Pratica di Shadowing: English Podcast for Easy English Conversation | How to Use CAN, COULD, and WOULD | Learn English - Impara a parlare inglese con YouTube
B1
⏸ In Pausa
Hello everyone and welcome back to Speak English with Emmy.
374 frasi
Se le frasi sono troppo corte o troppo lunghe, clicca su Edit per modificarle.
1
Hello everyone and welcome back to Speak English with Emmy.
2
I'm Emi.
3
And I am Max.
4
Hello, everyone.
5
Ready for another great episode.
6
That's the energy I like to hear, Max.
7
You seem to be in a fantastic mood today.
8
Well, I am now because I'm here in the safe studio, but outside, the real world is dangerous, Emmy.
9
I need to file a complaint.
10
Oh no, did you get lost again?
11
Is your phone battery dead?
12
No, my navigation was perfect.
13
It was a people problem.
14
I went to that fancy new coffee shop downtown.
15
You know, the one with the exposed brick walls and the expensive espresso machines.
16
Ah, the Boone Lab.
17
I love that place.
18
The baristas are usually so friendly.
19
Friendly, Emmy.
20
The guy looked at me like I was a criminal.
21
He literally slammed my coffee cup on the counter, didn't smile, and just walked away.
22
I felt like I was in an action movie and I had insulted his family.
23
That doesn't sound right at all.
24
Max, let's play detective.
25
What exactly did you do?
26
I was a perfect customer.
27
I waited in line quietly, I walked up to the counter, and I gave him my order, clear and confident.
28
Okay.
29
Tell me exactly, word for word, what you said to him.
30
I looked him right in the eye and said, "Give me a black coffee.
31
I want milk on the side.
32
Sit there." Oh, Max.
33
No wonder he slammed the cup down.
34
What?
35
What did I do?
36
It is grammatically correct.
37
Give is the verb.
38
Coffee is the object.
39
I want is my desire.
40
I even pointed to the chair to be helpful.
41
It is perfect English.
42
Max, it is grammatically correct for a bank robber.
43
You sounded like you were demanding a ransom, not ordering a drink.
44
You are exaggerating.
45
I am really not.
46
Listen to the tone.
47
Give me.
48
I want.
49
Sit there.
50
In English, this is what we call the directness trap.
51
You used the imperative form, the command form.
52
You gave him direct orders.
53
But in my native language that is completely normal.
54
We go into a shop, we say what we want, and we get it.
55
We are direct.
56
It's efficient.
57
I know, and that is one of the biggest cultural hurdles for English learners.
58
In many cultures, directness shows honesty and efficiency.
59
But in English -speaking cultures, especially in the UK, USA, and Canada, directness equals rudeness.
60
So I wasn't being efficient?
61
I was just being rude?
62
You treated the barista like a robot.
63
You didn't use any softeners.
64
Softeners?
65
Like the stuff I put in my laundry?
66
Exactly like that.
67
In grammar, we use modal verbs, words like can, could, would, and may, as the fabric softener for your sentences.
68
They are the airbags in a conversation.
69
They soften the impact of your words so you don't crash into the other person.
70
I feel terrible.
71
Don't worry, Max.
72
It is a very common mistake.
73
Today, we are going to climb the ladder of politeness.
74
We are going to take your caveman sentences and translate them into polite, natural, advanced English.
75
Please, because I want to go back there tomorrow and show him I'm actually a nice person.
76
We will get you ready.
77
Let's start with the most basic request.
78
asking for things without demanding them.
79
Alright, Max, let's look at your first crime.
80
You walked up to a stranger and used the imperative: "Give me a black coffee." I thought I was being clear.
81
Give is the action.
82
It is an action, but when you start a sentence with a verb in English, it is a command.
83
You are acting like a general in the army, talking to a soldier: sit down, stand up, give me.
84
We call this level zero on the politeness ladder.
85
You only use this if there's an emergency or if you are very angry.
86
Okay, level 0 is deleted from my brain.
87
I don't want to be an angry general.
