Shadowing Practice: Train Your Ears for Fast English | English Listening Practice for Beginners (A1–A2) - Learn English Speaking with Video
Choose a practice mode
Each mode opens a full-screen practice room.
329 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
Hello, hello, hello, English learners.
2
Welcome back to the Daily English Podcast.
3
Yes, welcome back, everyone.
4
We're so happy you're here today.
5
This is your place for real English, everyday English, and English you can use in real life.
6
I'm Jake.
7
And I'm Judith.
8
Together, we're your two English friends.
9
Don't worry.
10
No red pen and no boring lessons today.
11
Absolutely not.
12
Just natural conversation and useful English.
13
And today's topic is something every learner asks us about.
14
It's the biggest wall in English.
15
Native speakers talk too fast.
16
Exactly.
17
Today we're talking about how to train your ears for fast English.
18
Jake, I have a question for you.
19
Go ahead.
20
What happens in your head when someone speaks very fast? Be honest.
21
Honestly, panic.
22
I hear three words, miss the fourth, and then I'm lost.
23
And that's perfectly okay.
24
Many learners think my listening is just bad and it will never change, so they feel sad and stop.
25
Today, we'll share a simple routine in five easy steps that trains your ears a little every day.
26
Fast English is not a wall.
27
It's a skill, and skills can be trained.
28
And don't worry, you don't need a teacher, a fancy app, or a perfect ear.
29
You just need headphones and a little patience.
30
Before we start, please like this video and subscribe to Daily English Podcast.
31
It's completely free and it helps us a lot.
32
Also, turn on the bell so you never miss a new episode.
33
And tell us in the comments, how does English sound to you right now?
34
Too fast, a little fast, or okay?
35
We read every comment and we love your answers.
36
Some of them make us smile for the whole day.
37
Okay, Jake, let's begin.
38
Jake, let's be honest from the start.
39
Nobody trains their ears in one night, and anyone who promises that is selling a dream.
40
But 15 focused minutes every day can change your listening in a few weeks.
41
It's not magic.
42
It's a smart routine, repeated again and again.
43
And why does English sound so fast?
44
Here's the secret.
45
Native speakers don't say every word clearly.
46
They link words together, they shorten small words, and they swallow some sounds.
47
So you're not a bad listener, you're just hearing a different English from the one in your textbook.
48
Once you know the tricks, fast English becomes much clearer.
49
Think of it like a gym again.
50
One visit doesn't change your body, but small, regular training builds strength quietly.
51
Your ears are a muscle too, so here is our routine.
52
Five steps, and each step is short.
53
Get your headphones, and let's begin.
54
The routine is easy to start and easy to repeat.
55
Step one, learn how English really sounds.
56
Native speakers say going to as gonna, want to as wanna, and what do you as whatia.
57
The words you know are hiding inside the sounds.
58
Spend a few minutes every day with one or two of these.
59
When you finally hear them, you'll think, oh, that's all it was?
60
Small discoveries make a big difference.
61
Linking is the second trick.
62
Turn it off sounds like turn it off.
63
Pick it up sounds like peaky -tup.
64
The words are not separate.
65
They flow together like a river.
66
When you listen for sounds instead of single words, your brain stops getting stuck.
67
Try saying pick it up quickly and you'll feel the link in your mouth.
68
Your mouth teaches your ears.
69
Weak sounds are the third trick.
70
In a fast sentence, small words like to, of, and, and, can become very quiet.
71
I want to go to the store sounds like I want to go to the store.
72
The important words are loud and the small words almost disappear.
73
So listen for the loud words first, and your brain will fill in the rest.
74
I learned this when I lived with my roommate, and I thought he always said, I'm gonna go.
75
Then one day I realized it was, I'm going to go, and I felt so silly.
76
But I started to notice these sounds everywhere, and my listening improved fast.
77
At first it felt strange, but then it became a game.
78
Believe me, it's a fun game.
79
Try it today.
80
Yeah, that's so relatable, Jake.
81
Right?
82
Every learner has a story like that.
83
Step two, use the slow then fast method for five minutes.
84
Choose a short clip, about 30 seconds, from a podcast or a video.
