Using ShadowTalk

Go to the Practice section to access a selection of custom-designed practice recordings to shadow. Each recording comes with subtitles that will be displayed on the screen, in real time. The subtitles will be marked with visual cues that point to several aspects of correct speech, such as syllable stress and intonation. The speaker in the recordings pauses in between thought groups to give you enough time to repeat their sentences.

How to read the subtitles' visual cues
The subtitles of each video have been marked for you to make shadowing easier and more productive.

Example: ~~I was~~ wondering ~~if it was~~ EXPENSIVE /

Blue words: content words. The underlined syllable should receive stress. (Learn more about syllable stress and content words)
Green words: prominent words. The underlined syllable receives the most stress in the thought group (it is usually "stretched" the longest). (Learn more about word prominence)
~~Crossed-out words~~: function words. These syllables receive the least stress in the thought group and their vowels are mostly reduced. (Learn more about function words)
/ (slash): This symbol signifies the end of a thought group.
(Learn more about thought groups)
→ (arrow): Shows final intonation pattern, either falling, steady, or rising. (Learn more about intonation)

Getting the best results
Practice every day for at least 30 minutes. Go through the same video until you feel like you can shadow it completely, with the same speed as the person in the recording. If possible, record yourself shadowing and compare your pronunciation or send the recording to your English pronunciation teacher.

Tech Gifts and New Year's Resolutions (Male Voice)

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott - Book Excerpt (Female Voice)

Job Interview Dialogue (Male Voice)

How to Practice?