Shadowing guides
Everything you need to practise shadowing on your own: how the technique works, how to pick what to shadow, and what to listen for in English, French and Spanish.
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- What is shadowing?Shadowing is speaking along with a recording at the same time as the speaker. Learn how it works, why it improves rhythm and intonation, and how to start.
- How long does shadowing take to work?What to expect from daily shadowing practice: what changes first, what takes longer, and how to tell whether your accent is really moving.
- How to choose speakers and clips for shadowingWhat makes a good shadowing clip: the right speaker, natural speech, clear audio, the right length and where to cut. With a checklist.
- Shadowing vs other pronunciation methodsHow shadowing compares with listen-and-repeat, minimal pairs, reading aloud and learning phonetics, what each is good for, and how to combine them.
English
- How to improve your English accent with shadowingA practical 15-minute daily shadowing routine for your English accent: choosing clips, the four steps, recording yourself and measuring progress over 12 weeks.
- Which English accent should you shadow?General American, Southern British and General Australian compared for shadowing: the features to listen for, and how to choose one to practise.
French
- How to improve your French accent with shadowingA 15-minute daily shadowing routine for your French accent: French rhythm, liaison and linking, vowels, nasal vowels and the French “r”, and how to track progress.
- Parisian or Québécois: which French accent should you shadow?Metropolitan (Parisian) and Québécois French compared for shadowing: the main differences in vowels, consonants and melody, and how to choose.
Spanish
- How to improve your Spanish accent with shadowingA 15-minute daily shadowing routine for your Spanish accent: Spanish rhythm, the five vowels, “r” and “rr”, soft b, d and g, linking, and tracking progress.
- Mexican, Spain or Rioplatense: which Spanish accent should you shadow?Mexican, Peninsular (Spain) and Rioplatense Spanish compared for shadowing: the sounds that set each apart, and how to choose one to practise.