First of all, we need to understand what “shadowing” means to go even further into considering this method. And yes, it is a learning method that has quite a few variables. It is used in every single job/ homework/ essay… you name it.

The dictionary defines “shadowing” as the activity of following and observing, also learning from experience. Shadowing in language learning is not that different either. But how different is shadowing from listening or reading?

Shadowing is presumed to be a tough, time consuming  but valuable process to acquire a language formula.

Most linguistic professors will have you listen to a recording of some sort while repeating it aloud in different stages.

  • The first stage has you blind-shadowing, meaning you ought to repeat what you hear without looking at the transcript.
  • During the second stage, you ought to repeat aloud while looking at the translated transcript (mother tongue).
  • The third stage involves looking at the original transcript while always repeating aloud.
  • And lastly, you get to try blind-shadowing again.

For some reason that is unknown to the professors, all these stages are meant to be done outside, while using gestures.

 

statue:headphone

 

I find this method fascinating all the more so because I unknowingly tried it to learn most of the languages I collected to this day.

My method, however, was a tiny bit altered.

I always made sure to use items (recordings, videos, music…) that I was enthusiastic about. As long as it got my attention or interest , it was all good.

  • My first stage was to be aware of the content of the item in my mother tongue before even trying anything close to shadowing.
  • The following point would have me mimic the recording while reading the transcript.
  • The last stage was the most  pleasing one to me since I got to practice/ mimic while using a mirror. This phase was the ultimate one that helped me latch onto the proper pronunciation.
  • Come to think of it, there was one more point I found out to be very helpful with other part of language learning, which is writing.  After “mirroring”, I always followed up with a rewriting of the script; a sort of dictation, while listening and not shadowing. This stage helped with the unconscious pick up of grammar, structure and vocabulary spelling.

I have used this method for every single language I collected to this day, because for me it was much more fun to approach language learning with non-boring, always up to date elements unlike using a dusty grammar book and work on grammar formulas like a math homework.

 
Language learning can not be approached scientifically.  Language is not instinct either. Language is acquired with input.

Let there be input in your life.