The Joy of Shadowing
Shadowing is one of my favorite activities to do, simply for fun. It's not really about improving my language skills but more about the thrill of impersonating another person. I even do this in English, mimicking different actors, accents, and even singing! I remember my mom pointing out that I sounded like Rihanna when singing "Diamonds In The Sky." Interestingly, I had NO idea it was called shadowing.
Early Beginnings
At around 11 years old, while my mom watched soap operas—dramatic shows all in Spanish—I got curious. I couldn't understand a word since I hadn't formally learned the language yet, but the intense emotions were SO interesting. What were they arguing about?... Without understanding, I decided to copy some of the words. After a few months of watching, I realized my brain had picked up common phrases repeated over and over. I distinctly remember a show called La Rosa de Guadalupe, repeating phrases like "¿Qué te pasa?" or "No me mientes" or "Y sabes que..."
The Power of Three-Word Phrase..
Notice how these phrases are all three words long? We have plenty of similar structures in English that you can pay attention to while watching English series. Phrases:
"I gotta go"
"That sounds good"
"Let's do it"
This practice is exactly what helped me sound natural, and that feedback came from other people,... not just me.
Unexpected Recognition
When I started my first formal Spanish class in school, my teacher asked me how I learned Spanish or if I'd been to Mexico before. I was surprised—I'd never learned formally and had never been to Mexico. Yet, similar comments came from various clients and friends of my mom's business, all from Spanish-speaking countries. This proves that the shadowing method is effective.
Applying It to Mandarin
Now, I've been applying shadowing to Mandarin, and after years of practice,
I can tell you the best way to implement this is casually, with low effort. Make it a regular practice to listen to content in English, choosing an accent you like. Pay attention to the voice of those you are shadowing, as this can influence how you sound when speaking the language.
Picking Who You Shadow Like Picking Your Outfit
So, you're starting shadowing, trying different voices in your new language like you're sampling ice cream flavors. Here's a fun tip: when you're picking a voice to shadow, think of it like you're choosing your outfit for a party. You want it to fit just right, right?
Match Your Vibe: Imagine you've got a deep, smooth voice that turns heads in a room. Now, if you start shadowing someone whose voice is super high-pitched, you might end up sounding like you inhaled a balloon's worth of helium! If you're a guy used to your voice being all deep and mysterious, try to find a shadowing buddy in your target language that matches that vibe.
Why It's a Big Deal: Ever seen a big, burly dude talking and a tiny, squeaky voice comes out? It's a bit of a surprise, isn't it? That's kind of what happens if you shadow voices that are way different from yours. People who know you might do a double-take, wondering where the 'real' you went. It's not about not exploring or having fun—oh, please do! It's more about keeping your shadowing game strong and in line with how you naturally sound.
Have Fun, But Keep It Real: In the beginning, go wild! Shadowing is about having fun and getting comfy with the language. Try different voices, sing like Rihanna if it makes you happy, but when you're ready to get serious, start picking voices that sound like they could come out of your mouth. It’s like choosing the right pair of shoes—make sure they fit well, so you can walk confidently!
Join Me for Shadowing Training
Don't forget, you can always contact me for shadowing training. We can do it together one-on-one. It's honestly one of my favorite activities to do with my students. I can help you find a voice that is suitable for you to shadow. You never know,... you could make significant progress with this simple practice, improving your listening comprehension and adding more of YOUR personality to your English speaking.
What would you rather shadow?
A Ted Talk
An Interview
A song
A Youtube Vlog
CONCLUSION: Shadowing—Not Just an Exercise, but a Path to Fluency
Shadowing isn’t just an exercise; it's an effective tool for fluency and personal expression. It not only improves your language skills but also infuses your speech with personality, making your interactions richer and more authentic. So, have you ever tried shadowing in your language learning journey? How has it transformed your speaking abilities? Share your experiences and let's inspire each other to explore new dimensions of language learning!
If you want to learn from more of my mistakes ...
What other kinds of activities can we use in addition to shadowing?