Shadowing Practice: 20. Returning Home | English for Everyday Activities - Learn English Speaking with Video

This video has 67 sentences and 498 words to shadow. The speech runs for 7:08. The speaker talks slowly, about 70 words per minute, so there is time to copy every sound. 83% 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:

• elevator /ˈɛləˌveɪtɚ/ (noun) — Anything that raises or uplifts.
• cloth /klɒθ/ (noun) — A fabric, usually made of woven, knitted, or felted fibres or filaments, such as used in dressing, decorating, cleaning or other practical use. Sometimes…
• coat /ˈkoʊ̯t/ (noun) — An outer garment covering the upper torso and arms.
• shoe /ˈʃu/ (noun) — A protective covering for the foot, with a bottom part composed of thick leather or plastic sole and often a thicker heel, and a softer upper part made of…
• casual /ˈkæʒ(u)əl/ (adjective) — Happening by chance.
• closet /ˈklɑzɪt/ (noun) — A small room within a house used to store clothing, food, or other household supplies.
• unlock /ʌnˈlɑk/ (verb) — To undo or open a lock or something locked by, for example, turning a key, or selecting a combination.
• mailbox /ˈmeɪl.bɑks/ (noun) — A collection point for mail intended for onward delivery, a secure box or receptacle for this purpose.
• apartment /əˈpɑɹt.mənt/ (noun) — A complete domicile occupying only part of a building, especially one for rent; a flat.
• button /ˈbʌtən/ (noun) — A knob or disc that is passed through a loop or (buttonhole), serving as a fastener.
• chapter /ˈt͡ʃæptɚ/ (noun) — One of the main sections into which a published work is divided, especially a book.
• message /ˈmɛs.ɪdʒ/ (noun) — A communication, or what is communicated; any concept or information conveyed.
• floor /flɔː/ (noun) — The interior bottom or surface of a house or building; the supporting surface of a room.
• mail /meɪl/ (noun) — A bag or wallet.
• choose /t͡ʃuːz/ (verb) — To pick; to make the choice of; to select.

Phrasal verbs you will hear

• get back to (verb) — Return to (an activity)
• take off (verb) — To remove.
• get off (verb) — To move from being on top of (something) to not being on top of it.
• get on (verb) — To board or mount (something), especially a vehicle.
• go into (verb) — To get involved in; to investigate or explore.
• pick up (verb) — To lift; to grasp and raise.
• take out (verb) — To remove.
• wait for (verb) — To wait until the specified event occurs.

Pronunciation to watch

The speaker uses 3 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm. Say them the short way, as you hear them.

• The “sh” and “zh” sounds: shoe /ˈʃu/, casual /ˈkæʒ(u)əl/, machine /məˈʃiːn/

How to practise with this video

1. Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
2. Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
3. Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like elevator, cloth, coat.