Shadowing Practice: Why You Can’t Speak English - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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One of the most common questions I get every single day is,
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One of the most common questions I get every single day is,
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why can I understand everything you're saying,
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but I cannot speak like that?
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Whoo, let's unpack that.
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So I've said this many times,
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but when you are consuming a lot of English,
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when you are absorbing a lot of English,
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and you are not putting,
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you're not producing the same amount of English out through your mouth, there's no balance.
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You're watching TikToks, you're watching YouTube videos,
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you're watching TV shows, movies,
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whatever, you're absorbing absorbing absorbing you are listening to things silently
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you're always on silent you're on mute it's like a medical
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student reading all these books about how to perform surgeries
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and then he goes to this surgeon who has been doing
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that for like 20 years
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and the student goes i read all those books why can't i do it like you
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or you read books about how to drive a car
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and then you look at a driver who's been driving for 10 years
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and you're like hey i tried driving the other day why
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can't i do it like you i've read all the books
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there are you are watching these videos you're you're reading things you're just consuming a lot
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and you're like learning right and you can understand what i'm saying
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but the fact that you're not putting
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that into practice is what's stopping you from speaking another important thing with speaking is
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that it exposes your weaknesses and what i mean by
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that is speaking in front of people the anxiety the fear of making mistakes,
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the embarrassment, whatever, you know,
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your brain is like, don't do it,
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don't do it, don't do it.
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It's going to be bad.
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So you avoid it.
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You don't do it.
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You listen to your brain.
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It's a natural thing.
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Your brain is trying to protect you from an unpleasant, uncomfortable situation.
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So if you're just like sitting back,
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relaxed, eating popcorn, you're enjoying a movie,
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you're like, oh, I understand everything they're saying.
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I must know English.
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You do know half of English.
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You know English, but you don't speak English.
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People live in this illusion that if they understand something,
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they should be able to say it the same way.
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But saying it is a completely different thing than listening.
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You're so comfortable when you're listening.
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You're so comfortable when you're reading something.
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There's no anxiety.
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There's no heart palpitations.
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There's no fear.
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You're safe.
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When you speak, you might actually know a lot more,
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but you can't find it in your brain because it's blocked by all these uncomfortable feelings.
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You're like choking.
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So unless you're producing the same amount of English as you're consuming,
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don't expect for you to be able to speak.
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In order for you to speak, you have to speak.
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It's like picking up the phone and you're just listening to the other person
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and the person's asking you a but you can't reply back.
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Does that mean you know English?
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You do because you understand what they're saying but you cannot maintain the conversation.
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So before you think you need more vocabulary words
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or you need more grammar rules or you need to do more exercises and read more and listen to stuff more,
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before doing all of that,
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think, do I speak enough?
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Do I put myself in situations where I can practice what I'm learning?
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Maybe look into your anxiety and your fear of making mistakes first.
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try to deal with that manage that
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and then english speaking is going to be a little bit easier
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and you're going to want to do it more
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and the more comfortable you're feeling the more motivated you're going to be to do it
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and the more you do it the more comfortable you become doing it
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and the more comfortable you get the more confident you get
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and it goes around in a circle like
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that you learn you speak you learn you speak you learn you speak
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and not just like you learn you learn you learn,
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you learn, and then you're like, why can't I speak?
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It's because you never do.

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About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will gain insights into the common challenges of speaking English, especially if you find yourself understanding the language but struggle to express yourself verbally. You'll learn the importance of balancing your listening and speaking skills and discover why merely consuming content is not enough. By the end of this lesson, you'll understand how to actively engage in speaking practice to enhance your fluency and confidence. This understanding is vital for tasks like IELTS speaking practice and other verbal communication exercises.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Absorbing English: The process of taking in knowledge from listening or reading.
  • Producing English: The act of speaking or writing in English.
  • Exposure: The state of being exposed to language, crucial for learning.
  • Anxiety: A feeling of worry or fear that may hinder speaking.
  • Illusion: A false understanding that you can communicate without practice.
  • Comfort zone: A state where one feels safe but may limit growth in language skills.
  • Practice: Engaging in speaking activities to improve your skills.
  • Heart palpitations: Physical sensations of anxiety when speaking in front of others.

Practice Tips

To effectively learn English with YouTube and improve your speaking skills, consider implementing these strategies:

  • Shadow Speaking Technique: As you watch videos, try the shadowspeak method. Repeat phrases aloud immediately after hearing them, mimicking the intonation and speed of the speaker. This will help you improve English pronunciation while reinforcing your speaking ability.
  • Slow Down: If the video's speed is too challenging, use playback controls to slow the video. This allows you to focus on articulation without feeling overwhelmed.
  • Record Yourself: After shadowing sentences, record your own voice. Compare your pronunciation and fluency to that of the speaker. This self-assessment will highlight areas where you need improvement.
  • Role Play: Create scenarios where you might need to speak English. Use content from videos to craft dialogues that incorporate your new vocabulary. Role-playing these situations can ease anxiety and prepare you for real conversations.
  • Daily Practice: Aim to devote a few minutes each day to speaking practice. Consistency is key to overcoming the mental barriers you face when speaking English.

By integrating these techniques into your routine, you will not only develop your ability to speak but also build confidence in expressing yourself in English. Remember, effective communication takes practice and courage, so embrace the process!

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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