Shadowing Practice: #114 Talking about the Census and data security (Med) | SBS Learn English - Learn English Speaking with Video
Creating lesson...
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The Census is important, but so is my privacy.
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Learning English helps me to talk about data security.
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SBS acknowledges the traditional custodians of country and their connections and continuous care for the skies,
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lands and waterways throughout Australia.
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Every few years in Australia, people are asked to complete something called the Census.
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The Census is a survey that collects information about people, like where they live, what they do and who lives at their home.
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This helps the government plan services like schools, hospitals and transport.
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But sometimes sharing personal information can feel a bit uncomfortable.
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Hi, I'm Kate and in this episode we're practicing everyday English you can use when talking about the census,
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data security and protecting your personal information.
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Now let's join Alan and Claire.
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They're sitting at home with their laptops open.
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Alan is looking at the census form on his screen.
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He pauses for a moment, not sure if he wants to continue.
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I'm a bit reluctant about doing the census.
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It asks for some pretty personal details.
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That's totally fair, but it's protected under strict privacy laws.
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Your data is kept confidential.
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Yeah, I just don't want my information to fall into the wrong hands.
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I get that, but the data is de-identified, so it can't be linked back to you.
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Like Alan, I also feel unsure when sharing personal information.
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What about you?
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Do you feel the same?
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It's totally understandable to think about whether the information you share is safe to ask questions about data security, right?
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Data security means keeping your personal information safe.
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It means protecting your details so other people can't see or use them without permission.
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This sounds important because it is.
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So, let's practice how to talk about it.
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First, Alan said...
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I'm a bit reluctant about doing the census.
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When you feel reluctant, you're not sure or not completely comfortable about doing something.
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You may want to do it, but something is making you pause and think twice.
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Let's say you've received an email with a link to a special offer online.
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You could say...
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I'm reluctant to click that link because it doesn't look safe.
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Alan also thinks that the census asks about information he's not sure he wants to share with everyone.
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It asks for some pretty personal details.
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Here, when Alan says pretty, he doesn't mean beautiful.
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He means quite or fairly.
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When you use the word pretty like this, you're making the meaning of what follows a bit stronger in an informal way.
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So, if information is pretty personal, it means that it is very personal information.
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It can include details like your name, address or background.
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We can also call this sensitive data.
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I'm always cautious when sharing sensitive data online.
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Sensitive data is information that should be kept private because it could be unpleasant,
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dangerous or cause harm to someone if other people know it.
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Claire then said...
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That's totally fair, but it's protected under strict privacy laws.
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Claire reminds Alan that the personal information he enters in the census is protected by privacy laws,
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that is, rules that stop anyone else using your personal information.
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These laws make sure that your data is used safely and not shared in the wrong way or to the wrong people.
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You could also say...
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Your data is kept confidential.
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If something is confidential, it is kept private and not shared with other people.
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Only people who have the right permission can access it.
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So, when you complete the census, your information is protected under privacy laws and kept confidential
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because there are systems and rules in place to keep your data safe.
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Yeah, I just don't want my information to fall into the wrong hands.
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If something falls into the wrong hands, it is seen or used by someone who should not have it, like hackers.
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Hackers are people who try to break into your systems to steal your data. For example...
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A hacker sent me a fake message pretending to be my bank.
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Or My phone company was hacked and some customer's data was leaked.
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If data is leaked, it is shared without permission.
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We can also say There was a data breach.
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A data breach is when private information is seen or stolen without permission.
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Hackers are certainly a worry in general, but the government puts a lot of special systems around the census survey
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so that your data is safe and no one can hack it.
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When you complete the census, your information is protected by strong security systems and strict privacy laws.
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So while it's good to be careful online, it's also important to understand when your data is being handled safely.
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Besides, as Claire said...
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The data is de-identified, so it can't be linked back to you.
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In census, the data we provide is de-identified.
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This means that the details you provide are not linked to you as a person.
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Details like your name are removed, so the information can not be linked back to you.
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So you could also say...
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The census is used for statistics, not to identify individuals.
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But why is it important to fill in the census?
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The census gives a clear picture of who lives in Australia and what people need.
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It helps the government to plan things like schools and hospitals.
