Pratique du Shadowing: Real English Conversation Practice: Shadow This with Only 200 Words - Apprendre l'anglais à l'oral avec la vidéo
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Most people who study English spend almost all of their time reading and listening, and then they get into a real conversation because they have never actually practiced speaking.
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Today, we're going to fix that.
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This video is a speaking practice session.
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You're going to shadow a full real conversation from beginning to end, meaning you say the words out loud at full speed in real time the way you would in an actual conversation.
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And here's the part I love about this particular video.
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The entire conversation uses only 200 words.
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Not because it's a beginner video, but because real conversations between real people, even important ones, run on a surprisingly small set of words.
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Here's how this video works.
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First, I will show you the full list.
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Then, we will go through some tricky words.
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Then, you will shadow a real conversation between two people.
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A woman has made a big decision, her friend is not sure if it's a good one.
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By the time this video ends, you will have said more English out loud than you probably have in the last several days, or maybe years, or maybe in your whole life, depending on how much you practice.
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If you're new here, welcome to Lingua Marina.
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I make videos that help you speak English the way real people actually speak.
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11 years ago, I moved from Russia to the US, and I'm trying to master English every single day.
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I speak to native speakers, I run another channel called Silicon Valley Girl, where I talk about entrepreneurship and AI.
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So if you want to learn with me, subscribe so you do not miss the next video.
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And before we start, tell me in the comments, when did you find my channel?
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Was it today, last month, or last year?
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I'm always curious because I've been here for a while.
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Let's see who's here in the comments.
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And let's get right into it.
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This is the list.
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Take a few seconds and look at it.
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Some of these words you have known since your first week of English, but read through them again, slowly.
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With these words, you can tell someone you love them.
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You can explain why you made a hard choice.
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You can have an argument with someone and then fix it afterward.
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The conversation you're about to practice uses only the words on this list.
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I want to go through the words we highlighted.
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These are the ones people get wrong most often, either because the pronunciation is surprising or because the word means something slightly different from what you might expect.
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Let's start with pronunciation.
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These are the words where the spelling gives you no warning about how they actually sound.
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Honestly.
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The H at the start is silent.
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You say honestly, not honestly.
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If you pronounce the H, it sounds unnatural to a native speaker.
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You will hear Sarah say this in the conversation.
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Honestly, I have been thinking about it for almost a year.
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Sure.
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This does not sound like sure.
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It sounds like sure.
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Sure.
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One syllable.
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Are you sure?
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I'm sure.
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This is how I learned with Vainian.
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Whole.
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W is silent.
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It sounds exactly like whole.
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The whole thing.
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The whole life.
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There is no W sound at all.
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Serious.
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Three syllables.
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C-R-E-U-S.
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Some learners compress it down to two syllables.
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Slow it down.
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Serious.
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That sounds serious.
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Yeah, this is the informal version of yes and native speakers use it constantly.
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It sounds like yeah, not yeah.
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Short and fast.
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You will hear it in the conversation right at the start.
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Right and wrong.
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Both have silent W just like whole.
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Right sounds like right.
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Wrong sounds like wrong.
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In this conversation, Daniel asks Sarah, have you written anything down?
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The W is completely silent.
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Once.
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I will let you know once I talk to them.
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Now, the ones where the pronunciation is fine, but the meaning is not quite what you think.
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These are words you've probably been using for years, but there is a layer to them that most learners miss.
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Guess.
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There are two uses and they feel completely different the first is when you try to answer something you are
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uncertain about guess what happened the second is i guess so or just i guess which means something like probably but i am not completely certain americans use i guess all the time to soften an answer.
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You will hear Sarah say, I guess I do, at the very end of the conversation.
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Rather.
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I would rather means you prefer one thing over another.
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I would rather try and fail than spend another year wondering.
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It is stronger than I prefer.
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It signals a real choice someone has thought about.
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fair.
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On its own, it means just or equal.
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But fair enough in conversation means, okay, that makes sense.
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I accept that.
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Daniel says it when Sarah tells him she will talk to her family later.
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It is a way of dropping the subject without disagreeing.
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Still.
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In conversation, still means something is continuing from before.
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Are you still worried?
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Means you were worried before.
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And I am asking if that has not changed.
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It is different from yet, which is about whether something has happened by now.
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Yet, used in questions and negative sentences.
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Have you decided yet means up to right now.
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Has a decision been made?
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Not yet means no, but maybe later.
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Till is about continuation.
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Yet is about whether something has happened at all.
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Actually, most learners use actually to mean in fact, and that is correct.
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But native speakers also place it at the end of a sentence to express mild surprise at their own feeling.
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That was hard to hear actually.
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It is not emphasis.
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It is closer to I did not quite expect that.
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You will hear Sarah use it exactly this way after talking to her manager.
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Same.
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As a full one-word response, same means me too, or I feel the same way.
