Shadowing Practice: Virtual Effort - Bạn có đang NỖ LỰC ẢO? | I'm Mary - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

C1
There are always people in the world who,
⏸ Paused
88 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
There are always people in the world who,
2
looking at him, seem to put in a lot of effort to study and work,
3
but their achievements never show any progress.
4
Talk all day about how eager to learn,
5
how enthusiastic and hard-working, thinking like a great man,
6
but the results are absent.
7
You know all the great book deals,
8
collect a bunch of books discount codes.
9
The books you buy are piled up on the shelves waiting to be touched.
10
You think that buying books is never too much,
11
so every time you go on a sale you will collect books.
12
And thought I would read it,
13
but in reality it's the opposite.
14
You know that just working hard during work hours will never be enough to build your competitive advantage.
15
You need to study more in your spare time,
16
but every time you come home from work,
17
you just rest, eat, lie down and surf the web.
18
And then procrastinated, because you thought you could study more tomorrow.
19
You think you should also learn this and that,
20
and think that you will work harder,
21
because you regret the money you spent.
22
You buy yourself online courses.
23
But the problem is, the courses you buy are many,
24
but you only take a few lessons, and then quit.
25
You are interested in cultivating knowledge.
26
You take part in all kinds of study groups,
27
always pay attention to rare,
28
precious, and useful documents, and download them as soon as you have the opportunity.
29
Wherever there is a document,
30
you download, but never read.
31
You take all the knowledge you think is useful,
32
and never go back to it.
33
You like to read good articles,
34
every time you see a favorite article,
35
you will save it, share it,
36
do all kinds of ways to save those wonderful works,
37
but you never know when you read them again.
38
You love to listen to talented,
39
inspirational speakers to ignite enthusiasm.
40
At the presentation, you were so determined,
41
but when you come back,
42
you forget everything and don't even think about it.
43
Yes, those are expressions of virtual effort.
44
The virtual effort is when you set yourself a lot of goals,
45
such as reading books, learning English.
46
But instead of trying to persevere to do well,
47
you surf the web and waste time on social networks.
48
You have done it, but you didn't get it right.
49
That is a sign of the symptom of virtual effort,
50
that young people often have.
51
The consequences are your failure.
52
At work, you embrace too much but do not finish,
53
always in a state of pressure at work.
54
And when you achieve something,
55
you are always complacent with temporary achievements.
56
You quickly give up when you are under pressure,
57
or have not completed the plan.
58
In everyday life, you often compare yourself with others,
59
and put pressure on yourself.
60
Always think that you have made a lot of efforts but failed,
61
and don't believe in your efforts anymore.
62
If you are suffering from one of the above situations, stop immediately.
63
Create a reasonable plan, suitable for your ability and time.
64
Break down big goals into small goals.
65
For example, reading books, you can read books twice a week,
66
flexible time that week if you are too busy.
67
Can exercise at 15 to 30 every day.
68
Set clear rules for yourself when it is time to relax,
69
and when to work.
70
Avoid being plugged into social networks,
71
Facebook, and TikTok all day.
72
So you have wasted a lot of time learning nothing.
73
Understand what you need for your current situation.
74
Don't take on too many things at once.
75
This will be very stressful for you and ineffective,
76
when the ability has not been realized.
77
It is easy for us to get virtual effort,
78
but it is also very easy to get rid of it.
79
The first thing you need to find out is,
80
why these things keep repeating in your life,
81
and then find solutions to solve them.
82
Don't spend time thinking too much,
83
and putting pressure on yourself,
84
while you haven't started doing anything.
85
Consider the things that are necessary to yourself,
86
let go of the things that are not important, and stop daydreaming.
87
Remember that two things in this world cannot be taken back, time and opportunity.
88
That's why don't let the so-called virtual effort rule your development.

Download App

AI scoring for every sentence you speak

Scan To Download
Scan To Download
Download on theApp Store
Get it onGoogle Play
TRENDING

Popular

Context & Background

In the video titled "Virtual Effort - Are You Putting in Virtual Effort?" by Mary, a common phenomenon among learners is explored. The speaker reflects on the disconnect between the effort individuals believe they are putting into their studies and the actual outcomes they achieve. Many people feel they are working hard by acquiring resources such as books and online courses, yet they fail to utilize these tools effectively. This phenomenon, described as 'virtual effort,' highlights the struggle many face in their journey towards personal development and English language acquisition.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • I’ve been trying to learn English, but I feel stuck. - This phrase encapsulates the frustration learners may experience.
  • I want to read more, but I end up procrastinating. - Reflects the internal battle against distractions.
  • How can I make the most of my study time? - A question many learners ask as they seek effective strategies.
  • I bought so many books, but they’re gathering dust on my shelf. - Illustrates the irony of increased resources leading to little action.
  • I listen to speakers, but I often forget their advice. - Acknowledges the challenge of retaining learned information.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

Improving your English through shadowing can significantly enhance your speaking practice. Here’s how to tackle the content from this video and turn virtual effort into tangible results:

  1. Watch the video once without subtitles. - Focus entirely on the speaker's accent, intonation, and expressions. This will help you develop a better understanding of English pronunciation.
  2. Replay the video and pause after each sentence. - Repeat what Mary says aloud. This step fosters both listening and speaking skills, which are essential for IELTS speaking practice.
  3. Record yourself while shadowing. - Listening to your recordings can be enlightening. It helps you identify areas for improvement in your pronunciation and fluency.
  4. Practice daily by revisiting difficult phrases. - Select phrases that resonate with you or those that challenge you. This practice strengthens vocabulary retention and boosts confidence.
  5. Engage in discussions about the themes of the video. - Find a conversation partner or join a group where you can share your thoughts on the concept of virtual effort. This will enhance your fluency and comprehension.

By incorporating these methods into your daily routine, you can transform your virtual efforts into meaningful improvement in your English speaking skills over time, ensuring you no longer feel stuck in a cycle of procrastination and missed opportunities.

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.

☕ Buy us a coffee