Shadowing Practice: Talking About Traveling Alone in English | Easy English Podcast for Beginners - Learn English Speaking with Video
Creando lección...
1
Hello everyone, and welcome back to Everyday English Academy,
2
where we make English simple and enjoyable.
3
I'm Sarah.
4
And I'm Mike.
5
Hello to all of our wonderful listeners,
6
wherever you are in the world right now.
7
So, Mike, you look happy today.
8
What's going on?
9
I am happy, Sarah.
10
I just booked a trip.
11
Oh, exciting!
12
Where are you going?
13
Italy.
14
Two weeks.
15
Rome.
16
Florence.
17
The food.
18
The coffee.
19
That sounds amazing.
20
Who are you going with?
21
Your brother?
22
A friend?
23
Nobody.
24
Nobody?
25
Nope.
26
Just me.
27
Solo.
28
Wait.
29
You're going to Italy alone?
30
Yes.
31
And I can't wait.
32
Mike, are you okay?
33
What?
34
Why are you looking at me like that?
35
Because that sounds a little bit scary.
36
Two weeks in another country all by yourself?
37
What if something goes wrong?
38
What if you get lonely?
39
What if… Sarah, relax.
40
Millions of people travel solo every year.
41
It's completely normal.
42
Solo means alone, right?
43
By yourself.
44
Exactly.
45
Solo travel is when you go on a trip without other people, just you.
46
Hmm.
47
I don't know, Mike.
48
I've never traveled alone.
49
The idea makes me nervous.
50
And that is exactly what we're going to talk about today.
51
Yes.
52
Today, we're talking about traveling alone,
53
or solo travel in English.
54
And honestly, I think this is going to be a really fun conversation,
55
because Mike and I clearly have very different opinions about this.
56
We do.
57
And for everyone listening, have you ever traveled alone?
58
Or is it something you want to do but you're a little scared?
59
Tell us in the comments.
60
Yes, please.
61
We want to hear your stories.
62
Even one short sentence is great practice.
63
Okay, Sarah, let me ask you something.
64
Why does solo travel scare you?
65
Honestly, I think the idea of doing everything on my own is a bit nerve-wracking.
66
Nerve-wracking.
67
Good word.
68
That means something that makes you feel really nervous or stressed, right?
69
Yes.
70
Like, imagine you're at a train station in a country where you don't speak the language
71
and you have to find your platform on your own.
72
On your own just means by yourself, without anyone helping you.
73
Exactly.
74
No friend next to you saying,
75
oh, it's Platform 5, let's go.
76
You have to do everything yourself.
77
But see, that's actually the best part.
78
The best part?
79
Yes, because when you do things on your own,
80
you feel so proud after.
81
Like, wow, I actually pulled that off.
82
Pulled that off.
83
What does that mean?
84
To pull something off means to succeed at doing something that was difficult or challenging.
85
Like, I was so nervous about the trip,
86
but I pulled it off.
87
Hmm, okay.
88
I can see that.
89
But Mike, what about eating alone?
90
At a restaurant?
91
Doesn't that feel weird?
92
Why would it be weird?
93
Because everyone around you is with friends or family,
94
and you're just sitting there, alone, with your pasta.
95
First of all, pasta is great company.
96
And second, I actually love eating alone.
97
You do not.
98
I do.
99
You sit down, you order what you want,
100
you eat slowly, you enjoy the food,
101
nobody is talking, nobody's rushing you.
102
Rushing means making you go faster, right?
103
Like, hurry up, finish your food.
104
Exactly.
105
When you eat alone, nobody rushes you.
106
You can sit there for an hour if you want.
107
Hmm, okay, that part sounds nice.
108
But I would still feel awkward just sitting there.
109
Awkward means uncomfortable, like you don't know what to do with yourself.
110
Yes.
111
Like, do I look at my phone?
112
Do I stare at the wall?
113
Where do I put my hands?
114
You're overthinking it.
115
Just enjoy the food.
116
Okay, I have to disagree.
117
For me, eating alone in a restaurant sounds terrible.
118
I would feel so awkward just sitting there.