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Daniel says, same, I am here.
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It is very common in spoken English and in text messages.
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Learners almost always say, me too, which is correct.
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But same is what native speakers reach for first.
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And the last group.
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These are pairs of words that look or sound similar enough that learners use them when they mean the other.
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Even at advanced level, these come up.
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Say and tell.
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Say is just the act of speaking.
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tell requires a person.
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Remembrance this movement.
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Whenever I say tell, this goes on in my head.
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Tell requires a person.
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A person who receives the information.
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You tell someone something.
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You can't just tell something.
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She said it was fine.
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Works.
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She told me it was fine.
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Works.
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She told it was fine.
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Does not work.
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Tell always needs a person after it.
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You will hear both in this conversation.
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write and write.
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These two words sound completely identical.
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Both are pronounced right.
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The only way to know which one is meant is context.
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Write is an action.
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You write something down.
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Write means correct or a direction.
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Both appear in this conversation, so pay attention to the meaning when you hear them.
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Ask and tell.
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You ask a question, you tell information.
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The difference sounds simple but learners mix them up constantly.
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She told me if I wanted coffee is wrong.
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It should sound like she asked me if I wanted coffee.
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Ask is always a question or a request.
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Tell is always delivering information to someone.
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You cannot tell a question.
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You will hear both in this conversation.
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Hear and listen.
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Hearing happens without any effort.
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It's automatic.
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You hear things.
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You hear a sound.
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you hear someone talking near you, whether you want it or not.
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Listening is a choice.
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You decide to pay attention.
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Learners often say, I was hearing him, when they mean I was listening to him, or please hear carefully, instead of please listen carefully.
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You'll hear Sarah say, Daniel, listen, in the conversation.
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She's asking him to stop reacting and actively pay attention to what she's about to say.
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Let's get into the conversation.
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We are going to go through this conversation in two passes.
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The first time, just listen.
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Sarah is calling her friend Daniel.
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She has made a big decision about her job and she needs to tell someone.
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Daniel is not sure it's a good idea.
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Just listen, follow the story, get familiar with what Sarah says and how she says it.
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Let's start.
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Daniel, hey, do you have a moment?
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Yeah, of course.
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What is it?
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I need to tell you something.
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I have been thinking about it for a long time, and I finally decided...
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Okay, that sounds serious.
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What is it?
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I am leaving my job.
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Wait, what do you mean?
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I mean, I am done.
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I gave them my answer this morning.
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You gave them your answer this morning, and you did not tell anyone first?
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I told myself, every day for a long time.
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That was enough.
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Okay, how long have you been at this job?
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Four years since I came back.
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Four years?
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And you never said anything was wrong?
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I told myself it would get better, that I just needed more time.
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But it did not get better.
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No, at some point I said, this is not going to change.
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I need to be the one to move.
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Section 2.
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Sarah has just dropped the news.
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Now Daniel wants answers.
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Are you serious?
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Sarah, when did you decide this?
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A few weeks ago.
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But honestly, I have been thinking about it for almost a year.
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A year?
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Why didn't you say something?
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Because I wasn't ready to talk about it.
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I needed to be sure first.
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And you are sure now?
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Yes, I am.
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Okay, I am trying to understand.
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What is your plan?
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What about money?
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I have been saving.
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Not a lot, but enough to give myself some time.
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How much time?
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Maybe six months.
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Maybe a little more.
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Have you thought about what happens if six months is not enough?
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Yes.
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Then I find work again.
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But I am not going to decide that now.
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You sound ready.
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I have been thinking about it every day for a long time.
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I know what I want to do.
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This is a big thing, Sarah.
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I know.
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Does anyone at work know yet?
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My manager knows.
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We had a long talk last week.
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How did that go?
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Better than I thought.
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She said she understood.
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That was hard to hear, actually.
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Why hard?
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Because I thought she would try to talk me out of it.
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But she did not.
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She said, if this is what you need, then go.
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That sounds like someone good to work for.
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She is.
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Honestly, I did not think it would feel that way.
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Section 3.
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Daniel is still not convinced.
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Sarah tells him the real reason.
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Six months is not a lot, Sarah.
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Daniel, listen.
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I know six months is not a lot.
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But I cannot stay in a place where I feel like I am wasting my time.
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Every morning, I wake up and think, is this really what I want to do with my life?
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I didn't know you felt that way.
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I should have told you sooner.
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I'm sorry.
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Why did you not say something?
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Even just that you are not okay?
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Because I did not want to worry you.
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And I did not know how to say it yet.
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You should always tell me things like this.
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I know.
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I know that now.
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Don't be sorry.
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So what do you want to do instead?
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I want to build something of my own.
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I have an idea.
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It is small right now, but it is real.
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I would rather try and fail than spend another year wondering what would have happened.
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That sounds like you.
