Shadowing Practice: The Technology Report: Twitter Suspends Over 125,000 Accounts for 'Promoting Terrorist Acts' - 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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The social media company Twitter has shut down more than 125,000 accounts in the past eight months.
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Most of the accounts reportedly were connected to extremist groups that aid terrorism.
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Twitter posted a blog in which the company said it condemns the use of Twitter to support terrorism.
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It also said that Twitter rules clearly state that any violent threat is not permitted on the service.
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Twitter has said it only closes accounts when they are reported by other users.
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But it said it had increased the size of teams that receive and act on the reports.
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Twitter said its reaction time to reports is much faster now than it once was.
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The company said it has already seen results because of these actions.
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Many social media companies are taking stronger steps against extremist groups that use their websites.
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Facebook is leading the way.
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Legislators have proposed forcing companies to report terrorist activity on their sites to law enforcement.
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Social media companies are concerned about governmental interference in the industry.
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Twitter said that it has cooperated with law enforcement at the right times.
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It's said that it seeks balance in enforcing its rules
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and supporting law enforcement with the desire of users to share their views.
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Seamus Hughes is Deputy Director of George Washington University's Program on Extremism.
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He said that many extremists have moved to smaller,
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less watched social media services in recent months.
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For VOA Learning English, I'm Jonathan Evans.

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About This Lesson

In this lesson, learners will focus on improving their English speaking skills through the "shadowing technique". This method involves listening to a spoken passage and trying to mimic it as closely as possible in real-time. By utilizing a YouTube video transcript that discusses Twitter's recent actions against terrorist accounts, learners will engage with relevant language and phrases that pertain to technology and social media issues. This focused practice will not only enhance vocabulary but also improve pronunciation and fluency, which are essential for effective communication during IELTS speaking practice.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Extremist groups - organizations that advocate for radical changes or ideologies, often through violence.
  • Promoting - actively supporting or encouraging a specific idea or activity.
  • Terrorism - the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, to achieve political goals.
  • Account suspension - the temporary or permanent disabling of a user’s account on a platform.
  • Cooperate with law enforcement - working together with police or other agencies to enforce laws.
  • Violent threats - statements or actions that imply causing harm or injury to others.
  • Reaction time - the speed with which an organization responds to incidents or reports.
  • Governance - the act or process of governing or managing a system or organization.

Practice Tips

When practicing with the shadowing technique, it's imperative to pay close attention to the speed and tone of the speaker. The video discusses serious topics; therefore, the tone will likely be formal and measured. Start by listening to a short segment multiple times before attempting to repeat it. Break the transcript into smaller phrases, allowing you to grasp the pronunciation and intonation better.

To make the most of your learn English with YouTube experience, use a shadowing site that allows you to slow down the video if needed, making it easier to match your speech with the original audio. As you become more comfortable, try to minimize pauses and keep pace with the speaker. This will also assist in IELTS speaking practice, as it develops your ability to express ideas fluently under timed conditions.

Remember, the goal is not perfection but rather progress. Regular practice with this method will enhance your vocabulary usage and overall speaking skills, ultimately boosting your confidence in various communication scenarios.

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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