Shadowing Practice: Vikings - Ragnar Speech: "I Am The King!" [HD] - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This B1 speaking lesson is built on the video “Vikings - Ragnar Speech: "I Am The King!"”. This video has 36 sentences and 203 words to shadow. The speech runs for 2:12. The speaker talks slowly, about 92 words per minute, so there is time to copy every sound. 88% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is easy to follow.
Key vocabulary in this video
The 12 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| nonetheless adverb | /ˌnʌnðəˈlɛs/ | Nevertheless. |
| siege noun | /siːd͡ʒ/ | A prolonged military assault or a blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by force or attrition. |
| ambition noun | /æmˈbɪʃ.ən/ | Eager or inordinate desire for some object that confers distinction, as preferment, honor, superiority, political power, or fame; desire to distinguish one's… |
| fringe noun | /fɹɪnd͡ʒ/ | A decorative border. |
| ruler noun | /ˈɹulɚ/ | A (usually rigid), flat, rectangular measuring or drawing device with graduations in units of measurement; a straightedge with markings. |
| starve verb | /stɑɹv/ | To die because of lack of food or of not eating. |
| aspire verb | /əˈspaɪɚ/ | To have a strong desire or ambition to achieve something. |
| righty noun | A right-handed person. | |
| fail verb | /feɪl/ | To be unsuccessful. |
| nearly adverb | /ˈnɪəli/ | In close approximation; almost, virtually. |
| reach verb | /ɹiːt͡ʃ/ | To extend, stretch, or thrust out (for example a limb or object held in the hand). |
| discussion noun | /dɪˈskʌʃ.ən/ | Conversation or debate concerning a particular topic. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- What should we make any kind of deal with them?
- That's why we are here!
- You've all had your righties.
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | We've lost · have probably run |
| Advice with “should” should + verb — saying what is a good idea | should we make · should let |
| Future with “will” will + verb — a decision, promise or prediction | will hate · will not |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 3 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, we've, you've. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: ambition /æmˈbɪʃ.ən/, discussion /dɪˈskʌʃ.ən/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like nonetheless, siege, ambition.
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.