Shadowing Practice: Your future self is begging you to watch this video - Learn English Speaking with Video

This video has 20 sentences and 253 words to shadow. The speech runs for 1:57. The speaker talks at a steady 129 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 90% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is easy to follow.

Key vocabulary in this video

15 less common words from the video, with pronunciation and meaning:

• notebook /ˈnoʊtˌbʊk/ (noun) — A book (physical or digital) in which notes or memoranda are written.
• accomplishment /əˈkɑm.plɪʃ.mənt/ (noun) — The act of accomplishing; completion; fulfilment.
• everyday /ˈɛvɹiˌdeɪ/ (adjective) — Appropriate for ordinary use, rather than for special occasions.
• invite /ɪnˈvaɪt/ (verb) — To ask for the presence or participation of someone or something.
• blank /ˈblæŋk/ (noun) — The white spot in the centre of a target; hence (figuratively) the object to which anything is directed or aimed, the range of such aim.
• underneath /ˌʌndɚˈniθ/ (adverb) — Below; in a place beneath.
• trait /tɹeɪt/ (noun) — An identifying characteristic, habit or trend.
• charismatic /ˌkɛɹəzˈmætək/ (adjective) — Of, related to, or having charisma: having a form of compelling charm which inspires devotion in others due to their strength of character and being full of…
• achieve /əˈt͡ʃiv/ (verb) — To carry out or conclude (something, as a task) successfully; to accomplish.
• email /ˈiˌmeɪl/ (noun) — A system for sending messages and datas by means of a computer network, primarily the Internet, using the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol and the Internet…
• describe /dɪˈskɹaɪb/ (verb) — To represent in words.
• imagine /ɪˈmæd͡ʒ.ɪn/ (verb) — To form a mental image of something; to envision or create something in one's mind.
• reach /ɹiːt͡ʃ/ (verb) — To extend, stretch, or thrust out (for example a limb or object held in the hand).
• successful /səkˈsɛs.fəl/ (adjective) — Resulting in success; assuring or promoting success; accomplishing what was proposed; having the desired effect.
• completely /kəmˈpliːtli/ (adverb) — In a complete manner; thoroughly.

Phrasal verbs you will hear

• write down (verb) — To produce or set (something) down in writing; to record something.
• end up (verb) — To bring to a conclusion.
• figure out (verb) — To come to understand; to discover or find a solution; to deduce.
• go for (verb) — To try for, to attempt to reach.

Pronunciation to watch

The speaker uses 6 contractions and reduced forms, such as they're, you've, they've. Say them the short way, as you hear them.

• The “th” sounds: underneath /ˌʌndɚˈniθ/, healthy /ˈhɛl.θi/
• The “sh” and “zh” sounds: accomplishment /əˈkɑm.plɪʃ.mənt/, conversation /ˌkɑn.vəɹˈseɪ.ʃən/
• Long words — get the stress right: accomplishment /əˈkɑm.plɪʃ.mənt/, charismatic /ˌkɛɹəzˈmætək/, conversation /ˌkɑn.vəɹˈseɪ.ʃən/

How to practise with this video

1. Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
2. Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
3. Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like notebook, accomplishment, everyday.