Shadowing: Can This Method Help You Speak English Fluently?

Can shadowing help you speak English fluently? Watch this video to learn how to do this and why you might prefer to use another method instead.

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Shadowing has become popular with English learners. It's a method where you listen and repeat. You continue listening while you're speaking.

The biggest problem I see with this method is that you can end up with issues with your pronunciation.

You end up mumbling as you try to keep up with the natural audio.

A good test is to record yourself while shadowing. If you sound good, continue doing it. If not...

... try this instead:

1. Listen to an English phrase.
2. Repeat the phrase and record your voice.
3. Compare your version with the original.
4. Make any changes you need to make.
5. Get long-term repetition

Additionally, it's wise to improve your pronunciation before using this method.

That's how my program can help.

It gives you a pronunciation tutorial, this full method, and the phrases you need to improve.

I'll also give you feedback on your speaking.

Thanks for watching!

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[tofluency]

Thanks for watching, everyone! Let me know what you think about shadowing, my method, or any other method you follow. Here are three important links:

[orange_lime]

I've been practicing this for 1, 5 years and it boosted my pronunciation

[jhonatansilva]

I have found that the shadowing technique is a little bit easier for me because I can't count on reading the subtitles in a video and speak at the same time. Since I'm a visually impaired learner, I think my hearing sense is sharper than the others since my brain try to compensate the lack of view. Even though I struggle to read something (I'm low-vision), I had always the habit of recording myself reading motivational quotes in English. In order words, I was practicing shadowing without even knowing. I love to search for lyrics of songs and sing and it also helped me to gain more confidence when speaking. However, I confess I'm not that good when it comes to public skills as Jack, but I'm able to keep a conversation flowing. haha
Las but not least, I'd like to share these quotes, 'working hard is important but there's something that matters even more: BELIEVE IN YOURSELF' and 'you can do anything you set your mind to.' ... AS I DID!

[todololo]

English teacher here. Also someone who speaks English, Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish.
You are missing some really important aspects here -- namely, pauses between sentences, self corrections, filler words, and rhythm -- which are far more valuable than having prefect pronunciation in terms of being a competent speaker, in my opinion. The occasional mumbling isn't going to harm you.


You said that the learners are not going to pick up the stress; that isn't true. Stress is actually one of the things that they are very likely to pick up. Think of it as listening to a song; you can't always pick up all the words, but you can usually pick out the rhythm and the melody (higher tones, lower tones, which are what "stress" is for the most part)


Every method is going to be "flawed" if you only do that one activity in isolation. The imitation method is also "flawed" because it doesn't cover pauses between sentences, self corrections, filler words, and rhythm (by this I mean the overall rhythm of the whole speech, not just one sentence).


Shadowing is indeed a more advanced technique; I've told my students that if their own voice distracts them, it is ok to whisper; I've also told them that if they have trouble following the speaker, they can pause and repeat instead, until they can "shadow". Furthermore, with today's technology, the "speaker speaking too fast" problem can be fixed by simply slowing down the video, which is a function that's on ALL Youtube videos; all you need to do is go into "settings" and change the speed.


*Edit:typo

[laraibra]

I did this method while listening and watching your this video and it’s amazing. Thanks for this video.

[tnurunaga]

This is better for improving pronunciation rather than getting fluency, because I know many people who can speak English fluently, but they mispronounce several words.

[reinemazidath]

I would love to see someone who has experienced this method and has had good results . All i see is Youtubers recommending this method but no one with actual experience and a distance to tell us if it really works .

[jimmmy]

Thank you for your videos. Every time I watch them I learn and improve a lot.

[mollietai]

Let's get it now, together. We love what you teach. THANKS!!!

[teabagenglish]

I should've known this method 6 years ago...thanks very much Teacher

[duedumarques]

Thanks for help us with this method. I'm from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I like the way you teach. Your Classes have helped me very much. I'm sorry if I wrote something wrong.

[makwairmarial]

Hi thank u for welcoming me. my level in English is B1 and i think need to work alot to imporve my accent and writing English.

[linguamus]

The Shadowing Technique is n no way belongs to the professor Alexander Arguelles. I am sorry! With all my respect to him!!!
Let me explain. This method has been used by the so-called Hafiz, who have memorized the Qur'an for at least 1500 years. They may have borrowed this technique from other previous cultures as well. When I was about 10 years old (1983), I also used the same exact method for a short time to memorize some parts of the Quran and verses. And in 1991, when I was 18 years old, I decided to use this method in my language learning process. The point is, by that time, I hadn't heard anyone use it like I did. But I didn't call it my own technique just considering the fact that I just borrowed it and it wasn't my own creation or discovery. And in the process of learning all 14 languages ​​that I have learned, I have used this method. We need to know the truth and respect real knowledge, because it is our life long heritage. Best Regards.

[aj-yxlv]

Good technique jack sir you're videos
I am learning english with help of your impressive video
You're teaching method exceptional
I'm into it special this one...

[BM-dhoc]

I really love your accent sir..im shadowing your videos..it is very much easy for me

[popothit]

Thank you so much for sharing your method. It's very helpful for me.

[nanasichinava]

It works great. your method is super cool Jack and you are so creative person too who never is tired share his experience.Shadowing is great.

[manfredi]

Hi, Jack, since I've known your channel I've enhanced so I would thank you to have given us this possibility that is of big relevance!! I'll adopt your method because I think is more efficient. Greetings!!

[jf]

Its an interesting idea, although it sounds too much like studying. But I'll give it a try.

[jpark]

Well, how many languages do you speak? I think a person who only speaks one language is less likely to feel how we students feel when learning other languages.