Today, we\u2019ll talk more about shadowing and resources that you can use to learn with it.<\/p>\n
[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
What Exactly Is \u201cShadowing\u201d?<\/h2>\n
“Shadowing” is a language-learning technique developed by the American language professor Alexander Arguelles<\/a>.<\/p>\n It entails listening to a German passage and trying to speak the words at the same time as the speaker says them.<\/strong> The idea is to get used to the sounds and feelings of speaking another language, until they become second nature.<\/p>\n Arguelles figured out that if you \u201cshadow\u201d words in another language enough times, the sounds begin to stick in your head.<\/p>\n After all, it\u2019s basically the way we learned our first languag<\/strong>e. Filter out all that ga-ga goo-goo in the first few years and once you start talking as a kid, it\u2019s not easy to stop. Kids want to repeat everything they hear\u2014no matter if it\u2019s good or bad. (And kids just say the darndest things.)<\/p>\n The idea with shadowing is to use audio or video clips in a language you want to learn<\/a> and mimic the noises you hear. It\u2019s not so much about getting the words exactly right or comprehending what\u2019s being said.<\/strong> Your focus should be centered upon moving your mouth in such a way that you echo what you hear.<\/p>\n Arguelles separated his technique of shadowing into two levels: beginner and advanced. These classifications center upon your language skills and the length of the audio scripts. Beginner shadowing uses short scripts of just a few minutes. As you might’ve guessed, advanced shadowing requires longer scripts, such as German audiobooks, movies and podcasts.<\/p>\n Shadowing is a technique that works best when combined with a regular study routine<\/strong>. So if you\u2019re tired of flipping through flashcards or doing grammar drills, shadowing can be a fun yet efficient addition.<\/p>\n Now that you know a bit more about what shadowing is, let\u2019s talk about what you\u2019ll gain by including this technique in your German practice.<\/p>\n But take a note of caution here: the audio you use should be accurate<\/strong>. Shadowing is of no use to your language learning if you’re repeating inaccurate words and phrases.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why we\u2019ve put together a list of resources you can trust when it comes to trying out this shadowing technique. Stay tuned for more on that in a minute.<\/p>\n To take full advantage of the benefits of shadowing, there are a few things to keep in mind.<\/p>\n Consider the following resources a beginner\u2019s guide to shadowing, at least for German learners. Feel free to bookmark the audio you like and search out your own scripts that’ll have you looking forward to learning German and ultimately obtaining fluency.<\/p>\n Resources such as podcasts are huge for language learners.<\/strong> This is especially true for shadowing. Part talk show, part educational resource, podcasts<\/a> allow us to make use of downtime while still including an element of fun.\u00a0<\/p>\n To demonstrate, let\u2019s take a few examples from Radio D, a German podcast for beginners. Hosted by reporters Paula and Philipp, these 10-15 minute podcasts center around a specific situation, like chapters in a book. Each one builds on the previous episode and there are 26 episodes in the first season<\/a> and 26 more episodes in the second.<\/p>\n How to Use Radio D Podcast Episodes as a Shadowing Resource<\/strong><\/p>\n For great shadowing practice, don\u2019t just listen to the podcast. Find the PDF transcript <\/strong>by clicking on each episode link in iTunes and then clicking on “Episode Website.” You can use this to follow along with the text. You\u2019ll also find some grammar and listening exercises (and yes, solutions as well) which you can use to check your comprehension.<\/p>\n To get the most out of these podcasts in terms of shadowing, keep a few things in mind. Shadowing emphasizes repeating words you hear, but listen to the sounds of the podcast as well<\/strong>, especially in Radio D which has great sound design. What audio cues can you pick up that act as context clues for what\u2019s going on?\u00a0<\/p>\n Also, note intonation<\/strong>. This includes emphasis on certain words or even syllables of a word. In the very first episode of Radio D\u2019s series<\/a>, you\u2019ll hear the male character say \u201cHallo\u201d<\/em> (“Hello”) twice, each time with a different intonation. The first time is a bit quizzical, and the second time seems to request a response. You\u2019d be surprised how much information you can pick up just through intonation, even if you didn\u2019t know a single word in the language of the speaker.<\/p>\n Shadow as much German as you can, using the transcript when you need to, and feel free to skip back a few seconds to shadow words of choice multiple times<\/strong>. If you feel like you didn\u2019t understand an episode enough to summarize it to a friend, listen to it again, practicing your shadowing once more as well.