Shadowing Practice: "Why Your English Feels Stuck (And What Actually Fixes It)" - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Someone says, I would have called you, but...
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and just stops there, doesn't finish the sentence, and you understood every word.
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But you still sat there for a second thinking, wait, would have called me, but what?
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That's not a vocabulary problem.
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That's not even a grammar problem.
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That's the gap between, I know English, and I can follow English the way people actually speak it.
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Fast, half-finished, stressed in places you wouldn't expect.
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And it's frustrating in a specific way, isn't it?
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Because you're not a beginner anymore.
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You can explain, you can argue a point, you can write a decent email.
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But somewhere in a live conversation, real English still moves slightly faster than you can catch it.
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You didn't stop learning English.
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English just stopped waiting for you.
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Hey my friends!
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Welcome back to English Speaking Way Extra.
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I'm Sarah.
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Today's session is a step up, not beginner shadowing.
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This time, we're working with the sentences people actually use mid-conversation, the ones that trail off,
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double back, or land the meaning on one small stressed word instead of the whole sentence.
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I could give you a list right now.
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Rhythm, stress, intonation, pacing.
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But honestly, listing it out doesn't help you hear it.
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You'll just notice it, sentence by sentence, as we go.
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And some of these are going to feel a little uncomfortable, maybe even a lot uncomfortable, on the first try.
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Good.
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That's not a sign you're behind.
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That's just what it feels like the first time you train a muscle you haven't used before.
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So here's how today works.
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I'll say each sentence twice.
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First time, just listen.
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Don't repeat yet.
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Second time, when I pause, it's yours.
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Say it even if it's messy.
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Especially if it's messy.
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One rule.
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If a sentence trips you up, don't move past it.
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Say it again.
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The sentence that stops you today is usually the exact one that needed the practice.
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And here's what I actually want for you by the end of this.
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Not understanding advanced English.
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I want you in a real conversation.
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Someone talks fast, trails off mid-sentence like that.
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I would have called you, but example, and you don't lose the thread.
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You just stay with them.
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Before we start, tell me honestly, what trips you up more in real conversations?
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The speed?
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Or when someone doesn't finish their sentence and you're left guessing?
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I want to know which one to build more practice around.
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Take a breath.
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Let your shoulders drop.
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You don't need to catch every word perfectly today.
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You just need to stay in the conversation a little longer than you did yesterday.
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This is your advanced shadowing practice.
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Let's begin.
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Advanced Natural English Shadowing Sentences I've been wanting to bring this up with you for a while.
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I've been wanting to bring this up with you for a while.
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She tends to worry too much, which often makes simple problems feel bigger than they are.
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She tends to worry too much, which often makes simple problems feel bigger than they are.
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The meeting has been moved to another day because of an unexpected issue.
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I couldn't help noticing that you seemed a little distracted earlier.
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I couldn't help noticing that you seemed a little distracted earlier.
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They've decided to move somewhere quieter because they want a slower pace of life.
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It's worth pointing out that we've already made significant progress on the project.
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It's worth pointing out that we've already made significant progress on the project.
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He's extremely well informed and can talk confidently about a wide range of subjects.
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He's extremely well informed and can talk confidently about a wide range of subjects.
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I'd really appreciate it if you could get back to me when you have a chance.
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The restaurant was completely booked, so we had to come up with another plan.
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The restaurant was completely booked, so we had to come up with another plan.
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She has a remarkable ability to make people feel relaxed when they first meet her.
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She has a remarkable ability to make people feel relaxed when they first meet her.
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Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to attend the event tomorrow.
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Would you mind letting me take a look at the notes you made during yesterday's lecture?
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The weather has been unusually unpredictable over the past few weeks, hasn't it?
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The weather has been unusually unpredictable over the past few weeks, hasn't it?
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I completely understand where you're coming from, even though I see the situation differently.
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I completely understand where you're coming from, even though I see the situation differently.
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They've been putting a great deal of effort into this project for the past several months.
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They've been putting a great deal of effort into this project for the past several months.
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It suddenly occurred to me that we might be looking at the problem from the wrong angle.
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I was under the impression that the shop stayed open until 8 o'clock.
