How to LEVEL UP your English with TED | this habit transformed my accent

Summary

In this video, the speaker introduces the language learning technique of 'shadowing' to improve English pronunciation and fluency. They share their personal journey of overcoming initial difficulties with the method and explain how it can help in speaking English without focusing on grammar or pronunciation. The speaker demonstrates shadowing with a TED Talk by Olympic champion Allison Felix, discussing fears and mindset. The video encourages viewers to practice shadowing with various English media to enhance language skills and knowledge.

Takeaways

• 😲 The speaker expresses surprise at the disbelief of foreign friends when they learn he is Russian and has never been abroad.
• 🗣️ The speaker introduces the language learning technique called 'shadowing', which they have mentioned in previous videos.
• 🎯 The speaker shares their initial fear and failure with shadowing, but emphasizes the importance of perseverance.
• 💡 Shadowing can improve vocabulary, pronunciation, and allow speaking English without focusing on grammar or pronunciation.
• 🌐 The speaker recommends using YouTube as a resource for shadowing practice due to its variety of speakers and topics.
• 🎥 The speaker selects a video featuring Olympic champion Allison Felix discussing fears and mindset for shadowing practice.
• 🔁 The process involves listening to a short segment of the video, then repeating it using the shadowing technique.
• 🎧 Recording one's voice while shadowing can help track progress and identify pronunciation mistakes.
• 📚 The speaker suggests practicing shadowing multiple times a week and also trying it with movies, series, or songs.
• 🔗 The speaker provides a link to the video used for shadowing in the video description and invites viewers to follow them on social media for more learning resources.

Q & A

What is the technique discussed in the video script for improving English language skills?

The technique discussed in the video script is called 'shadowing,' which involves listening to a speaker and then repeating what they say to improve vocabulary, pronunciation, and fluency in English.

Why do some people find it hard to believe that the speaker is Russian?

People find it hard to believe that the speaker is Russian because they assume that someone with such good English skills must have lived abroad or be from an English-speaking country.

What was the speaker's initial reaction when they tried shadowing for the first time?

The speaker was initially scared and disappointed when they tried shadowing for the first time because they couldn't get any words and couldn't believe in themselves.

How does the shadowing technique help in learning English according to the speaker?

The shadowing technique helps in learning English by allowing the learner to speak without thinking about pronunciation, grammar, or making mistakes, thus improving fluency and natural speech.

What platform does the speaker recommend for practicing the shadowing technique?

The speaker recommends using YouTube for practicing the shadowing technique because it has a variety of speakers with different accents and topics.

What is the first step the speaker suggests after picking a video for shadowing?

The first step after picking a video for shadowing is to listen to the speaker for about two to three minutes or even just one minute to get accustomed to the speech, voice, and speed.

Why does the speaker choose a video about Olympian Allison Felix for the shadowing practice?

The speaker chooses a video about Olympian Allison Felix because it discusses fears and mindset, and how to overcome fears during Olympic Games, which the speaker finds interesting and engaging for practice.

How does the speaker suggest practicing the shadowing technique after getting accustomed to the speech?

The speaker suggests returning to the beginning of the video and start watching it again while practicing shadowing, repeating what the speaker says as closely as possible.

What additional tip does the speaker give for tracking progress while shadowing?

The speaker suggests recording one's own voice while shadowing to track progress, identify mistakes, and repeat the process until improvements are made.

Can the shadowing technique be applied to other forms of media besides YouTube videos?

Yes, the shadowing technique can also be applied to movies, series, or songs, as it is the same principle of mimicking and repeating what is heard.

How often does the speaker practice the shadowing technique?

The speaker practices the shadowing technique two or even three times a week because they find it amazing and helpful for their language learning.

Outlines

00:00

🗣️ Shadowing Technique for Language Learning

The speaker introduces the concept of shadowing, a technique they use to improve their English language skills. They explain that many people are surprised to learn they are Russian and have never been abroad, which is why they use shadowing to sound more native. The technique involves mimicking speech from videos, focusing on vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar without conscious thought. The speaker suggests using YouTube as a resource, choosing a video with a speaker and topic of interest, and then listening and repeating the speech. They share their personal experience of initially struggling with shadowing due to fear of failure but eventually overcoming it through persistent practice.