85
First, Play it at a slower speed, maybe 0 .75, and listen to every sound.
86
Then play it at normal speed and listen again.
87
Slow audio shows you the words, and normal audio shows you real life.
88
Choose something short so you don't feel tired.
89
Here's the important part.
90
Don't play a new clip every time.
91
Listen to the same clip five or six times in a row.
92
The first time, you understand maybe half.
93
The third time, you hear small words you missed before.
94
By the sixth time, the fast speech becomes clear.
95
It's like cleaning a dirty window.
96
A little more each time.
97
Repetition is your secret friend.
98
Six times?
99
That sounds like a lot.
100
It's only a few minutes, and it works.
101
Trust me.
102
Step 3.
103
Dictation.
104
For four minutes, play one sentence, pause, and write what you hear.
105
Then play it again and fix your mistakes.
106
Only after that, check the transcript.
107
Don't worry if you miss many words at first.
108
The missing words show you exactly what to practice.
109
Your mistakes are your best teachers, so be kind to them.
110
And here is a tip.
111
Don't write only the loud words.
112
Try to catch the small ones too, like a, the, of, and to.
113
This is hard, but it trains your ears to notice details.
114
After one week, you'll be surprised how many small words you can hear.
115
Start with short sentences and build slowly.
116
And please, no stress about spelling.
117
Right.
118
Your ears are the star here, not your spelling.
119
Step four, shadowing.
120
For four minutes, play the same clip and speak at the same time, like a shadow, copying the speed, the rhythm, and the sounds.
121
Don't stop if you make a mistake.
122
Just keep going.
123
When you can say a sound, you can hear it much more easily.
124
Speaking and listening are two sides of the same coin.
125
Use headphones and speak softly.
126
Your voice shouldn't be louder than the audio, or you won't hear the original.
127
And don't worry about understanding every word.
128
Focus on the music of the language.
129
Your tongue will say, wait, I can't move that quickly.
130
But after a week, you'll notice your speed improving and your ears will follow.
131
Be patient and enjoy the music.
132
Step five, listen for fun for three minutes or more.
133
Choose something you love, like a cooking video, a football interview, or a movie scene, and just enjoy it.
134
Don't pause, don't check every word, and don't feel guilty.
135
This step teaches your brain to follow the story, even when you miss some words.
136
When you miss a word, don't stop and think about it.
137
Keep listening and let the next sentence help you.
138
Native speakers do this too.
139
They don't catch every word in a noisy cafe, but they follow the meaning.
140
This is called listening for the big picture, and it's a real skill.
141
Now, a special tip.
142
Use subtitles in the right way.
143
First, watch with no subtitles and try to understand the story.
144
Then, watch again with English subtitles and notice the words you missed.
145
Don't use your own language subtitles because your eyes will do all the work and your ears will sleep.
146
And when a speaker is very fast, don't panic and don't give up.
147
Say to yourself, I don't need every word.
148
Listen for the key words, the tone, and the feeling.
149
Most of the time, that's enough to understand the message.
150
Now let's learn some useful phrases from today's episode.
151
Keep up with means to move or think at the same speed as someone.
152
For example, it's hard to keep up with fast speakers, but I'm getting better.
153
And catch on means to start to understand something.
154
For example, after a few weeks, I started to catch on.
155
Choose one phrase to use this week.
156
Two more.
157
Pick up on means to notice something small.
158
For example, she picked up on every little sound in the audio.
159
And by ear means without reading, just by listening.
160
For example, he learned the song by ear.
161
Also remember, bear with me, which means please be patient with me.
162
It's great when you need a moment to think.
163
Let's use these phrases in a real situation.
164
Imagine we meet at a busy cafe and I'm a friendly stranger who talks very fast.
165
Jake, you need to understand me, and you can ask me to slow down politely.
166
Try to keep going, even if it feels hard.
167
Are you ready, Jake?
168
Let's make it feel real, and let's have fun with it.
169
I'm ready.
170
My coffee is hot and my ears are awake, so let's do this.
171
Go ahead, Judith.
172
Talk as fast as you like and I'll do my best to catch on.