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I was under the impression that the shop stayed open until 8 o'clock.
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The whole experience turned out to be much more demanding than I had originally expected.
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The whole experience turned out to be much more demanding than I had originally expected.
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She's exceptionally good at handling several responsibilities without losing focus.
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She's exceptionally good at handling several responsibilities without losing focus.
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I usually find that I get the most done when I start my day early.
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I usually find that I get the most done when I start my day early.
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Finding reasonably priced housing in this neighborhood is becoming more challenging every year.
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Finding reasonably priced housing in this neighborhood is becoming more challenging every year.
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He brought up a really interesting point during our conversation earlier.
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He brought up a really interesting point during our conversation earlier.
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I've gradually realized that being patient is much more important than I once thought.
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I've gradually realized that being patient is much more important than I once thought.
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The exhibition was incredibly impressive and kept my attention from beginning to end.
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The exhibition was incredibly impressive and kept my attention from beginning to end.
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I'd recommend taking a different route if you'd like to avoid the worst of the traffic.
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They've introduced several practical changes to make the workplace more efficient.
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It's important that everyone stays informed and communicates clearly throughout the process.
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It's important that everyone stays informed and communicates clearly throughout the process.
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I was genuinely surprised by how smoothly everything came together in the end.
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I was genuinely surprised by how smoothly everything came together in the end.
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She's remarkably good at negotiating agreements that benefit everyone involved.
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The idea seems complicated at first, but it becomes much clearer once you understand the basics.
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The idea seems complicated at first, but it becomes much clearer once you understand the basics.
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I'd prefer to gather a little more information before we commit to anything.
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I'd prefer to gather a little more information before we commit to anything.
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It's hardly surprising that people who succeed often develop similar habits over time.
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The results were significantly better than we had anticipated.
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The results were significantly better than we had anticipated.
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I'm beginning to think that postponing the trip might be the wiser choice.
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He has an impressive ability to stay focused even when things become stressful.
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We need to deal with these issues now before they become much harder to manage.
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I've recently started paying closer attention to where I spend my money.
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I've recently started paying closer attention to where I spend my money.
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The report raises several interesting questions about the way society is changing.
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The report raises several interesting questions about the way society is changing.
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She's been incredibly supportive whenever I've faced difficulties in my career.
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She's been incredibly supportive whenever I've faced difficulties in my career.
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I'm genuinely impressed by how much progress you've made in such a short time.
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I'm genuinely impressed by how much progress you've made in such a short time.
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Maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal life requires more effort than most people realize.
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Maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal life requires more effort than most people realize.
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They've overcome one difficult obstacle after another without losing sight of their goal.
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They've overcome one difficult obstacle after another without losing sight of their goal.
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I'm still undecided about whether these changes will actually improve the situation.
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I'm still undecided about whether these changes will actually improve the situation.
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The documentary gave me a completely different perspective on the issue.
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The documentary gave me a completely different perspective on the issue.
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It's becoming increasingly clear that our current strategy isn't producing the results we expected.
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It's becoming increasingly clear that our current strategy isn't producing the results we expected.
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He often puts off difficult decisions because he doesn't want to deal with the uncertainty.
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He often puts off difficult decisions because he doesn't want to deal with the uncertainty.
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I'd highly recommend comparing a few options before you make your final choice.
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I'd highly recommend comparing a few options before you make your final choice.
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She has an incredible eye for detail, which makes her work especially reliable.
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She has an incredible eye for detail, which makes her work especially reliable.
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The general opinion among researchers appears to be changing gradually.
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Notice something?
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These sentences aren't just difficult vocabulary.
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They're the kind of sentences you can actually hear in meetings, workplaces, interviews, documentaries, and serious everyday conversations.
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And if you can repeat them comfortably, you're not just learning words, you're training your brain to handle longer English naturally.
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Use sentences like these when you're discussing a project at work, explaining your opinion, making a difficult decision,
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or talking about a problem with someone.
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For example, instead of saying, we have a problem, you can say,
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it's becoming increasingly clear that our current strategy isn't producing the results we expected.
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Instead of simply saying, I need more information, you can say, I'd prefer to gather a little more information before we commit to anything.
