Shadowing Practice: The Technology Report: More Than One-Third of Inventors, Discoverers in U.S. are Foreign-Born - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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From VOA Learning English, this is the Technology Report.
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From VOA Learning English, this is the Technology Report.
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One of the most important resources the United States has to offer may be its highly educated immigrants.
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A new study by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation,
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or ITIF, finds 35% of those who invent products or discover new ideas in the U.S were born in other countries.
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The group looked at inventors who have won national awards.
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They also looked at people who applied for international legal protection or patents for their ideas in information technology or science.
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And the group spoke with inventors who work for large technology companies.
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The ITIF study shows that most inventors have a doctorate or PhD in science,
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technology, engineering or mathematics.
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Adams Nager is an economic expert at the Foundation.
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He says many immigrant inventors come to the United States for research
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and business possibilities that might not be available in their home countries.
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He He says the study shows the value of bringing the smartest engineers from around the world to the U.S.
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They bring benefits to the economy with their new ideas and new ways of thinking about things, Nager says.
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The other two-thirds of American innovators are mostly white men.
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They are not young.
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The study found their average age is 47.
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Almost all of them have at least one advanced educational degree,
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like a master's or a PhD.
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The research also finds that women make up only 12% of inventors in the United States.
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For VOA Learning English, I'm Lucia Malanig.

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Context & Background

The transcript from the Technology Report highlights a crucial aspect of American innovation: the significant role of foreign-born inventors and researchers in shaping the U.S. economy. The report emphasizes that 35% of inventors in the United States have origins outside the country, contributing to various fields, particularly science and technology. Additionally, it sheds light on the demographics of American inventors, suggesting a strong correlation between higher education and innovation. With the focus on skilled immigrants, the report also informs English learners about the importance of understanding discussions around immigration and innovation in a global context.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • "Highly educated immigrants" - Refers to individuals with advanced degrees who have moved to another country for better opportunities.
  • "Research and business possibilities" - Indicates potential opportunities for exploration and profit, often seen in technology fields.
  • "Value of bringing the smartest engineers" - Highlights the importance of attracting top talent for economic growth.
  • "New ideas and new ways of thinking" - Expresses the innovative mindset essential for advancement in technology and science.
  • "Women make up only 12% of inventors" - A statistic that emphasizes the gender gap in the field of invention and innovation.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To utilize the shadowing technique effectively with this video, follow these steps to improve your speaking and listening skills:

  1. Watch the Video: Begin by watching the video without pausing. This allows you to get a sense of the flow and tone of the speaker.
  2. Listen Carefully: Play the video again, but this time, focus on the pronunciation and intonation. Pay special attention to how the phrases from the list are articulated.
  3. Start Shadow Speaking: As you play the video, try to shadow speak by repeating the sentences just after you hear them. This practice helps improve your verbal response time and pronunciation.
  4. Record Yourself: Use your smartphone or computer to record your voice while you shadow the speaker. Listen to your recordings to compare your speech with the original transcript.
  5. Focus on Difficult Phrases: Spend extra time practicing the phrases that challenge you. Repeating them will help solidify your understanding and improve your speech rhythm.

Incorporating the shadow speech method in your learning routine can significantly enhance your ability to communicate effectively in English. By actively engaging with content such as this YouTube video, not only will you learn the language, but you'll also gain important insights into cultural discussions surrounding innovation and immigration. Embrace the challenge and enjoy learning English with YouTube!

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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