Pratique du Shadowing: English Podcast For Daily Life English | Talk About Your Family in English | Learn English Fast - Apprendre l'anglais à l'oral avec la vidéo
Création de la leçon...
1
English Leap Podcast from Speak English with Class.
2
Hey English learners!
3
Welcome back to the English Leap Podcast, where we learn English through real, everyday conversations.
4
I'm Anna.
5
And I'm Jake.
6
Today we're talking about family.
7
A simple topic, but also not simple at all.
8
Exactly.
9
Family can feel warm, funny, complicated, and emotional, sometimes all in the same conversation.
10
And today's episode is your cozy English practice.
11
One real conversation, a few useful words, and one speaking moment at the end.
12
Yes.
13
In that speaking moment, I'll talk to you, your lines will appear on the screen, and you'll say them out loud, like you're really having a conversation with me.
14
So don't just listen today.
15
Listen, learn, and get ready to use your voice.
16
All right, Anna.
17
Before we go deep into family, how are you today?
18
I'm good.
19
A little quiet today, but good.
20
What about you?
21
I'm good, too.
22
Mostly.
23
Mostly?
24
Yeah, I feel a little guilty today.
25
Oh, what happened?
26
My sister sent me a voice note this morning.
27
She said, Wow, Jake, you still remember you have a family?
28
Oof.
29
That sounds like a joke with a little pain inside.
30
That's exactly what it was.
31
I laughed, and then I sat with it for a while, because maybe she has a point.
32
You haven't called in a while?
33
Not properly.
34
I send messages, but calling is different.
35
And life gets busy, and then you look up and many days have passed.
36
Mmm, that happens to so many people.
37
We love someone, but the days just go by, and we don't show it the way we want to.
38
Yes.
39
I think about my family.
40
I just don't always reach out.
41
I've been there, too.
42
Last month, my aunt called me twice.
43
I saw her name on the screen both times, and I kept thinking, I'll call her when I have more time.
44
Ah, the famous, when I have more time.
45
And more time never came.
46
When I finally called her, she didn't sound angry.
47
She just said, I thought you forgot me.
48
Oh, that's hard to hear.
49
really was, because she wasn't asking for much.
50
She just needed to feel that she was still in my mind.
51
So I told her, I didn't forget you.
52
I'm sorry I took so long.
53
That sounds simple, but those words take something.
54
They do.
55
And sometimes that's all family needs.
56
Not a big explanation, just to feel remembered.
57
I think about the way my mother communicates sometimes.
58
She'll call, and the first thing she says is, Did you eat?
59
Ah, the most famous family question.
60
She's not really asking about food.
61
She's saying, I'm thinking about you.
62
I want you to be okay.
63
Or call me when you reach, which means, I'll be worrying until I hear from you.
64
Family love hides inside ordinary words.
65
It does.
66
And when you start hearing it that way, it changes how you receive it.
67
It does.
68
Are you close to your family, Anna?
69
I am.
70
But my relationship with them has changed as I've gotten older.
71
When I was young, family was almost everything.
72
They were the whole world I knew.
73
They raised me, guided me, corrected me when I went wrong.
74
All of that became part of who I am.
75
My upbringing shaped me in ways I'm still discovering.
76
I feel that.
77
My upbringing gave me a strong sense of respect for older people, for guests, for even small things like not wasting food.
78
Those lessons became part of me so quietly I didn't notice until I was grown.
79
And then you grow up and you start making your own choices, your own path.
80
And sometimes your family doesn't fully understand those choices.
81
Not because they don't love you.
82
No. Sometimes they're just seeing life from a very different place, a different time, a different set of experiences.
83
That's the generational gap.
84
My parents grew up believing that safety was everything.
85
A stable job, a clear plan, no unnecessary risks.
86
And that comes from real experience.
87
They lived through things that taught them to hold on tight.
88
And their worry about you comes from exactly that place.
89
I know.
90
But knowing it doesn't always make it feel lighter.
91
Sometimes care and pressure can look very similar.
92
Yes.
93
And I think many people carry that quietly.
94
You love your family, you're grateful for everything they've given you, and still, some things feel heavy.
95
The obligations, too.
96
Calling, visiting, being available, explaining your life to people who love you but don't always understand your choices.
97
And when you can't meet those obligations, when life is too full or you're too tired, there's the guilt, even when you're trying your best.
98
Exactly.
99
Something can feel like both a gift and a weight at the same time.