119
And I would feel totally relaxed.
120
So, listeners, who do you agree with?
121
Is eating alone at a restaurant comfortable or awkward?
122
Tell us in the comments.
123
I want to know.
124
I know most people will agree with me.
125
We'll see about that.
126
Okay, but seriously, let's talk about the good things about solo travel,
127
because I know there are good things, even if I'm scared.
128
There are so many good things.
129
The biggest one for me is freedom.
130
Freedom?
131
Yes.
132
When you travel alone, you decide everything.
133
You want to wake up late?
134
Fine.
135
You want to visit three museums in one day?
136
Go ahead.
137
You want to sit in a cafe for two hours and do nothing.
138
Nobody will complain.
139
OK.
140
That does sound nice.
141
No waiting for other people to get ready.
142
No arguing about where to eat.
143
No one saying, I'm tired,
144
let's go back to the hotel.
145
Exactly.
146
You go with the flow of your day.
147
Go with the flow.
148
I like that phrase.
149
It means you relax and just accept what happens, right?
150
You don't stress about having a perfect plan.
151
Right.
152
So maybe you're walking down a street and you see a beautiful little market.
153
You stop, you look around, you buy something.
154
There's no schedule.
155
You just go with the flow.
156
That actually sounds really refreshing.
157
Refreshing, yes, and that's another great word.
158
Refreshing means something that feels new and good,
159
and it gives you energy,
160
like a cold drink on a hot day, but for your mind.
161
I like that.
162
Solo travel is refreshing because you forget about your normal life for a while.
163
Yes, you leave your routine behind and suddenly everything feels new again.
164
I think that's what a lot of people need, actually.
165
A break from the same thing every day.
166
Totally.
167
And here's another amazing thing about solo travel.
168
You meet more people, not less.
169
Wait, really?
170
How?
171
Think about it.
172
When you're with a friend,
173
you talk to your friend.
174
You don't really need to talk to strangers.
175
But when you're alone, you're more open.
176
Oh, so you branch out more.
177
Yes!
178
To branch out means to try new things or connect with new people.
179
When you're solo, you naturally branch out because you don't have your comfort group with you.
180
That makes sense.
181
So you might start talking to someone at a hostel or at a cafe or on a tour.
182
Exactly.
183
Some of the best conversations I've ever had were with strangers during solo trips.
184
I can imagine.
185
And I think for English learners,
186
this is actually a huge benefit.
187
If you travel solo to an English-speaking country,
188
you have to speak English.
189
There's nobody to translate for you,
190
nobody to speak for you.
191
That's such a good point.
192
It's like forced practice.
193
Yes.
194
best kind of practice.
195
You order food in English,
196
you ask for directions in English,
197
you make small talk in English.
198
And small talk is just light,
199
casual conversation, like talking about the weather,
200
your trip, where you're from.
201
Exactly!
202
When you're alone, you do so much more small talk because you don't have a travel buddy to hide behind.
203
A travel buddy is just the person you travel with.
204
Your friend, your partner, your family member.
205
Right.
206
And without a travel buddy,
207
you are the one who has to figure everything out.
208
Which is scary, but also kind of exciting?
209
See?
210
You're starting to get it.
211
Okay, okay, you're starting to convince me,
212
but I'm not fully convinced yet.
213
Because there is a scary side, right?
214
Like, what about feeling homesick?
215
Oh, homesick.
216
That's an important word.
217
Homesick means you miss your home when you're away.
218
You miss your family, your friends, your bed, your routine.
219
Yes.
220
And I think when you travel alone,
221
that feeling can be stronger because you don't have a friend with you to distract you.
222
That's true.
223
I've felt homesick on solo trips before, especially at night.
224
During the day, you're busy, you're exploring, you're excited.
225
But at night, when you're back in your hotel room alone,
226
sometimes you think, I wish someone was here.
227
See?
228
That is what scares me.
229
But here's the thing, Sarah.
230
That feeling doesn't last forever.
231
And actually, something happened to me on my first solo trip that I'll never forget.
232
Ooh, what happened?
