicate in everyday situations effectively. Give this approach a try, and watch your confidence in speaking English grow!

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.

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