February 8, 2008

Shadow Speaking in ESL

A really great way to practice your pronunciation and enunciation is something called shadow speaking.

This is when you listen to an audio of someone speaking and then repeat back what you hear as you are listening to it.  Usually your voice is about 1/2 a second behind the voice you are listening to.

When you do this, you should be recording your voice into a tape recorder or your computer with some good recording software like audacity.

Here iswhat you do.

  1. get some short, clear audio of someone speaking or reading a text (do not use music)
  2. start with something short (less than 1minute)
  3. listen to the audio one time
  4. then listen to the audio and repeat exactly what you hear as best you can.
  • same speed
  • same volume
  • same pauses
  • same intonation

It will be VERY hard the first few times you try this.  However it will get easier with just a little practice.  In the begining, start by trying to repeat only short phrases or sentences.  When you are comfortable, move onto longer sections.

Do some of this every week and you're speaking will improve greatly.

Eric

 

Permalink • Print • Comment

Trackback uri

http://www.esl-coach.com/blog/shadow-speaking-in-esl.shtml/trackback/

Related Entries

Leave a comment