What Is Shadow Memory?

Shadowing (also known as shadowing) is also a target or source paraphrase exercise. It is a common practice for interpreters to practice simultaneous interpretation skills. Many international interpreting institutes regard shadow practice as one of the tests to measure the entry level of interpreters. One of the special features of shadow practice is training the interpreters to hear that synchronization. Extending this exercise to our IELTS listening training can be understood as a follow-up exercise on the original English (forum) listening.

Shadow practice

Norman (Memory and Attention, 1976) detailed two shadow practice methods in his book.

The first stage (3-5 months before the test)

Since there is still some time before the formal exam, candidates can start with the elementary phonemic follow-up exercises. First of all, we must choose the correct follow-up materials. Here, I recommend to the majority of candidates the special English slow news reports provided on the "VOA Voice of America" English learning website as everyone's follow-up materials. Candidates can choose different topics to practice, such as Education Report or Science in News and other topics, through a period of exercise. Candidates not only exercise their memory skills to memorize the breadth, but also understand different background knowledge, such as economics, culture, history, etc. Perhaps the topic of a certain program you hear will appear intact on the listening test. In the fourth part. In addition, because the speaker is an American accent, candidates also perform corrective training during the practice of follow-up reading, so follow-up reading is a two-pronged listening training method.

The second stage (1-2 months before the test)

Through the training in the previous stage, candidates have a certain degree of mastery of shadow practice. At this time, before the formal exam, we can also upgrade our "shadow practice" level. At this stage, we can be promoted to the phrase follow-up exercise, which is to intentionally maintain a certain time interval with the speaker, such as 2 words or 3-5 seconds, and then repeat the original content. Of course, different practice methods require us to apply different practice materials. At this time, we can use Cambridge IELTS 3-7 original listening texts as our follow-up materials. The speed of these materials is twice as fast as the previous Special English, so at the beginning, candidates will still find it difficult.

No matter what level the examinee is at, there is one thing to keep in mind, and that is to insist on it. Follow-up reading and even listening ability cannot be easily obtained in a short period of time, so everyone needs to make corresponding efforts. I hope that all students can adhere to the following reading practice to lay a solid foundation for improving their memory and listening skills.