I spent a year doing 'shadowing'—here is my honest take

Believing the information that 'you can speak English just by doing shadowing,' I practiced for 30 minutes every day for a year. The result was half success, half failure. What went wrong, and what actually worked—based on my five years of self-study, I will honestly tell you everything about shadowing.

1. My story of doing shadowing for a year

During my first year of learning English, I bet everything on shadowing. Every morning when I woke up, I would play audio, move my mouth while taking a shower, and keep imitating the way native speakers talk while wearing earphones during my commute. On my days off, there were days I spent over an hour on it.

I watched videos by YouTubers who said, 'Shadowing is the ultimate English learning method,' and I was convinced that 'this is the one.' In fact, shadowing is almost deified in the English learning community, and it is sometimes even said that 'you won't be able to speak unless you do shadowing.'

So, what was the result after one year?

To be frank, it was a state where 'my listening improved dramatically, but my speaking remained almost unchanged.' My ears got used to the speed at which native speakers talk, and I became able to pick up sounds I couldn't hear before. But when I actually tried to speak English, my mind would go blank and the words wouldn't come out. It took me even longer to understand what the true nature of this 'frustration' was.

In this article, I will thoroughly explain the essence of shadowing while sharing the 'truly correct way to use shadowing' to master English conversation through self-study. I am writing this because I want you to get results in the shortest time possible, given the detours I took.

2. What is 'shadowing' in the first place—organizing from the definition

Shadowing is a practice method where you repeat what you hear out loud, slightly behind the audio (like a shadow). It has become widespread in English learning relatively recently, and it was originally used as a training technique for simultaneous interpreters before being applied to general language learning.

The 'slightly behind' part is the key, with an ideal lag of about 0.5 to 1 second. This makes it a very high-load training for the brain, as you are processing the audio you hear while simultaneously pronouncing it.

This 'high load on the brain' is one of the reasons why shadowing is considered effective for language learning. However, because the load is high, if you do it the wrong way, it becomes a practice that 'just makes you tired.' This was also a mistake I often made during my first year.

📌 Point
The basics of shadowing are 'repeating out loud while listening to audio with a 0.5 to 1-second delay.' It was originally developed as a training technique for simultaneous interpreters and applied to language learning. Because the load is high, if done correctly, high effectiveness can be expected.

3. What can and cannot be trained with shadowing

This is the most important point. Many people expect too much from shadowing and fail. Just by accurately understanding what can be trained and what cannot, your learning efficiency will change significantly.

【✅ What can be trained】
・Listening skills (accuracy of speech recognition)
・Pronunciation, intonation, and rhythm
・Matching sounds with text (speeding up speech recognition)
・Sense of English prosody
・Retention and reproduction speed of heard English

【❌ What cannot be trained】
・Ability to speak on your own (speaking)
・Ability to use vocabulary (the power to use it in your own words)
・Ability to construct English sentences on the fly
・Ability to read the flow of a conversation
・Ability to express your own experiences and emotions in English

If you looked at this list and felt, 'There are more things that can't be trained by shadowing than I thought,' you are correct. Shadowing is training that mainly develops 'receiving (input processing)' abilities, and it hardly develops 'sending (output generation)' abilities.

To be a bit more specific, the listening skill trained by shadowing is getting your ears used to the speed, rhythm, and sound connections (liaisons and sound elisions) of native speech. It creates a state where, when you hear the word 'cat,' your brain can process it as 'cat' instantly without thinking for a split second. This is a very important ability, and shadowing is truly excellent for training this.

On the other hand, speaking, such as 'talking about today's events in English' or 'answering a question from someone immediately,' is a completely different ability. Converting the concepts of Japanese in your head into English and choosing the appropriate grammar and vocabulary in real-time to speak—this is a task that uses a different muscle called 'language generation.' Shadowing hardly trains this muscle at all.

4. The true nature of 'I can listen but I can't speak'

A common struggle among English learners is the state of being able to listen but not speak. You might get relatively high scores on listening tests, but when it comes to actual conversation, the words just don't come out. This is a 'wall' that many self-taught learners experience, and the root cause is often an over-reliance on shadowing.

Shadowing is like humming along while listening to a master musician play. The structure of the music becomes ingrained in your body. However, when you are handed a blank sheet of staff paper, the ability to create your own melody does not develop without separate practice.

To overcome this 'wall,' it is absolutely necessary to practice expressing the thoughts in your head in English, separate from shadowing.

I want to emphasize here that being able to listen but not speak is not a failure. The fact that your listening skills have improved is a major step forward, and that is the result of shadowing. The problem is 'trying to complete your learning with shadowing alone,' but the value of shadowing itself is real. True English conversational ability only develops when you combine shadowing with speaking practice.

5. Types of shadowing and when to use each

Although we call it shadowing, there are actually several types. Since the skills they train are slightly different, it is important to use them selectively according to your own challenges.