233
I'll tell you in a minute.
234
First, let me finish my point.
235
You always do this.
236
The point is, being homesick is normal.
237
Even people who love solo travel feel it sometimes.
238
But it teaches you something.
239
What does it teach you?
240
It teaches you that you're stronger than you think.
241
You feel lonely for a moment,
242
and then the next morning you wake up,
243
you go outside, and the world is beautiful again.
244
Okay, that's actually really nice.
245
Now tell me the story.
246
Okay, okay.
247
So, my first solo trip was to Portugal.
248
I was 24.
249
I was sitting alone at a small restaurant,
250
feeling a little bit lonely, eating my soup.
251
Alone with your soup.
252
Don't laugh.
253
And then the man at the table next to me said,
254
is that the fish soup?
255
Is it good?
256
And we started talking.
257
His name was Carlos.
258
He was a local teacher.
259
We talked for three hours.
260
Three hours?
261
With a stranger?
262
Yes.
263
He told me about his city,
264
his life, his favorite places.
265
He even drew me a little map on a napkin of places I should visit.
266
That's so sweet!
267
And that conversation?
268
That would never have happened if I was traveling with a friend.
269
I would have been talking to my friend, not to Carlos.
270
Wow.
271
Okay, I think I understand now.
272
Solo travel opens doors that group travel doesn't.
273
Exactly.
274
Alright, let's talk about some practical things.
275
If someone listening is thinking,
276
OK, maybe I want to try solo travel.
277
What advice would you give them?
278
Good question.
279
First, start small.
280
You don't have to fly to the other side of the world for your first solo trip.
281
Right.
282
Maybe just take a weekend trip to a nearby city.
283
Exactly.
284
Somewhere close, somewhere safe, somewhere easy.
285
Just to try the feeling.
286
That's smart.
287
And I think another good tip is wander around.
288
Oh, I love wandering around.
289
To wander around means to walk without a specific plan.
290
You just walk and see what you find.
291
No map, no schedule, no stress.
292
I spent the whole afternoon wandering around the old town.
293
That's one of the best things you can do when you travel.
294
And you can do it at your own pace.
295
Fast, slow, stopping every five minutes to take a photo.
296
Nobody cares.
297
Nobody is waiting for you.
298
But here's something important.
299
When you wander around alone,
300
you should stay aware of your surroundings.
301
Surroundings means everything around you.
302
The streets, the people, the area you're in.
303
Right.
304
So be aware of your surroundings means pay attention to what's happening around you.
305
Don't walk into a dark alley at midnight while looking at your phone.
306
Good advice for life in general, not just solo travel.
307
Exactly.
308
Being safe is important.
309
But that doesn't mean being scared all the time.
310
There's a big difference.
311
Yes.
312
You can feel safe and have an adventure.
313
Just use common sense.
314
Common sense.
315
That means basic, practical thinking that most people have.
316
Like, don't leave your bag open in a crowded place.
317
You'd be surprised how many people forget that.
318
Now here's another tip.
319
Actually, this is one tip that changed everything for me when I finally tried a short solo trip.
320
Oh, what was it?
321
Learn a few basic words in the local language.
322
even just hello, thank you, and excuse me.
323
People love it when you try to speak their language.
324
Even badly.
325
That is so true.
326
When I said obrigado in Portugal,
327
which means thank you, people smiled so big.
328
It opens hearts, and for someone traveling alone,
329
those small connections are everything.
330
Yes, and one more thing.
331
You have to take the plunge.
332
Take the plunge?
333
What does that mean?
334
To take the plunge means to finally decide to do something you are nervous about.
335
You stop thinking, you stop worrying,
336
and you just do it.
337
Like jumping into a swimming pool?
338
Yes.
339
I was scared of solo travel for years,
340
but finally I took the plunge and booked a flight to Japan.
341
I love that.
342
Sometimes you just have to stop overthinking and take the plunge.
343
Exactly.
344
Overthinking kills the adventure before it starts.
345
Overthinking means thinking too much about something,
346
usually in a negative way, until you feel stuck.
347
Yes.