173
If I miss something, I'll use my polite phrases and I won't be shy about it.
174
Let's make this fun.
175
Hi there.
176
Sorry to bother you, but is this the way to the train station?
177
I'm in a hurry and I heard it's just around the corner, so I thought I'd ask.
178
Do you know if the bus goes there too?
179
I'm gonna be late for my meeting and I really don't want to miss it.
180
Oh, bear with me for a second.
181
You're talking a little fast.
182
So could you say that again?
183
A bit slower?
184
I think I caught the train station and the bus, but I missed the middle part.
185
I'm happy to help.
186
I just want to make sure I understand you.
187
Wonderful.
188
Notice that Jake didn't say, I don't understand and stop.
189
He used polite phrases.
190
He mentioned the words he caught and he asked for help.
191
That's real communication, and it's a skill every fluent speaker uses.
192
Now it's time for our listening practice.
193
Repeat after us, slowly and clearly.
194
Say each sentence out loud.
195
Practice that pattern every day.
196
Ready?
197
Sentence one.
198
I listen to English for 15 minutes every day.
199
Sentence two.
200
I don't need to catch every word.
201
I need to catch the meaning.
202
Take your time.
203
There's no hurry and every repetition makes your ears stronger and your English clearer.
204
Copy our rhythm and don't be shy.
205
Say it again a little faster.
206
Sentence three.
207
Could you say that again?
208
A little slower.
209
Sentence four.
210
Bear with me.
211
I'm starting to catch on.
212
And sentence five.
213
Fast English sounds clearer to me every week.
214
Excellent.
215
You just practiced real English that you can use in real life.
216
And you can repeat these sentences every morning just before you press play.
217
Great job, everyone.
218
Now let's do a quick recap of our routine.
219
Step 1.
220
Learn how English really sounds, like gonna, wanna, and linked words.
221
Step 2.
222
Listen to the same short clip slowly, then fast, again and again.
223
Step 3.
224
Write what you hear, one sentence at a time.
225
Say them in your head as we go.
226
Step four, shadow the speaker and copy the speed and the rhythm.
227
And step five, listen for fun and follow the big picture.
228
Five steps, no magic, no expensive course, and no perfect talent needed.
229
Just a routine that you repeat every day and ears that grow stronger little by little.
230
That's how fast English becomes clear.
231
Judith, I have a question for you.
232
Which step is your favorite and when will you practice?
233
Tell our friends your plan because a plan you say out loud is more likely to happen.
234
And I promise I'll ask you about it next week.
235
So no excuses.
236
Don't worry.
237
I won't ask you to catch every word.
238
Okay, deal.
239
My favorite is step three, dictation.
240
I'll do it in the morning, right after breakfast with one short clip and a notebook.
241
It's small and realistic.
242
And I'll be honest, I'm a little afraid of seeing how many words I miss.
243
But I'll try.
244
Please cheer for me.
245
Mine is step five, listening for fun.
246
I'll watch a cooking show on my walk home with no pausing and no stress.
247
Then on Sunday, I'll listen to one clip again to see my progress.
248
It sounds easy, but I know that enjoying English is the best way to keep going.
249
And I'm excited to start.
250
Wish me luck.
251
Here's a sample week to keep it fresh.
252
Monday, learn gonna, wanna, and whatia.
253
Tuesday, practice linking with short sentences.
254
Wednesday, do a dictation with a clip about food.
255
Thursday, shadow a podcast.
256
Friday, listen to an interview you like.
257
Saturday, watch a movie scene without subtitles.
258
Sunday, review the week.
259
And watch out for common mistakes.
260
First, don't try to understand every single word.
261
That's stress, not learning.
262
Second, don't always read the transcript first because your eyes will do the work and your ears will stay lazy.
263
Third, don't listen for three hours on Sunday and then nothing for six days.
264
A short daily practice always beats a long, rare practice.
265
Consistency is your best friend.
266
Where can you find good listening material?
267
Everywhere, podcasts, YouTube videos, interviews, news clips, and audiobooks.
268
Choose speakers who speak clearly and topics you enjoy.