88
So, what is level 1?
89
Level 1 is the word "can".
90
Instead of a command, we turn it into a question: "Can I have a black coffee?" Can I have?
91
That sounds okay.
92
It is easy to remember.
93
Informal.
94
You use "can" with your best friends, your family, or people you know very well.
95
It suggests that you have a close, casual relationship with the person.
96
So if I say "can I have a coffee" to the barista, is that bad?
97
It's not a disaster, but it can sound a bit too casual, especially in a nice place or with someone you have never met.
98
If you want to be a polite adult, you need to step up to level two: could.
99
Could I have a black coffee?
100
Yes, that is the gold standard for daily life.
101
But wait, Emi, I know my grammar.
102
Could is the past tense of can.
103
Why am I using the past tense to ask for a coffee right now?
104
I don't want the coffee yesterday.
105
That is a brilliant question.
106
This is the secret to English politeness.
107
When we use modals for requests, we're not talking about time, we're using the past tense to create distance.
108
Distance?
109
Like physical distance?
110
I should stand further away from the counter?
111
No, not physical distance.
112
Psychological distance.
113
In English, being direct is too close, too personal.
114
When we use the past tense modal "could," it creates a soft, polite cushion between you and the stranger.
115
It makes the request less direct, which makes it more polite.
116
Wow, polite distance.
117
That actually makes a lot of sense.
118
So can is close and friendly, and could gives them some polite space.
119
Exactly.
120
Let's do a quick quiz.
121
Imagine you're at home and your brother is standing near the salt.
122
What do you say?
123
He's my brother.
124
We have zero polite distance.
125
I say, can you pass the salt?
126
Perfect.
127
Now you're at a fancy business dinner with the CEO of your company.
128
You need the salt.
129
Ah, lots of distance.
130
I say, could you pass the salt, please?
131
Nailed it.
132
So let's fix your coffee order.
133
Replace "give me" with level 2.
134
Okay, excuse me, could I have a black coffee?
135
Beautiful.
136
You sound like a gentleman.
137
The barista is smiling.
138
But wait, you aren't finished.
139
After that, you hit him with another verbal truck.
140
Right, I said "I want milk on the side." Yes, and "I want" is the most dangerous phrase a learner can use.
141
So we fixed the first part of your order.
142
You used "Could I have a black coffee" instead of "Give me?" But then,
143
Max, you said "I want milk on the side." Yes, because black coffee is too bitter.
144
I needed milk.
145
I understand the need for milk, Max, but let's look at the psychology of the phrase "I want." Close your eyes
146
and picture a three -year -old child in a supermarket.
147
They see a chocolate bar.
148
What do they say?
149
They scream, "I want chocolate!
150
I want it now !" Exactly.
151
"I want" is a statement of raw, selfish desire.
152
A toddler uses it because they don't care about the other person's feelings, and they don't care if it's actually possible to get the chocolate.
153
They just know their desire.
154
Oh dear, so I basically stood in a fancy cafe acting like a giant 30 -year -old toddler throwing a tantrum for milk.
155
A little bit.
156
The barista is a professional doing their job, not your parent.
157
We have to show respect.
158
To do that, we use the magic polite modal, "would." Wood, like the wood from a tree.
159
It sounds exactly the same, yes.
160
W -O -U -L -D.
161
We change the demanding "I want" to the polite conditional "I would like." I would like milk on the side.
162
It sounds very fancy, like I am having tea with the king.
163
Do I need to wear a top hat to say this?
164
It's not just for the king, Max.
165
It's universal English politeness.
166
"I would like" softly means: "If it is possible and if it isn't too much trouble,
167
my preference is milk." That is a lot of hidden meaning in three little words.
168
Yes, but here's the secret to sounding like a native speaker:
169
if you walk into a cafe and say "I would like milk," pronouncing every word carefully,
170
you will sound a bit like a robot or a textbook.
171
I don't want to be a robot or a toddler.
172
What do I do?
173
You have to use the contraction.