348
And solo travel is the perfect cure for overthinking,
349
because when you're in a new place,
350
alone, your brain is too busy experiencing things to worry.
351
You know what, Mike?
352
I think solo travel is really about trusting yourself.
353
That's beautiful, Sarah.
354
And it's true.
355
Like trusting that you can handle things on your own,
356
that you can eat alone,
357
navigate alone, solve problems alone.
358
And once you do it,
359
you carry that confidence back home with you.
360
It changes how you see yourself.
361
Okay, I think you've actually changed my mind a little bit.
362
A little bit?
363
Okay, a lot.
364
I'm actually thinking about maybe,
365
possibly, trying a short solo trip this year.
366
Yes, do it, Sarah.
367
Maybe just a weekend, somewhere not too far.
368
That's perfect.
369
Take the plunge.
370
I'll try.
371
Okay, before we finish, let's do a quick review of the words we talked about today.
372
Great idea.
373
So solo means alone, by yourself.
374
She went on a solo trip to Greece.
375
Nerve-wracking means something that makes you feel very nervous or stressed.
376
The first day alone was nerve-wracking.
377
On your own means by yourself, without help.
378
I had to find the hotel on my own.
379
Pull something off means to succeed at something difficult.
380
I can't believe I pulled off a two-week trip alone.
381
Go with the flow means to relax and accept whatever happens.
382
I didn't have a plan.
383
I just went with the flow.
384
Refreshing means something that feels new and gives you energy.
385
Traveling alone is so refreshing.
386
Branch out means to try new things or meet new people.
387
Solo travel helped me branch out and talk to strangers.
388
Homesick means missing your home when you're away.
389
I felt a little homesick on the third night.
390
Wander around means to walk without a plan.
391
I love to wander around new cities.
392
And take the plunge means to finally do something you were scared about.
393
Stop thinking and just take the plunge.
394
Beautiful.
395
Those are really useful words for talking about travel,
396
and honestly, about life in general.
397
They really are.
398
Now, listeners, we have a question for you.
399
Yes.
400
We want to know, what is the one place in the world you would love to visit alone, And why?
401
Write it in the comments.
402
Even one sentence is amazing practice.
403
For example, I would love to visit Japan alone
404
because I want to go with the flow and explore at my own pace.
405
Or, I would love to wander around Paris alone because it sounds so refreshing.
406
See?
407
Use the words from today.
408
We read every comment.
409
Seriously, it makes our day.
410
And if you enjoyed this episode,
411
please subscribe to Everyday English Academy and give us a like.
412
Share this with a friend who loves traveling,
413
or who needs a little push to take the plunge.
414
Perfect!
415
Thank you so much for spending time with us today.
416
Keep practicing, keep learning, and maybe start planning your first solo adventure.
417
Stay curious, stay brave, and we'll see you in the next episode.
418
Bye, everyone.
419
Goodbye.
420
And Mike, send me a postcard from Italy.
421
I will.
422
Bye.
📺 Mismo canal
B11
Which Season Matches Your Personality | Cozy English Listening Practice
Education
B11
Cooking at Home vs Ordering Out | English Speaking Practice
General
B1Why You Should Stop Comparing Your English | English Speaking Practice
Education
B11
The Power of Saying No | Easy English Listening Practice
General
B12
Which Coffee Personality Are You? | Fun English Listening Practice
General
B12
Easy English Podcast for English Conversations | Asking for Directions
Education
B13
Easy English Podcast | Why People Care So Much What Others Think
Education
B15
How To Talk About June in English | Easy English Podcast
General
A27
Talking About Gym in English | Easy English Podcast for Beginners
General
B11
How to Talk About Salary & Money in English | English Podcast for Beginners
General
B15
Talking About Countries, Culture & Wanderlust | Easy English for Learners
General
B11
What Makes a Place Feel Like Home | Easy English Podcast
Education
B21
Talking About Apartment vs House in English | Easy English Podcast
Education
B19
Talking About Tea vs Coffee Drinkers in English | Easy English Podcast
General
B135
Talking About Your First Job in English | Easy English Podcast for Beginners
Education
B11
Speak English Without Fearing Mistakes | Easy English Listening Practice
General
B14
Talking about September in english | Easy English Podcast
Education
B113
Talking About Coffee Culture in English | Easy English Podcast for Beginners
Education
B14
Talking About Life in the Countryside in English | Easy English Podcast
General
B13
Is Your Comfort Zone Holding You Back? | Easy English Podcast
General
✨ Recomendar Video
B11
549 oraciones
How to Talk About Travel in English | English Podcast for Speaking Fluency
B11
225 oraciones
solo traveling to Taiwan: Jiufen, day trip to Taichung, cafes, bookstores, cheap local eats!