1. Mumbling (muttering shadowing)

This is a method of shadowing where you mutter without moving your mouth too much. The goal is to internalize the rhythm and intonation of English rather than reproducing the sounds accurately. It is suitable for beginners or when starting with new material. A benefit is that you can practice it in places where you cannot speak out loud, such as on a train.

2. Prosody shadowing

This is shadowing that focuses only on the rhythm, stress, and intonation of the sounds, ignoring the meaning. To put it extremely, it feels like chasing only the sounds without understanding the content. It is specialized for teaching your body the 'musicality' unique to English and is particularly effective for people whose pronunciation cannot break away from a Japanese-like rhythm.

3. Content shadowing

This is the most common type of shadowing, performed while understanding the content. Because you are processing sound and meaning at the same time, the load on the brain is the highest. It is suitable for intermediate learners and above who have acquired a certain level of listening ability. This type of shadowing is most directly linked to the improvement of English conversational skills.

4. Repeating (quasi-shadowing)

Strictly speaking, this is not shadowing, but I will introduce it because it is often used as a set. It is a practice where you pause the audio and repeat that part. Because you can practice each sentence more carefully than with shadowing, it is effective when you want to focus on specific phrases where you want to improve your pronunciation.

💡 Recommended usage: Beginners should start in the order of Mumbling → Prosody shadowing → Content shadowing. The trick is to go back to the previous type if you feel like you cannot follow the sounds well.

6. Comparison of materials I tried for one year—what was most effective?

The effectiveness of shadowing also varies greatly depending on the material. I have summarized the characteristics and pros and cons of the various materials I tried over the course of a year.

[TED Talks]
Perfect for beginners to intermediate learners due to clear pronunciation and appropriate speed. The content is interesting and easy to continue. On the other hand, because it is more 'speech-like' than actual conversation, it is less directly applicable to daily English conversation.

[Netflix Dramas]
Rich in realistic colloquial English, slang, and emotional expression. Close to actual conversation. However, the speed is fast, and it is difficult at first. It is highly effective when combined with English subtitles.

[English Conversation Podcasts (for learners)]
Suitable for beginners because they speak slowly and clearly. However, because it is 'too perfect English,' there is a gap with the natural conversation of native speakers.

[Native YouTube Videos]
You can learn natural speed and colloquial expressions. The subtitles are highly accurate and can serve as a script. The strength lies in being able to choose genres that match your interests.

[English Audio Podcasts (for native speakers)]
This is the most realistic English, but the difficulty level is high. It is for intermediate to advanced learners. Since you can choose topics you like, it is easier to maintain motivation.

In my experience, the most cost-effective method was 'native YouTube videos.' By choosing videos in genres I was interested in (in my case, outdoor activities and cooking), it felt less like 'practicing' and more like 'having fun,' which significantly increased my consistency.

Also, by using the subtitle feature, you effectively get a script, making it easy to check later what kind of expressions were used. TED is excellent as material, but in terms of 'material you can enjoy,' YouTube often wins out.

7. The correct procedure for shadowing (4 steps)

If you just 'play the audio and imitate it,' the effectiveness of shadowing is halved. By following the 4 steps below, you can significantly change the results even in the same amount of time.

[Step 1] Choose your material (short, 2-5 minutes)

Long material makes it hard to maintain concentration, and you tend to just 'move your mouth vaguely.' It is more effective to choose one 2-5 minute piece and use it thoroughly. The criteria for selection is a '70-80% comprehension level.' Not too easy, not too hard. Also, choose material close to situations you actually want to use. If you want to use it for travel, choose travel-related content; if you want to use it for work, choose business-related content.

[Step 2] Shadow 2-3 times without a script

At first, shadow without looking at the script, relying only on your ears. You don't have to imitate it perfectly. First, focus on the rhythm and intonation of the sound. The goal is also to confirm the parts you 'cannot hear' or 'cannot keep up with.' It is important to discover for yourself at this stage the points where you 'cannot hear.'

[Step 3] Check the script to deepen your understanding

Focusing on the parts where you stumbled in Step 2, check the script. Grasp the patterns of sound reduction, linking, and rhythm. Look up words or expressions you don't understand here. Then, pick out 2-3 phrases you think, 'I could use this myself,' and make a note of them. This 'extracting phrases' task acts as a bridge to later output practice.

[Step 4] Shadow 2-3 more times while looking at the script

By shadowing again after understanding the meaning, the sound and meaning become connected, and retention in memory is significantly improved. At this stage, aim to be more conscious of pronunciation and intonation, getting as close to the native rhythm as possible. Finally, recording yourself and listening back to your pronunciation is effective as it makes areas for improvement clear.

📌 Daily guidelines
One session of 20-30 minutes is ideal. I recommend a cycle of repeating the same material for 3-5 days before moving on to new material. 'Quality over quantity'—doing 30 minutes of focused practice every day has a higher long-term effect than doing 2 hours every day.