174
Native speakers almost never say "I would like" in daily life.
175
We squeeze the first two words together.
176
"I would" becomes eyed like my "I" and a "D".
177
I'd.
178
Yes, I'd like.
179
Let's practice.
180
I am the waiter.
181
Tell me you want a blueberry muffin.
182
I'd like a blueberry muffin, please.
183
Tell me you want the Wi -Fi password.
184
I'd like the Wi -Fi password, please.
185
Excellent!
186
It flows so much better.
187
It's fast, natural, and perfectly polite.
188
So now you have two amazing tools in your pocket.
189
You have the polite question, "Could I have?" and the polite statement, "I'd like." So I can mix them together.
190
I can say to the barista, "Excuse me, could I have a black coffee and I'd like milk on the side, please?" That is absolute perfection.
191
If you say that, the barista will probably give you a big smile and a free cookie.
192
You sound relaxed and fluent.
193
Yes, I am redeemed.
194
I am a gentleman of the café once again.
195
And then, feeling confident, I can proudly point to the table in the corner and say, "Sit there." Oh, Max, we fixed the coffee,
196
we fixed the milk, but we still haven't fixed the chair.
197
But I was just telling him where I was going.
198
You gave him another command.
199
We need to talk about asking for permission.
200
Okay, Max, now you pointed at a table in the corner and said to the waiter, "Sit there."
201
Yes, I was trying to tell him where I was going to be so he could bring the coffee to me.
202
Max, when you use a verb like that with no subject, it is a direct command to the person you were talking to.
203
You basically looked at a busy waiter and ordered him to take a seat.
204
Oh no. He probably thought I was crazy or that I was telling him to take his break.
205
again.
206
Don't panic, but this is exactly why we need to ask for permission.
207
You needed to ask if the table was free for you to sit at.
208
Okay, permission.
209
I remember this from my school days.
210
The teacher always told us the rule.
211
I should say, "May I sit there?" Ah, yes.
212
The classic "may" vs. "can" debate.
213
Because "can" means physical ability, right?
214
If I say, "Can I sit there?" the teacher would say, "I don't know, can you?
215
Do your legs work?" speaking,
216
"may" is for permission and "can" is for ability.
217
So I should use "may"?
218
May I have a coffee?
219
May I sit there?
220
You can use "may".
221
It is 100 % grammatically correct and very polite.
222
But Max, remember the context.
223
You are in a modern, slightly hipster coffee shop called The Bean Lab.
224
Yes, the barista had tattoos and a very cool apron.
225
If you walk up to him and say, "Excuse me, sir, may I sit there?" You are going to sound a little bit like a time traveler from the 1800s,
226
or like you are speaking to the queen.
227
Really?
228
May is too formal?
229
Welcome to level three, Max.
230
This is the highest level of polite requests.
231
You use this when you are asking a stranger for a big favor, or when you want to be extremely respectful.
232
I am ready.
233
I have my pen.
234
What is the magic phrase?
235
The phrase is, would you mind?
236
Would you mind?
237
Okay, that sounds very gentle, like I'm asking about their feelings before I ask them to do something.
238
That is exactly what you are doing.
239
To mind means to be annoyed or bothered by something.
240
So you are literally asking, will it bother you if I ask for this?
241
That is a very nice way to talk to people.
242
So I can say to the waiter, "Would you mind to give me a coffee?" Oh,
243
so close, Max, but no. Level 3 has a special grammar rule.
244
You cannot use to plus the verb.
245
You must use an -ing verb, a gerund.
246
Uh, English grammar.
247
It always gives you a beautiful present but wraps it in complicated paper.
248
So I need an -ing.
249
Yes.
250
Let's imagine a different situation in the cafe.
251
You want to sit at a table, but someone's jacket is on the chair.
252
You don't say, "Move your jacket." You use level three.
253
Would you mind moving your jacket? perfect, or imagine you are cold, would you mind closing the window?
254
It is the softest, most polite way to ask a stranger to do an action.
255
Would you mind moving?
256
Would you mind closing?
257
I like this.
258
It feels very advanced.
259
But wait, Emi, What if I want to do the action?
260
What if I want to sit in the chair?
261
Do I say, Would you mind my sitting?
262
Great question.
263
If you are doing the action, you add the word "if." Would you mind if I… and then you use the past tense.
264
Would you mind if I sat here?
265
Would you mind if I sat here?
266
Wow, that is definitely level 3.
267
That's CEO -level English.
268
It is.
269
But Max, here's the most dangerous part of Level 3: you have to understand how native speakers answer this question.
270
It's a famous paradox.
271
A paradox?
272
You're scaring me.
273
Let's roleplay.
274
Max, ask me if you can sit in the empty chair next to me.
275
Use level 3.
276
Excuse me, would you mind if I sat here?
277
No, not at all.
278
Go ahead.
279
Wait, you said no, so I can't sit there?
280
Ha!
281
Yes, you can sit.
282
But you just said no. No, not at all.
283
Why are you telling me no if you want me to sit?
284
Think about the verb, Max.
285
What did you ask me?
286
You asked, "Would it bother you if I sat here?" Oh, and your answer is, "No, it does not bother me." Exactly!
287
This confuses learners all the time.
288
With "Would you mind?" a "no" means yes, you can do it.
289
"No, I don't mind." "No, not at all." "No, go right ahead." That is completely crazy.
290
What happens if you say "yes"?
291
If I say "yes, I mind," it means I am annoyed.
292
"Yes, I actually do mind, my friend is sitting there." So a "yes" means "no, you can't." My brain is upside down.
293
Yes is no, no is yes.
294
It takes a little practice, but once you understand the logic, that you are answering the word mind, it makes perfect sense.
295
Okay, so let's recap my coffee shop disaster.
296
Level zero, rude.
297
"Give me coffee.
298
I want milk.
299
Sit there." Level 1: Casual.
300
"Can I have a coffee?" Level 2: Polite distance.
301
"Could I have a coffee?
302
I'd like some milk." Level 3: Ultimate softener.
303
"Would you mind if I sat there?" Max, look at that progress.
304
You went from a caveman to a diplomat in 15 minutes.
305
I feel like a new man.
306
I am ready.
307
Alright Max, you have the tools.
308
You understand the polite distance of could, the soft desire of I'd like,
309
and the ultimate paradox of would you mind.
310
It is time for your redemption.
311
I am ready.
312
I am no longer a caveman.
313
I am a gentleman of the English language.
314
Let's prove it.
315
We are going to do a role play right now.
316
I am the tattooed grista at the Bean Lab.
317
You are the customer.
318
I want you to order your black coffee, ask for your milk, and check if you can sit at the corner table.
319
Let's do this.
320
Okay.
321
Next in line, please.
322
Hey, man, what can I get for you today?
323
Hello, could I have a large black coffee, please?
324
Sure thing.
325
Just the black coffee?
326
Actually, I'd like some milk on the side if possible.
327
No problem.
328
I'll put a little jug of milk on the tray for you.
329
Is this for here or to go?
330
For here, please.
331
Oh, and would you mind if I sat at that table in the corner?
332
No, not at all.
333
Go right ahead.
334
I'll bring your coffee over in a minute.
335
Thank you very much.
336
Max, that was absolutely flawless!
337
10 out of 10!
338
Emi, I did it.
339
And my brain didn't panic when you said, "No, not at all." I knew that meant, "Yes, take the table." You navigated the paradox perfectly.
340
How did it feel compared to your first attempt this morning?
341
It felt so much better.
342
I didn't feel like I was fighting with you.
343
It felt like a smooth, friendly conversation.
344
The softeners really do work like magic.
345
They do.
346
They change the entire energy of the interaction.
347
You give people respect, and they give it right back to you.
348
I guarantee if you go back to the Bean Lab tomorrow and use this exact script, you will get a smile.
349
I am definitely going back.
350
I might even leave a tip this time.
351
That's the spirit.
352
So to all our listeners out there, let's do a quick recap of the ladder of politeness so you never accidentally sound like a bank robber.
353
Step 1.
354
Delete the imperative.
355
Never start with the verd.
356
Give me.
357
Step 2: Use "could" instead of "can" for polite distance with strangers:
358
"could I have?" Step 3: Never say "I want" – say "I'd like." Step 4: For big favors or permission,
359
use "would you mind if I?" and remember that "no" means "yes, go ahead." This is a survival guide for cafes,
360
restaurants, and basically all of the UK and North America.
361
Absolutely.
362
We challenge all of you listening right now.
363
The next time you order a coffee or buy something in a shop, use "could I have" or "I'd like" and notice how the other person reacts.
364
Tell us your stories in the comments.
365
Have you ever accidentally been rude in English like I was?
366
Yes, we love hearing your stories.
367
What is your favorite polite phrase to use?
368
Let us know down below.
369
It sounds so intelligent.
370
It suits you, Max!
371
Thank you so much for joining us for another episode of Speak English with Emi.
372
Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with a friend who might need some politeness softeners.
373
Keep practicing, don't be a caveman, and we will see you next week.
374
Bye everyone!
Scarica l'app
Everything you need to speak fluently
AI PronunciationScore every sentence
IPA PracticeMaster every sound
VocabularyBuild your word bank
Vocab GameLearn while playing
Obiettivi di parlato in questo clip
Questo video è perfetto per chi vuole superare una tappa chiave nella pratica di conversazione in inglese: usare un tono appropriato nelle situazioni quotidiane. Molti apprendisti sbagliano a essere troppo diretti, rischiando di sembrare scortesi senza volerlo. Ecco perché questo dialogo tra Emi e Max è un esempio pratico di come evitare la "trappola della directness" e comunicare in modo più naturale.
Banca di frasi riutilizzabili
- "Ready for another great episode" – Ottimo per iniziare una conversazione o un episodio di podcast.
- "I need to file a complaint" – Per esprimere il bisogno di fare una reclama.
- "What exactly did you do?" – Utile per chiedere dettagli su una situazione.
- "Word for word" – Per chiedere di ripetere esattamente le parole usate.
- "You are exaggerating" – Per dire che qualcuno sta esagerando.
Correggi i tuoi punti deboli
Il principale problema affrontato nel video è l'intonazione e la scelta delle parole per evitare la directness. Frasi come "Give me a black coffee" sono grammaticalmente corrette, ma nel contesto di un bar suonano come un ordine. Per migliorare, prova il shadow speech (o shadow speak): ascolta ripetutamente le frasi di Emi e Max, imitando il tono e il ritmo. Questo esercizio aiuta a capire come modificare la propria pronuncia e l'uso delle parole per sembrare più cortese. Ad esempio, invece di "Give me", prova "Could I have a black coffee, please?" – il risultato è completamente diverso! Con la pratica, imparerai a riconoscere e correggere queste errori comuni, rendendo le tue conversazioni in inglese più fluide e naturali.
Cos'è la tecnica dello Shadowing?
Shadowing è una tecnica di apprendimento delle lingue supportata da studi scientifici, originariamente sviluppata per la formazione dei traduttori professionisti e resa popolare dal poliglotta Dr. Alexander Arguelles. Il metodo è semplice ma potente: ascolti un audio in inglese di madrelingua e lo ripeti immediatamente ad alta voce — come un'ombra che segue il parlante con un ritardo di solo 1–2 secondi. A differenza dell'ascolto passivo o degli esercizi di grammatica, lo shadowing costringe il tuo cervello e i muscoli della bocca a elaborare e riprodurre simultaneamente i modelli di discorso reale. La ricerca dimostra che migliora significativamente la precisione della pronuncia, l'intonazione, il ritmo, il discorso connesso, la comprensione dell'ascolto e la fluidità del parlato — rendendolo uno dei metodi più efficaci per la preparazione alla prova di speaking dell'IELTS e per la comunicazione reale in inglese.