Shadowing Practice: 26 - Learn English Speaking with Video
Creating lesson...
1
Hello engineer.
2
I hope you're doing well.
3
I wanted to check in on the progress of building project we're working on.
4
Any updates on when it will be completed?
5
Hi there.
6
The project is moving along smoothly.
7
We've completed the foundation and structural work.
8
Currently we're focusing on the electrical and plumbing installations.
9
I estimate we're about halfway through.
10
That's good to hear.
11
How are we looking in terms of the original timeline?
12
Are we still on track for the initial completion date?
13
We've encountered a few minor delays due to unforeseen weather conditions and supply chain issues.
14
However, we're working to make up for lost time in the upcoming phases.
15
I'd say we're slightly behind schedule but nothing significant.
16
I understand that challenges can arise.
17
What specific steps are being taken to address these setbacks?
18
And do you foresee any potential hurdles in the upcoming stages?
19
We're adjusting our construction schedule to optimize efficiency.
20
And we've sourced alternative suppliers to mitigate any potential delays in material delivery.
21
Additionally I'm closely monitoring the weather forecasts to plan our work accordingly.
22
That sounds like a solid plan.
23
Can you provide a revised estimate for the completion date based on the current progress?
24
Given the current pace and our strategies to address delays, I'd estimate an additional 2 to 3 weeks beyond the original completion date.
25
Thanks for the update.
26
I appreciate your transparency.
27
Let's stay in close communication to address any challenges swiftly.
28
If there's anything specific I can do on my end to support the process, please let me know.
29
Absolutely.
30
Communication is key.
31
I'll keep you informed of any significant developments.
32
Great.
33
And I'll make sure to streamline the resource allocation and approvals on my end.
34
Let's work together to bring this project to successful completion.
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
The speaker keeps coming back to these words: completion, delays, estimate, address, project. This video has 34 sentences and 295 words to shadow. The speech runs for 1:58. The speaker talks at a natural 150 words per minute, close to everyday conversation. Only 78% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding. 6 of its 34 sentences are questions, so it is good practice for question intonation and short answers.
Key vocabulary in this video
The 15 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| completion noun | /kəmˈpliː.ʃən/ | The act or state of being or making something complete; conclusion, accomplishment. |
| estimate noun | /ˈɛs.tɪ.mət/ | A rough calculation or assessment of the value, size, or cost of something. |
| foresee verb | /fɔɹˈsi/ | To perceive (a situation or event) in advance. |
| hurdle noun | /ˈhɝd(ə)l/ | An artificial barrier, variously constructed, over which athletes or horses jump in a race. |
| optimize verb | /ˈɑptɪmaɪz/ | To act optimistically or as an optimist. |
| revise verb | /ɹɪˈvaɪz/ | To review, alter and amend, especially of written material. |
| setback noun | /ˈsɛtbæk/ | An obstacle, delay, disadvantage, or blow (an adverse event which slows down, or prevents progress towards a desired outcome). |
| streamline verb | /ˈstriːmlaɪn/ | To design and construct the contours of a vehicle etc. so as to offer the least resistance to its flow through a fluid. |
| unforeseen adjective | /ˌʌnfɔːˈsiːn/ | Not foreseen. |
| swiftly adverb | /ˈswɪftli/ | In a swift manner; quickly; with quick motion or velocity; fleetly. |
| mitigate verb | /ˈmɪt.ɪ.ɡeɪt/ | To reduce, lessen, or decrease and thereby to make less severe or easier to bear. |
| plumbing noun | /ˈplʌmɪŋ/ | The pipes, together with the joints, tanks, stopcocks, taps, and other fixtures of a water, gas, or sewage system in a house or other building. |
| smoothly adverb | /ˈsmuːðli/ | in a smooth manner; smooth |
| allocation noun | /ˌæl.əˈkeɪ.ʃən/ | The process or procedure for allocating things, especially money or other resources. |
| supplier noun | /səˈplaɪə/ | One who supplies; a provider. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| check in on verb | To pay a visit in order to monitor the health, security or safety of (someone or something). |
| move along verb | To continue without being distracted; to keep going. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- I hope you're doing well.
- We've completed the foundation and structural work.
- Currently we're focusing on the electrical and plumbing installations.
- I estimate we're about halfway through.
- How are we looking in terms of the original timeline?
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | We've completed · We've encountered · we've sourced |
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | will be completed · being taken |
| Present continuous am/is/are + -ing — something happening right now or around now | you're doing · we're working · is moving |
| Future with “will” will + verb — a decision, promise or prediction | will be · I'll keep · I'll make |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 15 contractions and reduced forms, such as we're, we've, I'd. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: completion /kəmˈpliː.ʃən/, allocation /ˌæl.əˈkeɪ.ʃən/, installation /ˌɪn.stəˈleɪ.ʃən/, structural /ˈstɹʌk(t͡)ʃəɹəl/
- Long words — get the stress right: allocation /ˌæl.əˈkeɪ.ʃən/, transparency /tɹænsˈpæɹənsi/, accordingly /əˈkɔɹ.dɪŋ.li/, installation /ˌɪn.stəˈleɪ.ʃən/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like completion, estimate, foresee.
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.