HOW TO LEARN ENGLISH BY SHADOWING

“Repeat after me…”

How many times have you heard this in class or from your tutor?

Repeating spoken English, often known as English shadowing, is an excellent practice for improving overall English speaking ability.

What is English Shadowing and why should we use this technique?

The English shadowing technique is a language learning method that involves closely imitating and repeating spoken English, typically by mimicking native speakers. This technique aims to improve various aspects of language skills, including pronunciation, intonation, rhythm, and overall fluency. You may have previously done this in class by repeating a new phrase with your teacher.

Shadowing is an excellent way for beginner English learners to enhance their speaking skills.

- Improves Pronunciation: Shadowing engenders an opportunity for learners to emulate with precision the enunciation and intonation employed by native speakers, thereby fostering the cultivation of a more authentic and precise accent.

- Enhances Listening Skills: By closely following and repeating what native speakers say, learners improve their ability to understand spoken English across diverse accents and contextual frameworks.

- Focuses on Real-Life Language Use: Shadowing often involves authentic materials like podcasts, movies, or conversations. This immersion extends to colloquial expressions, idiomatic constructions, and informal language, thereby affording a nuanced comprehension of real-world linguistic applications.

- Enhances Overall Language Skills: The holistic nature of the shadowing technique, encompassing listening, speaking, and pronunciation facets, collectively contributes to a comprehensive elevation of language skills.

- Time-Efficient Practice: Shadowing sessions can be relatively short, making it a time-efficient practice method. Even just a few minutes of daily shadowing can lead to noticeable improvements over time.

How to learn English by shadowing?

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to learn English by shadowing technique:

- Choose Audio Materials: Select audio materials that match your current proficiency level. encompassing diverse mediums such as podcasts, audiobooks, dialogues from movies, or language-learning resources with accompanying audio. Prioritize regular, punctilious integration of shadowing exercises into one's daily language learning regimen, acknowledging that even brief, daily sessions can yield perceptible enhancements over an extended duration.

- Start with Short Segments: Begin with short segments of the audio, such as sentences or phrases. This helps you concentrate on specific patterns and nuances. You should also choose short films that allow you to listen to real-world English that isn’t too long and overwhelming. Many short films are no more than 20 minutes and some are less than 10 minutes. 

- Listen Actively: Initiate the practice by undertaking brief segments of the auditory material, focusing on discrete linguistic patterns and nuanced subtleties within sentences or phrases.

- Repeat Immediately: Repeat the sentences or phrases out loud immediately after hearing them. Pay close attention to mimicking the speaker's tone, rhythm, and stress patterns.

- Record Yourself: Raffording the learner the opportunity for self-review when reviewing your pronunciation and identifying areas for improvement. It also helps track your progress over time.

- Compare with the Original: Compare your pronunciation with the original audio. Take note of differences and work on adjusting your speech to match the native speaker more closely.

- Repeat Regularly: Consistency is key. Incorporate shadowing into your daily language learning routine. Even short, daily sessions can lead to significant improvements over time.

Remember, the goal of shadowing is not just to mimic words but to internalize the rhythm, intonation, and natural flow of the language. Over time, this technique can greatly contribute to your overall English language proficiency.