Shadowing Practice: 30 English Phrases for Talking About Problems and Solutions | Shadowing English Speaking Practice - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Welcome back to Shadowing English Learners.
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My name is Sarah, and I am glad you're here today.
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Quick question.
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Do you have meetings that work in English?
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And do you feel nervous when you need to speak?
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Today, we are going to fix that.
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This is Day 7 of our English Meeting Shadowing Series, And today, we practice talking about problems and solutions.
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This is one of the most important skills for meetings.
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Every meeting has problems.
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Every meeting needs solutions.
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And today, you are going to practice Sanebe sentences out loud.
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By the end of this video, you will have practiced 30 sentences,
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real sentences, sentences you can use in your next meeting at work.
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This is business English for office workers.
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This is professional English for your career.
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And this is the practice you need.
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So stay with me.
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Before we start, let me explain what we do in this video.
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This is called shadowing.
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Shadowing is simple.
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I say a sentence, you repeat it, out loud.
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Yes, out loud.
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Not in your head.
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You must speak.
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Open your mouth.
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Say the words.
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We do this three times for every sentence.
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Why three times?
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Because repetition is how you remember.
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The more you say it, the easier it comes.
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Don't worry about mistakes.
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Don't worry if your pronunciation is not perfect.
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Just speak.
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Practice is more important than perfection.
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Today we have 30 sentences.
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All of them are for meetings.
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All of them are useful at work.
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So, before we begin, I want you to make a promise.
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a promise to yourself.
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You will speak out loud today, every sentence, three times, like you are in a real meeting.
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Can you do that?
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Good.
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Let's start now.
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Set 1.
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Basic sentences for talking about problems.
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These are short sentences.
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They are simple, but they are very useful in meetings.
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Listen, then repeat.
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Three times, out loud.
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Ready?
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Here we go.
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We have a problem.
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We have a problem.
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Good.
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Say it clearly.
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This is the first thing you say when something is wrong at work.
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There is an issue with the project.
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There is an issue with the project.
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Good job.
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Issue is a professional word for problem.
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Use it in meetings.
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I think we need a new plan.
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I think we need a new plan.
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Yes, you are sharing a solution.
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This is important in every meeting.
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The deadline is not possible.
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The deadline is not possible.
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Good.
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You can say this when the deadline is too short. Be clear. Be direct.
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We need to find a solution.
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We need to find a solution.
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Very good.
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Remember this.
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In meetings, do not just talk about problems.
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Talk about solutions, too.
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You are doing well.
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You have said five sentences.
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Keep going.
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Let me explain the problem.
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Let me explain the problem.
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Good.
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This is a professional way to start.
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Use it when you need to share information with your team.
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I have an idea to fix this.
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Yes, you are sharing your idea.
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This is exactly what good team members do in meetings.
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The client is not happy.
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Good.
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This is a common problem at work.
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Say it clearly.
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Your team needs to know.
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We are behind on the schedule.
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We are behind on the schedule.
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Good job!
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This is how you give a project update when things are not going well.
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We need to talk about this together.
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We need to talk about this together.
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You did it!
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Ten sentences.
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You spoke ten sentences out loud.
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That is real business English practice.
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You are doing amazing.
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Take a breath.
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Good.
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Are you ready for set two?
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Set two.
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Practical sentences for the workplace.
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In set one, you practiced basic sentences, short and simple.
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Now the sentences are a little longer, but they are still easy to understand.
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These sentences are for real situations at work.
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Think about project meetings.
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Think about status update meetings.
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In these meetings, you need to explain problems.
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You need to suggest solutions.
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You need to give updates.
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This is workplace communication.
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This is the English you need every day at the office.
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The project is not on time.
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The project is not on time.
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Good.
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This is a project update.
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Clear, professional, simple.
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I think we should ask the manager for more time.
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I think we should ask the manager for more time.
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Very good.
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You are suggesting a solution.
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Managers like when employees suggest solutions.
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The client wants changes to the plan.
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The client wants changes to the plan.
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Good.
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This is a common problem.
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You need to share this information with your team.
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We need more people on this project.
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We need more people on this project.
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Yes, this is another solution you can suggest in a meeting.
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I found the reason for the delay.
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I found the reason for the delay.
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Good job.
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When you explain why something is late, your manager respects you.
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You are showing good communication.
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Great work.
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You are halfway through this video.
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15 sentences done.
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You are practicing professional English for meetings right now.
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Keep going.
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I suggest we break this into smaller tasks.
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I suggest we break this into smaller tasks.
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Very good.
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I suggest is a professional way to share your idea in any meeting.
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Let me share what the problem is.
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Let me share what the problem is.
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Good.
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You can use this sentence to start your update in any meeting.
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It is simple.
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It is clear.
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We can solve this if we work together.
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We can solve this if we work together.
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Yes, this shows you are a team player.
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This is the kind of English that makes a good impression at work.
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I think this solution will work for the team.
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I think this solution will work for the team.
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Good.
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You are sharing your solution clearly.
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This is giving updates in meetings.
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This is business meeting practice that you need.
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We should discuss this in our next meeting.
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We should discuss this in our next meeting.
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Excellent.
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20 sentences.
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Two sets complete.
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You have practiced 20 sentences out loud today.
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You are doing so well.
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Take a moment.
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Breathe.
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You are almost done.
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One more set.
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And this last set is about confidence.
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Let us do this together.
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Set 3.
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Professional confidence in meetings.