8. How to connect shadowing to output

This is the most important section. To ensure you don't end up with shadowing as just 'I can listen but I can't speak,' you need to combine it with output practice. I will introduce 3 concrete methods.

① Phrase adaptation method

Using the 2-3 phrases you extracted in Step 3, try talking about yourself in English. For example, suppose there is a phrase in the material like, 'I've been trying to improve my cooking skills lately.' Using this as a reference, practice speaking by replacing it with your own situation, like, 'I've been trying to improve my English skills for five years.'

At first, it's fine just to speak out loud. You don't need to talk to anyone. Just muttering to yourself alone in your room will definitely improve your speaking ability.

② Situational Speaking

Simulate speaking in the same 'situation' as the material you used for shadowing. For example, if you shadowed travel conversation material, imagine you are currently at an airport and try speaking English in your head. It is natural that English won't come out as you want at first. The experience of 'not being able to say it' is an important process that makes your brain recognize that 'this phrase is necessary'.

③ Recording Feedback Method

Use your smartphone's recording function to record yourself speaking English. When you listen back, you will gain insights such as 'my pronunciation sounds much more Japanese than I imagined' or 'there are parts where I get stuck.' Use the listening skills you honed through shadowing as an 'ear to evaluate your own English.' I believe this is the most direct way to connect listening and speaking.

💡 Example of a Weekly Routine
Mon-Fri: 20 minutes of shadowing every morning (repeat the same material for one week)
Wed/Fri: 5 minutes of speaking practice using the phrase application method
Sat: Once a week, record yourself and listen back to your English

If you continue this routine for 3 months, the wall of 'I can listen but I can't speak' will definitely start to crumble.

9. Common Failure Patterns and How to Deal with Them

Based on my experience and observations, here are 5 failure patterns that people practicing shadowing often fall into. Please check if any of these apply to you.

❌ Failure 1: Choosing material that is too difficult

People often think that 'if I can master difficult material, I will improve,' but shadowing with material you cannot understand has almost zero effect. Even if you can mimic the sounds, your English ability will not improve if the meaning and the sounds are not connected.

→ Solution: Choose material you can understand 70-80%. If you feel it is difficult, go back to a level that is one step easier.

❌ Failure 2: Aiming for perfection and sticking to the same material

Some people say, 'I will continue with the same material until I can mimic it perfectly,' but perfection does not exist in language learning. You will expand your range of vocabulary and expressions more by practicing 20 times with new material than by repeating the same material 50 times.

→ Solution: Switch material every 3-5 days. It doesn't have to be perfect.

❌ Failure 3: Shadowing only while looking at the script

Shadowing while looking at the script becomes more like 'reading aloud,' and the effect of training your listening skills drops significantly. Especially in the initial stages, it is important to always challenge yourself using only your ears.

→ Solution: Always practice without the script for the first 2-3 times.

❌ Failure 4: Being satisfied just by continuing

Feeling reassured by the fact that 'I am continuing to shadow every day' while time passes without doing any actual English conversation practice—this is the most common failure pattern. Shadowing is just a means; the goal is 'to be able to speak.'

→ Solution: Make sure to do output practice (speaking/writing) at least once a week.

❌ Failure 5: Doing 'mental shadowing' without speaking out loud

In situations where you cannot speak, such as during your commute, 'mental shadowing'—where you just follow the audio in your head without moving your mouth—can be good for listening practice, but you lose half the benefits of shadowing. Since there is meaning in moving the muscles used for pronunciation itself, it is important to speak out loud.

→ Solution: When you cannot speak out loud, substitute it with mumbling. Ensure you set aside time to perform actual shadowing in an environment where you can speak.

10. Summary: Shadowing is the 'ultimate training wheels'

Having read this far, has your perspective on shadowing changed a little? Let's recap the main points of this article.

📌 Summary of this article
① Shadowing is the ultimate tool for training listening skills and pronunciation. It is different from speaking.
② The cause of 'I can listen but I can't speak' is an over-reliance on shadowing. Output practice is essential.
③ Choose materials that you can 'understand 70-80%' and that are 'close to situations you want to use'.
④ Maximize effectiveness with the correct procedure (no script → check → with script).
⑤ Repurpose phrases extracted through shadowing for output practice.

Shadowing is like 'training wheels.' Because you have training wheels, you can practice steadily and increase your speed. However, you cannot ride a bicycle freely with just training wheels. To truly master English conversation, you need both training wheels (shadowing) and practice pedaling (output).

What I did in my first year was practice how to use the training wheels intensely. That was by no means a waste, but when I started practicing pedaling, I finally got the feeling that 'a bicycle actually moves forward.'

Mastering English conversation through self-study is by no means easy. However, if you put in the effort in the right direction, you can definitely become able to speak without studying abroad. One of those 'right directions' is what I covered today.

Next time, I plan to write in more detail about specific methods for speaking practice using phrases extracted through shadowing. Please follow me and stay tuned.

Thank you for reading until the end.
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