100
I think a lot of people need to hear that.
101
it's okay to feel both.
102
You can love your family deeply and still need space to breathe.
103
Those two things aren't in conflict.
104
I needed to hear that today, actually.
105
I think I did too.
106
Can I ask you something a little more personal? Of course.
107
Have you ever had a real falling out with someone in your family?
108
Not just a small disagreement, but something that left a real silence between you?
109
Yes.
110
My brother and I once went almost four months without speaking properly.
111
We had an argument.
112
I don't even remember now exactly what started it.
113
But we both went quiet after it.
114
And the longer the silence lasted, the harder it became to break.
115
Silence has a weight.
116
It does.
117
It starts as a pause and slowly becomes a wall.
118
That's exactly what happened.
119
And I kept thinking, he should call first.
120
And I'm sure he was thinking the same thing about me. Who called?
121
I did, eventually.
122
I just decided I didn't want that wall to get any taller.
123
I called him and said I don't want to leave things like this between us.
124
I didn't try to go back over who was right.
125
I just said that.
126
That's the hardest part, not needing to win first.
127
And that's really what making amends means.
128
Not that you were entirely wrong, just that their relationship means more to you than the argument does.
129
Did it help?
130
Not immediately.
131
We didn't suddenly become perfect after one phone call.
132
But something shifted.
133
The wall got smaller.
134
And small was enough to start.
135
I had something similar with my brother last year.
136
We argued, something small that somehow got bigger than it should have.
137
And then we both went quiet.
138
After a few days, calling him felt strange.
139
Like too much time had passed.
140
But you called?
141
I did.
142
I said, I didn't like how we ended that conversation.
143
That was all. And?
144
And he said, me neither.
145
And that was the beginning.
146
Sometimes those are the bravest conversations.
147
The short ones.
148
Because you're going in without knowing how the other person will respond.
149
Yes.
150
You just decide the relationship matters more than your fear does.
151
And you call.
152
Family is strange.
153
We don't choose where we come from.
154
But many of us keep choosing the people we love again and again, even through the hard parts.
155
That's a beautiful way to put it.
156
They're your old stories.
157
The people who remember who you were before you became who you are.
158
There's a sense of belonging in that.
159
A feeling that you have a place, and that place has always been yours.
160
And that feeling is rare.
161
It's hard to find anywhere else.
162
But then there are also the questions about your life decisions, the pressure, The generational gap in how you see things.
163
And the obligations that pile up sometimes.
164
And the guilt when you don't meet them.
165
Family is many things at once, and talking about it in English should reflect that.
166
Not just, I have one brother, or I live with my parents.
167
We can say, my upbringing shaped the person I am.
168
Or, my family gives me a real sense of belonging.
169
Or, there is a generational gap between my parents and me.
170
Or, family obligations can feel heavy, even when they come from love.
171
Or, after an argument, I try to make amends rather than hold on to the silence.
172
Now that's the kind of English that helps us sound more human.
173
I think so, too.
174
Let's take those words into word tour.
175
Yes, let's begin with upbringing.
176
Up-bringing.
177
Up-bringing.
178
Up-bring-ing.
179
Up-bringing.
180
Up-bringing means the way you were raised as a child.
181
Earlier, you said our family teaches us, protects us, and corrects us when we are young.
182
And you said your upbringing taught you respect.
183
You could say, my upbringing taught me to respect older people.
184
Or maybe your family taught you to work hard, speak politely, or help others.
185
Then you could say, my upbringing shaped the person I am today.
186
And if your family taught you to make your own choices, you can say, my upbringing made me more independent.
187
Nice.
188
Our next word is belonging.
189
Belonging.
190
Belonging.
191
Belonging.
192
Belonging.
193
Belonging.
194
Belonging is the feeling that you are accepted somewhere.
195
You feel that you have a place.
196
Earlier, we talked about going home and not having to explain yourself from the beginning.
197
Yes.
198
When people know your old stories, your favorite food, and your small habits, that can give you a sense of belonging.
199
You could say, My family gives me a sense of belonging.
200
Or maybe you live far away from home and you miss that feeling.
201
Then you could say, I miss the feeling of belonging I have with my family.
202
And if you are talking about close relationships, you can say, belonging is one of the most beautiful parts of family.
203
That's a warm sentence.
204
Our next phrase is generational gap.
205
Generational gap.
206
Generational gap.
207
Generational gap.