05:00

🏃‍♀️ Overcoming Fears as an Athlete

The speaker shares a video of Olympic champion Ellison Felix, who discusses her fears and mindset, particularly her experience of being pregnant and training for the Olympics. Felix reveals her secret pregnancy and the fears associated with it, such as sponsors withdrawing support and the potential end of her career. The speaker uses this video as an example for practicing shadowing, encouraging the audience to listen, repeat, and record themselves to track progress and correct mistakes. The process involves starting with a short segment, repeating it, and then gradually increasing the length as comfort and skill improve.

10:02

💪 The Impact of Pregnancy on Athletic Careers

The speaker continues with the video of Ellison Felix, who talks about the challenges faced by female athletes when they become pregnant. Felix mentions the common belief that pregnancy can be the 'kiss of death' for a track and field athlete's career, due to the associated fears and challenges. The speaker emphasizes the importance of practicing the shadowing technique regularly, suggesting that it can be applied to various forms of media like movies, series, or songs. They conclude by encouraging the audience to try the technique and providing a link to the video for further practice. The speaker also invites the audience to follow them on social media for additional resources to improve English skills.

Keywords

💡Shadowing

Shadowing is a language learning technique where a learner listens to a speaker and immediately repeats what they hear, aiming to mimic the speaker's pronunciation, intonation, and rhythm. In the video, the host uses shadowing to improve their English fluency, focusing on vocabulary, pronunciation, and the natural flow of speech. The host demonstrates shadowing by repeating phrases from a video of Olympic champion Allison Felix discussing her fears and mindset.

💡Pronunciation

Pronunciation refers to the way words are articulated when spoken. It is an essential aspect of language learning, as it allows for clear communication. The video emphasizes the importance of pronunciation in language learning, suggesting that shadowing can help improve it by mimicking native speakers. The host illustrates this by repeating words and phrases from the video, focusing on the correct sounds and stress patterns.

💡Vocabulary

Vocabulary encompasses the words and phrases that a person knows and can use in a language. Expanding one's vocabulary is crucial for expressing oneself more precisely and understanding others. The script mentions that shadowing can boost vocabulary as learners are exposed to a variety of words and phrases in context. For instance, the host picks up new words while discussing the challenges faced by Allison Felix.

💡Speech

Speech refers to the act of speaking or the manner in which someone speaks. In the context of language learning, improving speech involves enhancing fluency, clarity, and naturalness. The video's theme revolves around refining speech through shadowing, where the host practices speaking without overthinking grammar or pronunciation, aiming for a more natural and fluent delivery.

💡Grammar

Grammar is the set of rules governing the structure of a language, including word order, tense, and agreement. While grammar is important for correct language use, the video suggests that shadowing can help learners speak more fluently by focusing less on grammatical rules and more on the overall flow of speech. The host encourages viewers to practice shadowing to speak English without constantly worrying about grammatical mistakes.

💡Mimic

To mimic means to imitate the behavior, speech, or mannerisms of someone else. In language learning, mimicking native speakers can help learners adopt a more authentic accent and speaking style. The video uses the term 'mimic' to describe the process of shadowing, where the host tries to copy the speaker's voice and speech patterns to improve their own English.

💡Olympic Champion

An Olympic Champion is an athlete who has won a gold medal at the Olympic Games. In the script, Allison Felix is mentioned as an Olympic champion, and her story is used to illustrate the application of shadowing. The host chooses a video featuring Felix to practice shadowing, focusing on her speech about personal fears and mindset, which provides a real-world context for language learning.

💡Fear

Fear is an emotional response to a perceived threat or danger. In the video, Allison Felix discusses her fears related to her pregnancy and how it could impact her athletic career. The concept of fear is central to the video's narrative, as it explores the mindset of a champion and how she overcame personal challenges. The host uses this context to engage viewers and provide a relatable scenario for practicing shadowing.