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What does that mean?
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It means you have always known what you want, even when it makes everyone around you nervous.
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Section 4.
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Daniel starts to come around, but he still has questions.
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It means I know you, and I know that when you decide something, you have thought about it more than anyone else would.
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But Sarah, what is the idea?
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You said you have one.
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What is it?
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It is a service for people who are moving to a new country, helping them with the things no one tells you about.
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The real things, not just the paperwork.
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Okay, that is specific.
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Have you told anyone else about this?
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A few people.
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They think it is good.
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And what happens after six months if it is not working yet?
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Then I look for work again.
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I am not saying this will work.
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I am saying I need to find out.
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You sound calm about this.
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I have been thinking about it for a long time, Daniel.
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The calm came later.
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At first, I was terrified.
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And now?
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Now I am ready.
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Or close enough.
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Have you written anything down?
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A real plan?
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Yes, I have something.
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It is not perfect, but it is a start.
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Can I see it?
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Of course.
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I would really like that.
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Show me when you are ready.
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I will.
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Maybe next week.
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And what do you need from me right now?
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Not later.
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Right now.
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Just this.
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To talk it out with someone who knows me.
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You have that.
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I know.
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That is why you are the first person I call.
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Last section.
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How does it end?
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So are you saying you support me?
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Or are you still worried?
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I am always going to worry a little.
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That is just how I am.
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Daniel.
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Yes, I support you.
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I just needed to hear the whole thing.
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That is why I called you first.
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Your family doesn't know yet?
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I will tell them when I am ready.
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Okay, take your time.
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I will let you know once I talk to them.
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Same, I am here.
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Just stay open.
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I need that from you.
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Fair enough.
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So what happens now?
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Now I figure it out, one day at a time.
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We will figure it out together.
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Yeah, I know.
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Okay, I am here if you need anything.
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Thank you, Daniel.
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This conversation helped more than you know.
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Go, you have work to do.
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I guess I do.
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Talk soon.
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Talk soon.
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Now, the most important part.
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Everything you just did.
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Listening to each section, following the story, That was preparation.
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This is where the real practice happens.
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The whole conversation from the beginning, no stopping, no slowing down.
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Shadow Sarah and Daniel when they speak.
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Do not wait for a pause.
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Stay with your pace.
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Match the feeling behind what they are saying.
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And do not stop even if you miss something.
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Keep going.
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This is what fluency actually feels like.
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It's coming out before your brain has finished thinking about them.
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That is what we are training right now.
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Daniel, hey, do you have a moment?
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Yeah, of course.
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What is it?
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I need to tell you something.
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I have been thinking about it for a long time, and I finally decided.
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Okay, that sounds serious.
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What is it?
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I am leaving my job.
356
Wait, what do you mean?
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I mean, I am done.
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I gave them my answer this morning.
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You gave them your answer this morning, and you did not tell anyone first?
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I told myself every day for a long time.
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That was enough.
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Okay, how long have you been at this job?
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Four years since I came back.
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Four years?
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And you never said anything was wrong?
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I told myself it would get better, that I just needed more time.
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But it did not get better?
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No.
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At some point, I said, this is not going to change.
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I need to be the one to move.
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Are you serious?
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Sarah, when did you decide this?
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A few weeks ago.
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But honestly, I have been thinking about it for almost a year.
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A year?
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Why didn't you say something?
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Because I wasn't ready to talk about it.
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I needed to be sure first.
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And you are sure now?
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Yes, I am.
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Okay, I am trying to understand.
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What is your plan?
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What about money?
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I have been saving.
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Not a lot, but enough to give myself some time.
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How much time?
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Maybe six months.
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Maybe a little more.
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Have you thought about what happens if six months is not enough?
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Yes.
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Then I find work again.
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But I am not going to decide that now.
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You sound ready.
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I have been thinking about it every day for a long time.
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I know what I want to do.
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This is a big thing, Sarah.
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I know.
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Does anyone at work know yet?
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My manager knows.
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We had a long talk last week.
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How did that go?
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Better than I thought.
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She said she understood.
404
That was hard to hear, actually.
405
Why hard?
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Because I thought she would try to talk me out of it, but she did not.
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She said, if this is what you need, then go.
408
That sounds like someone good to work for.
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She is.
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Honestly, I did not think it would feel that way.
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Six months is not a lot, Sarah.
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Daniel, listen, I know six months is not a lot, but I cannot stay in a place where I feel like I am wasting my time.
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Every morning I wake up and think, is this really what I want to do with my life?
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I didn't know you felt that way.
415
I should have told you sooner.
416
I'm sorry.
417
Why did you not say something?
418
Even just that you are not okay?
419
Because I did not want to worry you.
420
And I did not know how to say it yet.
421
You should always tell me things like this.
422
I know.
423
I know that now.
424
Don't be sorry.
