Shadowing Practice: VOA Learning English - Education Report # 393 - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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This is the VOA Special English Education Report.
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34 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
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This is the VOA Special English Education Report.
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Two-year colleges in the United States are also known as community colleges.
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Students earn an associate degree.
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Or they can train for a job for a year or two and get a certificate.
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Community colleges are less costly than other schools.
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Some international students can even get a year of education for free.
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The United States government and the colleges pay the costs in a program called the Community College Initiative.
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Six countries took part during the first two years.
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Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Pakistan, South Africa, and Turkey.
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Now those countries are joined by Cuba,
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Ghana, and most of Central America.
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Local Fulbright committees generally nominate the students.
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The program provides job training for people who otherwise could not attend college.
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They learn skills their countries need,
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like agriculture and health care.
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Vocational school teachers and administrators from Egypt can also receive professional development through the program.
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The program began two years ago with 84 students and six colleges.
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State Department officials say more than 500 students will attend 37 community colleges this fall.
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Where students are placed depends on what they want to study.
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The program is also a chance to learn about America and its people.
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And it gives colleges a way to expand their diversity.
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The students live in dormitories or apartments or with local families.
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Carol Stacks-Brown is an administrator of the program for a group called Community Colleges for International Development.
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She says they look for people who have had some work experience,
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speak some English, and want to experience another culture.
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The program includes English classes in the summer before school starts for those who need them.
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Carol Stacks Brown says colleges in some countries might accept credits from the program.
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But this is not a way to immediately transfer to four-year colleges and universities in other countries,
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including the United States.
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Students cannot return to the United States for two years after they finish their year of study.
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A web page is being developed for information on the Community College Initiative.
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For now, students from countries in the program should contact their local Fulbright committee or United States Embassy.
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And that's the VOA Special English Education Report.
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Earlier reports in our Foreign Students series are at voaspecialenglish.com.

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About This Lesson

In this lesson, learners will focus on understanding the value of community colleges in the United States as highlighted in the VOA Learning English Education Report. You will practice key phrases related to education, vocational training, and international student programs. This session aims to enhance your English speaking skills through targeted shadow speech exercises, enabling you to imitate the speaker’s tone and clarity while improving your vocabulary related to community colleges and educational initiatives.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Community colleges - Two-year institutions that offer associate degrees and vocational training.
  • Associate degree - A degree awarded after completing a two-year college program.
  • Job training - Education specifically designed to equip individuals with skills for particular careers.
  • Certificate - A document affirming that someone has completed a particular course or program.
  • Professional development - Education or training aimed at improving one's skills in a professional context.
  • Cultural exchange - Opportunities to experience another culture, often through studying or living abroad.
  • Fulbright committee - An organization that nominates international students for study programs in the United States.

Practice Tips

To make the most of your English speaking practice with this lesson, consider using shadowing techniques as you engage with the content. The transcript is delivered at a moderate pace, making it ideal for shadow speak exercises. Here are some tips:

  • Listen first: Play the video and listen carefully to the pronunciation and intonation.
  • Repeat: As soon as you hear a phrase, pause the video to repeat it aloud, imitating the speaker’s tone and rhythm.
  • Focus on key phrases: Pay particular attention to the key vocabulary listed above. Make an effort to use these terms in your shadow speech, as this will help reinforce their meanings.
  • Record yourself: Use a recording device to capture your shadowing practice. Listening to your own pronunciation can provide invaluable insights into areas for improvement.
  • Practice regularly: Consistency is key in language learning. Set aside a few minutes each day to practice shadowing the audio, aiming to enhance both fluency and confidence in your speech.

By utilizing these techniques on our shadowing site, you will be well on your way to improving your English speaking skills, enabling smoother and more confident communication.

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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