<\/p>\n Curling up with a good book works great on rainy days and sleepless nights, but audiobooks<\/a> allow you to take your literature practically anywhere<\/strong>. These spoken-aloud stories can also be a huge resource when it comes to learning a new language, such as German.<\/p>\n You can hear the story spoken aloud<\/strong>, usually by native speakers, and follow along with the storyline as if it were happening in the next room over. Sound effects and character voices certainly make the experience a memorable one as well. If it’s a familiar story and you happen to know the plot beforehand, it can also open up the door to a focus on shadowing, rather than comprehension.\u00a0 You can find German audiobooks in a variety of places online. Many are available from Amazon, such as \u201cDer Wald.<\/em>\u201d<\/em><\/a> Others, like this audiobook series from BookBox<\/a>, can be found on YouTube to watch and listen to for free.<\/p>\n Check for German versions of your favorite audiobooks wherever you get your English audiobooks from.<\/p>\n How to Use Audio Stories on YouTube as a Shadowing Resource<\/strong><\/p>\n To adapt German audiobooks into a shadowing resource, voice the story aloud as it happens and follow along with a print version. If you’re following along with an audio story on YouTube, you can also read the subtitles.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s use the first episode of the BookBox series<\/a> to demonstrate. Entitled “Der gr\u00f6\u00dfte Schatz\u201d<\/em> (\u201cThe Greatest Treasure\u201d), this first YouTube video in the series follows Peter as he finds eine Schatzkarte <\/em>(\u201ca treasure map\u201d). You can follow along with the story via the visual storyboard presented<\/strong>. Below the video, you’ll find German subtitles, which you can focus on while you shadow. YouTube also allows you to enable closed captioning, which puts English subtitles onto the video as well.<\/p>\n Once you grasp the meaning, we recommend turning those English subtitles off<\/strong> and focusing your attention to the German words. When the speaker pauses, take in the pictures you see, frame by frame. Many of the characters\u2019 faces give away contextual clues. You can also skip forward and back as often as you please with YouTube videos, so be sure to take advantage of that capability as well.<\/p>\n Speaking of YouTube videos, we\u2019d like to introduce you to “Fritten zum Mittag.”<\/a> <\/em>This short comedy film, entitled \u201cFrench Fries for Lunch,\u201d is about 18 minutes long. Following the story of a Frittenfrau,<\/em> or frying girl, this skit will resonate with anyone who\u2019s ever dated.<\/strong><\/p>\n This isn\u2019t necessarily a video we’d recommend for beginners (or for younger audiences, given some of the adult content), but if you\u2019re looking for authentic German spoken by native speakers in a real-life situation, \u201cFritten zum Mittag\u201d<\/em> should be on your list.<\/p>\n How to Use YouTube Videos as a Shadowing Resource<\/strong><\/p>\n German videos such as \u201cFritten zum Mittag\u201d<\/em> require a bit more experience with shadowing<\/strong>. In fact, we recommend you gain confidence in the method of shadowing before you use this resource to practice the technique. However, there are a lot of elements that make \u201cFritten zum Mittag\u201d<\/em> a good candidate for shadowing.<\/p>\n While the speakers definitely talk in a faster, more natural way, this is authentic German<\/strong>. Since the interactions between the characters are central to the plot, there\u2019s much you can pick up from body language, facial expressions and inflection.<\/p>\n To get the most out of this particular video, watch it all the way through once without shadowing.<\/strong> This will allow you to simply hear the language and watch the action. Then, work the entire video scene by scene. Watch the main male character flirt with the Frittenfrau<\/em> after he hangs up with his girlfriend and then get turned down with his money thrown back in his face. Shadow that scene until you feel comfortable, and then move on to the next.<\/p>\n In general, this is a good technique to use when working with longer or more advanced videos. Watching the whole thing once can avoid frustration and can make shadowing more enjoyable overall.<\/p>\n While you’re doing your initial watch, you can enable German or English subtitles to pick up on some of the colloquial phrasing used<\/strong>. When you see a phrase you want to memorize and use in your own speech, replay that scene to practice shadowing how it\u2019s said. Adding these phrasings to your vocabulary toolbox puts you one step closer to fluency.<\/p>\n I get it\u2013learning German isn\u2019t always a walk in the park. But it doesn\u2019t have to be a boring, tedious, or hair-pulling experience either. In fact, making it fun is key to your success!