Shadowing Practice: The Man Who Walked on Water | LEARN ENGLISH THROUGH STORIES - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

Easy
Shadowing Controls
0% completed (0/121 sentences)
The man who walked on water long ago in a land called Galilee, Jesus lived.
⏸ Paused
Speed:
Repeat Count:
Wait Mode:
Sub Sync:0ms
All Sentences
121 sentences
1
The man who walked on water long ago in a land called Galilee, Jesus lived.
0:01.28 – 0:08.42 (7.1s)
2
He was a teacher who loved people.
0:09.36 – 0:11.66 (2.3s)
3
He helped the sick, fed the hungry, and taught about God.
0:12.52 – 0:17.22 (4.7s)
4
His friends, called disciples, followed him everywhere.
0:18.24 – 0:22.76 (4.5s)
5
They were men like Peter, a fisherman, and John, a quiet thinker.
0:24.70 – 0:30.24 (5.5s)
6
They saw Jesus do amazing things, but one night they learned something new.
0:31.22 – 0:38.02 (6.8s)
7
One day Jesus spoke to a big crowd by a lake called the Sea of Galilee.
0:39.00 – 0:45.12 (6.1s)
8
He told stories about love and kindness.
0:45.62 – 0:48.78 (3.2s)
9
The people listened, sitting on the grass.
0:49.70 – 0:52.44 (2.7s)
10
The sun was hot and the day was long.
0:53.06 – 0:56.02 (3.0s)
11
By evening the crowd was tired.
0:57.24 – 0:59.92 (2.7s)
12
Jesus said to his disciples, Go to the other side of the lake.
1:00.80 – 1:05.46 (4.7s)
13
I will pray alone.
1:05.64 – 1:07.38 (1.7s)
14
The disciples nodded.
1:08.00 – 1:09.96 (2.0s)
15
They got into a wooden boat and rowed away.
1:10.24 – 1:13.62 (3.4s)
16
Jesus climbed a hill, sat down, and prayed under the stars.
1:14.22 – 1:18.14 (3.9s)
17
The Sea of Galilee was calm at first.
1:19.64 – 1:22.02 (2.4s)
18
The disciples rode, their arms strong.
1:22.88 – 1:25.80 (2.9s)
19
Peter sang a song, and John laughed.
1:27.50 – 1:29.86 (2.4s)
20
But soon the sky turned dark.
1:31.08 – 1:33.78 (2.7s)
21
Clouds covered the moon, a strong wind blew, and waves hit the boat.
1:35.08 – 1:41.06 (6.0s)
22
Hold on, Peter shouted.
1:41.84 – 1:43.56 (1.7s)
23
The boat rocked hard.
1:44.40 – 1:46.12 (1.7s)
24
Water splashed inside, soaking their clothes.
1:46.50 – 1:49.84 (3.3s)
25
The disciples were scared.
1:50.16 – 1:51.54 (1.4s)
26
This storm is too big, John said.
1:52.64 – 1:55.62 (3.0s)
27
They pulled the oars, but the waves were stronger.
1:56.30 – 1:59.18 (2.9s)
28
Are we going to sink?
2:00.84 – 2:01.90 (1.1s)
29
Another disciple cried.
2:02.62 – 2:03.70 (1.1s)
30
The storm grew worse.
2:04.82 – 2:06.64 (1.8s)
31
Lightning flashed and thunder roared.
2:06.98 – 2:09.58 (2.6s)
32
The boat felt small in the giant waves.
2:10.14 – 2:12.58 (2.4s)
33
Peter, who was brave, looked pale.
2:12.90 – 2:15.62 (2.7s)
34
Where's Jesus?
