Finding proper shadowing passages has been my way of challenging myself in achieving a higher level of fluency in Japanese. Though it is stressful at times, I feel that choosing passages filled with lots of new vocabulary is rewarding in the sense that it helps me fit together different pieces of the language like a puzzle. When I learned vocabulary in the textbook chapters that I had previously used while shadowing, the context in which it was used was distinctly memorable, and I could feel a link forming. Because I am in the beginning stages of learning Japanese, most of the words in shadowing passages are completely unfamiliar, as when I am learning new vocabulary during class. Making links between the two, however, extinguishes the unfamiliarity so that I feel like I'm learning in a more wholesome manner.
My thoughts on shadowing as a pronunciation exercise are similar. Last time, I had said that I wanted to improve my speaking by paying more attention to meaning and context, and this has not changed. In light of what I had just said about learning new vocabulary, however, I'm adding a new dimension to my goals by being able to feel that Japanese words are familiar to speak. A certain amount of muscle memory is required to speak fluently, and having practice saying words that I do not know is extremely helpful for when I do start to use them in class and actually understand their meanings.