B13
46 oraciones
Listening - FEAR
B15
157 oraciones
SLOW English Podcast for A2-B1 intemediate levels!-- Planning my first trip!✈️
B13
8 oraciones
Shadowing Practice: Why Travel Abroad? 🌍 #EnglishSpeaking #Shorts
B11
270 oraciones
ENGLISH WITH SUZE PODCAST: EP02
B11
467 oraciones
Travel with confidence speaking english | English podcast
B15
141 oraciones
Learn English Through Travel Stories | Listening Practice
B17
53 oraciones
English Conversation Practice: Small Talk on an Airplane (Meeting New People)
B149
96 oraciones
Slow English - My Travel Routine ✈️ A2–B1 Shadowing Practice
About This Lesson
In this lesson, you will learn to discuss the exciting yet sometimes daunting experience of traveling alone in English. As Sarah and Mike engage in conversation about solo travel, you’ll practice listening and speaking skills by exploring common phrases and vocabulary used while discussing travel. This session is perfect for beginners who want to enhance their English skills and gain confidence in expressing personal experiences and feelings related to solitary adventures.
Key Vocabulary & Phrases
- Solo travel – Traveling alone, without companions.
- Exciting – Causing great enthusiasm and eagerness.
- Scary – Causing fear or anxiety.
- Nervous – Feeling worried or anxious.
- Trip – A journey or voyage for pleasure.
- Book a trip – To arrange and purchase travel plans in advance.
- What if? – A phrase used to express concern or uncertainty about a situation.
Practice Tips
To maximize your learning from this lesson, consider using a shadow speech technique while you listen to the dialogue between Sarah and Mike. This involves repeating what you hear, mimicking their pronunciation, intonation, and speed. Since the conversation in this video is friendly and conversational, it provides an excellent opportunity for shadow speaking practice.
As you listen, use a shadowing app or even simple recording tools to capture your voice. Listening to your own recordings while comparing them to the original dialogue can significantly improve your pronunciation and fluency. Focus specifically on the emotional tones that Sarah and Mike convey, particularly Mike’s enthusiastic excitement about traveling alone, as well as Sarah’s nervousness. Such nuances are crucial in everyday conversations.
Remember, incorporating this shadowing practice into your routine, especially when preparing for important assessments like the IELTS speaking practice, can help build your confidence and fluency in English. Don’t hesitate to pause the video to repeat phrases or reflect on your thoughts about traveling alone. Utilize the shadowspeak method regularly to transform your speaking skills and deepen your understanding of the English language.
¿Qué es la Técnica de Shadowing?
Shadowing es una técnica de aprendizaje de idiomas respaldada por la ciencia, desarrollada originalmente para la formación de intérpretes profesionales y popularizada por el políglota Dr. Alexander Arguelles. El método es simple pero poderoso: escuchas audio en inglés nativo y lo repites en voz alta de inmediato, como una sombra que sigue al hablante con solo 1-2 segundos de retraso. A diferencia de la escucha pasiva o los ejercicios de gramática, el shadowing obliga a tu cerebro y músculos de la boca a procesar y reproducir simultáneamente patrones de habla reales. Las investigaciones muestran que mejora significativamente la precisión de la pronunciación, la entonación, el ritmo, el habla conectada, la comprensión auditiva y la fluidez al hablar, convirtiéndola en una de las metodologías más efectivas para la preparación del IELTS Speaking y la comunicación en inglés en el mundo real.