Shadowing Practice: Track 37 - Learn English Speaking with Video

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Track 37, Reading Making Priorities Justin is thinking about how to spend his money during winter vacation.
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He has saved up about $300.
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He wants to buy a computer with his money, but he also wants to go skiing with his friends.
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He knows he can't do both because he doesn't have enough money.
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What should Justin do?
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We come across these kinds of situations every now and then.
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You want to go see a concert on a weekend, but it is also your father's birthday and you do not want to let him down.
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In this case, you don't have enough time to go to both places.
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This is where you must make a decision.
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This is also where you must think a priority.
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You must ask yourself these questions. Which is more important?
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Which decision needs my attention more?
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Which choice would give me more satisfaction?
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After you have answered these questions, it may be easier for you to decide what to do.
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So, the next time you must make a decision, remember to prioritize.

What You'll Learn from This Video

This clip is a great tool for IELTS speaking practice and building real-world decision-making vocabulary. You’ll learn to discuss priorities using phrases like “make a decision,” “think about a priority,” and “give me more satisfaction”—key for expressing choices in daily life or exam scenarios. Additionally, it helps you practice explaining trade-offs, a skill vital for clear communication. Whether you’re preparing for IELTS or just want to speak more fluently, these phrases will make your speech more natural and structured.

Listen For These Sounds

The video features common connected speech patterns that native speakers use. Notice how “he wants to buy a computer” becomes “he wants tə buy ə computer” with reduced vowels in “to” and “a.” Also, listen for linking in “saved up about $300,” where “up” and “about” connect smoothly: “saved upə bout.” These reductions and links are crucial for understanding fast speech and sounding more like a native. Practicing them will make your listening comprehension sharper, especially in conversational settings.

Say It Like a Native: Rhythm and Stress

To mirror the speaker’s rhythm, focus on stressing key words that convey meaning. In “What should Justin do?”, stress “What” and “Justin” to emphasize the question. In “Which choice would give me more satisfaction?”, stress “choice,” “give,” and “satisfaction” to highlight the decision’s impact. This pattern of stressing content words (nouns, verbs, adjectives) and reducing function words (articles, prepositions) creates a natural flow. For shadow speech practice, replay short clips and repeat them immediately, matching the speed and stress. Using a shadowing site or app can help you track your progress. By practicing this way, you’ll not only improve your pronunciation but also your ability to speak with the rhythm of a native, making “learn English with videos” a fun and effective part of your routine. Remember, shadowspeak—the act of imitating speech in real time—is one of the best ways to master fluency.

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 →