2:16.60 – 2:17.24 (0.6s)
35
he asked.
2:17.24 – 2:18.80 (1.6s)
36
The disciples prayed, God save us.
2:19.82 – 2:22.66 (2.8s)
37
They fought the storm for hours, their hands tired.
2:23.72 – 2:26.94 (3.2s)
38
The boat was far from land, lost in the dark.
2:27.98 – 2:31.22 (3.2s)
39
They felt alone, their hearts heavy.
2:32.24 – 2:35.22 (3.0s)
40
Will we die?
2:36.16 – 2:36.92 (0.8s)
41
they wondered.
2:36.92 – 2:37.92 (1.0s)
42
In the middle of the night, something strange happened.
2:38.96 – 2:42.64 (3.7s)
43
The disciples saw a shape on the water.
2:43.20 – 2:45.76 (2.6s)
44
It looked like a man walking on the waves.
2:45.88 – 2:49.34 (3.5s)
45
The wind was loud, but the man was calm.
2:49.40 – 2:52.88 (3.5s)
46
The disciples froze, their eyes wide.
2:53.00 – 2:56.22 (3.2s)
47
It's a ghost, John screamed.
2:56.32 – 2:59.30 (3.0s)
48
Peter grabbed an oar, ready to swing.
2:59.92 – 3:02.38 (2.5s)
49
Stay away, he shouted.
3:02.56 – 3:05.36 (2.8s)
50
The others shook, hiding in the boat.
3:06.18 – 3:08.04 (1.9s)
51
Their fear was bigger than the storm.
3:08.58 – 3:10.36 (1.8s)
52
Then a voice came through the wind.
3:11.06 – 3:12.88 (1.8s)
53
Don't be afraid.
3:13.16 – 3:13.82 (0.7s)
54
It is I, Jesus.
3:14.08 – 3:15.10 (1.0s)
55
The disciples gasped.
3:15.66 – 3:16.92 (1.3s)
56
Jesus?
3:17.44 – 3:17.80 (0.4s)
57
Peter said, his jaw dropping.
3:18.66 – 3:20.86 (2.2s)
58
They looked closer.
3:21.30 – 3:22.06 (0.8s)
59
It was him.
3:22.78 – 3:23.48 (0.7s)
60
Jesus walked on the water, his robe blowing in the wind.
3:24.48 – 3:28.47 (4.0s)
61
His face was peaceful, like the storm was nothing.
3:28.47 – 3:32.73 (4.3s)
62
The disciples were confused.
3:32.73 – 3:35.53 (2.8s)
63
How can he do this?
3:35.53 – 3:37.75 (2.2s)
64
John whispered, their fear mixed with wonder.
3:37.75 – 3:42.31 (4.6s)
65
Peter stood up, his legs shaking.
3:42.31 – 3:46.35 (4.0s)
66
Lord, if it's you, let Let me walk to you, he called.
3:46.35 – 3:51.91 (5.6s)
67
Jesus smiled.
3:52.45 – 3:53.75 (1.3s)
68
Come, he said.
3:54.19 – 3:55.85 (1.7s)
69
The disciples stared.
3:56.23 – 3:57.57 (1.3s)
70
Peter, don't, John said.
3:57.79 – 3:59.89 (2.1s)
71
But Peter was bold.
4:00.21 – 4:01.81 (1.6s)
72
He stepped out of the boat, his foot touching the water.
4:02.43 – 4:06.31 (3.9s)
73
He didn't sink.
4:06.41 – 4:07.81 (1.4s)
74
He walked toward Jesus, one step, then another.
4:08.11 – 4:12.53 (4.4s)
75
I'm doing it, he shouted, laughing.
4:12.57 – 4:15.43 (2.9s)
76
The disciples cheered, their fear fading.
4:16.51 – 4:19.29 (2.8s)
77
But then Peter looked at the waves.
4:19.95 – 4:22.57 (2.6s)
78
They were tall and wild.
4:22.99 – 4:25.25 (2.3s)
79
The wind roared in his ears.
