What is Shadowing?

Shadowing is a language learning technique where you listen to an audio recording in your target language – such as a dialogue, podcast, audiobook etc. and speak along with it out loud - either at the same time, or with a small delay, like an echo. You’re essentially mimicking the speaker’s pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation in real time.

Think of it like language lip-syncing – you’re not just repeating the words, you’re syncing with the rhythm, pace, and musicality of the language. Over time, you begin to internalize whole phrases and chunks, rather than assembling sentences one word at a time.

The term ‘shadowing’ was coined by renowned linguist and polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles, who is widely credited with creating and popularising the technique. Here is a video of them discussing some ideas around their own shadowing practice – recommending learners to walk outdoors, in a focused and engaged manner.

Popular among language learning enthusiasts, the technique has certainly made it's mark already and incase you are interested - here Olly Richards, founder of StoryLearning, gives their take on shadowing in a short video and how it can be used along with their own approach.

Shadowing vs Listen & Repeat Exercises: What's the Difference and Which Should You Use?

Classic language learning programs like Assimil have used listen-and-repeat techniques for decades, highlighting the method’s enduring effectiveness. While it shares some similarities with shadowing, the differences are clear. In listen-and-repeat, you hear a phrase, the audio pauses, and then you're prompted to say it yourself. It’s a slower, more deliberate approach, giving you time to:

• Process the meaning

• Focus on accurate pronunciation

• Mentally piece together vocabulary and grammar

This makes it especially useful for beginners or when working with new or complex material.You might be thinking:

“So what’s better - shadowing or listen-and-repeat? I’m confused!”

Here’s the truth: they’re both useful, and you don’t have to choose just one. In fact, combining these techniques can help you make faster and more well-rounded progress.

Both methods share the goal of connecting active listening with active speaking - one of the most effective ways to internalize a new language.

Rather than picking a favorite, try using both techniques strategically. Here’s how:

1. Start with Listen-and-Repeat
   When learning new vocabulary or unfamiliar sentence structures, use listen-and-repeat to slow down, focus on pronunciation, and build comprehension.

2. Move to Shadowing
   Once you’re comfortable with the material, transition to shadowing to improve your fluency and get used to speaking in a natural, flowing way.

3. Switch Between Them as Needed
   Use listen-and-repeat when you hit challenging content. Use shadowing when you want to build speed, rhythm, and automaticity.

Think of it like learning to dance:
Listen-and-repeat is practicing each step slowly and carefully.
Shadowing is dancing with a partner in full rhythm.

🧠 Why it works: The Science of Shadowing and Other Repetition Based Techniques

Shadowing works because it forces your brain to actively engage with spoken language on multiple levels:

1. Listening comprehension – You’re constantly tuning in to real speech patterns.

   • According to Vandergrift (2007), active listening strategies, like those used in shadowing, improve comprehension, especially when learners are exposed to real-time, spontaneous language.
     
     

2. Pronunciation and fluency – By copying speakers, you pick up the flow and feel of the language.

   • Research shows that mimicry strengthens both perception and production systems in the brain (Mitterer & Ernestus, 2008). Learners who shadow frequently develop more natural-sounding speech.
     
     

3. Memory and retention – Speaking reinforces vocabulary and sentence structure more deeply than passive listening.

   • Speaking out loud taps into the brain’s phonological loop, a key part of working memory (Baddeley & Hitch, 1974). This loop helps retain and recall language patterns better than passive listening alone. Moreover, producing language activates deeper mental processing, reinforcing grammar and vocabulary (Ellis, 2005).
     
     

4. Cognitive agility – You improve your ability to process and respond quickly to spoken language.

   • Shadowing helps you process language faster and more accurately. According to Segalowitz and Freed (2004), real-time speaking practice builds fluency and mental flexibility, improving your ability to respond quickly in conversation.

In short, shadowing turns passive input into active output, helping to solidify the language.

👤 Shadowing and the Output Hypothesis

The shadowing technique also fits within the broader framework of the Output Hypothesis, proposed by Merrill Swain. According to this theory, language learners improve when they’re “pushed” to produce language, which helps them notice gaps in their knowledge and refine their output.

A study by Pannell, Partsch, & Fuller (2017) supports this idea:

“The practice of producing language output, especially when learners are ‘pushed’ to do so beyond their current level of competence, facilitates language development by prompting learners to process language more deeply.”
Read full article (PDF)

Shadowing is just that - a form of output that reinforces the structures and sounds of the language.

🗣️ Tips for Using Repetition Based Techniques

1. Choose the right audio

   • Start with short, clear dialogues from suitable sources (podcasts, audiobooks).

   • Choose material that matches or is just above your level.

     
     

2. Listen to the dialogue first

   • Play the audio once or twice through to get a feel for it.

   • Break down the audio into manageable chunks to focus on.
     
     

3. Mimic the speaker

   • Play the audio and repeat as or just after you hear it.

   • Try to match the speaker’s tone, speed, and pronunciation as closely as possible.

   • Don’t worry if you struggle at first - building the ability to recall information you've just heard takes time and practice, focus on the rhythm and flow of the sentences and you'll improve through repetition.
     
     

4. Repeat and refine

   • Go back, slow down the audio if needed, and repeat tough sections.

   • (optional) Record yourself to compare and spot areas to improve.
     
     

5. Do it regularly

   • Even 5-10 minutes a day can produce noticeable results within weeks

⏱️ What You'll Notice Over Time

After a few weeks of consistent practice, you’ll likely notice:

• Faster comprehension of spoken language

• Improved pronunciation and clearer speech

• Increased internalization of patterns, structures and word order

• Confidence when speaking in real conversations

This is why the technique is widely used by language learners around the world.

Final Thoughts

Shadowing and other repetition based techniques aren’t magic, it’s neural connection and muscle-building between your brain and speech apparatus. It takes effort and a little patience, but the rewards are huge: improved listening, clearer pronunciation, and a serious boost in confidence when speaking.

If you’ve hit a plateau in your language learning or find native speech overwhelming, these techniques could be the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for. Ready to try it? HearSay Learn can help you find repetition-friendly audio in your target language to get started.

References

1. Vandergrift, L. (2007). Recent developments in second and foreign language listening comprehension research. Language Teaching, 40(3), 191–210.

2. Foote, J. A., Holtby, A. K., & Derwing, T. M. (2011). Factors affecting pronunciation development in adult ESL learners. TESL Canada Journal, 29(1), 1–24.

3. Mitterer, H., & Ernestus, M. (2008). The link between speech perception and production. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 363(1493), 447–460.

4. Baddeley, A. D., & Hitch, G. (1974). Working memory. The Psychology of Learning and Motivation, 8, 47–89.

5. Ellis, N. C. (2005). At the interface: Dynamic interactions of explicit and implicit language knowledge. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 27(2), 305–352.

6. Segalowitz, N., & Freed, B. F. (2004). Context, contact, and cognition in oral fluency acquisition. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 26(2), 173–199.

7. Swain, M. (1995). Three functions of output in second language learning. In Principle and Practice in Applied Linguistics, Oxford University Press.

8. Pannell, K., Partsch, M., & Fuller, R. (2017). The role of output in the development of second language proficiency. TESOL Working Papers Series, Hawai‘i Pacific University.