Shadowing Practice: "YOU CAN ALSO BE GREAT" - Elon Musk Motivation - Motivational Video - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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What is the purpose of the people who are not ordinary?
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I think people can choose to be not ordinary.
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You know, they can choose to not necessarily conform to the conventions that were taught to them by their parents.
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Yes, I think it's possible for ordinary people to choose to be extraordinary.
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What is the purpose of the people who are not ordinary?
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I think also just don't be afraid of new arenas.
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You can get a book, you can learn something and experiment with your hands and just make it happen.
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Find a way or make a way to get something done.
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Not being motivated by, personally by money, is not the same as saying that I think SpaceX shouldn't make money.
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In fact, it's very important that SpaceX is profitable
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or we will not be able to earn the money necessary to continue future developments.
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It's like the Nike slogan, you know, just do it.
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That's, you know, just showing up is half the battle.
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You got to try hard to do it and don't be afraid of failure.
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You also need to be rooted in reality.
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So you shouldn't, it's easy to get high in your own supply.
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You've got to not be afraid to innovate, but also don't delude yourself into thinking something's working when it's not.
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Or you're going to get fixated on a bad solution.
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You go to the very basic laws of physics, the things to which we believe to be extremely well demonstrated.
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In other words, the reason they call it a law is that no one has ever demonstrated an exception to that, ever.
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As Edison said, you know, it's 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration.
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I think it's really a mindset.
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You have to decide.
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We're going to try to do things differently.
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Well, provided that they're better, you shouldn't do things differently just because they're different.
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They need to be different and better.
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But I think you just have to sort of decide.
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Let's think beyond the normal stuff.
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There's this great holy grail potential in the future.
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You have to stay grounded in the short term.
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So, you know, because if you don't do things that pay the bills, you're not going to have, you're not going to achieve the ultimate long term objective.
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But it's nice to have
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that sort of holy grail long term potential out there there as an inspiration for coming to work.
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I'm a volunteer.
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I mean, I don't need the money.
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I mean, I'm sitting here saying I wish I could buy such and such a thing.
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I could buy it.
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I get paid minimum wage, actually.
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I don't even get overtime.
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I think people can choose to be not ordinary.
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They can choose to not necessarily conform to the conventions that were taught to them by their parents.
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Yes, I think it's possible for ordinary people to choose to be extraordinary.
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Well, it's like the Nike slogan, you know, just do it.

Why practice speaking with this video?

This motivational video featuring Elon Musk is an excellent resource for English learners looking to enhance their speaking skills. By engaging with the content, you can practice the shadowing technique, where you repeat what you hear in real-time. This method not only improves your pronunciation but also boosts your confidence when speaking English. Moreover, Musk's insights on determination and innovation provide a stimulating context that can inspire learners to push beyond ordinary boundaries and think creatively in their language practice.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

Understanding the language structures used in motivational speeches can significantly enhance your learning experience. Here are some key expressions and grammar points from the video:

  • Choose to be not ordinary: This phrase emphasizes the power of choice. It can be used in various contexts, such as deciding to work harder in your studies.
  • Don’t be afraid of: A common expression that encourages taking risks. For instance, “Don’t be afraid of making mistakes.”
  • It’s like the Nike slogan, you know: This simile connects ideas to commonly known slogans, a useful technique for English learners to relate new concepts to familiar contexts.
  • Stay grounded in reality: This expression teaches the importance of being practical while dreaming big, which is vital in both language learning and personal development.

Incorporating these phrases into your own speech can help you express similar motivations and thoughts effectively.

Common Pronunciation Traps

Pronunciation is crucial in conveying your message clearly. From the video, here are some potentially tricky words and phrases:

  • Extraordinary: This word can be challenging due to its length and syllable emphasis. Practice pronouncing it slowly: "ex-tra-or-di-na-ry."
  • Conventions: The 'v' sound may be difficult for some learners. Emphasize it in your shadow speech practice for clarity.
  • Innovate: Focus on the smooth transition of vowels, as it requires a good flow when spoken quickly.

By focusing on these pronunciation traps through shadow speaking, you can refine your accent and sound more native in your English conversations. Utilizing this shadowing site with such motivating material helps learners not only grasp the language but also inspire confidence in their speaking abilities.

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.