💡Mindset

Mindset refers to a person's established set of attitudes, beliefs, or values that influence their behavior and approach to situations. The video highlights the importance of a positive mindset, especially in overcoming fears and achieving success. Felix's story exemplifies a strong mindset, which the host encourages viewers to consider while practicing shadowing to improve their language skills.

💡Competitive Athlete

A competitive athlete is someone who participates in sports at a high level, often in competitions or professional leagues. The term is used in the video to describe Allison Felix's career and the challenges she faced as a pregnant athlete. The host uses Felix's experience to underscore the determination and resilience required in high-pressure situations, which can be an inspiration for language learners facing their own challenges.

Highlights

Introducing the shadowing technique for language learning and overcoming initial challenges.

The importance of persistence in language learning despite initial difficulties.

How shadowing can improve vocabulary, pronunciation, and reduce the focus on grammar during speech.

The benefits of shadowing for speaking English without overthinking.

Using YouTube as a resource for shadowing practice with diverse speakers and topics.

The value of shadowing in expanding knowledge on various subjects beyond language learning.

Selecting a video and acclimatizing to the speaker's voice and speech speed.

The process of repeating speech from a video to practice shadowing.

Recording oneself as a method to track progress and identify pronunciation mistakes.

The story of Olympian Allyson Felix and her fears about pregnancy affecting her career.

How to handle moments when you can't immediately repeat a phrase during shadowing.

The impact of pregnancy on the career of female athletes, as shared by Allyson Felix.

Encouragement to practice shadowing with videos, movies, series, or songs.

The recommendation to perform shadowing exercises two to three times a week for effectiveness.

Providing a link to the video used in the demonstration and additional resources for English learning.

Invitation to follow the creator on Instagram and Telegram for more free English learning materials.

Closing remarks expressing gratitude and love to the audience, with an anticipation of the next meeting.