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That's what makes these expressions useful.
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They help you sound clearer, more natural, and more precise without using complicated words unnecessarily.
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The overall consensus among experts appears to be changing gradually.
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The overall consensus among experts appears to be changing gradually
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I'm inclined to agree with your assessment Although I'd like to consider the situation a little further
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I'm inclined to agree with your assessment Although I'd like to consider the situation a little further
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It's worth thinking about all the possible consequences before we move forward.
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It's worth thinking about all the possible consequences before we move forward.
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They've shown remarkable resilience despite facing several difficult circumstances.
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They've shown remarkable resilience despite facing several difficult circumstances.
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I couldn't accept such a generous offer without finding a meaningful way to return the favor.
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I couldn't accept such a generous offer without finding a meaningful way to return the favor.
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The shift to working remotely has turned out to be much smoother than expected.
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The shift to working remotely has turned out to be much smoother than expected.
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He's gained a great deal of practical experience through years of hands-on work.
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He's gained a great deal of practical experience through years of hands-on work.
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I'm slowly becoming more confident when it comes to speaking in front of an audience.
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I'm slowly becoming more confident when it comes to speaking in front of an audience.
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It's essential that we continue to maintain high professional standards.
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It's essential that we continue to maintain high professional standards.
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She's gradually developed a thorough understanding of the subject through years of experience.
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She's gradually developed a thorough understanding of the subject through years of experience.
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The situation deserves careful consideration from several different perspectives.
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The situation deserves careful consideration from several different perspectives.
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I've noticed a considerable improvement in the way you communicate your ideas.
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They're fully committed to maintaining a high standard of quality in everything they do.
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They're fully committed to maintaining a high standard of quality in everything they do.
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It would be much more effective to establish clear objectives from the very beginning.
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It would be much more effective to establish clear objectives from the very beginning.
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The workshop introduced several practical approaches to improving professional skills.
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The workshop introduced several practical approaches to improving professional skills.
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I'm determined to overcome this habit and make a lasting change.
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I'm determined to overcome this habit and make a lasting change.
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He's repeatedly demonstrated that he has the qualities of an effective leader.
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He's repeatedly demonstrated that he has the qualities of an effective leader.
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The study's findings challenge several assumptions that people have accepted for years.
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The study's findings challenge several assumptions that people have accepted for years.
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I've come to realize that protecting your mental well-being should be treated as a priority.
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She's built an impressive network of professional relationships over the course of her career.
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She's built an impressive network of professional relationships over the course of her career.
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A lot has changed since we last discussed the situation in detail.
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A lot has changed since we last discussed the situation in detail.
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I'm confident that we can work together to reach a solution that benefits everyone.
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I'm confident that we can work together to reach a solution that benefits everyone.
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It's remarkable how quickly technology continues to develop and reshape the way we live.
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They've earned their position as industry leaders by consistently embracing innovation.
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They've earned their position as industry leaders by consistently embracing innovation.
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I genuinely appreciate your willingness to listen to perspectives that differ from your own.
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The presentation was informative, engaging, and exceptionally well organized.
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It's generally advisable to seek qualified advice before making a major financial or professional decision.
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It's generally advisable to seek qualified advice before making a major financial or professional decision.
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He has an unusual combination of creative thinking and strong analytical skills.
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He has an unusual combination of creative thinking and strong analytical skills.
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I've been carefully reflecting on the feedback, and I'm ready to make some meaningful changes.
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I've been carefully reflecting on the feedback, and I'm ready to make some meaningful changes.
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If you're still watching this video right now, congratulations.
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You're already ahead of the 90% of people who are still
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stuck endlessly scrolling through short reels instead of building a real English habit.
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You didn't just watch these sentences.
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You stayed, listened, repeated, and trained your English.
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That's a completely different kind of progress.
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So if you're still here, don't leave silently.
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Go to the comments and write, I am here.
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She's managed to remain composed even when the circumstances became increasingly challenging.
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She's managed to remain composed even when the circumstances became increasingly challenging.
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The experience has taught me some invaluable lessons about patience, resilience, and perseverance.
