Shadowing is repeating audio in real time. Done right, it locks in rhythm, prosody, and common chunks you’ll hear on the JLPT and in everyday speech.

Core shadowing methods

Murmur shadowing: low‑volume, focus on timing and rhythm first.
Overlap shadowing: speak with the audio at normal volume once timing is stable.
Delayed shadowing: repeat a beat behind to test memory for chunks.
Prosody copying: exaggerate intonation contours to match the speaker.

How to pick clips

10–20 seconds you mostly understand (80–90%).
Clear audio with a transcript if possible.
Dialogs with common connectors and everyday vocabulary.

Step‑by‑step (one session)

Listen twice; read transcript if available.
Mark unknown words; decide to learn now or later.
Shadow line by line until you match timing and intonation.
Record yourself for one pass; compare and fix one feature.
Do one full‑clip shadow; stop while still sharp (5–10 minutes total).

Weekly plan

4 days: short shadowing sessions (5–10 minutes).
2 days: extensive listening without pausing for flow and stamina.
1 day: rest or review tough lines only.

Metrics

Lines you can shadow to near‑timing match per week.
Words you can predict before the speaker finishes.
Reduction features you notice (linking, devoicing) and can imitate.

Pitfalls

Using clips that are too hard; aim for 80–90% comprehension.
Over‑practicing when tired; stop early to avoid fossilizing errors.
Focusing only on speed; rhythm and intonation carry understanding.

How Kanji Koi helps with shadowing

Build cards for phrases and connectors you hear often; repeat out loud when they resurface.
Adaptive SRS keeps high‑frequency chunks fresh.
Offline mode supports daily micro‑sessions on the go.

Pair shadowing with reading aloud of the same text to link eyes, ears, and mouth. Your recall of chunks improves, making JLPT listening choices easier to eliminate.

Pair shadowing with reading aloud of the same text to link eyes, ears, and mouth.