Shadowing Practice: Why you understand English but CAN'T speak fluently | Jack Ma’s Best Advice - Learn English Speaking with YouTube
B2
Hey my friends, have you ever felt like this?
250 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
Hey my friends, have you ever felt like this?
2
You can understand English, but when it's your turn to speak, your mind suddenly becomes blank.
3
Many people tell me the same thing.
4
I understand movies, I understand teachers, I understand YouTube videos, but I just can't speak.
5
And I always smile, because this is not failure at all.
6
This is one of the most natural stages in learning any language.
7
Understanding English and speaking English are two different skills.
8
Listening is like quietly collecting words inside your heart.
9
But speaking is about bringing those words out with courage, practice, and confidence.
10
So if you can already understand English, believe me, you are halfway there.
11
Think about a child before speaking.
12
A child listens for months, sometimes even years.
13
The child understands simple things like come here or sit down long before saying them.
14
In the same way, if you understand English but cannot speak yet, it simply means your speaking ability is still growing.
15
You are not behind, you are becoming ready.
16
Let me give you a simple example.
17
If someone says, please open the window, you understand immediately.
18
But if someone asks you, can you say something in English?
19
You freeze.
20
Why does this happen?
21
Because understanding is passive, but speaking is active.
22
When you speak, your brain has to choose words, arrange grammar, pronounce clearly, and deal with fear all at the same time.
23
This happens to millions of learners.
24
You may understand a question like, what did you eat today?
25
But when it's time to answer, instead of saying, I ate rice and chicken today, you stay silent.
26
Not because you don't know English, but because your mouth is not trained yet.
27
Your mind already knows, but your voice is still learning, and that hesitation is completely normal.
28
Let us look at a simple but powerful example.
29
You hear someone ask, where are you going?
30
And you understand the question immediately.
31
You know exactly what it means, but when it is your turn to answer, something changes inside you.
32
Instead of saying, I am going to the market, your mind starts to overthink.
33
You begin to ask yourself, what tense should I use?
34
Is my grammar correct?
35
What if I make a mistake?
36
And in that small moment, fear takes control and your voice disappears.
37
This is something many learners experience, and it is important to understand one truth.
38
Perfection is the enemy of speaking.
39
When you try to be perfect, you stop yourself from speaking at all.
40
But language does not grow from perfection.
41
It grows from action.
42
Think about a baby.
43
A baby does not wait to speak perfect sentences.
44
A baby starts with broken words, simple sounds, and small expressions.
45
Step by step, those small attempts become real language.
46
English learners must follow the same path.
47
Start with simple sentences.
48
Say, I am happy.
49
I am tired.
50
I like tea.
51
This is my book.
52
He is my friend.
53
These sentences may feel small, but they are the foundation of fluency.
54
However, many learners make the same mistake.
55
They continue to study English every day, but they never use it.
56
They read grammar books, they watch videos, they memorize vocabulary, but they stay silent.
57
And silence never creates fluency.
58
Speaking creates speaking.
59
Let me share a real story.
60
There was a student named Tom.
61
Tom understood English very well.
62
She watched English dramas without subtitles and listened to podcasts every day.
63
But when her teacher asked her to introduce herself, she said nothing.
64
She was not lacking knowledge.
65
She was lacking practice.
66
One day I asked her, do you practice speaking alone?
67
She said, no, because I feel strange.
68
That answer is very common.
69
Many people feel uncomfortable speaking to themselves.
70
But that discomfort is exactly where growth begins.
71
So I told her, speak to yourself in English every day.
72
Stand in front of mirror and say simple things like, my name is Tom.
73
I live in the United States.
74
I am learning English.
75
I want to improve.
76
At first, it felt awkward, but she continued.
77
Day by day, she repeated these simple sentences.
78
And after one month, something changed.
79
Her confidence became stronger.
80
Her voice became clearer.
81
Why?
82
Because language grows through use, not through thinking.
83
Now let me give you another simple example.
84
If someone asks you, what is your favorite color?
85
Do not stop and think too much.
86
Just answer, my favorite color is blue.
87
It does not need to be perfect.
88
It only needs to be spoken.
89
Remember this, mistakes are not a sign of failure.
90
Mistakes are proof that you are trying.
91
And every time you try, you move one step forward.
92
But silence teaches nothing.
93
So speak.
94
even if your voice is not perfect yet.
95
That is exactly how fluency begins.
96
Let us talk about fear because for many learners, fear is the biggest barrier to speaking English.
