5 ways Shadowing in English 英語跟讀學習法
This article is my note after watching Hadar’s video.
英文跟讀是一個很有效的學習英文方式，我自從看完里茲螞蟻分享之後，就一直持續練習。
Shadowing is repeating what the speakers are saying.
跟讀顧名思義，就是聽到什麼，就重複模仿講一遍！
這個方法可以延伸到許多層面，例如當我們遇到不會的單字，查字典按下發音播放，我們跟著講一遍，這個方法就這麼簡單～！跟讀法非常有助於加強英文口說與增加英文語感。
Shadowing in English (Imitation exercise or Echoing exercise) is a good way to improve English speaking and listening and even develop intuition!
Benefits of doing Shadowing. 學習跟讀法的益處
1. Speak English more naturally 更自然地說英文
We can understand things in English on a deeper level. As we are shadowing, we can feel the rhythm of the words, the pronunciation of native speakers and so on. For me, especially the English collocations, with understanding the environment or situation, I learn not only vocabulary but also the natural way to speak.
跟讀能夠讓我們理解母語人士的發音、抑揚頓挫、單字慣用法、腔調等．我們能夠在相關主題或環境下，理解母語人士怎麼回答，透過跟讀模仿，可以加強英語語感唷！
2. Learn extra words as you close listen 學習使用單字
Practising shadowing can give you very extra confidence in your English speaking and grant you the ability to express yourself while communicating.
跟讀別人的演講、聊天、訪談等自己有相關的議題，想像主角就是自己，透過跟讀訓練表達能力。
We can learn extra feeling words which we don’t use in normal life. With video or topic-oriented podcasts, we can get a deeper understanding of specific English collocation and even rhythm or sounds like native speakers.
3. Convenient and exercise anytime 隨時隨地練習英文的好機會
It is something you can do on the go (busy) when you are walking or doing dishes. I like to practice this as I am showering, commuting and learning before going to bed.
跟讀法只需要透過手機裝置在家就能練習英文！（若要很深入加強的話請找有字幕或逐字稿的影音內容）
Nowadays, because we all wear a mask on public transportation, I would do shadowing on the train without making too much sound or even just air sound. ( Seize the opportunity to practice! ) 對了，因為現在都戴口罩的關係，我會利用上班通勤時間大眾運輸上跟讀（小小聲地）～
How to do it? 怎麼跟讀？
Here are 2 options from the author and I just categorize them according to my normal timetable as an office worker. 我將影片的作者提出的兩點，以一般上班族可以利用的時間（就是我～），做出兩個分類。
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1. Echo the person without pausing the audio 邊聽邊念
| Anytime only if you are listening podcast
Play the audio 播放整段影音 -> Echo 不間斷馬上跟著念一遍
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2. Pause after each line and repeat 一句一句唸
| When commuting, walking or at home.
Play a line 播放一句話 -> Pause 案暫停 -> Repeat 跟著唸一遍
When you are more concentrated and you are seated. Ideally, if you have a script of what you are shadowing.
Extra Tips 更有效的跟讀方法
Set a simple goal for yourself before shadowing. ( Put a post-it on your desk )
為自己設定學習目標，只專注在你要學的東西上！！！
For example:
1. I want to be mindful of specific-topic vocabulary. 鎖定特定主題單字
2. How this person ends their sentence when…. 觀察如何使用句子
3. See how people express themselves as they are being stressed…. 觀察情緒反應
We are not doing copy-paste or like a parrot. We could learn more if we pay attention on what we want to learn. Be self-aware and you can make a change in how you say things in English.
Although in my view, doing shadowing as a copycat is no big deal, and I love doing it as an everyday routine. It also can improve English pronunciation.
自己非常同意有意識學習是一件好事，但有時候，我很常就把跟讀當作背景音樂一樣，放podcast，覺得有興趣的內容就會想要跟著說一次或寫下來。
5 Tips to optimize practice:
1. Select a voice you love. 模仿你想成為的人
Pick role models we want to be and master a sound similar to theirs. Moreover, we should choose a video according to our English level.
2. Slow down the playback speed if needed. 不懂就放慢或耐心停下來查
If you cannot understand words, just pause or slow down to pay more attention to them.
3. Read Script after shadowing. 聽完後，去讀逐字稿！
Copy them to your notes and highlight words challenging for you.
4. Record yourself shadowing the speaker and listen to it. 跟讀並錄音
Play -> pause -> repeat -> record -> listen and check
This is time-consuming but it is helpful for you to notice the difference from the point of view of outsiders. Useful app to record: 流利說雅思/ Murmur (voice diary)
5. Just focus on a specific part of speech and repeat. 跟讀十分鐘就好
No need to do the entire video or Podcast episode. Shadowing 3–10 mins and repeating it again and again.
Quality, not quantity.
Here are the sharing materials
以下分享練習跟讀的資源參考
More materials to practice shadowing: Podcast / The author’s Podcast and website / Youtube/ Tedtalk / BBC / Netflix / Disney+ / materials (Link) from Liz /Anything you like.
Sources for shadowing 我的跟讀內容：
Podcast： IELTS PLUS, BBC 6 min English, Radio Headspace,
Youtube： Jenn Imm, Rowena tsai, Chen Lily
Ted Talk ( choose topic you like)
Voice Tube : 英語口說挑戰
TV series : Queer eyes/ Friends/ Chef’s Table / Fresh Off the Boat
Audio book : Pretty Happy by Kate Hudson / The Mastery of Love by don Miguel Ruiz ( choose topic you like)
I am Carol, a self-learner.
If you like this, just clap!
覺得讚讚的話，就拍拍手吧！