269
If you love music, listen to an interview with a singer.
270
If you love cooking, watch a cooking show.
271
When you enjoy it, you'll continue for months.
272
Fun material makes the routine feel light.
273
Measure your progress.
274
On day one, choose one 30 -second clip and write down how many words you can catch.
275
Save it.
276
After 30 days, listen to the same clip again and check how many words you catch now.
277
You'll hear more words, more small sounds, and more meaning.
278
It's a very motivating moment, and it's free proof that you're improving.
279
Keep both notes forever.
280
I love that idea, Jake.
281
Me too.
282
It's the best proof you can get.
283
Don't wait for motivation.
284
Connect your listening time to something you already do, like breakfast, your commute, or washing the dishes.
285
We call this habit stacking.
286
After you finish your coffee, you press play.
287
After a few weeks, it feels as normal as brushing your teeth and you won't need to decide anymore.
288
So here's our challenge.
289
30 days, 15 minutes a day, Five steps.
290
Mark each day on a calendar with a big cross.
291
If you miss one day, don't panic.
292
Just start again tomorrow.
293
The goal is progress, not perfection, and every cross on your calendar is a small victory for your ears.
294
30 days will change how you feel about fast English.
295
And now, a small task for you.
296
Please pause this video and do a mini version right now.
297
Listen to any English clip for 30 seconds, then play it again and try to catch one more word than before.
298
It takes one minute.
299
Starting is the hardest step, so do it with us.
300
We'll wait here.
301
You just trained your ears.
302
Thank you so much for spending this time with us.
303
If today's episode helped you, please like the video, subscribe to Daily English Podcast,
304
and share it with a friend who wants to understand fast English.
305
It means a lot to us, and it helps more learners find our channel.
306
Thank you for being part of our English family.
307
And don't forget to comment below.
308
Tell us, how many minutes can you listen every day?
309
Which of the five steps is your favorite?
310
And what is the hardest thing about fast English for you.
311
We read your comments every day and your stories always inspire us.
312
You're not alone and we're learning with you.
313
Your comments help other learners feel less alone.
314
Keep listening, keep practicing, and keep smiling.
315
English isn't only for exams.
316
It's for friends, for travel, for work, and for your dreams.
317
So start today with your first 15 minutes.
318
Good listening isn't a miracle.
319
It's a habit and it begins now.
320
You can do this.
321
Your English journey starts today.
322
One last thing.
323
Our next episode is about how to speak English more confidently in real conversations.
324
Many learners find it difficult, so you really don't want to miss it.
325
Yes.
326
We'll share easy phrases that you can use at work, with friends, or when you travel.
327
See you there and have a wonderful day wherever you are in the world.
328
Hi everyone and keep learning English.
329
And take care.
Download App
Everything you need to speak fluently
AI PronunciationScore every sentence
IPA PracticeMaster every sound
VocabularyBuild your word bank
Vocab GameLearn while playing
Same Channel
FOR YOU
Recommend Video
A21
268 sentences
Easy Podcast for English Speaking & Fluency | Slow Podcast A1 & A2 for Conversation and Speaking
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B11
242 sentences
🚀 Boost Your English Listening Skills with Real Native Speakers! 🇺🇸👂
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B1171 sentences
Train Your Ear to Understand Fast English Without Translating | Slow English Listening Practice
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A14,649
67 sentences
A1 English Listening Practice - Language Learning
American AccentDaily ConversationWorking Adults
A22
497 sentences
Start Your Day With 15 Minutes Speaking English | Daily English Practice for Beginners#peakyblinders
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A22
369 sentences
Speak English Naturally — Stop Translating & Start Shadowing | Easy English for Beginners
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B1413 sentences
How to Build Self-Discipline When You Feel Lazy | English Podcast
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A22
427 sentences
How I Unlocked My English Fluency in One Day | Easy English Listening Story (A2 level)
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B1169 sentences
Learn English with Podcast | Speak Clearly | English Speaking | Beginners | Easy Listening Practice