4:25.49 – 4:27.65 (2.2s)
80
Fear came back.
4:27.93 – 4:29.19 (1.3s)
81
I'm going to fall, he thought.
4:30.47 – 4:33.15 (2.7s)
82
He started to sink, his arms waving.
4:33.33 – 4:36.69 (3.4s)
83
Lord, save me, he cried.
4:37.11 – 4:40.83 (3.7s)
84
Jesus ran to him, grabbing his hand.
4:41.17 – 4:44.53 (3.4s)
85
Why did you doubt?
4:45.53 – 4:46.55 (1.0s)
86
Jesus asked, his voice kind.
4:46.55 – 4:49.41 (2.9s)
87
He pulled Peter up and they walked to the boat together.
4:50.19 – 4:53.71 (3.5s)
88
The disciples' mouths were open.
4:54.33 – 4:56.61 (2.3s)
89
He saved him, they said.
4:57.27 – 4:59.53 (2.3s)
90
Jesus climbed into the boat with Peter.
5:00.57 – 5:02.87 (2.3s)
91
The wind stopped.
5:03.07 – 5:04.51 (1.4s)
92
The waves became calm.
5:04.73 – 5:06.95 (2.2s)
93
The sky cleared and stars shone again.
5:06.93 – 5:10.79 (3.9s)
94
The disciples sat quiet, looking at Jesus.
5:11.53 – 5:14.17 (2.6s)
95
Who is this man?
5:15.49 – 5:16.57 (1.1s)
96
they whispered.
5:16.57 – 5:17.87 (1.3s)
97
Even the storm listens to him.
5:18.25 – 5:19.97 (1.7s)
98
Peter, wet and cold, smiled.
5:21.01 – 5:24.07 (3.1s)
99
I was scared, but you helped me, he said.
5:25.11 – 5:28.33 (3.2s)
100
Jesus nodded.
5:29.35 – 5:30.29 (0.9s)
101
Trust me, he said.
5:31.07 – 5:32.45 (1.4s)
102
Faith makes you strong.
5:33.13 – 5:34.19 (1.1s)
103
The boat reached the shore safely.
5:35.81 – 5:37.63 (1.8s)
104
The disciples were tired but happy.
5:38.31 – 5:40.25 (1.9s)
105
They sat on the sand, eating bread.
5:41.07 – 5:43.77 (2.7s)
106
Jesus told them, Don't be afraid of hard times.
5:44.75 – 5:49.17 (4.4s)
107
God is with you.
5:49.75 – 5:50.85 (1.1s)
108
They nodded, their hearts full.
5:52.43 – 5:54.79 (2.4s)
109
The story of that night spread.
5:56.53 – 5:58.47 (1.9s)
110
People heard about the man who walked on water.
6:00.39 – 6:03.15 (2.8s)
111
He must be special, they said.
6:04.83 – 6:07.25 (2.4s)
112
The disciples followed Jesus more closely, believing in him.
6:08.43 – 6:12.65 (4.2s)
113
Jesus did many miracles, but the night on the water was special.
6:14.29 – 6:18.65 (4.4s)
114
It showed his power and love.
6:19.81 – 6:22.11 (2.3s)
115
Peter was afraid, but he tried.
6:23.25 – 6:25.85 (2.6s)
116
When he fell, Jesus helped him.
6:26.07 – 6:28.45 (2.4s)
117
This story teaches us about faith and courage.
6:30.03 – 6:33.07 (3.0s)
118
Life has storms, problems that scare us.
6:34.65 – 6:38.61 (4.0s)
119
But if we trust and try, we can find strength.
6:39.85 – 6:43.61 (3.8s)
120
Jesus showed the disciples that even in the dark, hope is near.
6:44.95 – 6:49.61 (4.7s)
121
Like Peter, we can take a step even when it's scary.
6:50.61 – 6:55.59 (5.0s)

