What is the shadowing method? How to use the shadowing technique to teach English to children

What is the shadowing method?

The shadowing method is a technique for practicing listening and speaking in foreign language learning, especially popular in learning English. Shadowing means “immediate imitation”, where the learner listens to an audio recording (usually by a native speaker) and repeats it almost simultaneously, mimicking the intonation, speed, and pronunciation.

Some key features of the shadowing method:

• The learner does not stop to translate or take notes but focuses on continuously imitating the way of speaking.

• It helps develop reflexive listening skills, accurate pronunciation, and improved fluency.

• It can be practiced with materials such as movies, podcasts, narrated short stories, or sample conversations.

This method is effective for both adults and children. When applied early, it helps children become familiar with English sounds naturally, similar to how they learn their mother tongue.

Advantages of teaching children English through the shadowing method

The shadowing method is not only suitable for adults but also highly effective when applied to young children. Having children practice listening and speaking by following native speakers brings many outstanding benefits in their English learning journey. Here are some key advantages of this method:

• Helps children pronounce correctly from the beginning: Children practice pronunciation by accurately repeating each word and sentence after native speakers, helping them form correct speaking habits early on.

• Develops natural listening and speaking reflexes: Shadowing trains children to respond quickly in communication without needing to translate into Vietnamese, thereby improving both listening and speaking skills simultaneously.

• Boosts confidence in using English: Regularly practicing speaking through models helps children get used to speaking English, reducing shyness and increasing their confidence in real conversations.

• Acquires English like a mother tongue: Young children have a great ability to imitate. Shadowing takes advantage of this to help them learn English naturally, just like learning Vietnamese.

• Creates excitement and reduces pressure: Learning through engaging dialogues, cartoons, or songs makes children enjoy the process, feel more enthusiastic, and maintain a daily study habit more easily.

How to Apply the Shadowing Method When Teaching English to Children

Although the shadowing method is simple, to use it effectively with children, parents need to choose appropriate materials and guide their child to practice correctly. Below are the steps and tips for helping children learn English effectively with shadowing:

Choose materials suitable for your child’s age

Selecting age-appropriate materials is the first and very important step in applying the shadowing method. If the content is too difficult or uninteresting, children may lose motivation. The materials should feature simple language, clear pronunciation, moderate speed, and familiar content from everyday life.

Example: For children aged 4–6, parents can choose videos like Peppa Pig, Super Simple Songs, or narrated stories like The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Let your child listen first to get familiar with the sounds

Before repeating, children should listen to the English audio several times to become familiar with the rhythm, intonation, and sound. This step helps develop the “English ear” the natural ability to hear and recognize English sounds.

How to do it:

• Play a short segment (10–15 seconds) from a video or audio.

• Encourage your child to look at illustrations or English subtitles if available, to grasp the context without translating into Vietnamese.

• Ask simple questions like “Did you hear any familiar words?” to build attention.

This helps prepare the child mentally and gradually builds listening and comprehension skills.

Practice repeating short sentences slowly

Once your child is familiar with the sounds, start the core of the shadowing method: repeating after the speaker. Break down the content into short sentences to make it easier and less overwhelming.

How to do it:

• Let your child listen to one sentence, pause, and then repeat it.

• Focus on imitating intonation, speech speed, and pronunciation — understanding every word is not necessary at first.

• Gently correct any mispronunciations by repeating the sentence together.

Example:

• Narrator: “I see a red apple.”

• Child: “I see a red apple.”

Encourage your child warmly and correct gently to avoid pressure.

Add gestures and visuals to make learning fun

Children learn best through visuals and movement. Combining shadowing with images and actions makes learning more lively, engaging, and memorable — turning study into play.

How to apply:

• When saying “I jump!”, have your child jump while speaking.

• For “I’m happy”, guide your child to smile and point to their face.

• Use flashcards, pictures, or toys to illustrate what they hear and say.

Connecting repetition with movement boosts memory and supports language development in both comprehension and communication.

Build a daily practice habit with a reasonable duration

English learning, especially with shadowing, requires consistency. For young children with short attention spans, focus on short, daily sessions rather than long, intensive ones.

Suggested schedule:

• Duration: 5–10 minutes per day.

• Timing: After breakfast, before bedtime, or after playtime.

• Daily goal: Practice 1–2 short sentences or one small section.

