Shadowing Practice: Adele - A Million Years Ago/Chopin's Waltz Op.64 No.2 - DAVID DEYL (Official Music Video) - Learn English Speaking with Video

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I only
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wanted to have fun Learning to fly,
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learning to run Let my heart decide the way When I was young Deep down I must have always known
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That this would be inevitable To earn my stripes I'd have to pay and bare my soul
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I know I'm not the only one
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Who regrets the things they've done
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Sometimes I just feel it's only me
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Who can't stand the reflection that they see I wish I could live a little more Look up to the sky,
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not just a floor
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I feel like my life is flashing by And all I can do is watch and cry I miss the air,
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I miss my friends I miss my mother,
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I miss it when Life was a party to be thrown That was a million years ago
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When I walk around all of the streets Where I grew up and found my feet
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They can't look me in the eye,
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it's like they're scared of me I try to think of things to say,
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like a joke or a memory But they don't recognize me now,
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in the night of day
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I know I'm not the only one who regrets the things they've done
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Sometimes I just feel it's only me Who never became who they thought they'd be
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I wish I could live a little more The gap to the sky not just a floor
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I feel like my life is flashing by And all I can do is watch and cry I miss the air,
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I miss my friends I miss my mother,
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I miss it when Life was a party to be thrown But that was a million years ago
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Thank you.

Why Practice Speaking with This Video?

If you’re looking to level up your English speaking—whether for IELTS speaking practice or just sounding more natural—this video is a goldmine. The slow, emotional delivery of the lyrics makes it perfect for shadowspeak (or shadow speak), where you repeat lines aloud right after the speaker. You’ll practice rhythm, intonation, and connecting with the meaning of words—skills that make your speech feel human, not robotic. Plus, the relatable theme of nostalgia gives you real-life context to talk about memories, a common topic in daily conversations and exams!

Grammar & Expressions in Context

Let’s break down 3 key structures to boost your fluency:

  • "I wish I could live a little more": The "I wish + could" structure is ideal for expressing unfulfilled desires. Use it to talk about hopes (e.g., "I wish I could travel more").
  • "That was a million years ago": Hyperbole (exaggeration) like "a million years" adds color to your speech. It’s more engaging than "a long time ago"—try it in stories!
  • "They can't look me in the eye, it's like they're scared of me": The "it's like" phrase helps explain feelings or situations simply. Great for IELTS speaking when describing emotions.

Common Pronunciation Traps

Improve English pronunciation by watching out for these tricky parts:

  • "inevitable": Don’t rush the "ev" sound—say "in-EV-i-tuh-bul," not "in-VID-uh-bul."
  • "reflection": The "fl" blend can trip you up. Make sure it’s clear, not "re-fek-shun."
  • "party to be thrown": The past participle "thrown" is often mispronounced as "throne"—remember the "w" sound: "thr-own."

Learn English with videos like this, and you’ll notice progress fast. Grab a notebook, hit play, and start shadow speaking—your confidence will soar!

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.