Shadowing Practice: These Cartoons Know The Truth About Life - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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I feel so overwhelmed with everything.
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I have so many thoughts, things racing through my head.
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Sometimes you just need to focus on the present.
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Take a deep breath and just be.
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My whole plan fell apart!
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I messed up again!
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What are you talking about?
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It doesn't matter.
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No, mija.
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It does matter.
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You don't want to leave the Demon Realm, do you?
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Of course not, but...
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You keep messing up?
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Messing up is a part of living. That was that book.
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A book I used to read every night to all the younger kids.
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The Tales of Flanagan Writers, Swashbuckling Rogue, Richest man alive, not bad with the ladies either.
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Not that he'd ever brag about it, of course.
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Hmm.
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Was he a thief too?
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Uh...
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Well, no. Actually, he had enough money to do anything that he wanted to do.
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He could go anywhere that he wanted to go.
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And for a kid with nothing, I don't know, it just seemed like the better option.
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When you grow up, sometimes there are changes you don't expect.
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And you have to face things you're not ready for.
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You know, I can't help but notice you seem a little at war with yourself here.
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What?
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Now, I'm only picking up bits and pieces, of course.
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Overprotective mother, forbidden road trip, I mean, this is serious stuff.
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But let me ease your conscience This is part of growing up.
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A little rebellion, a little adventure, that's good, healthy even to help you.
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You're not trying to help me.
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You just have some weird obsession with keeping this lantern lit.
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It's almost like your soul is in this lantern.
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I've been running away from things my whole life.
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But I can't run away from growing up.
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Now that you're King Ezran, are you gonna start saying wise things like that all the time?
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When you grow up, you have to face things you're not ready for.
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Wait, what?
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I'm not going with you, D 'Zadia.
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I have to face my responsibility.
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Now that I'm king, I have to go home.
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Maybe I can help the world better from the throne.
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Well, after being handed the staff, I said, "I want to be a great witch." Or, I don't know, "I want to be an author like Mildred Featherwild."
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She wouldn't move until I admitted that I don't know what I'm gonna be when I grow up, but I want to choose the path myself and that was enough.
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Well, old blue, we sure had some fun adventures, didn't we?
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I wanted to stay with you, but sometimes what we want isn't necessarily what we get.
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You okay?
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I'm terrified.
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Why?
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I've been looking out a window for 18 years Dreaming.
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About what I might feel like when those lights rise in the sky.
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What if it's not everything I dreamed it would be?
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It will be.
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And what if it is?
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What do I do then?
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Well that's the good part I guess.
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You get to go find a new dream.
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Sprigg, don't you think Anne needs to go back to her life after all this?
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Some things are bound to change.
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They always do.
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Change was scary and it was hard for me to open my heart to others again
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But I'm glad I did we spend our lives afraid of change and But, after many years I realized The beauty of life is the change.
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You have figured it out, and I thought you might give up.
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Give up?
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I'll never give up.
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Sometimes things can get so complicated that our minds can't quite sort them out alone.
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But when you slow down and let yourself breathe, your spirit and your body can catch up with your mind and help out.
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I just have to breathe?
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You didn't make anything worse, you didn't do anything wrong!
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You guys mean the world to me and I...
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I didn't know how to say that yet.
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Just please don't call yourself that ever again.
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You've been holding in a lot, haven't you?
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Willow!
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Reliable people need someone to rely on to!
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Earpost!
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Just let it out!
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We'll be fine!
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When you arrived at the castle, I immediately recognized the special qualities in each of you.
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But I don't know how to search the entire universe for a new paladin.
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People doesn't know the meaning of the word "impossible" and neither should we.
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We might not have your anger to remind you who you are!
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But I know who you are!
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Here, lower the sun out of the sky and into this china cup.
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Oh, well, that sounds impossible.
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Anything is possible if you set your mind to it, right?
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Prime may have made you do a lot of things, but he can't turn you into something you're not.
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So right now, all I need you to do is trust me.
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A single grain of rice can tip the scale.
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One man may be the difference between victory and defeat.
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I know you wanted this from me, Shiro. But I'm not you.
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I can't lead them like you.
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The flower that blooms in adversity.
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is the most rare and beautiful of all.
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Sir?
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You don't meet a girl like that every dynasty.
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"Why does it have to be a choice?
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If humans and mutes work together,
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the surface would be a better place." "When you accepted Keith as the new leader of Voltron,
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it proved that you value a strong team over your own need for glory.
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Just like my father." Hey, do you really think we can do this?
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I mean that thing knows our every move Darcy only knows the old us
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which means she has no idea what we're capable of the old us, huh?
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I It's not who we were that matters, Sash.
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It's who we are now that counts.
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No, I don't accept this.
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You must.
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The Black Lion has chosen you.
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I can't replace Shiro.
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You guys were right, I'm the loner.
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I'm not the leader Shiro thought I was.
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Huh, Keith?
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No one can replace Shiro.
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But the Black Lion wouldn't choose anybody it didn't feel was worthy to leave Voltron.
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I respect his choice.
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And you should too.
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It's gonna be okay.
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You know why?
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Because we're still a family.
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We'll still look at the stars together.
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We'll still sing!
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Kipo, we're so sorry.
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This is...
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All our fault.
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Don't worry about me.
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You heard what Gus said.
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I'm the reliable one.
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It's okay to be scared too.
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It's not good if you try to hold it all in.
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Prime's controlled the universe for a long time.
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Right now, we're the only thing standing in the way of him controlling it forever.
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You might be feeling hopeless.
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You might be thinking we don't stand a chance.
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And maybe we don't.
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powerful, but that's not gonna stop us.
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We need to show Prime we're not afraid of him.
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Because we have each other Things change.
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I can't stop it.
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But nothing, not distance or time, can break the bond that we share.
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Because nothing can take away the memories of the time we spent together.
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You lost your home.
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Lost everything.
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You suffered so much, all alone you So it would never...
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happen again.
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We were saved because of you you We were given a miracle.
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because of you.
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We are a family because of you.
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And nothing could ever be broken that we can't fix.
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No. Keep it.
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This wand was yours.
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It belongs to you.
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Things haven't been right since my family took the kingdom.
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The best thing I can do as queen is return what my family stole from you.
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"Please, spare my people.
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Show them mercy." "Mercy has never been the way of the Gaara." Until now.
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Huh?
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Anne, you get to choose the type of person you're going to be.
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Don't forget that.
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You're the friend who fights for what's right, who accepts everyone for who they are and brings out the best in them.
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Even me.
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You taught me that change can be good!
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I mean, you showed me how to have fun!
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My biggest mistake was trying to protect you by changing this beautiful, good witch into something she wasn't.
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I think I just realized something.
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I don't know why it took me so long to figure out.
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The only thing I've ever really wanted? Has to be understood.
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I wish you could see yourself the way I do.
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You are perfect.
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Just like this.
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You're just as special as anyone else in this family.
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To know something truly and deeply, you must know it with your head, hand and heart.
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Mind, body and spirit.
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So I'm begging you my dearest friend Don't close yourself off.
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Open your heart.
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And follow it.
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You are a wonder, Mirabel Madrigal.
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Whatever give the weights will be just as special as you.
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You know, before I ended up in Amphibia, I didn't care about right or wrong.
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I just did what was easy.
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I let people walk all over me.
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And I think that's because I didn't love myself.
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Not really.
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But meeting you three has changed all of that.
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And these months we've spent together have shown me the person I really want to be.
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Trap or not, I have to do this.
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I know I've always been hard on you.
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And you're angry about that.
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But I was doing what I thought best.
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Now son, You have a long life ahead.
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Do not pay attention to what others say.
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You are who you say you are.
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That's all that matters.

