Shadowing Practice: 20 English Phrases Native Speakers Use Every Day |English Conversation Podcast - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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Welcome to English with Anna.
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Welcome to English with Anna.
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Today, you're going to learn 20 English phrases that native speakers actually use every day.
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Not textbook English.
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Not robotic English.
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Real English for real conversations.
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So if you want to sound more natural and more confident,
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this episode is for you.
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Okay, let's start with an easy one.
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What's up?
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This simply means, how are you?
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Or what's happening?
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Hey, what's up?
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Easy and super common.
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Phrase number two.
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I'm starving.
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This means I'm very hungry.
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Not literally dying.
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Hopefully.
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Hopefully.
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Number three.
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No worries.
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Native speakers use this instead of that's okay.
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Sorry I'm late.
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No worries.
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Number four.
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Sounds good.
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This means okay, great.
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Let's meet at 7.
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Sounds good.
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Number 5.
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Give me a sec.
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Sec means second.
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So, this phrase means, wait a moment.
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Give me a sec, I'm finishing this email.
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Number 6.
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I'm just kidding.
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Use this after a joke.
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You owe me $1 million.
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I'm just kidding.
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Number seven.
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That makes sense.
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Use this when you understand something.
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Oh, that makes sense now.
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Number eight.
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I'm running late.
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This means you're going to arrive late.
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A very common modern lifestyle.
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Unfortunately true.
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Number nine, my bad.
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This means my mistake.
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Example, my bad, I forgot your message.
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Number 10, I'm exhausted.
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A stronger way to say I'm very tired.
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Especially after work, studying, or life in general.
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Okay, quick challenge.
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Try repeating the phrases after us.
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What's up?
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No worries.
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Sounds good.
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I'm starving.
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Great job.
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Let's continue.
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Number 11.
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Hang on.
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This means wait.
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Example.
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Hang on.
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I'll be right back.
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Number 12.
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I'm broke.
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Meaning, I have no money.
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Very dramatic, but very useful.
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Number 13.
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Take care.
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A friendly way to say goodbye.
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Example.
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See you tomorrow.
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Take care care.
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Number fourteen.
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fair enough.
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Use this when you accept someone's opinion.
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Example, I didn't go because I was tired.
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Fair enough.
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Number 15, no way.
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Use this when you're surprised.
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Example, you met your favorite actor?
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No way.
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Number 16.
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I can't believe it.
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Another phrase for surprise.
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Example.
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I can't believe we're already in December.
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Number 17.
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I'm not sure.
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A natural way to say I don't know.
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Example.
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Are they coming tonight?
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I'm not sure.
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Number 18.
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Good for you.
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Use this when someone shares good news.
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Example.
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I got a new job.
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Good for you.
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Number 19.
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That's crazy.
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Use this when something sounds surprising or unbelievable.
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Example.
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He ran 20 kilometers yesterday.
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That's crazy.
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Number 20.
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You've got this.
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This means you can do it.
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A very encouraging phrase.
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And honestly, learning phrases like these is one of the fastest ways to sound natural in English.
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Because native speakers don't usually speak like grammar books.
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Real conversations are shorter, simpler, and more relaxed.
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Okay, wrap it round.
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Repeat after us.
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No worries.
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Hang on.
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I'm exhausted.
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That makes sense?
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Take care.
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Perfect.
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Here's an important tip.
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Don't memorize phrases once and forget them.
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Use them in your daily life.
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Talk to yourself in English.
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Use them while texting.
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Use them in conversations.
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That's how phrases become natural.
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Before we finish, let's review a few favorites.
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What's up?
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Sounds good.
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No way!
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I'm starving.
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You've got this!
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If you enjoyed this episode,
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subscribe to English with Anna for more real English practice.
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We help you learn natural English in a simple and fun way.
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And now, today's question.
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Which English phrase are you going to use today?
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Tell us in the comments!
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Thanks for listening, and see you in the next episode of English with Anna!

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Context & Background

In daily conversations, English speakers often rely on informal phrases that convey their thoughts and feelings more naturally than textbook language. Understanding these phrases can significantly enhance your IELTS speaking practice and everyday communication skills. This section will introduce you to the richness of casual English dialogue, helping you sound more like a native speaker and less like a robot. The phrases discussed in this video reflect the nuances of real-life interactions, giving you the tools you need to communicate effectively in various scenarios.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • What's up? - A casual greeting that means "How are you?" It's an excellent way to start a conversation.
  • I'm starving. - This phrase indicates that you are very hungry. It's a playful way to express hunger without exaggerating.
  • No worries. - Instead of saying "that's okay," you can use this phrase to express reassurance when someone apologizes.
  • Sounds good. - Use this to confirm plans or to agree with someone, making your response sound enthusiastic.
  • Give me a sec. - A friendly way to ask someone to wait for a moment, implying that you're busy but will be with them shortly.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To truly master these phrases and incorporate them into your speech, try the shadowing technique. This method involves mimicking a speaker as closely as possible, which can dramatically improve your pronunciation and fluency. Here’s how to effectively apply the shadowing technique to the phrases discussed:

  1. Watch and Listen: Start by playing the video while paying close attention to the pronunciation and intonation of each phrase.
  2. Pause and Repeat: After hearing each phrase, pause the video and repeat it out loud. Focus on imitating the speaker's rhythm and emotion.
  3. Record Yourself: Use your smartphone or computer to record your voice as you practice. Compare your pronunciation with the original speaker to identify areas for improvement.
  4. Integrate into Conversations: Try to use these phrases in your daily interactions. The more you practice, the more natural they will become.
  5. Reflect and Refine: After a week, revisit the phrases. Listen for your own improvements and continue to refine your shadow speak skills.

By implementing these steps, you are not only enriching your vocabulary but also enhancing your overall speaking abilities, making you more confident in conversations. Happy learning!

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.

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