Shadowing Technique in English: are you wasting your time?

Summary

In this informative video, Hadar Shemesh introduces the shadowing exercise as an effective method for improving English pronunciation and fluency. She explains the technique, which involves mimicking native speakers, and emphasizes its benefits for developing language intuition and rhythm. Hadar also addresses common mistakes and offers practical tips for optimizing the exercise, such as setting specific intentions, slowing down audio for careful listening, and using scripts to focus on challenging sounds. She encourages viewers to practice quality over quantity and to join her InFluency community for further support.

Takeaways

• 📚 Shadowing exercise is a powerful method to improve English pronunciation and fluency.
• 🎯 It helps develop linguistic intuition by feeling the rhythm and sounds of the language beyond just logical understanding.
• 🔍 Shadowing enhances listening skills by focusing on melody, intonation, and rhythm, which are crucial for clear communication.
• 🚶‍♂️ The technique can be practiced in various settings, making it an efficient way to improve language skills while multitasking.
• 📝 Two main shadowing methods are mentioned: echoing immediately after a speaker and pausing after a line to repeat it, allowing for deeper focus.
• 🙅‍♀️ A common mistake is shadowing without intention, which means not focusing on specific aspects of speech to improve.
• 🎯 Setting an intention for what to improve, such as specific sounds or intonation patterns, is crucial for effective shadowing practice.
• 🔑 Being mindful of vowel sounds, stressed words, and intonation can lead to significant changes in pronunciation habits.
• 👂 Listening to and repeating challenging sounds or minimal pairs can help distinguish between similar sounds in English.
• 📹 Recording and reviewing your shadowing can provide insights into areas needing improvement and enhance the quality of practice.
• 🌟 Selecting a voice to shadow that resonates with you can make the practice more enjoyable and effective.
• 🔄 Slowing down audio for practice allows for better attention to detail and can be adjusted as needed for comprehension and repetition.

Q & A

What is the main topic of Hadar's video?

The main topic of Hadar's video is about how to do the best possible shadowing exercise to improve English language skills.

Why is shadowing considered beneficial for English learners according to Hadar?

Shadowing is beneficial because it helps develop intuition, enhances understanding of rhythm, intonation, and melody, and allows for practice in various everyday situations.

What does Hadar suggest as an alternative name for the shadowing exercise?

Hadar suggests calling it the 'echoing exercise' as it involves repeating what someone else is saying.

How does Hadar define 'intuition' in the context of language learning?

In the context of language learning, 'intuition' refers to an understanding of the language on a deeper, non-logical level, where learners can feel the rhythm of words and sounds.

What are some of the elements of speech that shadowing can help learners to notice?

Shadowing can help learners to notice elements such as melody, intonation, rhythm, and the overall flow of speech, which are important for effective communication.

What is the first method Hadar describes for doing the shadowing exercise?

The first method Hadar describes involves playing the audio and echoing or shadowing the speaker without pausing, repeating what they say a split second after them.

What is the advantage of the first shadowing method mentioned by Hadar?

The advantage of the first method is its convenience and flexibility, allowing learners to practice shadowing anytime and anywhere, such as while driving or doing chores.

What is the second method for shadowing that Hadar recommends and what does it involve?

The second method involves being more focused and seated, ideally with the script of the speech, playing a line, pausing, and then repeating it.

What is the biggest mistake learners make when doing shadowing exercises, according to Hadar?

The biggest mistake is not setting an intention for what they are paying attention to and trying to improve, which can lead to missing out on important information and not effectively working on specific areas of pronunciation or speech.

What advice does Hadar give for optimizing the shadowing exercise?

Hadar advises to select a speaker with a voice that resonates with the learner, slow down the pace if necessary, work with a script, record oneself shadowing, and focus on setting an intention for specific aspects of speech to improve.

How does Hadar suggest learners can deepen their practice with the shadowing exercise?

Hadar suggests that learners can deepen their practice by focusing on specific aspects such as distinguishing between vowel pairs, intonation patterns, stressed words, and sentence endings.

What is the importance of setting an intention when shadowing according to Hadar?

Setting an intention helps learners to focus on specific aspects of speech they want to improve, making the practice more effective and leading to changes in pronunciation or speaking habits.

How does Hadar recommend learners to deal with challenging sounds or words during shadowing?

Hadar recommends being mindful of the challenging sounds or words, focusing on them during the shadowing exercise, and repeating them until they become more natural.

What is the role of the InFluency community in Hadar's video?

The InFluency community is a group where members practice together on video, including shadowing techniques, and is a place where learners can join to enhance their English skills through communal practice.

How can viewers connect with Hadar and stay updated with her content?

Viewers can connect with Hadar by visiting her website hadarshemesh.com, following her on Instagram at @hadar.accentsway, and subscribing to her channel.