208
Generational gap.
209
A generational gap is the difference between how older and younger people think or see life.
210
Earlier, I said my parents worry about safe jobs, safe choices, and safe plans.
211
Yes.
212
That can happen because of a generational gap.
213
You could say, sometimes my parents and I see things differently because of the generational gap.
214
Or maybe your family has different ideas about work, marriage, money, or lifestyle.
215
Then you could say, the generational gap can create small misunderstandings in my family.
216
And if you want to sound calm and mature, you can say, I try to understand the generational gap instead of arguing immediately.
217
That is a very useful sentence.
218
Our next word is obligation.
219
Obligation.
220
Ob-ligation.
221
Ob-ligation.
222
Obligation.
223
An obligation is something you feel you must do because of duty, responsibility, or expectation.
224
Maybe you love your family, but you also feel you must call, visit, help, or answer every message.
225
You could say, family obligations can feel heavy sometimes.
226
Or maybe you're busy, but you still want to be there for your family.
227
Then you could say, I have family obligations, but I also need time for myself.
228
And if you want to sound honest, you can say, I love my family, but some obligations make me feel tired.
229
That sentence feels very real.
230
Our last phrase is make amends.
231
Make amends.
232
Make amends.
233
Make amends.
234
Make amends.
235
To make amends means to fix things after a problem, an argument, or a hurt feeling.
236
Earlier, I talked about calling my brother after an argument.
237
Yes, you didn't want a small argument to become a big wall.
238
So I could say, I called my brother to make amends.
239
Or maybe you said something too quickly to someone in your family.
240
Then you could say, I want to make amends after our argument.
241
And if you want to sound mature, you can say, in family, it is more important to make amends than to win every argument.
242
Beautiful.
243
So today we had upbringing, belonging, generational gap, obligation, and make amends.
244
Five words that can help us talk about family with more feeling.
245
And you know, this is the moment where many learners understand the words, but later, when they need to speak, the words disappear.
246
Yes, that's why practice after the episode matters so much.
247
If you meet these words again in the transcript, try them in quizzes, play with them in games, and repeat them in shadowing practice.
248
They start becoming part of your real English.
249
That's exactly why we created English Leap Club.
250
to help you continue after the video while the words are still fresh in your mind.
251
Inside, you'll find the transcript, quizzes, games, shadowing practice, and calm support to help you keep going.
252
So if today's words felt useful, don't let them disappear.
253
Visit the link below after the episode and practice them again.
254
Just a little more practice can make these words easier to remember, easier to say, and easier to use in real life.
255
Speak with Anna.
256
And now, before you go anywhere, let's use your English right here.
257
Yes, this is the part I look forward to most, because now the episode becomes something you actually do.
258
It's time for Speak with Anna.
259
Yes, but before we begin, remember this.
260
When your line appears on the screen, don't just read it quietly in your mind.
261
Say it out loud.
262
Use your real voice.
263
Speak slowly, clearly, and with feeling, like you're really talking with me.
264
We'll leave a pause after each line.
265
That pause is yours.
266
Okay, let's talk.
267
So when you think about your family, what feeling comes first?
268
Mmm, yeah, I know what you mean.
269
It's warm, but it's not always simple.
270
Sometimes one small thing happens and suddenly you're thinking about everything, both at the same time.
271
Same.
272
I think a lot of us carry that.
273
We care, but life moves.
274
And then you realize, oh, it's been weeks.
275
Yeah, I do.
276
I try not to be too hard on myself, but yeah.
277
When someone says, I thought you forgot me.
278
That stays with you.
279
It makes you realize even a short call means more than you think.
280
Maybe you should.
281
It doesn't have to be perfect.
282
Even two minutes is kind of saying, I remember you.
283
Can I ask you something else?
284
Do you think your upbringing changed how you see family?
285
Mmm, respect and care.
286
In a lot of families, those are kind of the same thing, aren't they?
287
Like, care shows up as respect.
288
And sometimes that's how people say love.
289
They just never use that word.
290
Mmm, I think to notice people.
291
If someone went quiet, I'd feel it.
292
If something was off, I'd pick it up.
293
Which helps me, but also means I overthink a lot.
294
That definitely came from home.
295
Yeah, quietly.
296
Not always with words.
297
Sometimes it's just watching.
298
How people speak to each other, how they help, how they say sorry or don't.
299
Do you ever feel a generational gap in your family?
300
Hmm.
