Shadowing Practice: Train Your Brain to Think in English 🔥 99 Sentences Shadowing Practice (B1-B2) - Learn English Speaking with Video

This video has 181 sentences and 1177 words to shadow. The speech runs for 28:22. The speaker talks slowly, about 41 words per minute, so there is time to copy every sound. 84% 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:

• reflection /ɹɪˈflɛkʃən/ (noun) — The act of reflecting or the state of being reflected.
• translate /tɹænzˈleɪt/ (verb) — To change spoken words or written text (of a book, document, movie, etc.) from one language to another.
• dialogue /ˈdaɪəˌlɑɡ/ (noun) — A conversation or other form of discourse between two or more individuals.
• everyday /ˈɛvɹiˌdeɪ/ (adjective) — Appropriate for ordinary use, rather than for special occasions.
• mood /muːd/ (noun) — A mental or emotional state, composure.
• skill /skɪl/ (noun) — A capacity to do something well; a technique, an ability, usually acquired or learned, as opposed to abilities that are regarded as innate.
• grateful /ˈɡɹeɪtf(ə)l/ (adjective) — Of a person or their actions, feelings, etc.: expressing gratitude or appreciation; appreciative, thankful.
• instruction /ɪnˈstɹʌkʃən/ (noun) — The act of instructing, teaching, or providing with information or knowledge.
• intermediate /ɪn.tə(ɹ)ˈmi.di.ət/ (adjective) — Being between two extremes, or in the middle of a range.
• naturally /ˈnæt͡ʃ.(ə.)ɹə.li/ (adverb) — In a natural manner.
• lesson /ˈlɛs.ən/ (noun) — A section of learning or teaching into which a wider learning content is divided.
• atmosphere /ˈætməsˌfɪɹ/ (noun) — The gases surrounding the Earth or any astronomical body.
• compare /kəmˈpɛɚ/ (verb) — To assess the similarities and differences between two or more things [“to compare X with Y”]. Having made the comparison of X with Y, one might have found it…
• curious /ˈkjʊɹ.i.əs/ (adjective) — Tending to ask questions, or to want to explore or investigate; inquisitive; (with a negative connotation) nosy, prying.
• shadow /ˈʃædəʊ̯/ (noun) — A dark image projected onto a surface where light (or other radiation) is blocked by the shade of an object.

Phrasal verbs you will hear

• look up /ˌlʊk ˈʌp/ (verb) — To have better prospects.
• talk about (verb) — Used to draw attention to the speaker's characterization of someone or something.
• think about /ˈθɪŋk əˌbaʊt/ (verb) — To ponder.
• wait for (verb) — To wait until the specified event occurs.
• come out /ˌkʌm ˈaʊt/ (verb) — To be discovered; to be revealed.
• get up (verb) — To move in an upward direction; to ascend or climb.
• give up (verb) — To surrender (someone or something); to inform on (someone).
• search for (verb) — Synonym of look for.

Pronunciation to watch

The speaker uses 6 contractions and reduced forms, such as don't, didn't, isn't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.

• The “sh” and “zh” sounds: reflection /ɹɪˈflɛkʃən/, instruction /ɪnˈstɹʌkʃən/, shadow /ˈʃædəʊ̯/, conclusion /kənˈkluːʒən/, emotion /ɪˈməʊ.ʃən/
• Long words — get the stress right: intermediate /ɪn.tə(ɹ)ˈmi.di.ət/, naturally /ˈnæt͡ʃ.(ə.)ɹə.li/, automatic /ˌɔː.təˈmæt.ɪk/, philosophical /ˌfɪl.əˈsɑ.fɪ.kl̩/, encouragement [ɪnˈkʌɹɪd͡ʒmənt]

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 reflection, translate, dialogue.