Shadowing Practice: Try something new for 30 days - Matt Cutts - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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Leonardo Silva Reviewer
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Leonardo Silva Reviewer
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A few years ago, I felt like I was stuck in a rut,
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so I decided to follow in the footsteps of the great American philosopher,
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Morgan Spurlock, and try something new for 30 days.
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The idea is actually pretty simple.
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Think about something you've always wanted to add to your life and try it for the next 30 days.
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It turns out, 30 days is just about the right amount of time to add a new habit or subtract a habit,
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like watching the news from your life.
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There's a few things that I learned while doing these 30-day challenges.
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The first was, instead of the months flying by forgotten,
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the time was much more memorable.
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This was part of a challenge I did to take a picture every day for a month,
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and I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing that day.
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I also noticed that as I started to do more and harder 30-day challenges, my self-confidence grew.
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I went from desk-dwelling computer nerd to the kind of guy who bikes to work for fun.
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Even last year, I ended up hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro,
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the highest mountain in Africa.
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I would never have been that adventurous before I started my 30-day challenges.
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I also figured out that if you really want something badly enough,
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you can do anything for 30 days.
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Have you ever wanted to write a novel?
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Every November, tens of thousands of people try to write their own 50,000 word novel from scratch in 30 days.
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It turns out, all you have to do is write 1,667 words a day for a month.
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So I did.
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By the way, the secret is not to go to sleep until you've written your words for the day.
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You might be sleep deprived,
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but you'll finish your novel.
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Now is my book the next great American novel?
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No, I wrote it in a month.
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It's awful.
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But for the rest of my life,
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if I meet John Hodgman at a TED party,
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I don't have to say, I'm a computer scientist.
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No, no. If I want to,
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I can say, I'm a novelist.
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So here's one last thing I'd like to mention.
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I learned that when I made small,
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sustainable changes, things I could keep doing,
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they were more likely to stick.
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There's nothing wrong with big, crazy challenges.
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In fact, they're a ton of fun,
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but they're less likely to stick.
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When I gave up sugar for 30 days,
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day 31 looked like this.
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So here's my question to you.
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What are you waiting for?
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I guarantee you the next 30 days are going to pass,
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whether you like it or not.
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So why not think about something you have always wanted to try and give it a shot for the next 30 days.
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Thanks.

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Context & Background

The video "Try something new for 30 days" features Matt Cutts, who shares his personal journey of transformation through a series of 30-day challenges. The essence of his message is about stepping outside your comfort zone and trying new experiences, allowing them to enrich your life and boost your self-confidence. He reflects on the power of short-term commitments, emphasizing how these endeavors can lead to memorable moments and foster personal growth. This practical approach is particularly beneficial for English learners, as it encourages them to incorporate new language habits into their daily routines.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “Try something new” - A motivating expression to encourage exploration and adventure in learning.
  • “For the next 30 days” - A clear timeframe that helps in setting achievable goals.
  • “I could keep doing” - Emphasizes sustainability in habits, which promotes persistence in practice.
  • “What are you waiting for?” - A call to action that can inspire learners to take immediate steps towards their goals.
  • “Self-confidence grew” - Highlights the connection between effort and personal growth, especially relevant in language acquisition.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively utilize the shadowing technique from Matt Cutts' video, follow this structured approach to improve your English pronunciation and enhance your speaking skills:

  1. Select the video: Choose the "Try something new for 30 days" video and play it in a suitable environment free of distractions.
  2. Listen actively: Before attempting to repeat, listen to a short segment (about 30 seconds) without interruption. Focus on Cutts' intonation, pace, and pronunciation.
  3. Use a shadowing app: Utilize a shadowing app that allows you to slow down the playback rate. This will aid in capturing phrases without feeling overwhelmed.
  4. Repeat aloud: Play a segment again and attempt to repeat Cutts' words in real-time. Focus on mimicking his rhythm and speech patterns.
  5. Record your voice: Record yourself as you practice to track your progress. Listening to your recordings will provide insights into areas that need improvement.
  6. Practice daily: Make this practice a part of your daily routine. Consistency is key to mastering any new skill, including English speaking practice.

By incorporating this method, you not only engage with the material but also infuse exciting new elements into your English learning journey, all while pushing your limits and embracing challenges just like Cutts did.

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.

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