What is shadowing?
Before we begin your speaking practice, I want to explain what shadowing is and what I’m going to ask you to do in this video. When shadowing, you repeat what someone is saying with as little delay as possible. It’s not “repeat after me”; it’s “speak along with me”. While I speak, you will speak, too, trying to match my speech patterns, intonation and pronunciation.
Shadowing is a great way to improve your speaking, especially if you don’t have anyone to speak with. Once you know the technique, you can use literally any audio you want to practise more; just choose a person who you want to sound like and go for it.
When shadowing, the primary focus is not on the vocabulary or the grammar; it’s on mimicking the pronunciation of a native speaker (or a non-native speaker if you prefer).
Let's practice:
Shadowing: Part 1
The other night, Will and I were sitting down to dinner when we heard a thump above our heads.
Shadowing: Part 2
We live in an old house, so we just shrugged it off and started eating. There was another, louder thud and then what sounded like footsteps!
Shadowing: Part 3
I am not joking when I tell you the hairs on my arms stood on end. Even Will looked a bit shaken, which is not like him at all. He called our dog Diego for company and went upstairs to investigate.
Shadowing: Part 4
Moments later, Diego came bounding down the stairs with a tennis ball in his mouth. What do you know? A bunch of tennis balls’d fallen off the top of the wardrobe and rolled down the landing. Will and I felt a bit silly, but Diego was happy!
FULL TEXT
The other night, Will and I were sitting down to dinner when we heard a thump above our heads. We live in an old house, so we just shrugged it off and started eating. There was another, louder thud and then what sounded like footsteps! I am not joking when I tell you the hairs on my arms stood on end. Even Will looked a bit shaken, which is not like him at all. He called our dog Diego for company and went upstairs to investigate. Moments later, Diego came bounding down the stairs with a tennis ball in his mouth. What do you know? A bunch of tennis balls’d fallen off the top of the wardrobe and rolled down the landing. Will and I felt a bit silly, but Diego was happy!
VOCABULARY
thump n /θʌmp/ - a heavy, dull sound that is made when a solid object hits something
The loud thump of the door slamming shut echoed through the abandoned building.
to shrug something off phr v - to dismiss or ignore something and treat it as unimportant
We had heard bad things about the airline, but we shrugged it off and bought tickets anyway.
thud n /θʌd/ - a dull sound that is produced when a heavy object falls or hits a surface
The book fell off the shelf with a thud, making everyone in the library jump.
to stand on end (of hair) phr - when hair stands on end, it rises up and away from the skin because of cold, fear or excitement
The howling of the wind made the hairs on my arms stand on end in the dark night.
shaken adj /ˈʃeɪkən/ - feeling upset, shocked or disturbed by an experience or event I felt shaken after the car accident, though thankfully, I wasn’t seriously hurt.
company n /ˈkʌmpəni/ - the fact of being with another person rather than alone My mum came to keep me company while my husband was away.
to bound v /baʊnd/ - to run with large, energetic steps or jumps My dog bounded towards me, delighted to see me after a day apart.
landing n /ˈlændɪŋ/ - the area of floor at the top of a staircase that leads to rooms or another staircase
The bathroom is the third door on the right off the landing.