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B118
58 sentences
How Listening Can Make You Fluent in English
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A21
555 sentences
You Can Speak English 💬🇺🇸 | English Learning Podcast | English Reading and Listening Practice
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A2251 sentences
Slow English Podcast for Shadowing & Listening | Think and Speak in English | Beginner (A1-A2)
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This speaking lesson is built on the video “Train Your Ears for Fast English”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: word, English, fast, step, sound. This video has 329 sentences and 2784 words to shadow. The speech runs for 18:02. The speaker talks at a natural 154 words per minute, close to everyday conversation. 86% 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 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ear noun | /ˈɪə̯/ | The organ of hearing, consisting of the pinna or auricle, auditory canal, eardrum, malleus, incus, stapes and cochlea. |
| clip noun | /klɪp/ | Something which clips or grasps; a device for attaching one object to another. |
| routine noun | /ɹuˈtin/ | A course of action to be followed regularly; a standard procedure. |
| phrase noun | /ˈfɹeɪ̯z/ | A short written or spoken expression. |
| podcast noun | /ˈpɑdˌkæst/ | A program, especially an audio program, produced on a regular basis, delivered over the Internet in a compressed digital format and designed for playback on… |
| audio adjective | /ˈɔ.di.oʊ/ | Focused on audible sound, as opposed to sight. |
| shadow noun | /ˈʃædəʊ̯/ | A dark image projected onto a surface where light (or other radiation) is blocked by the shade of an object. |
| pause noun | /pɔːz/ | A temporary stop or rest; an intermission of action; interruption; suspension; cessation. |
| trick noun | /ˈtɹɪk/ | Something designed to fool, dupe, outsmart, mislead or swindle. |
| skill noun | /skɪl/ | A capacity to do something well; a technique, an ability, usually acquired or learned, as opposed to abilities that are regarded as innate. |
| panic noun | /ˈpænɪk/ | Overwhelming fear or fright, often affecting groups of people or animals; (countable) an instance of this; a fright, a scare. |
| rhythm noun | /ˈɹɪð.əm/ | The variation of strong and weak elements (such as duration, accent) of sounds, notably in speech or music, over time; a beat or meter. |
| distress noun | /dɪˈstɹɛs/ | Physical or emotional discomfort, suffering, or alarm, particularly of a more acute nature. |
| headphones noun | /ˈhɛdfoʊnz/ | A pair of cushioned speakers worn over or in the ears so only the wearer can hear the sound. |
| topic noun | /ˈtɑpɪk/ | A subject; a theme; a category or general area of interest. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| go ahead verb | /ˌɡoʊ əˈhɛd/ | To proceed with; to begin. |
| keep up with verb | To manage to remain beside or just behind someone or something that is moving away from one. | |
| pick up on verb | To notice, observe, learn, or understand, especially something otherwise overlooked. | |
| give up verb | To surrender (someone or something); to inform on (someone). | |
| slow down verb | To decelerate. | |
| write down verb | To produce or set (something) down in writing; to record something. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- When you finally hear them, you'll think, oh, that's all it was?
- Do you know if the bus goes there too?
- Could you say that again?
- Where can you find good listening material?
- Which of the five steps is your favorite?
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | can be trained · is called |
| Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thing | anyone who promises · friend who wants |
| Superlatives the -est / the most … — the top or bottom of a group | the biggest · your best · my best |
| Verb + -ing enjoy, keep, stop… + -ing — verbs that are followed by the -ing form | stops getting · Keep listening · practice linking |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 91 contractions and reduced forms, such as don't, I'm, I'll. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “th” sounds: rhythm /ˈɹɪð.əm/, bother /ˈbɑðɚ/, sixth /sɪksθ/
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: shadow /ˈʃædəʊ̯/, wash /wɑʃ/, brush /bɹʌʃ/, motivation /ˈmoʊ.tə.veɪ.ʃən/, dish /dɪʃ/
- Long words — get the stress right: motivation /ˈmoʊ.tə.veɪ.ʃən/, consistency /kənˈsɪs.tən.si/, repetition /ˌɹɛp.əˈtɪʃ.ən/, audiobook /ˈɔdi.oʊbʊk/, confidently /ˈkɑnfɪdəntli/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like ear, clip, routine.
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.