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Fill out the census properly so that the information the government uses to plan services is more accurate.
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The census usually happens every five years in Australia and people should complete it on census night.
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This year, that's Tuesday 11th of August.
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By law, everyone in Australia on census night must be counted,
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including visitors, international students and even babies.
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As for me, I'll be filling it online, but you can also choose to complete a paper form if you prefer.
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Now let's hear Alan and Claire once more, and then we'll practice.
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I'm a bit reluctant about doing the census.
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It asks for some pretty personal details.
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That's totally fair.
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But it's protected under strict privacy laws.
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Your data is kept confidential.
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Yeah, I just don't want my information to fall into the wrong hands.
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I get that.
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But the data is de-identified, so it can't be linked back to you.
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It's time to practice.
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See if you remember the meaning before hearing the answer.
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If something is confidential, it is...
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If something is confidential, it's kept private and not shared with others.
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What is a data breach?
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A data breach is when private information is accessed or stolen without permission.
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Now let's listen and repeat after Alan and Claire.
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I'm reluctant to click that link because it doesn't look safe.
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A hacker sent me a fake message pretending to be my bank.
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There was a data breach.
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Some customers' data was leaked.
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with creative bonus episodes so that you can practice your speaking skills
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check out our website at sbs.com.au learn english you can also
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follow us for more language learning tips on facebook instagram
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and youtube just search for sbs learn english i'm kate and thanks for learning english with me
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This video has 109 sentences and 1191 words to shadow. The speech runs for 10:15. The speaker talks at a steady 116 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 85% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| census noun | /ˈsɛnsəs/ | An official count or enumeration of members of a population (not necessarily human), usually residents or citizens in a particular region, often done at… |
| privacy noun | /ˈpɹaɪ.və.si/ | The state of being secluded from the presence, sight, or knowledge of others. |
| confidential adjective | /ˌkɔn.fɪˈdɛn.ʃəl/ | Kept, or meant to be kept, secret within a certain circle of persons; not intended to be known publicly. |
| reluctant adjective | /ɹɪˈlʌktənt/ | Not wanting to take some action; unwilling to do something. |
| breach noun | /ˈbɹiːt͡ʃ/ | A gap or opening made by breaking or battering, as in a wall, fortification or levee / embankment; the space between the parts of a solid body rent by violence. |
| hacker noun | /hækəɹ/ | Someone who hacks. |
| strict adjective | /stɹɪkt/ | Strained; drawn close; tight. |
| sensitive adjective | /ˈsɛn.sɪt.ɪv/ | Having the faculty of sensation; pertaining to the senses. |
| steal verb | /stiːl/ | To take illegally, or without the owner's permission, something owned by someone else without intending to return it. |
| leak noun | /liːk/ | A crack, crevice, fissure, or hole which admits water or other fluid, or lets it escape. |
| pretend verb | /pɹəˈtɛnd/ | To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance. |
| safely adverb | /ˈseɪfli/ | In a safe manner; without risk; using caution above all else. |
| pause noun | /pɔːz/ | A temporary stop or rest; an intermission of action; interruption; suspension; cessation. |
| everyday adjective | /ˈɛvɹiˌdeɪ/ | Appropriate for ordinary use, rather than for special occasions. |
| harm noun | /hɑːm/ | Physical injury; hurt; damage. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| check out verb | To record the departure or withdrawal of someone or something (such as guests, employees, books, etc.). | |
| fill out verb | /fɪl ˈaʊt/ | To complete a form or questionnaire with requested information. |
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | are asked · is kept · can't be linked |
| Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thing | people who have · someone who should · people who try |
| Advice with “should” should + verb — saying what is a good idea | should be · should not have · should complete |
| Present continuous am/is/are + -ing — something happening right now or around now | we're practicing · They're sitting · is looking |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 25 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, can't, doesn't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: confidential /ˌkɔn.fɪˈdɛn.ʃəl/, cautious /ˈkɔːʃəs/
- Long words — get the stress right: confidential /ˌkɔn.fɪˈdɛn.ʃəl/, continuous /kənˈtɪn.juː.əs/, uncomfortable /ʌnˈkʌm.fɚ.tə.bl̩/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like census, privacy, confidential.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.