Shadowing Practice: 2.3K - Learn English Speaking with Video
Creating lesson...
1
Good morning, everyone!
2
Sorry I'm late.
3
The traffic was a nightmare.
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Alice, Late again?
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This is the third time this week.
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You know what the boss always says: “Punctuality is the soul of business.” Wait, what does that mean?
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It means being on time is really important.
8
You should set an earlier alarm.
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I know, but my alarm doesn’t work well in the winter.
10
It’s like it knows I don’t want to get out of bed!
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Sounds like you need a New Year’s resolution, Alice.
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Very funny.
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Anyway, has Mr. Carter noticed I’m late?
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Not yet, but you should hurry to your desk before he does.
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All right, all right.
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It would be bad if Mr.Carter came by and found me still here.
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Yeah, you don't want to be invited into a room and get scolded.
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So, Hanna, are there any plans for the holidays?
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Not yet. I might just sleep and watch a lot of my favorite shows.
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What about you?
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I'm going skiing with my family.
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It's kind of a tradition for us.
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That sounds amazing!
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Do you rent a cabin or stay at a hotel?
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Wendy rents a cabin every year.
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She always comes back with funny stories about falling in the snow.
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Hey, it's harder than it looks, but it's so much fun.
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Hannah, you should try it.
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Maybe next year.
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Right now, I just want to relax.
31
Well, make sure you at least join us for the office holiday party.
32
Oh, right. When is it again?
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Next Friday.
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And don't forget to bring a gift for the Secret Santa exchange.
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I hope I get something fun this year, not another mug!
36
Jennie, could you come to my office for a moment?
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Of course, Mr. Ben.
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What’s going on?
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I’ve noticed you’ve been arriving late to work this week.
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Is everything okay?
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I’m so sorry, Mr. Ben.
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There's been a lot of traffic lately, and I'm trying to leave earlier to avoid it I understand that traffic can be frustrating, but being on time is very important.
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You know the saying, “A stitch in time saves nine,” right?
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Um… what exactly does that mean?
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It means that taking care of a small problem now prevents it from becoming a bigger issue later.
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In your case, being punctual helps avoid problems for the whole team.
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Oh, I see now.
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I'll make sure to set two alarms and leave earlier starting tomorrow.
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That's a good plan.
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I know you're doing your best and your work is appreciated.
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Just make sure to stay on top of this, okay?
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Yes, sir. I won't let this happen again.
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Thanks for understanding.
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You're welcome.
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I know you can handle it.
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Just remember, being on time makes everything run smoother for everyone.
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I'll keep that in mind. Thanks, Mr. Ben.
58
Sana, you won’t believe what happened with the new intern!
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Oh no, what did he do?
60
He accidentally sent a cat meme to the entire company email list.
61
Oh my God. Was it a funny meme at least?
62
It was hilarious.
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It was a meme of a cat in a suit with the caption, “Mondays got me like…” He has a good sense of humor Right?
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But Mrs. Wilson definitely did not think so.
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Oh, I can imagine.
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Mrs. Wilson has no sense of humor for these things.
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That poor guy.
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First impressions really are hard to fix.
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Well, at least he gave us all a good laugh.
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Hey, Sana, where did you get that sandwich from?
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The fast food store down the street.
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You should come with me tomorrow.
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Their sandwiches are amazing.
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Deal! But you owe me more gossip in return!
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Ron, you’re terrible!
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That’s how you keep things interesting, Sana.
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Shouldn't we be more focused on work?
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But do you agree that working live should have some spice to it?
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You'll thank me later.
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Whatever you say.
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Alright alright.
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Next time I will think of some interesting story to tell you.
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You should.
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What do you think of our holiday decorations this year?
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It’s good, but I’m pretty sure Team IT has us beat.
86
Have you seen the snowman they made out of office paper?
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Ours is better.
88
We have lights, garlands, and even a tree!
89
Wait… is that a stapler hanging on the tree?
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We ran out of real ornaments, so we got creative.
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Sure, Tom. If “creative” means a stapler on a holiday tree, then you’re nailing it.
