Shadowing Practice: Why Every Question Is A Gift - Learn English Speaking with Video

This video has 25 sentences and 260 words to shadow. The speech runs for 1:18. The speaker talks fast, about 199 words per minute, so expect linked and reduced sounds. 83% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start.

Key vocabulary in this video

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

• defensive /dɪˈfɛn.sɪv/ (adjective) — Intended for defence; protective.
• feedback /ˈfiːdˌbæk/ (noun) — Critical assessment of a process or activity or of their results.
• connect /kəˈnɛkt/ (verb) — To join (to another object): to attach, or to be intended to attach or capable of attaching, to another object.
• introduce /ˌɪntɹəˈdus/ (verb) — To cause (someone) to be acquainted (with someone else).
• fundamental /ˌfʌn.dəˈmɛn.təl/ (adjective) — Related to a foundation, base, or basis; serving as a foundation.
• mindset /ˈmaɪn(d)ˌsɛt/ (noun) — A way of thinking; an attitude or opinion, especially a habitual one.
• seminar /ˈsɛmɪnɑɹ/ (noun) — A class held for advanced studies in which students meet regularly to discuss original research, under the guidance of a professor.
• spontaneous /spɑnˈteɪ.ni.əs/ (adjective) — Self-directed; happening or acting without external cause or instigation; proceeding from natural feeling, temperament, or momentary impulse.
• collaborate /kəˈlæb.ə.ɹeɪt/ (verb) — To work together with others to achieve a common goal.
• declarative /dɪˈklæɹ.ə.tɪv/ (adjective) — Serving to declare; having the quality of a declaration.
• instinctual /ɪnˈstɪŋk.t͡ʃuː.əl/ (adjective) — Of, relating to, or derived from instinct.
• mentorship (noun) — The role or state of being a mentor.

Phrasal verbs you will hear

• come up with (verb) — To manage to produce, deliver, or present (something) by inventing, creating, thinking of, or obtaining it.

Pronunciation to watch

The speaker uses 4 contractions and reduced forms, such as doesn't, I've, isn't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.

• Long words — get the stress right: fundamental /ˌfʌn.dəˈmɛn.təl/, spontaneous /spɑnˈteɪ.ni.əs/, collaborate /kəˈlæb.ə.ɹeɪt/, declarative /dɪˈklæɹ.ə.tɪv/, instinctual /ɪnˈstɪŋk.t͡ʃuː.əl/

How to practise with this video

1. Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
2. Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
3. Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like defensive, feedback, connect.