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Shadowing practice: How to LEARN ENGLISH well - DON'T STOP Learning! #englishaddictwithmrduncan

Listen to the line, then say it out loud
Line 1

Full transcript

  1. Over the years I have received thousands of questions concerning the process of learning the English language.0:01
  2. Many of these questions relate not only to the language itself but also about the methods and secrets of picking up the language.0:08
  3. It would appear that many students worry more about the process of learning English rather than the actual subject itself.0:20
  4. One of the most common questions relates to the amount of time it takes to learn English to a high level.0:29
  5. How long does it actually take to learn English?0:39
  6. When do you know that you have learnt enough English to stop doing it?0:43
  7. Well, my answer to that is simple.0:49
  8. You don't stop.0:54
  9. You never come to the end of the learning process.0:56
  10. There will always be something new to learn in the world of English.1:00
  11. Just like anything in life you never actually stop learning.1:09
  12. As I have explained in the past the beginning of your learning journey is quite often the hardest part.1:14
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  1. Creating your own environment in which to learn English is very important.1:22
  2. However, as you continue your learning journey there will be moments of self -doubt.1:28
  3. This is nothing unusual as we all go through a period of feeling as if we are not doing as well as we should be.1:36
  4. There will be moments where you feel as if you are not progressing any further.1:44
  5. To progress is to move forward.1:52
  6. We expect this to happen all the time but sadly in reality this is not always possible.1:56
  7. The learning process will not always be easy.2:04
  8. There will be times when you feel as if you can't continue.2:09
  9. I always say that it is those particular moments when you need that extra motivation to carry on.2:14
  10. I think sometimes it is possible to put too much pressure on oneself.2:24
  11. We often expect to see results quickly especially when we are spending a lot of time and effort on one particular thing.2:30
  12. But learning does not occur in that way.2:39
  13. The action of studying and learning is a gradual process.2:44
  14. Something gradual slowly happens quite often without us even realizing it.2:50
  15. What I am saying is that learning happens over time quite often without you even realizing it.2:58
  16. This leads me to my next point.3:07
  17. It is not unusual for students to lose sight of what they have learned.3:10
  18. To lose sight of something is to not realize that something is happening.3:16
  19. It is common for people learning a new skill to not notice that they are improving.3:23
  20. The learning process is a little bit like life.3:30
  21. As you go through life you learn new things quite often without even realizing it.3:34
  22. The same thing is true with learning English or any new skill.3:42
  23. This is one of the reasons why we have tests and exams.3:48
  24. They are not just used as a way of testing your abilities.3:54
  25. They are also there to allow you to appreciate your progress.3:58
  26. I always say that self -doubt is the destroyer of confidence.4:03
  27. It can take away your positive spirit.4:09
  28. But once you realize that this feeling is normal then you can quickly move on and continue with your work.4:12
  29. That inner positivity will keep you moving forward.4:21
  30. We all have moments when we feel as if we are not moving in the right direction.4:26
  31. My advice is simple.4:32
  32. It is all those moments of worry and self -doubt when you need the most strength to push forward.4:35
  33. Tell yourself that you can do it.4:43
  34. You will do it.4:47
  35. There is nothing to stop you.4:49
  36. I have learned this from my own experience of both learning and teaching.4:51
  37. There are times when things seem hard but those moments will pass.4:59
  38. Don't stop learning English.5:05
  39. Do not give up even when things seem difficult.5:08
  40. In actual fact you are probably doing much better than you realize.5:12

Why this B1 commentary from Mr Duncan is good english speaking practice

This clip is english speaking practice built from a single voice talking straight to camera, no cuts, no other speakers. Mr Duncan works through one idea, that learning English never really finishes, across all 52 lines of the recording. At B1 level and a measured 148 words per minute, the pace gives you enough time to catch each phrase without racing past it. His accent stays clear and consistent throughout, which is what makes this steady, unbroken piece to camera solid british english pronunciation practice: one voice, one register, nothing to adjust to mid clip.

The topic itself is worth following, not just the sound of it. He talks about the moments of self doubt that turn up partway through learning a language, why progress can feel invisible while it is still happening, and why the answer to how long it takes to learn English is simply that you do not stop. That makes the lines worth repeating for their meaning as well as their rhythm.

The phrasing in this clip that will help you improve your english accent

Mr Duncan speaks slowly and deliberately for learners, so short, plain sentences carry the weight instead of complicated grammar. That makes his stress and pausing easy to copy, which is exactly what you want when you try to improve your english accent on a first pass through a line.

  • "You don't stop." is two blunt words dropped after a long build up question, and the flat stop lands hard on the final word.
  • "You never come to the end of the learning process." stretches across the whole line with no natural break, good practice for breath control and even pacing.
  • "The action of studying and learning is a gradual process." is dense with soft consonants, worth saying slowly before you try to match his speed.

A line by line plan for english listening practice with this clip

Work through the opening minute of this commentary in order rather than jumping around. This is english listening practice first, speaking practice second: get the meaning, then get the mouth moving.

  • Listen to lines 1 to 6 once without pausing, just to catch that he is building up to one question: how long does it take to learn English.
  • Go back to line 8, "You don't stop.", and line 9, "You never come to the end of the learning process.", and shadow this line pair three or four times until the stop and the stretch both feel automatic.
  • Move to lines 14 to 21 where he names self doubt directly. Read "There will be moments where you feel as if you are not progressing any further." out loud before you listen again, then compare your version to his.
  • Finish on line 25, "The action of studying and learning is a gradual process.", repeating it until the string of soft consonants stops slowing you down.
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