A Japanese shadowing routine

The idea

Choose a short recording with a transcript, such as a beginner dialogue from Irodori. Listen once for meaning, check unfamiliar words in the transcript, then replay and speak just behind the voice without pausing. Start with one sentence, repeat a few times, and compare your recording with the model for timing, long sounds and endings. Finish by listening again and noting one feature to revisit tomorrow.

Examples

• 朝あさは、駅えきまで歩あるきます。In the morning, I walk to the station.
• 今日きょうは少すこし寒さむいですね。It is a little cold today, isn’t it?
• 昼ひるご飯はんの後あとで、コーヒーを飲のみます。After lunch, I drink coffee.
• 明日あしたは友達ともだちと映画えいがを見みます。Tomorrow I will watch a film with a friend.
• 雨あめが降ふっているので、バスで帰かえります。Because it is raining, I will go home by bus.
• 週末しゅうまつに新あたらしい本ほんを読よみました。I read a new book at the weekend.

Watch out

Reading aloud from the transcript alone is not shadowing: keep listening while you speak. Do not chase speed if it obscures words; use a shorter clip and check its meaning first.

Try it yourself

1. 朝あさは、駅えきまで歩あるき＿。（ます／ました）

   Show answer or example answer

   ます

   ます completes the polite non-past 歩きます: the speaker walks to the station in the morning. Listen for the ending as you follow the voice.

2. 今日きょうは少すこし寒さむいです＿。（ね／を）

   Show answer or example answer

   ね

   ね completes the sentence and invites agreement about the cold. Keep the final ね audible when shadowing.

3. 雨あめが降ふっている＿、バスで帰かえります。（ので／まで）

   Show answer or example answer

   ので

   ので gives the reason: because it is raining, the speaker goes home by bus. Notice the connection between the two clauses.

Use it today

Choose one sentence here and find a suitable recording. Listen, check the transcript, shadow it three times, then record yourself and note one difference. Repeat tomorrow.