Shadowing Practice: "The voice you hear in this video is that of Les Brown. its not over until I win. - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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I remember I was playing a game with my nine-year-old son, John Leslie, and I beat him ten straight games in a game called Connect Four.
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And finally, I said, John Leslie, I'm bored.
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I don't want to play you anymore.
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And I got up.
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I said, I'm ready to go to sleep now.
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John Leslie said, no, you can't go now, Dad.
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I said, why?
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He said, it's not over until I win. That was his attitude.
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we sat down and we played several other games
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and finally after the 11th game john leslie won
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and he got up and he yawned
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and he said i'm ready to go to sleep now
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and i'm saying to you what if all of us took
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that attitude after we face a rejection and a no
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or we have a meeting and no one shows up
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or somebody say you can count on me
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and they don't come through what if we have
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that kind of attitude the cause repossessed nobody believes in you you've lost again
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and again and again the lights are cut off
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but you're still looking at your dream reviewing it every day and say to yourself it's not over until I win
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it's very important as you hold on to that dream there are moments
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when you're going to doubt yourself there are rough times are going to come
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but they have not They have come to stay.
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They have come to pass.
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It's very important for you to know that.
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Don't say I'm having a bad day.
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Say I'm having a character building day.
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you

Context & Background

The speaker in this video is Les Brown, a renowned motivational speaker known for his empowering messages and personal anecdotes. In this particular segment, he shares a heartwarming story about playing a game called Connect Four with his young son, John Leslie. The interaction highlights not only the playful spirit of childhood but also a profound lesson on perseverance. John Leslie's insistence that "it’s not over until I win" serves as the central theme of the narrative, illustrating the importance of resilience and maintaining a positive mindset even amid setbacks. Les Brown encourages viewers to view challenges as opportunities for growth, rather than insurmountable obstacles.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “It’s not over until I win.” - A powerful mindset to adopt in the face of obstacles.
  • “I’m ready to go to sleep now.” - A simple expression that signifies the end of an activity or day.
  • “You can count on me.” - A phrase to express reliability and support.
  • “I’m having a character-building day.” - A positive reframing of struggles encountered throughout the day.
  • “The lights are cut off, but I’m still looking at my dream.” - A metaphor for persistence even when faced with dire circumstances.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively improve your English pronunciation using this video, consider following this structured shadowing approach with the help of a shadowing app or shadowing site:

  1. Initial Listening: Play the video without any distractions. Focus on Les Brown’s tone, rhythm, and emotion as he speaks.
  2. Segment Selection: Choose short segments of about 30 seconds to 1 minute. For example, focus on the part where he shares the story of playing games with his son.
  3. Active Listening: Listen to the chosen segment several times, and pay attention to the specific phrases highlighted above. Consider how intonation affects meaning.
  4. Shadowing: Using your shadow speech practice, repeat the phrases immediately after Les Brown, mimicking his pronunciation and intonation. Make sure to use a tape recorder or similar feature in your shadowing app to capture your voice.
  5. Review: Listen to your recording and compare it to the original. Identify areas for improvement in pronunciation and clarity.
  6. Repetition: Practice daily with the segments. Consistent repetition will help solidify your command over the phrases and improve your overall English skills.

By following this method, you'll enhance your speaking abilities and gain confidence in using powerful phrases that can motivate and inspire both you and those around you.

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.