Context & Background

The dialogue from the animated video captures the essence of growing up and facing challenges that are often overwhelming. It reflects a journey of self-discovery where characters confront their fears and responsibilities as they navigate life’s uncertainties. The conversation, full of emotional depth, highlights the internal battles many young adults face, such as dealing with expectations and embracing change. By learning English through these relatable themes, learners can gain insight into real-life situations while enhancing their language skills.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • "It doesn't matter." - A common phrase used to downplay a situation.
  • "Messing up is a part of living." - An encouraging reminder that mistakes are normal.
  • "You have to face your responsibility." - A phrase that emphasizes the importance of accountability.
  • "I don't know what I'm going to be when I grow up." - Expressing uncertainty about the future, a relatable sentiment.
  • "Sometimes what we want isn't necessarily what we get." - A reflection on the unpredictability of life.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

If you want to improve your English speaking practice using this video, follow this simple shadowing technique:

  1. Watch the Video: Start by watching the video without subtitles. Focus on the characters' expressions and emotions to understand the context.
  2. Listen Carefully: Play the video again, this time paying close attention to the dialogues. Try to comprehend the meaning behind the phrases.
  3. Pause and Repeat: Use the shadowing technique by pausing the video after each phrase. Repeat what you hear aloud, mimicking the tone and pacing of the speakers. This can help with your IELTS speaking practice as well.
  4. Record Yourself: Record your voice while repeating the phrases. Listen to the playback to identify areas for improvement in pronunciation and fluency.
  5. Practice Regularly: To fully benefit from this approach, incorporate this video into your routine. Regular practice will enhance your speaking skills and boost your confidence in everyday conversations.

Utilize the insights and phrases from this captivating dialogue to enhance your language skills. "Learn English with YouTube" as a learning tool can be immensely beneficial, as it offers a dynamic and engaging way to practice your speaking abilities. Embrace the journey of English language learning through storytelling, and remember—messing up is just a stepping stone to success!

Grammar in this video

The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:

StructureIn the video
Present perfect continuous have/has been + -ing — an action that started earlier and is still going onI've been running · I've been looking · You've been holding
Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters nowhave figured · has chosen · haven't been
Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does itbeing handed · are bound · were saved

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.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →