Pratique du Shadowing: The Secret to Explaining Your Opinions in English | English Podcast For Daily Conversations - Apprendre l'anglais à l'oral avec la vidéo

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English Academy Plus Podcast.
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Your daily dose of simple English.
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Hey, welcome back.
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I have a question for you.
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A very simple question.
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Do you know how to say your opinion in English?
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Wait, before you answer that, let me ask something too.
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Do you say I think every single time?
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Yes, that's exactly the problem we are talking about today.
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I think, I think, I think.
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Every sentence starts with I think.
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So today, we are going to fix that.
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We are going to teach you the best professional connectors to explain your opinions in English.
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These phrases will make you sound more natural, more confident, more professional.
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Whether you are at work, at school, in a meeting, or just talking with a friend, these phrases will help you a lot.
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And don't worry, we will go slow, we will repeat everything, and we will use simple, everyday examples.
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So stay with us.
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This video could really change how you speak English.
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Let's go!
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Okay, Alice, let's start with the basics.
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Why do we even need connectors to explain our opinions?
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Good question, David.
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So imagine this.
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You're in a meeting at work.
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Your boss asks you, what do you think about this new plan?
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And you say, I think it's good.
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Yes, and that's it.
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Nothing more.
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That sounds a little empty, right?
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Exactly.
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It sounds like you don't have a strong opinion.
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It sounds like you are not sure.
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It doesn't sound professional.
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But what if you say, in my opinion, This plan is very good because it saves time and money.
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Ooh, that sounds much better.
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It sounds confident.
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It sounds clear.
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It sounds like you know what you are talking about.
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And that is the power of connectors.
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They help you build your opinion.
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Not just say one short sentence, but explain it clearly.
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Great.
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So let's learn them one by one.
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And remember, we will go slowly.
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Repeat after us if you want to practice.
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Yes, say the phrases out loud.
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It really helps.
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Okay, the first group of connectors is for giving your opinion.
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These are the phrases you use when you want to share how you think or feel about something.
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The most basic one, the one everyone knows, is I think.
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Yes, and I think is fine, but we don't want to use it every single time.
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Exactly.
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So here are some great alternatives.
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Number one, in my opinion.
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In my opinion.
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Let's say it slowly together.
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In my opinion.
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In my opinion, learning English every day is very important.
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Good.
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Now you try.
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Think of something you believe.
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Say, in my opinion, and finish the sentence.
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Okay.
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Number two.
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From my point of view.
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Oh, I love this one.
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It sounds very professional.
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From my point of view.
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Let's say it slowly.
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From my point of view.
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From my point of view.
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For example, from my point of view, working from home is much better.
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Yes, or from my point of view, English grammar is not as hard as people think.
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Some people agree with that.
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Some people do not agree with that.
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Yes, grammar can be tricky.
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Okay, number three.
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As far as I'm concerned.
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Ooh, this one sounds very strong.
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It means this is my opinion and I am confident about it.
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Exactly.
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Let's say it slowly.
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As far as I'm concerned.
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Example, as far as I'm concerned, kindness is the most important quality in a person.
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Nice.
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Or, as far as I'm concerned, coffee is better than tea.
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David, don't start that argument.
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Sorry, sorry.
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It's just my opinion.
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Okay, number four.
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Personally, I believe.
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Personally, I believe.
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This is great because it shows you we're sharing your personal view.
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Not a fact.
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Not everyone's opinion.
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Just yours.
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Let's say it slowly.
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Per-son-a-ly.
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I believe.
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Personally, I believe.
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Example.
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Personally, I believe that exercise makes you happier.
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Or, personally, I believe that small steps every day lead to big results.
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Beautiful.
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I like that one.
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Me too.
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Okay, let's do a quick review.
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The phrases for giving your opinion are...
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1. In my opinion.
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2. From my point of view.
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3. As far as I'm concerned.
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4. Personally, I believe.
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Say them again slowly with us.
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In my opinion.
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From my point of view.
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As far as I'm concerned.
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Personally, I believe.
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Great job!
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Now let's move to the second group.
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Oh, before we continue, if this is helpful for you, please hit the like button.
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It really helps our channel.
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And if you are new here, welcome!
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Subscribe so you don't miss our new videos.
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We upload English lessons every week.
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Okay, let's keep going.
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So, David, now we know how to start our opinion.
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But what comes next?
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Exactly the right question, Alice.
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After you give your opinion, you need to explain why.
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You need to give a reason.
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And for that, we have some very useful connectors.
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The first and most common one is because.
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Yes, because is your best friend.
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It connects your opinion to your reason.
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For example, In my opinion, reading is very important because it helps you learn new words.
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Simple, clear, effective.
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Now let's look at something a little more professional.
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Number two, this is because.
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Oh, I love this one.
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It sounds very formal.
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This is because you use it to explain more deeply.
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Example, from my point of view, we should exercise every day.
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This is because exercise is good for the body and the mind.
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Yes, instead of just saying because exercise is good, you make it a full sentence.
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This is because exercise is good for the body and the mind.
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It sounds more complete, more educated.
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Exactly.
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Number three, the reason is that.
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The reason is that.
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Let's say it slowly.
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The reason is that.
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The reason is that.
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Example, personally, I believe we should sleep eight hours every night.
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The reason is that sleep helps the brain work better.
