Practice guide
What is shadowing and how can it help you speak more naturally?
Shadowing is a technique that lets you practice pronunciation, intonation, rhythm, pacing, and other nuances that make you sound more natural when speaking Japanese.
See the technique in action.
Start by listening, then speak just behind the original speaker. Use the transcript and a short replay loop when you need them.
How to begin
Start small, then close the gap.
- Listen once first. Let the pacing, pauses, and feeling of the exchange settle.
- Replay and speak just behind it. Keep the original voice audible while you imitate its rhythm and tone.
- Repeat until the gap becomes smaller. Work with one short line before trying a longer exchange.