Shadowing Practice: There's no top 5, Robin - How I Met Your Mother - Learn English Speaking with Video

This video has 78 sentences and 527 words to shadow. The speech runs for 4:00. The speaker talks at a steady 132 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 82% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start.

Key vocabulary in this video

15 less common words from the video, with pronunciation and meaning:

• penis /ˈpi.nɪs/ (noun) — The male erectile reproductive organ used for sexual intercourse that in the human male and other placental mammals is also used for urination; the tubular…
• sudden /ˈsʌd.ən/ (adjective) — Occurring quickly with little or no warning or expectation; instantly.
• pretend /pɹəˈtɛnd/ (verb) — To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.
• nope /noʊp/ — No.
• bride /bɹaɪd/ (noun) — A woman in the context of her own wedding; one who is going to marry or has just been married.
• insist /ɪnˈsɪst/ (verb) — To hold up a claim emphatically.
• pumpkin /ˈpʌm(p).kɪn/ (noun) — A domesticated plant, in species Cucurbita pepo, similar in growth pattern, foliage, flower, and fruit to the squash or melon.
• shotgun /ˈʃɑtɡʌn/ (noun) — A gun which fires loads typically consisting of small metal balls, called shot, from a cartridge.
• sticky /ˈstɪki/ (adjective) — Tending to stick; able to adhere via the drying of a viscous substance.
• honeymoon /ˈhʌn.iˌmuːn/ (noun) — The period of time immediately following a marriage.
• bun /bʌn/ (noun) — A small bread roll that is sweetened or spiced.
• pastry /ˈpeɪstɹi/ (noun) — A baked food item made from flour and fat pastes such as pie crust; also tarts, bear claws, napoleons, puff pastries, etc.
• amphitheater (noun) — American form of amphitheatre.
• clamshell (noun) — The shell of a clam.
• euphemism /ˈjuː.fəˌmɪz.əm/ (noun) — The use of a word or phrase to replace another one that is more offensive, blunt or vulgar.

Phrasal verbs you will hear

• break up (verb) — To break or separate into pieces.
• come on /ˌkʌm ˈɒn/ — Come along with me; join me in going.
• move on (verb) — To continue; to proceed; to go on.
• talk about (verb) — Used to draw attention to the speaker's characterization of someone or something.

Pronunciation to watch

The speaker uses 20 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, you're, don't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.

How to practise with this video

1. Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
2. Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
3. Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like penis, sudden, pretend.