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Hey, don’t knock it!
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I think it gives our tree character.
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But seriously, I am not losing this decoration contest to IT again.
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We need to step it up!
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Agreed! Let’s add more lights and maybe even some tinsel.
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The brighter, the better!
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How about we borrow some of the fairy lights from the break room?
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No one's using them anyway.
100
Ooh, great idea.
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Let’s make this tree shine like the North Star!
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Hey, Emily! Want to join us for a coffee break?
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Sure, that sounds great!
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We usually take a break around this time. It’s a good way to relax.
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I’m glad you invited me. I could use a break.
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Do you like the coffee here?
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Yes, it’s pretty good. I like it strong.
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Same here! So, how do you feel after working here for a while?
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It’s going well. There’s a lot to learn, but everyone’s been really helpful.
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We've all been there.
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Don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it soon.
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Thanks! I’m just trying to take it one step at a time.
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That’s the best way.
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And remember, if you ever need help, just ask.
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I will, thanks. It’s nice to know I’m not alone.
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We’re a team, Emily. We look out for each other.
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Emily, we’re starting a new team project today.
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I'd like you to be a part of it.
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That sounds exciting!
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What will we be working on?
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We’re creating a new marketing campaign for a client.
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John and I will lead the project, and you'll help with the research and ideas.
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I'm happy to help. Where should I start?
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You can start by looking at the client's past campaigns.
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We need to know what worked and what didn't.
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Okay, I’ll gather that information and make notes.
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Great. Once you have the research, we’ll meet to discuss ideas.
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We want to create something fresh and exciting.
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I’ll do my best to find useful information. When is the meeting?
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Let's meet tomorrow afternoon.
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That should give us enough time to prepare.
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Emily, do you want to join us for lunch?
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We're going to the café nearby.
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That sounds nice! I’d love to join.
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Great! The café has good sandwiches and salads.
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Do you have a favorite?
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I like salads, but I’m open to trying something new.
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They have a special today. I think you’ll like it.
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Thanks for inviting me. I wasn’t sure where to go for lunch.
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No problem. We like to go out together when we can.
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It’s a nice break from the office.
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It's good to take a break and relax.
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I'm still getting used to everything.
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You're doing great so far, Emily.
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It takes time to adjust.
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Yeah, everyone feels a bit overwhelmed at first, but you’re fitting in just fine.
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I'm glad to hear that.
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It’s always a bit stressful starting a new job.
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We've all been there.
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The team here is really supportive, so don't hesitate to ask.
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That’s reassuring. I was a bit worried about finding my place, but everyone’s been so welcoming.
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We're a pretty friendly group and we like to keep things easygoing.
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Lunches like this help us stay connected.
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It's a good way to get to know each other outside of work.
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Emily, we have a client call in 10 minutes. Are you ready?
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Yes, I’m ready. I’ve reviewed the project details.
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Good. I believe in you!
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I'll try my best.
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Hello! Thanks for taking the time to talk today.
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Hello! We’re happy to discuss the project with you.
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We’ve been thinking about a project idea that targets a younger audience.
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By focusing on social media, eye catching visuals and interactive content.
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Perfect. I’m sure we’ll come up with something great.
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How about we set up another call next week to review our progress?
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Sounds good.
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I'm looking forward to it.
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Thanks again for your time today, Kim.
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We'll have some ideas ready for you by next week.
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Thank you. Talk to you soon.
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Thank you! Goodbye!
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Well done, Emily. You did great on that call.
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Thanks! I’m happy to be part of it.
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John. Can you help me with the printer?
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I'm not sure how to use it.
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Sure, Emily! Don’t worry, it’s easy.
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What do you need to print?
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I need to print this report for the meeting.
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Okay, first, place the paper in the tray here.
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Got it. What’s next?
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Now, go to your computer and click on the “Print” button.
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Then, choose the printer from the list.
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I see it. Should I click “Print” now?
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Yes, but make sure to check the settings first.
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Do you need one copy or more?
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Just one copy for now.
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Alright, then you’re ready to print.
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Click “Print,” and the printer will start.
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It’s printing!
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Thanks so much, John. I was a bit confused at first.
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No problem, Emily.
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You'll get used to it quickly.
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If you need help again, just ask.
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I will. Thanks again for your help.
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Sarah, I need to send an email.
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Can you help me?
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Of course. Emily.
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What is the email about?
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It’s about the team project. I want to share my ideas.
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That’s great! Start by writing a greeting.
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Like “Hello Team”?
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Yes, that’s good. Then write your message.
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I wrote, “I have some ideas for our project. Can we discuss them?” Perfect! Now, end the email with “Best regards, Emily.” Done! Should I send it now?
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Yes, go ahead. You did well!
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Thank you. Sarah.
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I hope they like my ideas.
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I’m sure they will, Emily.
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You’re doing great!
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John, I need help!
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My computer shut down, and now my files are gone.
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Oh no! Did you save the files before the computer shut down?
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I think I did, but I can’t find them now.
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Don’t worry, Emily. Let’s try to find them.
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Where should I look?
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First, check if the files are in your recent documents.
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How do I do that?
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Open your file explorer, then click on “Recent” on the left side.
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I see it! But my files aren’t there.
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Okay, let’s try one more thing.
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Check your autosave folder.
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Where is that?
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It depends on the program you were using.
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Let me show you how to find it.
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Thanks, John. I hope they’re there.
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Don’t worry, Emily.
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If they were autosaved, we can recover them.
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Let’s go step by step.
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Okay, I’m following your instructions.
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Hi, Sarah. I need to talk to you about something.
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Sure, Emily. What’s going on?
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I noticed that some of the files in the project folder are missing.
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I’m worried because we need them for tomorrow’s meeting.
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That's a serious problem.
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Did you check if they might have been moved to a different folder?
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Yes, I looked everywhere I could think of, but I can’t find them.
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We should let the team know right away.
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Maybe someone else has a copy or knows where they are.
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Should we send an email to everyone, or should we ask them directly?
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Let’s start by asking the people who worked on the project.
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Okay, I’ll ask around and see if anyone knows where the files went.
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Good idea. If we can’t find them, we’ll need to recreate the missing work as quickly as possible.
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I'll do whatever I can to help.
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I'm really sorry this happened.
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It's not your fault, Emily.
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Let's just focus on fixing the problem.
245
Emily, we need to brainstorm some new ideas for our next campaign.
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Are you ready to join the team?
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Yes. I'm ready.
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I have some thoughts to share.
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Great! Let’s start with the target audience.
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Who should we focus on?
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I think we should focus on young adults, maybe people aged 18 to 25.
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They’re active online and like fresh content.
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I agree. They’re a good group to target.
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What about the theme of the campaign?
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How about something fun and interactive?
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We could use social media challenges or polls to engage them.
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That’s a good idea, Emily.
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It would get people talking and sharing.
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I like that too.
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What kind of content should we create?
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Maybe short videos or stories that are easy to watch and share.
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We could also use bright colors and catchy music.
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That sounds perfect for the younger audience.
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Emily, during the meeting today, I’d like you to take notes.
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Is that okay?
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Yes, I can do that.
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What should I focus on?
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Focus on the key points: the tasks we discuss, any deadlines, and important decisions we make.
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Okay, I’ll write down the tasks, deadlines, and decisions.
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Also, make sure to note who is responsible for each task.
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Got it. I’ll write down who is responsible for each task too.
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If you miss anything, don’t worry.
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You can ask us to repeat it during the meeting.
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Thanks, John. I'll do my best to keep up.
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Just to confirm, should I also include any questions or concerns that come up during the discussion?
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Yes, that would be helpful.
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If you need help organizing your notes afterward, I can assist.
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It can be tricky at first, but you’ll get the hang of it.
279
I'd appreciate that, Sarah.
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It’s my first time doing this, so any tips are welcome.
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You're doing great, Emily.
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Taking notes is a good way to stay focused.
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You'll learn how everything works quickly.
284
You'll get really good at it soon.
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Alright. Let’s start the meeting now.