97
Many people worry that others will laugh at them.
98
But think about this for a moment.
99
When a child learns to walk and falls down, do we laugh at the child?
100
Of course not.
101
We encourage, we support, and we understand that falling is part of learning.
102
Language learning deserves the same kindness.
103
If you say she go to school instead of she goes to school, it is okay.
104
Because communication matters more than perfection.
105
What truly matters is that you are trying to express yourself.
106
not that every sentence is perfect.
107
Another reason many people understand English but cannot speak is the habit of translating.
108
Some learners first think in their own language, then try to translate into English, and this process takes time and creates pressure.
109
Instead, try to train your mind to think directly in English.
110
When you see a cup, say this is a cup.
111
When you see rain, say it is raining.
112
When you see food, say the food smells delicious.
113
These small, simple habits may seem easy, but they slowly build natural speaking ability and reduce hesitation.
114
Now let me share a simple daily speaking practice that can really change your progress.
115
In the morning, say five sentences about your day, such as, I woke up early.
116
I brushed my teeth.
117
I made tea.
118
I checked my phone.
119
I'm ready for work.
120
In the afternoon, describe what you're doing.
121
I'm eating lunch.
122
I'm sitting in my room.
123
I am reading a book.
124
At night, talk about your day.
125
Today was busy.
126
I met my friend.
127
I learned new words.
128
This kind of daily practice helps you connect English with your real life.
129
And that is where real fluency begins.
130
You can also imagine simple conversations.
131
A friend asks, how are you?
132
And you reply, I'm fine.
133
Thank you.
134
They ask, what are you doing?
135
And you say, I am studying English.
136
Then why are you learning English?
137
And you answer, because I want to speak confidently.
138
These simple conversations may look basic, but they are powerful beginnings.
139
You do not need advanced English to start speaking.
140
Fluency always begins with ordinary words used in real situations.
141
Sometimes learners say, I know vocabulary, but words disappear when I speak.
142
This happens because memory needs repetition.
143
When you learn a word like beautiful, you must use it many times.
144
This flower is beautiful.
145
Your dress is beautiful.
146
The weather is beautiful.
147
Repetition turns passive knowledge into active language.
148
You should also practice listening and repeating.
149
When you hear a sentence like, I would like a cup of coffee, pause and repeat it aloud.
150
Speaking is not only mental, but it is also physical.
151
Your tongue, lips, and voice all need training, just like your body when you learn to ride a bicycle.
152
Watching is not enough.
153
You must practice.
154
Some people think they need confidence before they can speak, but the truth is the opposite.
155
Confidence comes after speaking, not before.
156
Start with one sentence today, two tomorrow, and five next week.
157
These small steps will slowly become a strong voice.
158
And if you forget a word while speaking, do not panic.
159
Even native speakers forget words sometimes.
160
You can describe the idea in another way.
161
For example, if you forget the word umbrella, you can say the thing we use in the rain.
162
This is still communication.
163
And communication is about creativity, not perfection.
164
Finally, let us look at simple real-life situations.
165
At the doctors, you can say, I have a headache.
166
I have a headache.
167
I feel tired.
168
How many times should I take this medicine?
169
At the bus stop, where will the bus arrive?
170
Does this bus go to the city center?
171
At the restaurant, I would like tea, please.
172
Can I have the menu?
173
These short, simple sentences prepare you for real life.
174
The more familiar these sentences become, the more confident you feel, and the less fear controls you.
175
Now let me ask you something simple, but very important.
176
When do children learn the fastest?
177
The answer is clear.
178
They learn when they are not afraid of making mistakes.
179
A child may say something like, I go there.
180
It is not correct, but the child does not stop.
181
The child keeps speaking, keeps trying, and keeps learning.
182
But as adults, we do the opposite.
183
We stop ourselves because we feel embarrassed.
184
We worry too much about being correct.
185
And slowly, that fear becomes silence.
186
But listen carefully.
187
Do not let embarrassment steal your growth.
188
Language does not belong to the perfect speaker.
189
Language belongs to the one who dares to use it.
190
There is another simple but powerful secret you can start today.
191
Record your voice.
192
Just take your phone and speak for one minute.
193
Say something like, my name is today.
194
I feel my plan for tomorrow is.
195
Then listen to yourself.
196
At first, you may not like your voice.
197
That is completely normal.
198
But if you continue, Day by day, you will start to hear something different.
199
You will hear progress, and that progress will give you motivation to keep going.
200
Also, learn to celebrate small wins.
