Shadowing Practice: The Power and Importance of...READING! | Luke Bakic | TEDxYouth@TBSWarsaw - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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Great readers make great writers,
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while great writers make great communicators,
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and great communicators make great persuaders.
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And you know what great persuaders make?
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They make good societies, and that's what this world needs.
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I think that it's totally crazy that all anyone ever talks about is games,
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TV shows, WhatsApp, Instagram, Bitmoji.
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I don't even know what that is.
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My brother just told me about it.
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WeChat, Kiki, Saraha, and I could go on forever.
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Studies have shown that some kids these days even spend six and a half hours on a screen a day.
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I think we should draw attention to this problem.
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However, not reading can even result in making your brain less active or engaged.
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Just over the past year,
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I've enjoyed reading Winnetou by Carl May,
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the Harry Potter series with eight books,
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Roald Dahl series with twelve books,
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and the Unwanted series with seven books,
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and many, many single books in between.
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Some I've liked less, some I've liked more,
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but they all took me for such an adventure.
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Ask my family members.
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I'm a truly unhappy child when and I don't have a good book to read right next to me.
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I love reading in places like my bed,
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on the move while walking,
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in the toilets, in queues,
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in vehicles, but more importantly, at home.
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I hide behind various corners of my house so nobody can find me and make me do anything else.
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Once I even hid behind a flower pod,
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pretending to be the flower, not moving at all.
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Nobody could find me for ages.
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It was hilarious.
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I read everywhere.
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So, for all of you skeptical people out there,
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let me tell you, When you have a good book to keep you company,
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there is nothing better in the universe.
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It takes you to places where you can't go and lets you meet people you can't meet.
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Reading is love in action.
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And the positives are endless.
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Like I usually never have to study for spelling tests
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and it makes my vocabulary so good that it easily impresses any grown up.
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Sometimes, the first thing I know is I've just had a short conversation with the grown-up,
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and the next thing I know is there's a room full of adults talking about me.
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I can't imagine my life without a book.
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What I'm comparing is the lost art of reading,
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writing, communicating, and persuading to some of the great societal ills of the text message,
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the tweets, and the snap.
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While these wonders of modern technology have their place,
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we, the young generation, have to hold on to reading.
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It's the key to our kingdom.
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So go out there, find a good book,
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not just any book, the best are the ones recommended by another kid,
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and just go for it!

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About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will practice enhancing your English speaking skills by focusing on effective reading habits and the impact of literature on communication. You will engage with key concepts discussed in the TEDxYouth talk by Luke Bakic, exploring how reading can foster creativity, enhance vocabulary, and improve persuasive communication. This practice session will help you understand the importance of reading and its positive effects on your language abilities, which are crucial for exams like IELTS.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Great readers: Individuals who actively engage with texts, leading to improved writing and communication skills.
  • Persuaders: People skilled at convincing others or influencing opinions.
  • Active brain: A mind that is engaged, alert, and processing information efficiently.
  • Vocabulary: The range of words known and used by a person that enhances communication.
  • Adventures: Exciting experiences often found in stories that inspire creativity.
  • Lost art: Skills or practices that have declined in usage or importance over time.
  • Societal ills: Problems within society that can be addressed through improved communication skills.

Practice Tips

Utilizing the shadowing technique in your practice can significantly enhance your speaking skills. As you watch the TEDxYouth talk, try to mimic Luke Bakic's pace and intonation. The shadow speech method involves repeating sentences right after hearing them. This can help you grasp pronunciation and improve your fluency. Start by playing a short segment of the video, pausing after each sentence to repeat it aloud, focusing on clarity and emotion.

Remember that the tone of the speaker is important; notice how enthusiasm about reading is conveyed through his voice. Engaging with a passionate tone will help you during your IELTS speaking practice. Emulate his expressions and pauses to add depth to your speaking style. If you use a shadowing site to follow scripts, integrate this talk into your routine by mirroring key phrases and vocabulary, reinforcing your learning through repeated practice.

Make your shadowing sessions enjoyable by choosing sections that ignite your interest in reading. The more connected you feel to the content, the more effective your practice will be. Whether you encounter moments of excitement, adventure, or personal reflection, let these emotions shape your shadowing approach. Explore the world of literature and allow it to transform your language skills through regular exposure and practice.

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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