Shadowing Practice: The Technology Report: The Internet Comes to Cuba, Slowly - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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Music From VOA Learning English,
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this is the Technology Report.
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In Cuba, the Internet and other forms of modern communication are not easily available.
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Most people have smartphones, but they are limited to making and receiving calls.
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It is difficult to connect to social media, send emails and text.
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Most Cubans do not have an Internet connection in their homes.
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To use the Internet, they first must buy a password.
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Businesses sell them on little pieces of paper.
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Each password costs about two and a half Cuban convertible pesos.
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That is equal to about $2.50.
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Users then go to a public park or a hotel with an internet connection.
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In a park about 15 minutes from downtown Havana,
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hundreds of Cubans come at all times of the day and night to use the Internet.
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Recently, about 50 people were there,
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each holding a phone, talking with friends and family,
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or catching up on social networks.
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Suki John was born in New York.
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He is a dance teacher and has been coming to Cuba to work for many years.
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He goes to the park to connect to the Internet and says it is now more available.
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John says using the Internet was not possible when he was in Cuba a year and a half ago.
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Things have improved because American President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro are talking, John says.
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Having the Internet in parks has let Cubans learn what is happening in the rest of the world, he says.
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It costs about $3 an hour to connect to the Internet.
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That is too costly for many Cubans who earn about $30 a month.
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For VOA Learning English, I'm Carolyn Persuti.

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Why practice speaking with this video?

Practicing speaking with this video is particularly beneficial for English learners interested in the impact of technology on communication and culture. The context of the video emphasizes real-life situations in Cuba, where accessing the Internet is a challenge. By engaging with this content, learners get the opportunity to discuss relevant topics, such as technological advancement, social connectivity, and economic factors affecting communication. It is an ideal scenario for IELTS speaking practice, as it encourages learners to express their thoughts and opinions clearly and confidently.

Furthermore, the video allows learners to practice shadow speech, a technique where they mimic the speaker’s intonation and rhythm, enhancing their verbal skills. As they articulate the same ideas, they not only improve their English pronunciation but also gain insights into diverse cultures and perspectives, all while enjoying the act of speaking. This makes it a perfect addition to your shadowing site resources.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

This video features several expressive structures worth noting:

  • Present Continuous Tense: The speaker uses phrases like "are not easily available" and "is now more available." This tense is effective for discussing ongoing situations, making it a good format for learners to adopt in describing their current experiences.
  • Conditional Statements: Phrases such as "if they first must buy a password" help in forming conditional sentences used to express possibilities. This structure can be particularly useful for learners discussing hypothetical situations.
  • Direct Quotes: The use of direct speech, such as "John says using the Internet was not possible," allows learners to practice reporting speech, which is essential for both writing and speaking.

Common Pronunciation Traps

As you practice shadowing this video, be aware of several tricky words and phrases:

  • Internet: This word often causes pronunciation issues. Focus on the initial syllable - "IN-tuh-net" - and practice it with the correct emphasis.
  • Convertible pesos: The word "convertible" can be particularly challenging. Pay attention to the stress on the second syllable: "kuhn-VER-ti-buhl."
  • Available: This term features a schwa sound, making it sound like "uh-VAY-luh-buhl" rather than stressing each syllable. Practicing this word can significantly help improve English pronunciation.

By focusing on these expressions and pronunciation tips, you’ll not only enhance your speaking skills but also develop your ability to convey complex ideas effectively in English. Incorporating shadowing techniques from this video into your practice sessions will prepare you for real-world conversations and tests alike.

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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