Shadowing is listening and speaking at the same time.
All you need is a voice to listen to and you are ready to go, right? Well, it's not that easy, or shall we say it depends.
Maybe all you need is a voice.
But there are times when it is much better if you have access to the script you are listening to.
It depends on the answers to a few questions.
What level of listener are you? The first question is about your level.
If you are a highly skilled listener your needs will be quite different from a low skilled listener.
A highly skilled listener can hear most of what is said.
When they hear new words, they may not know them, but they probably can repeat them.
They can also take good guesses about the meaning of the new words they hear.
This is very different from a low skilled listener.
When they hear a new word, they probably cannot repeat it.
They know that something was there, but they are unsure what sound it was, and cannot tell the speaker what to repeat.
When a highly skilled listener hears a new phrase or expression, they probably already know the individual words.
From the words and the context they may be able to guess the meaning with some accuracy.
They can almost certainly repeat the phrase or expression and ask for the meaning.
A highly skilled listener does not need a script very much.
They can probably write it themselves.
A low skilled listener hearing a new phrase or expression may not know the words in the expression.
They probably cannot repeat the expression, and almost certainly cannot guess it's meaning.
A low skilled listener needs to have a script to look at from time to time so they can confirm what they hear, and start to make connections between the sounds and the words.
Why do you need a script? I often tell my students to shadow without looking at the script.
If that is a good technique, why do you need a script? Well, the answer lies in frequency.
Many students, when given a script, stop listening.
Their attention turns to the script, and they read it.
This does not build listening skills.
On the other hand, often low skilled listeners hear something they do not recognize.
It may be a new word or expression, or it may be two or more words whose sounds combine quickly.
If they listen to the recording once or a hundred times, they still do not understand.
Or they may, but who wants to listen one hundred times? In those instances, I tell them to keep listening without reading at least four times.
Then the fifth time they may read.
Often when they read the words the fifth time, they have an 'aha!' experience.
They understand instantly.
Then I know they have learned something.
I can test them with a similar but different sentence or story, and indeed they understand it now.
The four times listening builds their listening skills and their desire to understand.
When they finally read the script (while listening), their understanding is rapid and deep.
They do not have to listen one hundred times and that would slow down their studies.
That is why you need a script.
Is it better without a script? As I have mentioned above, I ask my students to shadow without looking at the script.
I hope they also have not memorized it ahead of time.
I tell them to shadow with their eyes closed.
This is better.
It is better because they must concentrate on what they hear so they can shadow correctly.
Concentrating on what they hear builds listening skill.
Just listening is not enough.
When students shadow out loud they get instant feedback on their skill level and mistakes.
Mistakes are good.
That is how the student knows what to correct next time.
Shadowing is much better without a script, and always have the script nearby for times when you just don't understand at all.
Are there any problems with having no script? Listening to a recording without a script is great for highly skilled listeners.
It is exciting.
It is like traveling without a guidebook if you are used to traveling a lot.
Listening without a script is terrible for low skilled listeners.
It is confusing and frustrating.
It is like traveling without a guidebook if you are not used to traveling.
The highly skilled listener loves the challenge of a fresh story.
If there is no script, they feel like it is not practice anymore.
It is the real thing.
But a low level listener feels no end of problems.
They will become frustrated, and their motivation will go down.
I include a script with all my recorded stories, for lower skill listeners.
Highly skilled listeners may ignore the script, and get good practice as well.
I strongly recommend listening recordings that have a script available somehow.
Can I make a script? Of course you may make your own script, especially if you are a highly skilled listener.
Making your own scripts is also good study practice.
You have to balance the time you have for study, though.
If you can make your own scripts and practice shadowing, then do both.
If you only have time for one, then do shadowing.
Making your own script by listening is moderate listening practice.
Shadowing is more valuable because you get instant feedback, and practice listening and speaking at the same time.
If you want to practice shadowing and you need listening recordings with scripts be sure to look at he selection available at English Listening World.
com where you can find a wide variety of programs to practice listening with.