<\/p>\r\n With FluentU, you can learn German naturally by turning any YouTube or Netflix video with subtitles<\/strong> into an interactive language lesson. I\u2019m talking about language immersion from the convenience of your device.<\/p>\r\n You can even import your favorite YouTube videos into your FluentU account to learn from them using the app or website. Or browse our curated library of videos<\/strong> handpicked for beginners and intermediate learners. <\/p>\r\n \r\n While you watch a video, FluentU\u2019s interactive subtitles<\/strong> let you tap on any word for an instant definition, example sentences, images, and audio. No more pausing and searching for translations\u2014everything you need is right there!<\/p>\r\n It's all built to help you learn how to use words in real contexts. And as you learn, you can add new words to your flaschards<\/strong> with just a click! For example, if I tap on the word \"Kind,\"<\/i> this is what pops up:\r\n \r\n Learn even faster with built-in quizzes<\/strong> that reinforce vocab from every video. FluentU tracks your progress, gives you extra practice with tricky words, and reminds you when it\u2019s time to review\u2014so your learning is always personalized and effective<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n Try FluentU today on your computer or tablet, or download our app from the App Store<\/a> or Google Play<\/a>. Click here to take advantage of our current sale!<\/strong><\/a> (Expires at the end of this month.)<\/p>\n How to Use FluentU as a Shadowing Resource<\/strong><\/p>\n All you have to do is pick a video that looks interesting and apply your shadowing techniques to it. Whether it\u2019s a movie, song, short video clip or even an interview with just audio, <\/strong>you can shadow it.<\/p>\n For instance, let\u2019s say you choose a film clip. Before you begin, read the included transcript, then turn on just German subtitles. As you watch the words on the screen, shadow what you hear<\/strong>. If you get hung up on a particular part of the video, you can use the arrows on the video player to repeat a section.<\/p>\n You can shadow using the videos from our YouTube channel<\/a>:<\/p>\n The MosaLingua app for German<\/a> is something you can easily download on your phone. You’ll have to pay a small monthly fee to obtain the software, but it\u2019s not much more than a Starbucks visit. Call it investing in your future, because this resource contains a jackpot of audio resources perfect for shadowing.<\/p>\n The MosaLingua app contains over 50 dialogues spoken by native speakers.<\/strong> Subjects range from socializing and emergencies to going out and asking for help. Unlimited access also comes with the option to tailor your learning with additional resources that can be purchased in the app as well.<\/p>\n How to Use MosaLingua as a Shadowing Resource<\/strong><\/p>\n To get the most out of MosaLingua, we recommend using it as a supplement to your study routine<\/strong>. You don\u2019t need an internet connection to use the app, so it\u2019s great for small increments of downtime. Practice shadowing on your walk to work or during a car trip, or even right before you go to sleep.<\/p>\n Another part of the MosaLingua app that you should take full advantage of are the miniature tests given for comprehension. Though you\u2019ll want to focus more on listening to the audio and shadowing what\u2019s said, it\u2019s always a good idea to check if you\u2019ve understood what you\u2019ve heard.<\/strong> Doing poorly on the test indicates it might be a good idea to go back to the audio you\u2019ve just heard, and listen to\u2014and shadow\u2014the clip a few more times.<\/p>\n We all love kicking back and watching some TV. After all, our bodies get to rest from the day and yet our minds are transported to places we\u2019ve never been before. You may think watching TV in German would be more chore than fun, but have you checked out Schoener Fernsehen<\/em><\/a>?<\/p>\n Schoener Fernsehen<\/em> compiles a variety of German TV channels into one streaming service.<\/strong> In fact, you can watch live German TV, along with private channels as well. Again, like many of the resources listed here, it\u2019s real German, the same stuff you’d see and hear if you were at home in Munich.<\/p>\n Did we mention it\u2019s free? Okay, so technically most<\/em> of Schoener Fernsehen<\/em> is free. There are a few channels you do have to pay for. It\u2019s a bit like signing up for Netflix or Hulu, where the premium content comes once you\u2019ve subscribed to the service.<\/p>\n That being said, how would you like to watch some of your favorite shows in German? This is where the freedom of shadowing shines. You can pick movies and shows you\u2019ve already seen or have watched in English<\/strong> and shadow along with the episodes. Like your favorite book, it\u2019s a plotline and story you can follow along with, except you\u2019re looking at it through the lens of the German language instead.