Pratique du Shadowing: Tactics for Listening Third Edition Basic Unit 4 Routines - Apprendre l'anglais à l'oral avec la vidéo

This video is perfect for beginner to intermediate English learners focusing on english speaking practice and daily conversation skills. If you struggle with talking about time, routines, or casual planning—like making movie plans or setting a morning run time—this is your go-to. It’s also great for IELTS speaking practice prep, as it mirrors real-life interactions you might encounter in the test’s conversational sections. The short, relatable dialogues make it easy to follow, even if you’re new to shadowing or shadow speech techniques.

Useful Words & Idioms to Add to Your Toolkit

The video is packed with everyday phrases that sound natural, not textbook-perfect. Here are a few to steal:

• "10 after 2" – A casual way to say 2:10 (instead of "2:10" or "ten past two").
• "A quarter to four" – Means 3:45 (remember: "to" = before the hour, "past" = after).
• "Stay up late" – To go to bed later than usual (e.g., "I stay up late to watch shows").
• "Morning person" – Someone who feels energized early in the day (opposite: "night owl").

These phrases will make your speech sound more like a native, whether you’re chatting with friends or practicing for an exam.

Tips for Nailing the Pronunciation

To sound natural, focus on how speakers shorten words in casual talk. For example, "What time is it?" often becomes "Wha’ time is it?" (dropping the "t" in "what"). Also, pay attention to intonation when asking for the time—questions rise at the end, while answers stay flat. If you’re using a shadowing site or practicing shadow speech, repeat the dialogues slowly at first, matching the rhythm and stress. Notice how "I have to get up at 5 a.m." flows smoothly, with "have to" sounding like "hafta" in fast speech. Mimicking these small details will make your speaking feel less forced and more confident.