Transcripts

most of my foreign friends most of you

actually get surprised when I tell you

uh when you ask me actually in the

comments below where I'm from what is my

mother time and when I tell you that I'm

Russian that I live in Russia that I

have never been abroad you just can't

believe you just don't buy that I'm

Russian no

and in today's episode I'm going to open

up my strategy this kind of technique

that I use I've been talking about this

technique like uh a lot of times in my

previous videos as well but today I want

to show you the whole process how do I

do this and um you actually can try it

as well today with me so stay tuned and

let's get started so this technique is

called shadowing and I probably can

suggest that you know this uh technique

and maybe some of you already tried to

do so but actually when I tried this

technique for the first time I was just

scared and because of failures because I

couldn't get any words because I

couldn't just believe in myself and I

was a little bit just like disappointed

that I couldn't um follow the speech

and they I couldn't just like repeat

after the speaker everything what I hear

and that made me think about this in a

different perspective that I should try

I should keep trying over and over again

until I can get used to it

we never do something perfect for the

first time just pick it until you make

it this can help you not only boost your

vocabulary not only change your

pronunciation and your speech but this

technique can make you speak in English

without thinking about the pronunciation

without thinking about the grammar and

about all those mistakes that you can

actually

make during your speech during the

conversation and this is a perfect when

you don't have to think about your words

your sentences you just repeat you're

just like a copy catch you know because

you just try to mimic everything what

you hear what you see and yeah the

channel That I use for um this technique

for this practice is T because there are

a lot of speakers they have different

interesting topics uh and you can pick

your favorite one and start listening to

the speakers um this is um the amazing

thing because you are not only working

on your pronunciation on your vocabulary

and such things you are not only working

on your own language you are also expand

your knowledge about different things

and that's why that's just an

interesting thing so um after you picked

the video actually today I picked the

video about a woman she uh is an Olympic

champion um and her name is Ellison

Felix and she's going to talk about

fears and mindset and how to overcome

fears during the those kind of Olympic

Games and what Olympic Champions

experience so the first step you should

take after picking the video you just

listen to the speaker um about two three

or even just one minute just to get

accustomed to the speech to the voice to

the speed of the speech so let's just

listen for a couple of minutes and then

I will tell you what to do

next one of the scariest moments of my

career started on a dark October morning

in

2018 I'm a professional athlete and my

training schedule can be a lot 6 days a

week 5 hours a day it's intense still I

never trained that early but on this day

a special type of fear brought me out at

4:00 a.m. before the sun

a fear that someone might discover a

secret I'd been keeping I was 6 months

pregnant I was pregnant and I was scared

enough to train in the dark so that no

one would see the life that was growing

inside of me I feared that if a fan or

someone posted a photo that my sponsor

would immediately change their mind

about wanting to work with me I feared

that I would be forced to choose between

motherhood and being a competitive

athlete I feel feared that the career I

work so hard to build would disappear

just like

that you think I'm exaggerating

right okay let's stop here if you see

that the speech is uh great if you love

everything actually I love everything I

love your speech I love the speed of it

I love the temp and all of that I am

just upset best so and I really love

this topic so I'm going to keep on

watching it the second step is you can

actually return back to the square

number one so to the beginning of this

video and start watching it again and

start practicing your uh shadowing

technique right away so let me show you

one of the scariest moments of my career

started on a dark October morning in

2018 I'm a professional athlete and my

training schedule can be a lot sched can

be a lot six days a week 5 hours a day

it's int still I never train that early

early so this is how you can actually

repeat and if it's tottally fine for you

it can just keep on going and that's it

so you listen you repeat you can also um

record yourself your voice um because

this is how you can actually uh check on

your own progress and this is how you

can track all those results and maybe um

you can hear some mistakes that you

pronounce some words in a wrong way and

you can get get back to it and repeat

over and over again until you get it

okay let's keep on going you can

actually join me and try to repeat

everything what you

hear but on this day a special type of

fear brought me out at 4:00 a.m. before

the

sun and one more thing if you couldn't

get something you can just get back

actually and listen to this again and

then

repeat a special type of fear brought me

out at 4:00 a.m. before the sun before

this sun a fear that someone might

discover a secret I've been keeping a

secret I've been keeping I was six

months pregnant I was six months

pregnant I was pregnant and I was scared

enough to train in the dark so that no

one would see the life that was growing

inside of me that was growing inside of

I fear that if a fan or someone posted

fan or someone

posted once again

fan or someone posted a photo that my

sponsor would immediately change their

mind about wanting to work with me

immediately change

I okay fan or someone posted a photo

that my sponsor would immediately change

their mind about wanting to work with me

about to work I feared that I would be

forced to choose between motherhood and

being a competitive athlete and being a

competitive athlete so now it's going to

be your turn but I'm going to make

pauses so it's going to be a little bit

easier for you to catch up on

it I feared that the career I worked so

hard to build would disappear just like

that let's listen to it

again I feared that the career I worked

so hard to build I feared that a career

I worked so hard to build

would disappear just like that would

disappear just like

that you think I'm exaggerating

right you think I'm exaggerating right

how could a six-time Olympic champion a

16 time let's listen to that

again how could a six-time Olympic

champion How could a six-time Olympic

champion a 16 time world champion a 16

time world champion a world record

holder a world record holder hold a

world a world record holder possibly

think that her career might be over by

doing something as natural as having a

baby possibly think that her career

might be over by doing something

something as natural as having a

baby as natural is having a

baby well I'm not

exaggerating well I'm not

exaggerating getting pregnant in track

and fi has been called the kiss of

death getting pregnant in track and

field has been called the case of death

and it comes with a lot of

fear and it comes with a lot of fear

just like for women in many

professions just like for women in many

professions well and this is how you

keep on going and keep on practicing and

implementing this technique so basically

I try to do this technique twice or even

three times a week because this is

amazing and this is what I love and

basically you can do this technique not

only by watching some videos on YouTube

you can also pick a movie or pick a

series or something what you like or

even a song This is actually the same

shadowing technique as well when you

sing along with a song

actually so give it a try so thank you

guys for joining me today I do believe

that this video was really useful for

you I left the link on this video that

we were just watching today like a pie

of this video that we were watching um

um I left it in the description below so

check this link and also don't forget to

follow me on my Instagram and on my

telegram Channel where I actually share

with you some books and interesting

stuff for free that can also help you

improve your English and level up so

thank you guys for joining me today I do

believe that we're going to meet in a

week at the same time on Friday as usual

so thank you so much I love you bye