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Emily, are you ready to give your presentation?
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Yes. I'm ready.
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I’ve prepared some slides to show our ideas.
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Great! Take your time and explain everything clearly.
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Thank you. I'll start now.
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Good morning everyone.
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Today, I’ll present our new marketing campaign.
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Our goal is to reach a younger audience.
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That's an important goal.
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How do you plan to do that?
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We’ll use social media... to connect with them.
297
We’ll also create short videos that.... are fun and easy to share.
298
That sounds like a good approach.
299
What's the next step?
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Next, we'll design the content and schedule the posts.
301
I've already prepared a timeline for this.
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Well done, Emily.
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Your plan is clear and organized.
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Do you have any questions for us?
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Yes, I’d like to know if you have any suggestions for improving the campaign.
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I think it would be helpful to include some influencer partnerships.
307
They can help us reach more people.
308
Can I ask you something?
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Sure, Emily. What do you need?
310
I’m running out of notebooks and pens.
311
Where can I get more office supplies?
312
You can find them in the supply closet.
313
It’s down the hall, near the break room.
314
Thanks! Do I need to ask someone before taking anything?
315
No, you don't need to ask.
316
Just take what you need!
317
Okay. I'll be careful.
318
What if I need something that’s not in the closet?
319
If it’s not there, you can ask Sarah.
320
She's in charge of ordering more supplies.
321
Great. I'll do that.
322
Thanks for your help, John.
323
Anytime, Emily.
324
Let me know if you need anything else.
325
I will. Thanks again!
326
Hi, Sarah. I need to schedule a meeting for the team.
327
Can you help me?
328
Of course, Emily.
329
When do you want to have the meeting?
330
I was thinking about tomorrow morning, around 10 a.m.
331
Does that work?
332
Let me check the calendar.
333
It looks like everyone is available at that time.
334
Great! Should I book a meeting room too?
335
Yes, you can book Room 3. It’s free tomorrow morning.
336
Okay, I’ll book Room 3.
337
Do I need to send a meeting invite to everyone?
338
Yes. Send an invite with the time, date and room number.
339
Don't forget to include the agenda.
340
Thanks, Sarah. I think I’ve got it.
341
I'll send the invites right away.
342
Make sure to mention if there’s anything specific people need to prepare or bring to the meeting.
343
Good idea. I’ll add a note for everyone to review the latest project updates before the meeting.
344
Perfect. Also, if you need to make any changes to the meeting time or room, just update the invite and let everyone know.
345
Got it? I'll keep that in mind.
346
Thanks for the tips, Sarah.
347
Any time. Emily.
348
Let me know if you need help with anything else.
349
Oh dear.... It’s getting late, but I still have a lot of work to finish.
350
Do you need help with anything?
351
I'm working on the report for tomorrow's meeting.
352
I want to make sure it's perfect.
353
That’s important, but don’t overwork yourself.
354
How much do you have left to do?
355
I just need to finish the last section and double check everything.
356
If you want, I can help you review the report.
357
Two sets of eyes are better than one.
358
That would be great, John.
359
I appreciate your help.
360
No problem.
361
Let's go over it together so you can finish up and get some rest.
362
Thank you. I didn't want to stay too late, but I also want the report to be good.
363
It's good to be thorough.
364
But remember, your health is important too.
365
You’re right. I’ll try to manage my time better in the future.
366
Thanks for the advice.
367
Hi, Emily. Do you have a moment for some feedback?
368
Yes. Of course.
369
Emily, thanks for taking the time.
370
I'd love to hear your thoughts.
371
First, I want to say you're doing a great job.
372
Thank you. I'm happy to hear that.
373
There are a few areas where you could improve.
374
For example, try to be a bit more confident during presentations.
375
Your ideas are good, but speaking more clearly will help others understand them better.
376
I see. I'll work on that.
377
I do feel a bit nervous when I present.
378
That's normal.
379
But with practice you'll get better.
380
Also, try to manage your time so you don’t have to stay late too often.
381
It's important to balance work and rest.
382
I understand.
383
I'll focus on improving my time management.
