For about a year now I have been trying hard to brush up my Spanish. I bought a text, started watching Spanish language TV programs, and even signed up for private lessons. For sure my Spanish was coming back, but to be honest, I wasn’t so satisfied with my progress and I started losing motivation. I stopped doing my homework and even started skipping my lessons. Finally, I stopped taking them all together. I did keep watching Spanish TV shows, because that was fun, but by that time, I had pretty much given up on the project of recovering my Spanish.

Around the same time, a friend of mine recommended the shadowing method to me. At first, I resisted the idea. I just didn’t think it fit my style. But finally I decided to give it a try.

Here’s how I did it. I used some CDs with transcripts from one of my textbooks as my material. I would choose one article or conversation and listen to it without looking at the transcript. Next, I went through the text and made sure I understood all the vocabulary and grammar. Then I practiced repeating the phrases, pausing and replaying the audio. Once I felt confident about my pronunciation, I would shadow the audio: first with the text, then without. I have the audio on my iPhone, so I do it when I am taking a walk. Incidentally, I have discovered I can retain things better if I shadow while walking. I only spent about 20 to 30 minutes a day doing this kind of practice. After I had done a few articles, I started to revisit at least one previously studied article every day to reinforce what I had learned.

And the results? I couldn’t be more satisfied. Right away I could feel my Spanish was getting better. And I get this really strong sense of accomplishment when I am successfully shadowing an article or dialog. Eventually, I get to know an article so well I can even speak ahead of the model speaker in several parts. I know my pronunciation has improved a lot too. I love imitating the rhythm and intonation of a native speaker. Best of all, I am staying motivated. In fact, I look forward to my shadowing sessions. And I can always find time to fit it into my schedule no matter how busy I get.

As a matter of fact, I was so excited about this new method, It inspired me to create the new premium content lessons. As I was practicing with this new method, it got me thinking about what kind of tools I would want to make my practice easier and more efficient. Thinking from a student’s perspective, I started designing the format for my lessons.

Below, I am including a typical week’s study schedule. I hope you find it useful and that you can make shadowing a part of your study program.

My Shadowing Schedule

4 Responses

  1. I’ve used several methods to study, but your “Shadowing” style works for me. I do think it works especially well if you have an intermediate level vocabulary, grammar comprehension and conversation ability. The repetitive reading of articles, stories, watching Japanese TV & programs on YouTube etc. is proving invaluable. But, SakuraSan Your “New In Slow Japanese” is an outstanding program. And the price is so very affordable, Thank You.

    1. I agree. I think you have to have some kind of a base to use the method. It does not work if you are not comprehending what you are shadowing, at least to a certain degree.

      Thanks for the nice comment and I am very glad you are finding it useful.

  2. Good to hear you’re studying hard. It helps motivate me to study Japanese harder. Exercising while listening to your Japanese articles has helped me improve a great deal. Thanks for your help.

    1. I find it interesting how my results are much better when I do it while walking. I guess that doing two tasks at once is a very good workout for the brain.

      I hope you can stay motivated. In my opinion, that is the key.