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That is so true, by the way.
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I need more sleep.
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Don't we all?
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Okay, number four, that is why.
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That is why.
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This connector comes after your reason.
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You explain the reason first, then you say, that is why, and give your conclusion.
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Example, sleep helps brain work better
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that is why i always try to sleep eight hours see first the reason then
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that is why let's say it slowly that is why
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that is why great
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and number five the main reason is oh yes this one is very strong it shows
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that you have thought about it
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and you are giving the most important reason example as far
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as i'm concerned english is the most useful language to learn
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The main reason is that it is spoken all over the world.
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That is very true.
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Yes, and using the main reason is, it shows confidence.
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It shows you have a clear, strong argument.
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Okay, let's review the connectors for explaining your reason.
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1. Because.
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2. This is because.
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3. The reason is that.
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4. That is why.
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5. The main reason is.
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Excellent work.
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Alice, what if I have more than one reason?
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What if I want to add more information to my opinion?
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Great point.
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And that is exactly what our third group is for.
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These are connectors that help you add more points.
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The first one, very simple, is also.
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Also, easy to remember.
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Very common.
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Example, in my opinion, fruit is very healthy.
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It gives you energy.
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Also, it is good for your skin.
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See, you added a second reason with also.
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Simple and effective.
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Number two, in addition. In addition.
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This is a little more formal than also.
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It sounds great in presentations or meetings.
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Let's say it slowly. In.
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Add.
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Dition. In addition.
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Example.
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From my point of view, traveling is very educational.
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You learn about other cultures.
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In addition, you improve your language skills.
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That is so true.
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Traveling really does help your English.
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It helped me.
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Me too.
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Okay, number three.
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Furthermore.
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Ooh, furthermore.
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This is a very professional word.
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Native speakers use it in writing and in speaking.
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Let's say it slowly.
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Fur-ther-more.
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Furthermore.
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Example.
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Personally, I believe reading every day is very useful.
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It improves your vocabulary.
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Furthermore, it helps you think more clearly.
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I love that example.
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Very clean and clear.
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Thank you.
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Number four, not only that, but.
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Ooh, this one is fun.
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It sounds very natural in conversation.
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Not only that, but.
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It means, and there is more.
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It adds excitement to your point.
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Example, learning English opens many doors for your career.
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Not only that, but it also helps you meet people from all over the world.
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Yes, and it's not just for formal situations.
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You can use it with friends, too.
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Exactly.
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And number five, what's more?
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What's more?
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This is very common in natural, everyday English.
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Let's say it slowly.
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What's more?
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What's more?
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Exercise makes you feel happier.
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What's more?
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It gives you more energy throughout the day.
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Beautiful.
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Short.
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Natural.
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Okay.
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The connectors for adding more points.
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One.
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Also.
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Two. In addition.
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Three.
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Furthermore.
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Four.
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Not only that, but...
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Five.
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What's more?
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Let's say them one more time, slowly.
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Also. In addition.
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Furthermore.
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Not only that, but...
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What's more?
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Wonderful.
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You are doing great.
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David, what if we agree with part of something, but not everything?
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What if we want to say, yes, I understand your point, but I still think differently?
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Great question, Alice.
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That is called making a contrast or a concession, and it is very important in professional English.
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Because in real life, we don't always agree 100% with everything.
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Exactly.
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And showing that you understand both sides makes you sound very intelligent and mature.
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So let's learn how to do that.
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Number one, however.
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However, very common, very useful.
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It introduces the opposite idea.
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Let's say it slowly.
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How, ev, er.
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However.
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Example, I understand that working from home is convenient.
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However, I think it can also make people feel very lonely.
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See?
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First you say something true, then however, and you give the opposite point.
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Number two, although or even though.
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These two are similar.
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They both mean despite the fact that.
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Example, although English grammar can be difficult, it is possible to learn it with practice.
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Or, even though I was nervous, I spoke English at the meeting.
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Yes, that is a very relatable sentence.
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We have all been there.
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Number three, on the other hand.
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On the other hand.
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This is perfect when you want to show two sides of a topic.
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Let's say it slowly. On.
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The.
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Other.
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Hand.
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On the other hand.
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Example.
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Living in a big city has many advantages.
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On the other hand, it can be very stressful and expensive.
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That is very real.
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Big city life is exciting, but also expensive.
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Very true.
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Number four.
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While it is true that, it is also important to consider...
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Ooh, this is a longer phrase, but very powerful.
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It shows you understand the other person's point, but you have more to add.
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Let's say it slowly and together.
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While it is true that...
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While it is true that...
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It is also important to consider.
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It is also important to consider.
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Full example.
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While it is true that social media helps us connect with people, it is also important to consider how much time we spend on it.
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Wow, that sounds very professional.
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It does.
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And it shows balance.
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You see both sides.