301
I think about that with my parents sometimes.
302
They wanted safety because life taught them to want that, and I wanted something different.
303
Neither of us was wrong.
304
We were just coming from different times, I think.
305
It changes something when you do that.
306
Their worry starts to make sense, even when it still feels like a lot.
307
You don't have to agree with everything, but you get where it's coming from.
308
They can.
309
Yeah, the calling, the visiting, being available, it all comes from love.
310
But that doesn't mean it's never a lot. And that's okay.
311
Needing space doesn't mean you love them less.
312
It just means you're human.
313
You need something left for yourself, too.
314
I wait, usually, until I'm not in it anymore.
315
If I speak too fast, I say the wrong thing.
316
And then once I've settled, I try something small, just, I don't want us to stay like this.
317
That's usually enough to open it back up.
318
Mmm, and making amends doesn't need a whole speech.
319
Sometimes it's just one message, something honest and small, that can be enough. Do it.
320
I was thinking about you.
321
That's simple, but it carries a lot.
322
It did for me, too.
323
And whoever you're thinking of right now, I hope they hear from you today.
324
Ah, that was really nice.
325
It was.
326
And learners, tell us in the comments, did this Speak with Anna section help you practice speaking?
327
Did saying the lines out loud feel different from just listening?
328
And should we continue this segment in future episodes?
329
Tell us in the comments.
330
Your voice helps us shape the show.
331
It really does.
332
Remember, English grows when you use it, even in one small sentence.
333
Take care of your English.
334
And take care of your heart.
335
This is Anna.
336
And this is Jake.
337
And you have been listening to the English Leap Podcast.
338
Bye for now.
339
Your progress doesn't end here.
340
To continue advancing your English skills, click on the next video or explore the additional videos we've thoughtfully selected for you.
Why practice speaking with this video?
Engaging with this podcast episode is an excellent way to enhance your English speaking practice. The conversation revolves around the topic of family, allowing you to familiarize yourself with everyday vocabulary and expressions related to personal relationships. By listening and repeating the dialogues, you can improve both your fluency and pronunciation.
This episode includes a unique speaking moment, where you get to practice out loud alongside the speakers. This method simulates real-life conversations, making it an effective way to practice speaking. It's interactive and encourages you to use your voice, making it a perfect opportunity for learners who might feel shy or hesitant when practicing alone.
Incorporating such resources into your learning routine can be beneficial, especially if you consider using a shadowing app or a shadowing site that allows you to mimic the speakers. Utilizing tools like Shadowspeak can help you master the art of shadow speech, where you repeat phrases and sentences immediately after hearing them, enhancing your spoken English skills significantly.
Grammar & Expressions in Context
Throughout the episode, several key grammatical structures and expressions stand out:
- Present Simple Tense: The conversation often uses this tense to talk about regular actions and general truths, such as "I think about my family."
- Present Perfect Tense: Expressions like "you haven't called in a while" highlight actions that have relevance to the present moment.
- Future Intentions: The phrase "I'll call her when I have more time" illustrates intentions and plans, a useful structure for expressing future actions.
- Emotional Language: Phrases like "that sounds like a joke with a little pain inside" provide insight into how conversation can convey complex emotions.
By focusing on these structures, learners can develop a better understanding of English grammar in context, which is essential for improving conversational skills.
Common Pronunciation Traps
Pronunciation can often be a challenging aspect of learning English. In this episode, pay special attention to the following points:
- Intonation: The speakers use varied intonation to express emotions, which can change the meaning of a sentence. Practice mimicking their tone to convey similar feelings.
- Contractions: Phrases like "I’m good" may sound quick and clipped. Pay attention to how contractions sound in natural conversation.
- Linked Speech: Words can blend together in natural speech. For example, "you have" often sounds like "ya have." Focus on listening for these links to improve your own fluency.
Practicing these elements and integrating them into your own speech will make you sound more natural and confident while speaking English.
Qu'est-ce que la technique du Shadowing ?
Le Shadowing est une technique d'apprentissage des langues fondée sur la science, développée à l'origine pour la formation des interprètes professionnels. Le principe est simple mais puissant : vous écoutez de l'anglais natif et le répétez immédiatement à voix haute — comme une ombre suivant le locuteur avec un décalage de 1 à 2 secondes. Les recherches montrent une amélioration significative de la précision de la prononciation, de l'intonation, du rythme, des liaisons, de la compréhension orale et de la fluidité.