201
If today you say one full sentence in English, that is progress.
202
If you speak to someone, even with mistakes, that is progress.
203
And if you feel nervous but still keep talking, that is even bigger progress.
204
Success is not built in big moments.
205
It is built on small victories day by day.
206
Sometimes people around you may laugh when you practice English.
207
It can be your friends or even your family.
208
But do not stop.
209
People often laugh at things they do not understand.
210
One day, the same people will respect the confidence they once laughed at.
211
So protect your practice.
212
Stay away from negative voices and look for encouragement instead.
213
Watch people who inspire you.
214
Listen to simple English podcasts.
215
And most importantly, speak positive words to yourself.
216
Say, I am becoming fluent.
217
Every day I improve.
218
My voice matters.
219
These simple sentences are not just words.
220
They are training your belief.
221
and never say, my English is weak.
222
That sentence will hold you back.
223
Instead, say, my English is growing because the way you speak about yourself will shape the way you improve.
224
Growth begins in your mindset before it appears in your voice.
225
Let me give you a simple challenge, something you can really do starting today.
226
For the next seven days, just speak English for five minutes every day.
227
On day one, introduce yourself in a simple way.
228
On day two, describe your room and the things around you.
229
On day three, talk about your family.
230
On day four, explain your daily routine.
231
On day five, describe your favorite food.
232
On day six, talk about your dreams.
233
And on day seven, tell a short story from your life.
234
Seven days, only five minutes a day.
235
but this small habit can slowly change your confidence powerfully.
236
At first, you may only speak one simple sentence, but that one sentence can become a short conversation, and that conversation can grow into real fluency.
237
One day, someone may ask you, how did you become so confident in English?
238
and you will smile, remembering the time when even one sentence felt difficult, even impossible.
239
That day will come.
240
Your voice is already inside you, waiting to be heard.
241
So do not wait for perfect grammar.
242
Do not wait for perfect pronunciation.
243
And do not wait until your fear disappears.
244
Start before you feel ready, because language grows through action, not through waiting.
245
The word does not need your silence.
246
The word needs your voice, and your English voice truly deserves to be heard.
247
Thank you for listening.
248
Goodbye for now.
249
Your progress doesn't end here.
250
To continue advancing your English skills, click on the next video or explore the additional video that we thoughtfully selected for you.
Download App
Everything you need to speak fluently
AI PronunciationScore every sentence
IPA PracticeMaster every sound
VocabularyBuild your word bank
Vocab GameLearn while playing
Context & Background
Many English learners find themselves in a situation where they can comprehend the language well, yet struggle to express their thoughts verbally. This paradox can be frustrating, but it's crucial to understand that it is a natural stage in the language acquisition process. As highlighted in the video, understanding English is a passive ability, while speaking requires active participation. This distinction is vital for learners; grasping information is merely the first half of the journey toward fluency. Just as a child absorbs language for months before uttering their first words, adult learners must also cultivate their speaking skills over time through practice and exposure.
Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication
- I am happy. - A simple expression of emotion.
- I like tea. - A way to share personal preferences.
- This is my book. - Demonstrating possession and identity.
- He is my friend. - Introducing relationships.
- What is your favorite color? - An engaging question to start conversations.
Using these foundational sentences as part of your daily conversations can greatly enhance your confidence and ability to speak English. Incorporate them in your practice sessions, especially during your IELTS speaking practice or casual discussions with friends.
Step-by-step Shadowing Guide
To effectively tackle the difficulties of speaking English, employing the shadowing technique can be immensely beneficial. Here's a practical guide to help you get started:
- Choose a video: Select a learn English with YouTube video that features natural dialogue, such as the mentioned one.
- Listen and absorb: Watch the video once to understand the context without worrying about speaking.
- Activate shadow speak: Play the video again, but this time, try to repeat what the speakers say immediately after hearing it. This mimics their pronunciation and intonation.
- Practice with pauses: Pause the video after each sentence or phrase and repeat it aloud. Focus on clarity and confidence rather than perfection.
- Reflect on your progress: Record yourself during the practice to identify areas for improvement, ensuring that each session contributes to your growing fluency.
Remember, the journey to fluency is paved with practice. The more you engage in shadowspeak, the more comfortable you will become in real-life conversations. Embrace the process, including the mistakes, as they are stepping stones to becoming a proficient English speaker.
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
ShadowingEnglish remains 100% free thanks to your support. Server and AI costs are high — your coffee keeps us going! 🙏