<\/p>\n There are plenty of real German shows to choose from as well<\/strong>. If you\u2019re looking for a new show to get sucked into, Schoener Fernsehen<\/em> has plenty of those.<\/p>\n How to Use German TV as a Shadowing Resource<\/strong><\/p>\n For shadowing, we suggest starting out with a show you\u2019re familiar with.<\/strong> Beginners will find it easier to apply the shadowing technique that way. However, once you\u2019ve practiced shadowing a few times, pick a new German show<\/a> and try to shadow as much as you can.<\/p>\n Getting the most out of Schoener Fernsehen<\/em> lies in the ability to pause the show as it plays. You won\u2019t be able to back the film up in most cases, but you can stop the action and write down words or phrases you don\u2019t know for future study. When an episode is over, try to summarize what you\u2019ve seen<\/strong>, even if you don\u2019t know the whole plot. You can always go online and research the series to figure out how accurate you are.<\/p>\n Available subjects on Schoener Fernsehen<\/em> include news, entertainment, cartoons, crime shows, history, action and pretty much anything else<\/strong> you\u2019d be able to find on an English streaming service. So make the best of your TV-watching time with Schoener Fernsehen<\/em> and some German shadowing.<\/p>\n Surrounding yourself with the language includes playing German songs as well. But that doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re stuck with just the oldies like “99 Luftballons”<\/a> either. We admit, there\u2019s nothing wrong with the classics, but if you\u2019re looking for contemporary German songs, there are plenty out there.<\/p>\n One of those songs is “Einmal Um die Welt”<\/a><\/em> by Cro. Centered around companionship and wanting to give a loved one a trip anywhere around the world, this song is upbeat. It\u2019s something you can easily play in the car or have queued in your playlist.<\/strong> Best of all, you don\u2019t have to have any special subscription to stream it. The song is free on YouTube to listen to at any time.<\/p>\n How to Use German Songs as a Shadowing Resource<\/strong><\/p>\n There are certain components that make a song unique from a movie or short clip. For instance, you\u2019ve got a melody and lyrics to go along with it. The music behind the words can play as big a part as what the speaker conveys with the lyrics.<\/p>\n The majority of the time, lyrics of a song are written with colloquial terms and phrases.<\/strong> That means any shadowing you do should help you build up those types of vocabulary within your studies. Choruses allow you multiple opportunities to practice the same phrases. As we know, practice and repetition are key components of the shadowing technique. Finally, you can listen to songs over and over again and they\u2019re catchy enough to memorize with ease.<\/strong><\/p>\n In the case of \u201cEinmal Um die Welt,\u201d<\/em> you can easily listen to the song and shadow at the same time. We encourage you to listen to the song first and watch the music video to have visual context. Then, listen to \u201cEinmal Um die Welt\u201d<\/em> again, but with the German lyrics<\/a> in front of you; printed out is best.<\/p>\nWhat Are the Benefits of Shadowing?<\/h2>\n
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How to Do German Shadowing Step-by-step<\/h2>\n
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German Shadowing Resources to Get Fluent Faster<\/h2>\n
1. Radio D Podcast<\/h3>\n
2. German Audiobooks<\/h3>\n
![\"Wieso?](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/61NQNjqv1CL.jpg\" "\\"Wieso?")
<\/a><\/p>\n3. German YouTube Videos: \u201cFritten zum Mittag\u201d<\/em><\/h3>\n
4. FluentU<\/a>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/fluentu-2.png\")
<\/a><\/div><\/h3>\nGerman Immersion from Your Device<\/h2>\r\n
![\"FluentU-German-video-library\"](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/German-5.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\r\n![\"FluentU-German-video-with-interactive-subtitles\"](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/FluentU-German-video-with-interactive-subtitles-web.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\r\n![\"FluentU-German-vocab\"](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/FluentU-German-vocab-kind.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\r\n![\"FluentU-German-vocab-quiz\"](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/FluentU-German-vocab-quiz-web.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\r\n5. MosaLingua App
![\"german](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/site\/\/5\/german-shadowing.png\")
<\/a><\/h3>\n6. Schoener Fernsehen:<\/em> Authentic German TV<\/h3>\n
7. \u201cEinmal Um die Welt\u201d<\/em> and Other Contemporary German Songs<\/h3>\n