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And the last one for this group, despite or in spite of.
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These mean even with this problem or challenge, something is still true.
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Example, despite the difficulty, she passed the English exam.
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Or, in spite of the bad weather, they still went for a walk.
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Both mean the same thing.
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You can use either one.
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And remember, despite and in spite of are always followed by a noun or a gerund, not a full sentence.
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For example, despite being nervous, not despite I was nervous.
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Good tip.
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That is a very common mistake.
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Yes, even I made that mistake once.
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We are all learning, right?
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Okay, the connectors for contrast and concession.
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1. However 2.
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Although, even though 3.
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On the other hand 4.
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While it is true that, it is also important to consider 5.
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Despite, in spite of Slowly, one more time.
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However Although, even though.
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On the other hand.
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While it is true that.
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Despite, in spite of.
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Perfect!
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You are almost an expert now.
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Okay, Alice, we are almost at the end of the lesson, but we have one more very important group.
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Yes, the final group is for concluding your opinion.
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This means how do you end your argument?
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How do you say, and that is my final thought?
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Because a good opinion has three parts.
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You give your opinion, you explain it, and then you conclude it.
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Exactly.
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So here are the connectors for concluding.
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Number one, in conclusion. In conclusion.
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This is very common in academic writing and presentations.
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Let's say it slowly.
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In-con-clu-shun. In conclusion.
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Example, in conclusion, I believe that learning English every day is the best way to improve.
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Simple and strong.
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Number two, to sum up.
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To sum up, this means let me say everything again in a short way.
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Let's say it slowly.
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To sum up.
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Example, to sum up, regular practice, good sleep, and confidence are the keys to learning English.
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I love that.
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Short, powerful.
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Number three, all in all.
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All in all.
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This is very natural, very common in everyday speaking.
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Let's say it slowly.
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All in all.
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All in all.
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Example.
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All in all, I think this was a very useful lesson.
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Well, thank you, Alice.
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You're welcome.
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And finally, number four, at the end of the day.
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Oh, I love this phrase.
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It is very common in natural, real-life English.
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It means when everything is considered.
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Let's say it slowly.
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At the end of the day.
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At the end of the day.
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Example, at the end of the day, the most important thing is to keep practicing and never give up.
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That is so true and so motivating.
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I mean it.
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Okay, now let's put everything together.
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Alice, let's show our listeners what a complete professional opinion sounds like using all the connectors.
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Great idea!
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Let's talk about the topic.
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Is learning English important?
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Perfect.
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I'll go first.
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In my opinion, learning English is one of the most important things a person can do today.
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The main reason is that English is the most widely spoken language in the world.
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In addition, it opens many doors in your career, in travel, and in education.
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However, I also understand that learning a new language is not easy.
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It takes time and patience.
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Despite the difficulty, the benefits are truly worth it.
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At the end of the day, anyone who speaks English has a much bigger advantage in life.
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Wow!
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Did you notice what David did?
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Tell him, Alice.
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He used, in my opinion, to give his view.
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The main reason is to explain why.
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In addition, to add more information.
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However, to show the other side.
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Despite, to make a concession.
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And at the end of the day, to conclude.
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And it all sounds natural.
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It flows.
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That is what we want you to do.
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Now let me try.
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From my point of view, learning English is absolutely essential in today's world.
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This is because English is used in business, science, technology, and entertainment everywhere.
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Furthermore, when you speak English, you can communicate with people from completely different countries, and that is an incredible feeling.
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While it is true that some people feel nervous speaking English, it is also important to consider that every expert was once a beginner.
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In conclusion, I truly believe that with the right attitude and daily practice, anyone can learn English.
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Beautiful, Alice.
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Just beautiful.
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Thank you.
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Did you see that, listener?
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That is what your English can sound like with these connectors, with practice, with time.
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Now it's your turn.
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We want you to practice.
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Think about these questions.
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Try to answer using the connectors we learned today.
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Question 1.
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What is your opinion about social media?
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Do you think it is good or bad?
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Try to answer using in my opinion or from my point of view.
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Question 2.
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Do you think it is better to live in a big city or a small town?
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Try using on the other hand or although.
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Question 3.
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What is your opinion about learning English?
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Try using personally, I believe, and the main reason is.
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Write your answers in the Comments.
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We read every comment.
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And we love seeing you practice.
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Okay, let's do one final review.
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All the connectors, slowly and clearly.
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Group 1.
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Giving your opinion.
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In my opinion.
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From my point of view.
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As far as I'm concerned.
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Personally, I believe.
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Group 2.
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Explaining your reason. Because.
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This is because.
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The reason is that.
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That is why.
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The main reason is.
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Group 3.
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Adding more points.
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Also. In addition.
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Furthermore, not only that, but what's more, group four, making a contrast.
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However, although, even though, on the other hand, while it is true that despite, in spite of, group five,
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concluding, in conclusion, to sum up, all in all, at the end of the day.
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That is a lot of phrases.
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It is, but you don't need to learn them all today.
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Start with one or two from each group.
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Practice them.
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Use them every day.
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And slowly, they will become natural.
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You won't even think about it anymore.
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They will just come out.
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That is how all language works.
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Repetition.
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Practice.
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Confidence.

