Shadowing Practice: Việt Nam's reading culture on World Book Day | Vietnam Today - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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and on the occasion of the World Book Day April 23rd
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and on the occasion of the World Book Day April 23rd
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we have some interesting facts to share with our newsline audience
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I mean can you care to share us with us please yes the first fact is
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that the World Book Day is very close to Vietnam Book
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and Reading Culture Day since 1995 UNESCO has marked 23 April as World Book
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and Copyright Day the goal is to promote reading support publishers and protect authors' rights worldwide.
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The date was chosen to honor three literary icons,
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William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes and Inca Gassilasso de la Vega,
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highlighting the symbolic role of books in sharing knowledge, culture and human values.
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In Vietnam, April is also a major month for reading promotion,
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with book fairs, author talks and public events.
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As in many countries, building a stronger reading culture remains a national priority in Vietnam.
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Now in an age of instant information and endless scrolling,
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a growing number of young Vietnamese are turning to a different gateway to the world in the foreign language bookstores.
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Right, and more than just places to buy books,
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These spaces are opening doors to global knowledge,
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cultural exchange and communities of curious readers.
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Working in the social media field,
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Taoang often visits indie foreign language bookstores where printed books remain her favorite companions.
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Since childhood, I've been used to reflecting,
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exploring and building knowledge through books.
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That process allows me to slow down and approach the knowledge I truly seek step by step.
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Not only Thao Anh, but Thành Hai,
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a middle school student, is also drawn to foreign language books.
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She visits her favorite foreign language bookstore with her father every week.
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When you first walk in the doorstep,
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the air outside and the air inside is vastly different.
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You can instantly smell the scent of books.
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Demand for foreign language books among young Vietnamese readers is on the rise,
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with 2025 seeing a 22% increase in new titles and a 101% surge in total copies.
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Beyond responding to this demand,
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indie foreign language bookstores are attracting young readers with unique experiences.
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I've just written this note about a book that I've read
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and love to recommend it with fellow readers who I know that they would share my taste in books.
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Now in this indie bookstores,
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personal reading journeys are cherished quietly through small yet thoughtful details like this.
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We always try to create small handmade projects for our visitors.
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Every decoration you see here has been made with lots of love by the people who come through the space.
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Through activities hosted at indie foreign language bookstores,
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reading becomes more than a solitary act.
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It grows into a shared experience.
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We aim not only to inspire,
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but also to offer broader perspectives through expert insights.
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Foreign language bookstores are becoming companions for the young people as they step out into the wider world.
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They offer access to valuable knowledge,
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support personal growth and help individuals reconnect with themselves in a fast moving world.
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Thank you Miss Hav for spending the time to be here with us today.
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Of course.
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So right now we're seeing this trend of more
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and more young breeders spending more money to purchase physical books from indie foreign language bookstores.
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What can we say about this trend?
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One first and maybe most important reason I think is the appeal of the book as an object.
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It has the physicality and materiality of it that makes it a pleasure to interact with.
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And in the same conveying the book in its physical form serves as a better
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or stronger symbolic marker for people's status or identity.
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And there is also, I think,
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a lot of innovation on the part of booksellers to appeal to readers
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and making the purchasing of books an experience in itself as well.
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Regarding the asceticization of reading,
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it's also more prevalent in the era of social media,
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where most platforms are heavily visual.
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Then it's, you know, there's that displaying,
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there's showing, there's performance, there's the act of being seen reading,
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in addition to the act of reading itself,
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which could be really private, personal.
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So how is the rise of indie bookstores together with their social media activities
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and at the same time their physical discussions activities are affecting young people's reading culture and habits.
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Indie Bookstore is a physical space
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and in an era of you know heavy screen use
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and the haptic spaces of life in Hanoi people could yearn
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for a more slower more physical space to linger to be in
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And a lot of indie bookstores in Hanoi would be often hybrid spaces,
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where in addition to selling books,
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there's many other things happening,
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including exhibition or workshop or other activities.
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And the third aspect would be the kinds of community that it can bring about.
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And this community building happens through repeated coming and going,
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attending to the variety of activities that happens in that space.
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So as a participant in this reading culture yourself,
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what kind of changes do you hope to see in the future?
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Participant in the Vietnamese space and reading culture,
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then I wish to see that the diversity that comes from
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not only focusing on already dominant books
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but also to elevate lesser known valuable books
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so with bookstore being the intermediary or the one note
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that connects a lot of international market with the local Vietnamese audience then
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and there's lots of opportunities for promoting things that are unique to the Vietnamese perspective.
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Again, thank you, Ms, for taking the time to join in this talk with us.
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It's my pleasure.

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Context & Background

In the celebration of World Book Day on April 23rd, Vietnam reflects on its growing reading culture, which has gained momentum since 1995 with UNESCO’s recognition of this date as a day to promote reading and support authors’ rights. The significance of April in Vietnam goes beyond just a single day; it encompasses various activities aimed at fostering a love for literature among the youth. This video explores how young Vietnamese are increasingly turning to foreign language bookstores as a source of knowledge, cultural exchange, and personal growth. It highlights the importance of these spaces in shaping a vibrant reading culture within the country, particularly among younger generations.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • "I enjoy exploring new books." – This phrase expresses a love for reading and discovering. It can be useful when discussing personal interests.
  • "I recommend this book to fellow readers." – Utilize this phrase to share your enthusiasm for a particular title, fostering a sense of community.
  • "The smell of books is captivating." – This descriptive phrase can help to convey sensory experiences associated with reading and bookstores.
  • "Let's visit the bookstore this week." – A practical phrase for planning visits to bookstores, encouraging friends or family to join you in a reading adventure.
  • "Reading helps me reconnect with myself." – Use this inspiring phrase to discuss the personal benefits of reading in your life.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively utilize the transcript for shadowspeak practice, follow these steps:

  1. Listen actively: Begin by watching the video with a focus on understanding the context and tone. Take notes on key points.
  2. Repeat phrases: Select the "Top 5 Phrases" and practice repeating them aloud. Pay attention to pronunciation and intonation.
  3. Shadow the speaker: Play segments of the video, pausing after each sentence. Repeat what the speaker says in real-time to improve your fluency and rhythm.
  4. Record yourself: Use your device to record your voice while shadowing. Listen back to evaluate your pronunciation and speaking pace.
  5. Engage with others: Share your insights and practice these phrases in conversation with peers. This not only aids in improving English pronunciation but also builds confidence in using English in real-life situations.

By incorporating this learn English with YouTube approach into your routine, you can enhance your English speaking practice while enjoying the rich culture of reading highlighted in the video.

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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