425
So what do you want to do instead?
426
I want to build something of my own.
427
I have an idea.
428
It is small right now, but it is real.
429
I would rather try and fail than spend another year wondering what would have happened.
430
That sounds like you.
431
What does that mean?
432
It means you have always known what you want, even when it makes everyone around you nervous.
433
It means I know you, and I know that when you decide something, you have thought about it more than anyone else would.
434
But Sarah, what is the idea?
435
You said you have one.
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What is it?
437
It is a service for people who are moving to a new country, helping them with the things no one tells you about.
438
The real things, not just the paperwork.
439
work.
440
Okay, that is specific.
441
Have you told anyone else about this?
442
A few people.
443
They think it is good.
444
And what happens after 6 months if it is not working yet?
445
Then I look for work again.
446
I am not saying this will work.
447
I am saying I need to find out.
448
You sound calm about this.
449
I have been thinking about it for a long time, Daniel.
450
The calm came later.
451
At first I was terrified.
452
And now?
453
Now I am ready.
454
Or close enough.
455
Have you written anything down?
456
A real plan?
457
Yes, I have something.
458
It is not perfect, but it is a start.
459
Can I see it?
460
Of course.
461
I would really like that.
462
Show me when you are ready.
463
I will.
464
Maybe next week.
465
And what do you need from me right now?
466
Not later.
467
Right now.
468
Just this.
469
To talk it out with someone who knows me.
470
You have that.
471
I know.
472
That is why you are the first person I call.
473
So are you saying you support me?
474
Or are you still worried?
475
I am always going to worry a little.
476
That is just how I am.
477
Daniel.
478
Yes, I support you.
479
I just needed to hear the whole thing.
480
That is why I called you first.
481
Your family doesn't know yet?
482
I will tell them when I am ready.
483
Okay, take your time.
484
I will let you know once I talk to them.
485
Same, I am here.
486
Just stay open.
487
I need that from you.
488
Fair enough.
489
So what happens now?
490
Now I figure it out, one day at a time.
491
We will figure it out together.
492
Yeah, I know.
493
Okay, I am here if you need anything.
494
Thank you, Daniel.
495
This conversation helped more than you know.
496
Go, you have work to do.
497
I guess I do.
498
Talk soon.
499
Talk soon.
500
You just had a real conversation in English.
501
Someone's making hard decisions, someone else is trying to understand it.
502
Both of them are figuring it out together and you were right there with them saying the words out loud.
503
Every single word in that conversation came from a list of 200.
504
200 words used well in a real moment between two people.
505
That is what fluent English actually sounds like.
506
Please, I'm looking forward to reading your comments.
507
This is the new format for this channel.
508
Did you like it?
509
If you did, please let me know and I'll see you in the next video.
Why practice speaking with this video?
A significant challenge for many English learners lies in transitioning from passive learning to active speaking. This video addresses that by encouraging you to use the shadowspeak method, a powerful shadowing technique that allows you to emulate a real conversation. By practicing this way, you'll develop a natural rhythm and fluency, making your speech more authentic and engaging. The setting of the conversation – a friend discussing a significant life decision – adds a layer of realism, as it mirrors everyday exchanges that you are likely to encounter. This practice session not only helps you articulate thoughts but also enhances your ability to respond spontaneously, an essential skill in genuine communication.
Grammar & Expressions in Context
Listening to the conversation will expose you to several key structures and expressions commonly used in English. Here are three noteworthy points:
- Present Perfect Tense: The phrase "I have been thinking about it" illustrates the use of the present perfect to discuss ongoing thoughts or experiences. This structure is perfect for expressing feelings that are still relevant at the moment of speaking.
- Simple Present for Certainty: The use of "I'm sure" demonstrates how to convey certainty. In everyday language, expressing confidence in your statements enhances your credibility in conversations.
- Use of Tag Questions: The phrase "Are you sure?" is an example of a tag question that invites agreement or validation. This pattern can help maintain a conversational tone and encourage interaction.
Common Pronunciation Traps
Pronunciation challenges often arise when learning English, especially with words that defy spelling conventions. Here are some tricky words highlighted in the video:
- Honestly: This word is often mispronounced due to the silent 'H.' Native speakers say it as onestly. Practice this for a more natural sound.
- Sure: Pronounced as one syllable, shur, rather than two. Master this to ensure seamless integration into your spoken English.
- Whole: With a silent 'W,' it’s pronounced hole. Recognizing such nuances is vital for improving English pronunciation.
By focusing on these common pitfalls, you not only refine your accent but also bolster your confidence in using English in various social settings. Remember to incorporate the shadow speak method as you practice; it will greatly enhance your speaking abilities and give you a firm grounding in authentic, everyday conversation. Make it a habit to repeat these phrases and focus on pronunciation to ensure you're making steady progress on your language journey.
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.