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The experience has taught me some invaluable lessons about patience, resilience, and perseverance.
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I'm currently exploring several opportunities to broaden my knowledge and strengthen my professional skills.
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I'm currently exploring several opportunities to broaden my knowledge and strengthen my professional skills.
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It's remarkable how much we can accomplish when we approach a difficult task with proper planning.
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They've taken a proactive approach to identifying and addressing potential problems before they become serious.
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They've taken a proactive approach to identifying and addressing potential problems before they become serious.
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I sincerely hope that we can find a practical solution and resolve this situation in the near future.
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I sincerely hope that we can find a practical solution and resolve this situation in the near future.
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The collaboration between different departments has produced impressive results and improved overall efficiency.
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The collaboration between different departments has produced impressive results and improved overall efficiency.
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It's becoming increasingly evident that sustained effort is necessary if we want to achieve meaningful and lasting progress.
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It's becoming increasingly evident that sustained effort is necessary if we want to achieve meaningful and lasting progress.
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She's demonstrated an unwavering commitment to both her personal development and professional ambitions.
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demonstrated an unwavering commitment to both her personal development and professional ambitions.
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I've learned to appreciate the value of constructive feedback, especially when it challenges me to improve.
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I've learned to appreciate the value of constructive feedback, especially when it challenges me to improve.
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The opportunity presents exciting possibilities, but it also comes with several significant challenges that we need to consider.
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The opportunity presents exciting possibilities, but it also comes with several significant challenges that we need to consider.
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He's well known for his ability to break down complicated concepts and explain them in a clear and accessible way.
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He's well known for his ability to break down complicated concepts and explain them in a clear and accessible way.
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I'm actively working on developing a healthier and more positive mindset, even when things don't go according to plan.
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I'm actively working on developing a healthier and more positive mindset, even when things don't go according to plan.
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It's undeniable that consistent practice,
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combined with patience, leads to substantial improvement over time It's undeniable that consistent practice,
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combined with patience, leads to substantial improvement over time
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They've invested considerable resources in research
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and development To remain competitive in an increasingly demanding market They've invested considerable resources in research
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and development To remain competitive in an increasingly demanding market I remain genuinely optimistic about the potential outcomes of this endeavor,
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even though there are still challenges ahead.
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I remain genuinely optimistic about the potential outcomes of this endeavor, even though there are still challenges ahead.
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That's it.
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You just finished an advanced shadowing session.
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And this wasn't the easy stuff.
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You worked through real sentence patterns,
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natural pauses, stress shifts, the kind of English that separates I can understand it from I can actually use it.
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Some of it probably felt hard.
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Good.
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That's exactly what it should feel like when you're actually improving, not just repeating what you already know.
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Here's something I want you to remember.
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Your brain doesn't build fluency in one session.
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It builds it in repetition, layered over days, not hours, which is exactly why I want you to do something before you close this video.
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Hit like on this video right now.
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Not for me, for you.
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It takes two seconds and And it means tomorrow, when you're scrolling and you see this video again, it'll actually come back to you.
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That's not an accident.
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That's how you build a habit around this.
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And here's your real challenge.
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Come back to this exact video tomorrow.
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Watch it again.
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Shadow it again.
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The second time, you'll notice something interesting.
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The sentences that felt difficult today will already feel a little more familiar.
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That's not you getting lucky.
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That's your brain actually learning.
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repetition in real time.
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Before you go, tell me one thing in the comments.
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Which sentence today gave you the hardest time?
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I actually want to know.
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And if you made it through the entire session today, write, I finished the challenge.
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I'll know you didn't just start this, you actually followed through.
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I'm Sarah and I mean this.
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The fact that you're still here, at the end of an advanced session says a lot about you already.
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So, like the video, come back tomorrow, and let's keep building this, one session at a time.
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I'll see you in the next one.

About This Lesson

You're practicing English with ""Why Your English Feels Stuck (And What Actually Fixes It)"" using the Shadowing technique — a method originally developed for professional interpreter training.

Focus on sounding like the speaker — not just repeating words. With 15–30 minutes of daily practice, you'll build real-world speaking confidence.

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.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →