Pratique du Shadowing: What is the most stupid thing you have done? | 8 Minute English | Beginner - Apprendre l'anglais à l'oral avec la vidéo

Création de la leçon...
1
Welcome back to the 8 Minute English Podcast on the Learn English Podcast channel.
2
I'm your host, Nathan, and I'm happy to meet you again.
3
Today, we've got something fresh and exciting for you.
4
We hit the streets to interview strangers with a fun and revealing question.
5
What is the most stupid thing you have done?
6
Let's dive into their stories.
7
We also have a free PDF for this episode with tips and new words to help you.
8
Don't forget to check it out.
9
I'm outside in the city center, ready to talk to some people.
10
Let's see who we can find to answer a fun question.
11
Excuse me, do you have a minute to chat?
12
Sure, what's this about?
13
Great.
14
I'm Nathan, and I'm doing a podcast where I ask people one fun question.
15
Would you like to be part of it?
16
That sounds interesting.
17
I'd love to join.
18
Nice.
19
So, what's your name?
20
My name is Gabriel.
21
Hi, Gabriel.
22
Nice to meet you.
23
Here's my question for you.
24
What's the silliest thing you've ever done?
25
Oh, wow.
26
Let me think.
27
Okay, I once tried to cheat on a test.
28
Honestly, that's not too bad.
29
I mean, who hasn't tried to cheat at least once, right?
30
Yeah, but the silly part is, I got caught.
31
Oh no, I can't argue with that.
32
Did you get into big trouble?
33
Oh yeah, the teacher caught me red-handed.
34
I had to stay after class, and she gave me a long talk about being honest.
35
It felt like it went on forever.
36
All right, let's find someone else to chat with.
37
Ah, here we go.
38
Hi there, do you have a minute to talk?
39
Sure.
40
Why not?
41
Great.
42
I'm Nathan and I'm doing a podcast where I ask people about funny or silly things they've done.
43
Hi, Nathan.
44
I'm Sophia.
45
And oh, yeah, I've definitely done silly things.
46
One time I tried to microwave a pizza without taking off the plastic wrap.
47
You can guess how that turned out.
48
Oh no. Did the plastic melt all over the pizza?
49
Yep.
50
It was a total disaster.
51
The kitchen smelled awful and the pizza, well, it turned into a science experiment gone wrong.
52
I'm Emily and I'm from Chicago.
53
One day, I wore my shirt backward the whole day and no one told me.
54
I only realized when I got home that evening.
55
As if that wasn't embarrassing enough, that same day, I was still sleepy and walked into the office glass door.
56
You can't imagine how loud the sound was when my head hit the door.
57
The whole room stared at me in shock, and I felt so embarrassed. That sounds so awkward.
58
I'm Cassie, and I'm from Los Angeles.
59
I've got a story that's quite stupid.
60
Well, you'll see.
61
L.A.
62
Nice.
63
So what's this story you've got for us?
64
We're all ears.
65
All right, here it goes.
66
So I made the brilliant decision to stay friends with my ex.
67
I mean, we got along well, so I thought, why not?
68
Then I had the bright idea to set them up with my roommate.
69
Wait, hold on.
70
You set your ex up with your roommate?
71
That's bold.
72
How did that go?
73
At first, it seemed like a great idea.
74
They hit it off, started dating, and I thought, wow, I'm a matchmaking genius.
75
But then, things took a turn.
76
Uh-oh.
77
What happened?
78
Well, they started dating, and suddenly it was like they had this secret little club.
79
And guess who wasn't invited?
80
Me.
81
So you went from a matchmaker to third wheel?
82
Not only that.
83
They started saying bad things about me.
84
And making up nonsense rumors about me.
85
That time was quite stressful.
86
I'm sorry.
87
So, taking this opportunity, I want to say to that terrible couple, I hope you stay together forever.
88
Hold on to each other tight and don't hurt other people.
89
What rotten luck to run into you two.
90
Go f*ing- Oh no, cut.
91
Let's stop here.
92
Sorry everyone, just a little technical problem.
93
Let's continue.
94
I'm Nathan, and I'm doing a podcast where I ask people to share funny
95
or embarrassing stories hi i'm jessica hi jessica so what's the funniest
96
or most awkward thing you've done oh i've got one
97
that still makes me cringe there was this one time i
98
accidentally sent a text complaining about my boss to my boss
99
sarah tell me what's the most stupid thing you have ever done.
100
Just in time, let me tell you.
101
This morning, I was late because I forgot to set my alarm, and then I couldn't find my keys.
102
I was running around the house like a crazy person trying to find my keys.
103
I hate when that happens.
104
What did you do next?
105
I ran upstairs, saw them on the desk, pointed at them, and said out loud, there they are, like I was in some detective show or something.
106
Well, at least you got your keys, right?
107
Well, I thought I got them.
108
But then I ran downstairs, nearly reached the front door, and suddenly realized...
109
What happened?
110
I didn't actually pick the keys up.
111
I just pointed at them and ran away.
112
I had to run back upstairs again to get them.
113
Hi there, what's your name?
114
Hey, I'm David.
115
Nice to meet you, David.
116
Today we're asking people, what is the most stupid thing you have done?
117
So, what's yours?
118
Well, I gave up on my dream because I thought I wasn't good enough.
119
Oh.
120
What was your dream?
121
I wanted to be a musician.
122
I loved playing guitar and writing songs, but I thought, I'm not talented enough.
123
No one will listen to my music.
124
So I just stopped.
125
That's tough, David.
126
But why do you think that was the most stupid thing you've done?
127
David.
128
Because the most stupid thing is not believing in myself.
129
I let fear control me and I gave up on something I loved.
130
That was stupid.
131
So, did you ever try again?
132
No. Unfortunately, I feel like it's too late.
133
David, sometimes the hardest person to believe in is yourself, right?
134
It's not about being perfect or being the best.
135
It's about doing what makes you happy and not letting fear win.
136
I think you're right.
137
I think I will try to jump into it this time.
138
That's really inspiring.
139
So, for anyone listening who might feel the same way, what would you tell them?
140
I'd say, don't be afraid to follow your dream.
141
It's okay to fail.
142
It's okay not to be perfect.
143
But it's not okay to give up on yourself.
144
Please try one more time with me.
145
David, that's beautiful.
146
I think you've inspired a lot of people today.
147
Thank you for sharing your story.
148
Now, let's go over some important words from the podcast.
149
Stranger.
150
A person you don't know.
151
For example, I asked a stranger for directions.
152
Cheat.
153
To do something unfair to gain an advantage, like looking at someone else's answers during a test.
154
For example, he got in trouble because he cheated on the math test.
155
Lecture, a long talk or advice from someone, usually about something wrong you did.
156
For example, my mom gave me a lecture about cleaning my room.
157
Disaster, a very bad event that causes damage or problems.
158
For example, forgetting the cake in the oven was a disaster.
159
Matchmaker.
160
A person who helps two people become a couple.
161
For example, she played matchmaker and introduced her two friends to each other.
162
Alright, that's all the time we have for today.
163
We hope today's podcast brought you some laughter after a long day of work.
164
And maybe even a little something deeper to think about.
165
Whether it's a funny moment or a story that touched your heart, we hope you felt a little lighter and more inspired.
166
Remember, no matter what life throws at you, a good laugh and a little belief in yourself can go a long way.
167
Thanks for tuning in.
168
We'll catch you next time on 8-Minute English Podcast.

About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will practice your English speaking skills by exploring the theme of silly or seemingly foolish actions. Drawing inspiration from a lively discussion where individuals share their humorous experiences, you'll engage with real-world dialogues which will help enhance your listening comprehension and speaking abilities. By focusing on stories of laughs and lessons learned, you will develop confidence in expressing personal anecdotes and opinions in an English-speaking context. This practice aligns perfectly with the concept of shadow speech, allowing you to mimic natural conversation while learning English.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Silly - something that is not serious or foolish.
  • Cheat - to act dishonestly in a game or test.
  • Red-handed - caught in the act of doing something wrong.
  • Disaster - a situation that turns out very badly.
  • Microwave - a kitchen appliance used for cooking or reheating food quickly.
  • Plastic wrap - a thin plastic film used for covering food.
  • Honestly - in a truthful and sincere way.
  • Long talk - a lengthy conversation, often serious or instructive.

Practice Tips

To make the most out of your English speaking practice and improve your skills with shadowspeaks, try the following tips:

  • Shadowing Technique: Listen to the podcast and repeat after Nathan and his interviewees. Focus on their intonation, rhythm, and pronunciation. This method is especially effective when the speakers are engaging in light-hearted banter, as it structures a natural way to learn.
  • Slow It Down: If you're using a shadowing app, reduce the playback speed to better catch every word. This will help you articulate your thoughts more clearly when you share your stories.
  • Record Yourself: Utilize your phone or any recording device to capture yourself speaking about a silly thing you've done. Listen back to evaluate your pronunciation and fluency, and identify areas for improvement.
  • Engage with Others: Find a friend or a language partner to discuss your experiences laughing over silly mistakes. This English speaking practice will enhance your conversational skills in a joyful environment.
  • Use Contextual Learning: Incorporate the vocabulary from the lesson into your daily conversations or writing. This will help solidify your understanding and make the words more accessible for you.

By practicing regularly and utilizing these techniques, you will not only improve your English but also become more comfortable sharing your own stories in a light-hearted manner. Remember, learning English with YouTube and other engaging content can make the journey enjoyable and effective!

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.