Shadowing Practice: Why the US, Other Countries Refused to Sign Internet Treaty - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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From VOA Learning English, this is the Technology Report in Special English.
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From VOA Learning English, this is the Technology Report in Special English.
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Delegates from around the world recently agreed on a new treaty on telecommunications and the Internet.
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The agreement came at the World Conference on International Telecommunications in Dubai.
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But the United States and more than 50 other countries have refused to sign the treaty.
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They are calling it a threat to Internet freedom.
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This was the first time that the international telecommunication regulations have been amended in more than 20 years.
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Back then, the Internet as we know it did not exist.
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Delegates at the conference in Dubai were divided over how the Internet should be governed.
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Countries like Russia, Saudi Arabia,
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China, and Iran are concerned
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that the Internet's The naming system is governed by a non-profit group which operates from the United States.
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That organization is called ICANN,
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the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers.
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The discussions at the conference took place during two weeks of tense and sometimes heated debate among the delegates.
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Officials reported receiving more than 1,200 proposals from members of the International Telecommunication Union.
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The group's Secretary General, Hamadun Toure,
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called the signing of the treaty a momentous occasion.
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He also expressed regret that some governments chose not to sign the agreement.
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Hamadun Toure said he hoped the ITU would continue to work with those countries.
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Some observers say division over the treaty remains so strong that it is unlikely to go into effect in 2015 as planned.
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They say changes may be necessary to get wider agreement among delegates.
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For VOA Learning English, I'm Alex Villarreal.

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About This Lesson

In this lesson, English learners will engage with a recent significant event concerning international telecommunications and the Internet, specifically focusing on the refusal of the United States and over 50 countries to sign a new treaty. Through this practice, learners will enhance their listening and speaking skills while improving their understanding of relevant terminology and the broader implications of global communication policies. This lesson will also employ the shadowing technique, allowing learners to mimic the speech patterns, intonation, and vocabulary used in the video. The goal is to promote fluency and confidence in English speaking, ideally gearing them for IELTS speaking practice.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Treaty - A formal agreement between two or more countries.
  • Internet freedom - The ability to access and express views freely on the Internet.
  • Delegates - Representatives acting on behalf of others, often at a conference.
  • Amended - Modified or changed, usually referring to legal documents.
  • ICANN - The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, which manages internet domain names.
  • Proposals - Suggestions put forward for consideration or discussion.
  • Tense debate - Serious and heated discussions regarding differing opinions.

Practice Tips

To effectively use the shadowspeak method in this lesson, choose a segment of the video transcript that resonates with you. Given the moderate pacing and articulate speech of the presenter, aim to listen to a sentence or two and then immediately repeat what you hear. Focus on mimicking not just the words but also the rhythm and intonation of the speaker. This method of shadow speak can help in grasping the nuances of conversational English.

Start by watching a short clip without pausing. Then, play it again, this time pausing after each sentence to practice. Use a notebook to write down any difficult phrases you encounter. Repeating these phrases multiple times will enhance your pronunciation and confidence. Incorporate this exercise into your routine to see significant improvement in your speaking ability. Additionally, make sure to explore related topics and vocabulary through other resources, such as additional YouTube videos, to further support your learning journey.

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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