How to Learn English Effectively: Advice from a Hyperpolyglot Who Speaks 50 Languages
'26.10.2022'
Nadezhda Verbitskaya
Alexandre Argüelles is a hyperpolyglot who runs his YouTube channel. Surprisingly, she speaks 50 languages. And he is also known for inventing his technique of learning languages. It's called "shadowing", says Oh my English.
What is the essence of his technique?
To complete the exercise, you need a podcast, audiobook, or any other medium-paced voiced text. “Shadowing” literally means “to become a shadow”. You must become the "shadow of the announcer" - listen and copy his pronunciation.
You need to repeat a short passage 10-15 times, and a long passage 2-3 times. You work with one passage for 5 days:
- 1 day: Listen to the passage and repeat after the speaker. Understanding speech is not required.
- 2 day: you listen to the same passage, but already look at the translation.
- 3 day: listen again and look at the original text.
- 4 day: read the original text on your own, without audio. At the same time, try to repeat the intonation and copy the pronunciation heard earlier.
- 5 day: read the original text aloud, write the text by hand and pronounce each word.
This may seem wildly complicated to you right now. But in fact, it is addictive and does not take much time. But you pump over writing, pronunciation, reading and listening.
On the subject: How to Learn English from Songs: 8 Cool Resources
There is another way to do the exercise:
1. Find voiced text.
2. Read the text, translate unfamiliar words. Make sure the text is familiar and understandable.
3. Listen while looking at the text and read after the recording. And also copy the pronunciation, intonation and pauses. When reading becomes easy, remove the text, listen and repeat it aloud.
This way looks easier. But there is no more writing skills.
And one more important point.
Performing auditory exercises is recommended to be combined with motor activity. There is a scientific explanation for this about the cerebellum, neurons, just believe me. So put on your headphones. And if people are embarrassing, get away from them and walk, repeating every word from the record.
