Shadowing is repeating the words that you hear someone say.  Complete shadowing is repeating the words that you hear EXACTLY as you hear them.  You will copy the:

• words
• pauses
• stress patterns (stressed and unstressed syllables)
• rhythm (timing of the stressed syllables)
• intonation

Shadowing a native speaker of English will help your pronunciation by making you:

• follow a natural speed
• speak in natural thought groups
• copy correct stress patterns
• copy correct rhythm patterns
• copy correct intonation patterns

Doing these things will

• give your mouth muscles practice in making the sounds of English faster than you normally speak
• help you internalize the correct patterns of English

With repeated practice of shadowing, your spoken English should:

• become more fluent
• become easier and more comfortable

REMEMBER, this won't happen overnight.  This won't happen next week.  However, continued shadowing will help your pronunciation improve.

Sources for Shadowing

Beginning

• Voice of America (VOA) Special English
• California Distance Learning Project (CDLP) Story Index
• Randall's Cyber Listening Lab  Try the EASY quizzes first.

Intermediate

• National Geographic Videos in the News
• Health Central - Video Library
• Randall's Cyber Listening Lab  Try the Medium quizzes.
• Earth and Sky - Radio Shows
• Family Health Radio Today's show or Archives

Advanced  (Be aware of non-native accents!)

• Learn Out Loud
• Free Streaming Audio Lectures
• WGBH Forum Network
• World Affairs Council
• TED  Technology, Entertainment, Design--Ideas Worth Spreading

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