Shadowing guides

Short, practical reading on how to get the most out of shadowing and dictation.

• What is shadowing? A simple way to practise speaking English

  Shadowing means repeating what a speaker says, right after them, copying their rhythm and melody. How it works, why it helps and how to start.

  4 min read

• A 15-minute daily shadowing routine

  A short English shadowing routine you can repeat every day: listen first, work through a few sentences, then run them together and review.

  4 min read

• How to choose a good video for shadowing

  Not every video works for shadowing. Look for one clear speaker, accurate subtitles, a comfortable speed and a topic you care about.

  4 min read

• Eight common shadowing mistakes and how to fix them

  Shadowing not working for you? These eight habits slow learners down: going too fast, reading instead of listening, never recording, and more.

  4 min read

• Dictation practice: train your ear by typing what you hear

  Dictation shows exactly which English words your ear misses. How to practise it, how many words to hide, and what your mistakes tell you.

  4 min read

• Shadowing or dictation: which should you practise?

  Shadowing trains speaking, dictation trains listening. How the two exercises differ, when to use each, and a simple weekly plan that combines them.

  4 min read

• How to read IPA: the pronunciation symbols for English

  A short guide to the IPA symbols used for American English: the vowels, the unusual consonants, stress marks, and how to use them when you practise.

  5 min read