Shadowing Practice: What Is International Women's Day? - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

B1
The International Women's Day
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The International Women's Day
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Every year on the 8th of March,
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International Women's Day is celebrated across the globe.
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It's a day to recognise female achievement and a call to action,
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encouraging everyone to stand up for women's rights and gender equality.
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Gender equality means no matter your gender,
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you're granted the same rights,
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privileges and access to opportunities as everyone else.
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You may be thinking, why is this day so important?
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Throughout history, women have had to fight for the freedom and rights we enjoy today.
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150 years ago, women couldn't vote,
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stand in Parliament, receive proper medical attention,
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own property, access fair legal support,
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get paid the same as men,
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visit the same public areas as men, get a proper education...
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The list goes on.
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150 years ago, people lived in a very different world to what we know now.
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So how did things change?
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Someone didn't snap their fingers and then BAM,
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women had all the rights.
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Change occurred gradually through the tireless efforts of brave women and men fighting together for what is right.
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Let's rewind.
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In the late 19th century,
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the fight for women's suffrage began gaining momentum.
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Suffrage means the right to vote,
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and at this time, only men could do so.
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This meant that all the political decisions were decided by men,
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including those that only affected women.
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As time passed, some women grew increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress and failed attempts to achieve suffrage.
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One of these women was Emmeline Pankhurst,
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who responded by forming the Women's Social and Political Union in 1903,
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which encouraged a stronger kind of activism.
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This led to years of protests,
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rallies and strikes, with women being arrested,
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jailed, injured and some even losing their lives in the fight for suffrage.
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When the First World War was declared in 1914,
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suffragettes shifted their campaign to encourage women's involvement in the war effort.
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The devastation of war brought the nation together in support of one another,
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and attitudes began to change.
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Women took on responsibilities and jobs that they were previously excluded from,
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like working as mechanics and drivers.
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In 1918, the Representation of the People Bill was passed,
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giving women the right to vote.
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However, it was only some women of a certain age and circumstance.
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It wasn't until 1928 that all women over 21 were finally allowed to vote.
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The right to vote is instrumental in creating a society that is fair and just.
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Imagine if all the UK were one gigantic football team.
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Half of the team can play exactly as they are,
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while the other is blindfolded.
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The team probably isn't going to do so great.
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The same goes for a society.
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If everyone has the same rights and freedoms,
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a society can grow and develop in a way that benefits everyone.
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Once women were able to vote,
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the ball began rolling on other rights,
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like political representation, access to greater opportunities,
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fairer pay and working rights.
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As you can see, change takes time.
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It wasn't until 1979 that Britain had its first female prime minister,
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which was 76 years after Emmeline Pankhurst first established the Women's Social and Political Union.
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So what does gender equality look like today?
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We are fortunate to live in a time and place where incredible opportunities are in abundance.
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Everyone can get an education,
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access healthcare, get a job and speak their minds.
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However, we still have some work to do before we reach equality for all.
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One way that gender inequality plays out in our everyday life is through stereotypes.
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A stereotype is a generalised opinion of a person or group of people.
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Ever heard someone say something like,
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you throw like a girl or boys don't cry?
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These kinds of phrases exist because of centuries of restrictive ideas about gender that really aren't true or fair.
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People are way too unique and complex to fit neatly in a box.
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Girls and boys can be athletic, fast and strong.
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And of course, everyone cries.
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It's normal and healthy to express your feelings and to be vulnerable.
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Stereotypes can be really damaging and can prevent you from being yourself and reaching your potential.
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Today, women are still the minority in Parliament,
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leadership roles and career fields like science and engineering,
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as well as making less money than men on average.
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So, this International Women's Day,
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think about what you could do to help in the fight for equality.
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Everyone benefits when we are all treated equally.
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Why not celebrate the amazing achievements of women you admire?
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Especially now you know just what it took to get there.

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About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will practice your English speaking skills by exploring the important topic of International Women's Day. This content will help you learn how to articulate complex ideas about social change, gender equality, and the historical fight for women's rights. As you listen to the video, you will improve your pronunciation, expand your vocabulary, and develop your ability to discuss important social issues in English.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • International Women’s Day: A global celebration held on March 8th to recognize female achievements and advocate for gender equality.
  • Gender equality: The state in which individuals have equal rights, privileges, and opportunities, regardless of their gender.
  • Suffrage: The right to vote in political elections.
  • Activism: Efforts to promote, impede, or direct social, political, economic, or environmental change.
  • Representation of the People Bill: A law passed in the UK that gave women the right to vote, enacted in 1918.
  • Brave efforts: Acts of courage to push for change, often involving personal risk.
  • Historical context: The background or environment in which historical events occur, providing insight into societal changes.
  • Social justice: The pursuit of a society that values fairness and equity for all individuals.

Practice Tips

To make the most of this english speaking practice session, consider using the following tips as you engage with the video:

  • Shadow Speech: As you listen to the video, try to mimic the speaker’s tone, speed, and intonation. This is known as shadowing and can be particularly effective for improving your fluency.
  • Break it down: The video may present complex ideas at a moderate pace. If you find certain sections difficult, pause and repeat them several times for better comprehension.
  • Learner Empowerment: Use the phrases from the “Key Vocabulary & Phrases” section in your own sentences. This integration will enhance your learning.
  • Record Yourself: After shadowing, record your own voice while discussing the main points in English. This will help you track your progress in pronunciation and confidence.
  • Engagement with Content: Reflect on the themes of the video and write a short paragraph expressing your views on gender equality in today’s world. This will deepen your understanding and give you more practice in expressing thoughts.

By engaging with this video, not only will you learn English with YouTube, but you will also gain valuable insights into significant societal issues. Remember, the more you practice, the more fluent you will become! Explore this shadowing site and refine your skills for effective 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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