Patience and consistency will help form a natural language habit, just like how children learn their native language through repeated daily conversations.

Important Notes When Using the Shadowing Method to Teach English to Children

Although shadowing is an effective and easy-to-apply method for learning English, if not implemented correctly, children may face difficulties or lose interest. Especially for young learners, language learning requires a combination of the right method, a comfortable mindset, and a supportive environment. Here are important things parents or teachers should keep in mind:

Don’t force your child to repeat too much if they’re not ready

Not all children are ready to repeat English phrases right after hearing them. Some may feel shy, not understand the content, or find the new sounds unfamiliar. If adults constantly push them to speak or overcorrect their mistakes, the child may feel pressured and lose interest.
Be gentle in the beginning. Let your child observe and listen to you model the speaking. Once they feel safe and familiar with the sounds, they’ll naturally want to imitate.

Focus on quality, not quantity

Young children have limited attention and memory capacity. What matters most is not how many sentences they learn per session, but how well they learn and enjoy each one.

Instead of repeating 10 - 15 sentences in one sitting, focus on 2–3 short and simple ones in a clear context. This makes it easier for them to remember, pronounce correctly, and feel accomplished after each practice.

Choose audio materials with clear pronunciation and appropriate speed

The effectiveness of shadowing largely depends on the quality of the audio input. If children listen to unclear, overly fast, or incorrect pronunciation, their imitation may be flawed and harder to fix later.

Choose high-quality resources with clear British or American accents, gentle intonation, and moderate speaking speed. Trusted sources like Super Simple Songs, Peppa Pig, or English Singsing are excellent choices.

Learn together instead of letting your child study alone

Children learn best through interaction. When parents or teachers participate in the learning process, children feel supported and more confident in repeating English phrases.

Don’t just let them watch videos and repeat. Instead, join in sing together, act out dialogues, or pretend-play with them. Turning learning into a shared activity makes it more enjoyable and effective.

Practice daily, but keep sessions short

The effectiveness of shadowing comes from consistency rather than duration. For young kids, long sessions are unnecessary, just 5–10 minutes of daily listening and repeating is enough to build strong language habits.

Ideal times include after waking up, post-playtime, or before bedtime. This daily routine helps children internalize English as a natural part of life.

Avoid translating English into Vietnamese

One common mistake is translating every phrase into Vietnamese. This makes children depend on translation instead of developing context understanding and thinking in English.

Use images, gestures, or emotional expressions to convey meaning. For example, when saying “It’s raining!”, point outside the window or mimic falling rain. This builds understanding through real-world experience.

Create an English-friendly environment around your child

Outside of structured lessons, regular exposure to English greatly supports shadowing. A rich language environment expands vocabulary, reinforces intonation, and provides more chances for practice.

Play English songs while your child plays, choose English cartoons with subtitles, or use simple daily phrases like “Let’s go!”, “Time to eat!”, or “Good night!”. These habits help English become a natural part of their everyday life.

Enhancing the effectiveness of the shadowing method with the Monkey Junior super app

The shadowing method listening and repeating after native speakers is considered a natural and effective way for young children to learn English. However, for this method to truly be effective, children need consistent practice in a suitable environment, with clear content and supportive tools. Monkey Junior the super app for English learning designed for children aged 0 - 1, is the ideal choice that makes learning more structured, engaging, and easier than ever.

With a personalized learning path tailored to the child’s age and abilities, Monkey Junior helps develop all four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In each lesson, children hear sample sentences from native speakers and repeat them following the shadowing technique precisely. Moreover, the app integrates intelligent speech recognition technology that scores and guides the child to adjust each sound accurately. As a result, children not only practice pronunciation but also gradually develop natural language reflexes.

In addition, the lively lessons featuring illustrations, videos, and interactive games help children easily remember the content and stay excited about learning. The reward system and detailed learning progress reports also support parents in closely monitoring their child’s progress.

Sign up now for Monkey Junior to let your child enjoy a 7-day free trial of learning English at home, practicing accurate pronunciation through an effective and fun shadowing method.

Conclusion

The shadowing method is an effective approach to learning English, particularly suitable for young learners because it trains natural listening and speaking reflexes. When applied correctly and combined with the right learning tools, shadowing helps children pronounce accurately, communicate confidently, and enjoy learning English every day.