Context & Background

In the latest episode of the English Academy Plus Podcast, the hosts discuss a common challenge faced by English learners: effectively expressing opinions. Many people default to stating "I think" for every opinion they share, which can sound repetitive and unprofessional. The speakers emphasize the importance of using various connectors to enhance clarity, confidence, and sophistication in daily conversations. This episode offers listeners valuable phrases that can transform their spoken English, making it more engaging and communicative.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

Using connectors when expressing opinions can make a significant difference in how you communicate. Here are five phrases highlighted in the podcast that can elevate your daily English conversations:

  • In my opinion, this strategy could lead to better results.
  • From my perspective, this is a significant improvement.
  • I believe that we should consider alternative options.
  • It seems to me that the changes are necessary for progress.
  • To my mind, this idea has great potential.

Incorporating these phrases will not only make your speech sound smoother but also enhance your confidence in discussions, whether at work or in social settings.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

Utilizing the shadowing technique can significantly improve your speaking skills in English. Here’s how to effectively apply shadow speech using the phrases from the podcast:

  1. Choose a Connector: Select one of the phrases listed above.
  2. Listen Closely: Play the podcast segment that employs your chosen phrase. Pay attention to pronunciation and intonation.
  3. Practice Shadowing: Use a shadowing app or listen repeatedly, mimicking the speaker’s tone and speed. Repeat the phrase multiple times until it feels natural.
  4. Contextual Practice: Create your own sentences using the connector. For example, if you chose “In my opinion,” try saying, “In my opinion, practicing consistently is crucial for mastering a language.”
  5. Feedback Loop: Record yourself speaking and play it back to evaluate your pronunciation and fluency. Look for areas of improvement.

By following these steps, you will build a stronger foundation for your spoken English. Regularly practicing with the shadowspeaks method will enhance your IELTS speaking practice, leading to a clearer, more confident expression of your opinions in any conversation.

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.