About This Lesson

This video, "The Man Who Walked on Water," offers a compelling narrative for enhancing your English speaking practice. You'll dive into an inspiring biblical story, learning about faith, courage, and overcoming fear in the face of immense challenges. As you listen, you'll naturally absorb a rich variety of vocabulary related to nature (storms, waves, wind, lake), human emotions (scared, brave, peaceful, confused, wonder, fear, doubt), and actions (walking, praying, shouting, sinking, struggling). The clear and engaging narration provides an excellent opportunity to practice understanding past tense storytelling and descriptive language.

This resource is ideal for improving your overall English fluency by immersing yourself in a vivid, engaging context. You'll also encounter direct speech, which is perfect for practicing how characters express themselves naturally, building confidence for various conversational scenarios and improving your ability to convey emotion through speech.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Disciple: A dedicated follower or student of a teacher, especially Jesus in this story. (Example: His friends, called disciples, followed him everywhere.)
  • Calm: Peaceful, quiet, and without strong wind or waves. (Example: The Sea of Galilee was calm at first.)
  • Rocked hard: Moved violently and unsteadily from side to side. (Example: The boat rocked hard.)
  • Soaking their clothes: Getting their clothes completely wet. (Example: Water splashed inside, soaking their clothes.)
  • Grabbed an oar: Quickly took hold of a long pole used for rowing a boat. (Example: Peter grabbed an oar, ready to swing.)
  • Jaw dropping: An idiom meaning someone is extremely surprised or shocked, often depicted by their mouth hanging open. (Example: "Jesus," Peter said, his jaw dropping.)
  • Fear fading: When a feeling of fear slowly disappears or reduces. (Example: The disciples cheered, their fear fading.)
  • Trust me: To believe that someone is reliable, honest, and will do what is right. (Example: Jesus nodded. "Trust me," he said.)

Practice Tips for This Video

This video is exceptionally well-suited for your English speaking practice. Follow these tips to maximize your learning and build your English fluency:

  • Shadowing Technique: The narrator speaks at a moderate, consistent pace with very clear pronunciation. This makes it perfect for the shadowing technique. Try to speak along with the narrator, mirroring their intonation, rhythm, and stress patterns. Focus on how emotions like fear, wonder, and peace are conveyed through their voice, especially during the storm and when Peter attempts to walk on water.
  • Pronunciation Practice: Pay close attention to the pronunciation of descriptive words (e.g., "Galilee," "roared," "peaceful") and past tense verbs. Repeat sentences where characters express strong emotions like fear ("Are we going to sink?") or wonder ("How can he do this?"). This will significantly help refine your pronunciation practice and natural delivery.
  • Storytelling & Fluency: This compelling narrative format is excellent for building English fluency. After listening a few times, try to retell the story in your own words. Focus on connecting events smoothly and using the vocabulary you've learned. This builds confidence, which is vital for contexts like IELTS speaking Part 2, where you often need to describe an event or experience in detail.
  • Focus on Key Phrases: Listen for and practice phrases that convey moral lessons or strong declarations, such as "Don't be afraid," "Trust me," or "Faith makes you strong." Integrating these into your active vocabulary will enrich your spoken English and provide useful expressions for various situations.

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.

How to Practice Effectively on ShadowingEnglish

  1. Choose your video: Pick a YouTube video with clear, natural English speech. TED Talks, BBC News, movie scenes, podcasts, or IELTS sample answers all work great. Paste the URL into the search bar. Start with shorter videos (under 5 minutes) and content you find genuinely interesting — motivation matters.
  2. Listen first, understand the context: On your first pass, keep the speed at 1x and just listen. Don't try to repeat yet. Focus on understanding the meaning, picking up new vocabulary, and noticing how the speaker stresses words, links sounds, and uses pauses.
  3. Set up Shadowing mode:
    • Wait Mode: Choose +3s or +5s — after each sentence plays, the video pauses automatically so you have time to repeat it out loud. Choose Manual if you want full control and press Next yourself after each repetition.
    • Sub Sync: YouTube subtitles sometimes appear slightly ahead or behind the audio. Use ±100ms to align them perfectly so you can follow along accurately.
  4. Shadow out loud (the core practice): This is where the real work happens. As soon as a sentence plays — or during the pause — repeat it out loud, clearly and confidently. Don't just mouth the words: mirror the speaker's exact rhythm, stress, pitch, and connected speech. Aim to sound like a shadow of the speaker, not just a word-by-word recitation. Use the Repeat feature to drill the same sentence multiple times until it feels natural.
  5. Scale up the challenge: Once a passage feels comfortable, push your limits. Increase speed to <code>1.25x</code> or even <code>1.5x</code> to train high-speed language reflexes. Or set Wait Mode to <code>Off</code> for continuous shadowing — the most advanced and rewarding mode. Consistent daily practice of 15–30 minutes will produce noticeable results within weeks.

☕ Buy us a coffee

Donate via PayPal