384
Overall, you’re doing very well, Emily.
385
Keep up the good work, and don’t hesitate to ask if you need help with anything.
386
Thank you for the feedback.
387
I'll work on these areas and keep giving my best.
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This video has 387 sentences and 3081 words to shadow. The speech runs for 26:29. The speaker talks at a steady 116 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 86% 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 less common words from the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
- invite /ɪnˈvaɪt/ (verb) — To ask for the presence or participation of someone or something.
- helpful /ˈhɛlp.fl̩/ (adjective) — Furnishing help; giving aid; useful.
- relax /ɹɪˈlæks/ (verb) — To make something loose.
- alarm /əˈlɑɹm/ (noun) — A summons to arms, as on the approach of an enemy.
- sandwich /ˈsæn(d).wɪd͡ʒ/ (noun) — A dish or foodstuff where at least one piece, but typically two or more pieces, of bread serves as the wrapper or container of some other food.
- printer /ˈpɹɪntɚ/ (noun) — One who makes prints.
- meme /miːm/ (noun) — Any unit of (originally cultural) information, such as a practice or idea, that is transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another in a…
- folder /ˈfoʊldɚ/ (noun) — An organizer that papers are kept in, usually with an index tab, to be stored as a single unit in a filing cabinet.
- connect /kəˈnɛkt/ (verb) — To join (to another object): to attach, or to be intended to attach or capable of attaching, to another object.
- feedback /ˈfiːdˌbæk/ (noun) — Critical assessment of a process or activity or of their results.
- presentation /ˌpɹɛzn̩ˈteɪʃn̩/ (noun) — The act of presenting, or something presented.
- salad /ˈsæl.əd/ (noun) — A food consisting principally of raw vegetables (especially greens, e.g. lettuce), other savoury ingredients (typically cooked), fruit, or confectionary; often…
- cabin /ˈkæbɪn/ (noun) — A small dwelling characteristic of the frontier, especially when built from logs with simple tools and not constructed by professional builders, but by those…
- closet /ˈklɑzɪt/ (noun) — A small room within a house used to store clothing, food, or other household supplies.
- deadline /ˈdɛdˌlaɪn/ (noun) — A time limit in the form of a date on or before which something must be completed.
Phrasal verbs you will hear
- work on (verb) — To apply mental or physical effort to (something) in order to shape, form, improve, investigate, solve it, etc.
- go on /ˈɡoʊˌɒn/ (verb) — To continue in extent.
- keep up (verb) — To maintain; to preserve; to prevent from deteriorating or falling.
- shut down (verb) — To close, terminate, or end; to stop operating, either permanently or temporarily.
- think about /ˈθɪŋk əˌbaʊt/ (verb) — To ponder.
- write down (verb) — To produce or set (something) down in writing; to record something.
- ask around (verb) — To enquire of different people about something.
- break from (verb) — To leave the cover of (a crowd, shelter, etc.).
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 127 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, I'll, don't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “th” sounds: smooth /smuːð/, gather /ˈɡæðɚ/, thorough /ˈθʌɹoʊ/
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: presentation /ˌpɹɛzn̩ˈteɪʃn̩/, decoration /ˌdɛkəˈɹeɪʃən/, partnership /ˈpɑɹtnɚʃɪp/, impression /ɪmˈpɹɛʃn̩/, suggestion /səˈd͡ʒɛst.ʃən/
- Long words — get the stress right: interactive /ˌɪn.tɚˈæk.tɪv/, decoration /ˌdɛkəˈɹeɪʃən/, hilarious /hɪˈlɛə.ɹi.əs/, accidentally /ˌæk.sɪˈdɛnt(ə)li/, influencer /ˈɪnflu.ənsə(ɹ)/
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 invite, helpful, relax.
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Present perfect continuous have/has been + -ing — an action that started earlier and is still going on | you've been arriving · We've been thinking |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | I've noticed · I've reviewed · I've prepared |
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | be invited · is appreciated · were autosaved |
| Advice with “should” should + verb — saying what is a good idea | should set · should hurry · should try |
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.