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You already practiced 20 sentences.
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You already said problems.
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You already said solutions.
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Now we practice with confidence.
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Confidence does not mean being perfect.
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Confidence means speaking clearly.
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It means sharing your ideas.
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It means being ready to talk in meetings.
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This is office English that makes a difference at work.
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When you speak with confidence, people listen.
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When you share your ideas, your team trusts you.
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Today, you practice that confidence right now.
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Ready?
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Let's go.
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Sentence 21.
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I want to share my idea with the team.
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I want to share my idea with the team.
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Good.
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Say it like you mean it.
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You have ideas.
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Good ideas.
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Share them.
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Sentence 22.
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I am ready to help solve this problem.
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I am ready to help solve this problem.
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Yes, this shows you are a helpful person on the team.
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Say it with confidence.
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Sentence 23.
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Let me explain my suggestion clearly.
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Let me explain my suggestion clearly.
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Good job.
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Clear communication is the number one skill in meetings.
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You are practicing it right now.
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Sentence 24.
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I believe this change will improve our work.
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I believe this change will improve our work.
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Very good.
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Listen to your own voice.
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You sound professional.
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Sentence 25.
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I think we can make a better plan together.
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I think we can make a better plan together.
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Good.
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Teamwork.
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Solutions.
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Confidence.
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You are saying all of these things right now.
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Five more sentences.
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Just five.
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You are so close.
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Do not stop now.
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Sentence 26.
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Thank you for listening to my idea.
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Thank you for listening to my idea.
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Good.
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This is a professional way to finish your point in a meeting.
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People like when you say thank you.
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Sentence 27.
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I am confident we can fix this issue.
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I am confident we can fix this issue.
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Yes, feel that confidence.
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You are speaking professional English.
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You are practicing for real meetings at work.
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Sentence 28.
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Let us work on this as a team.
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Let us work on this as a team.
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Good.
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Speak clearly.
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You are a professional.
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Sound like one.
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Sentence 29.
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I am glad I shared this with everyone.
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I am glad I shared this with everyone.
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Good job.
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You shared your idea.
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That takes courage.
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That is confidence.
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That is exactly what we practiced today.
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Sentence 30.
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I will practice my English for meetings every day.
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I will practice my English for meetings every day.
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You did it.
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30 sentences, 30 sentences out loud.
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You just practiced real business English, Professional English.
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English for meetings.
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And you did it all today.
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Take a moment.
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Breathe.
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You just finished a complete meeting practice session.
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30 sentences.
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Every single one.
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Out loud.
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Think about that.
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Before today, maybe you were nervous about speaking in meetings.
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But today, you practiced.
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You spoke out loud.
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You said problems.
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You said solutions.
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You said them with confidence.
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This is how you get better.
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This is how workplace communication improves.
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Not in one day.
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A little bit every day.
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Every time you practice, you get stronger.
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Every time you speak out loud, it becomes easier.
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And soon, speaking English in meetings will feel natural.
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You are on the right path.
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You are learning professional English.
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You are building confidence for your career.
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Here is your homework.
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Tomorrow in your next meeting, try to use one sentence from today.
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Just one sentence.
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You can do it.
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And come back here.
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Come back to Shadowing English Learners.
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We have more videos for you.
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Every video is another step forward.
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Another day of business English practice.
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Another day closer to the confidence you want at work.
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Thank you for practicing with me today.
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Thank you for speaking out loud.
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Thank you for not giving up.
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My name is Sarah.
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I will see you in the next video.
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This video has 304 sentences and 1673 words to shadow. The speech runs for 17:07. The speaker talks slowly, about 98 words per minute, so there is time to copy every sound. 90% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is easy to follow.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| shadow noun | /ˈʃædəʊ̯/ | A dark image projected onto a surface where light (or other radiation) is blocked by the shade of an object. |
| solve verb | /sɒlv/ | To find an answer or solution to a problem or question; to work out. |
| breathe verb | /bɹiːð/ | To draw air into (inhale), and expel air from (exhale), the lungs in order to extract oxygen and excrete waste gases. |
| deadline noun | /ˈdɛdˌlaɪn/ | A time limit in the form of a date on or before which something must be completed. |
| workplace noun | /ˈwɝkˌpleɪs/ | The place where someone works. |
| skill noun | /skɪl/ | A capacity to do something well; a technique, an ability, usually acquired or learned, as opposed to abilities that are regarded as innate. |
| delay noun | /dɪˈleɪ̯/ | A period of time before an event occurs; the act of delaying; procrastination; lingering inactivity. |
| suggestion noun | /səˈd͡ʒɛst.ʃən/ | Something suggested (with subsequent adposition being for) |
| practical adjective | /ˈpɹæk.tɪ.kəl/ | Relating to, or based on, practice or action rather than theory or hypothesis. |
| helpful adjective | /ˈhɛlp.fl̩/ | Furnishing help; giving aid; useful. |
| worker noun | /ˈwɝ.kɚ/ | One who works: a person who performs labor for a living; traditionally, especially, manual labor. |
| impression noun | /ɪmˈpɹɛʃn̩/ | The indentation or depression made by the pressure of one object on or into another. |
| courage noun | /ˈkʌ.ɹɪd͡ʒ/ | The quality of being confident, not afraid or easily intimidated, but without being incautious or inconsiderate. |
| homework noun | /ˈhoʊmˌwɝk/ | Exercises assigned by a teacher to a student which review concepts studied in class. |
| halfway adverb | /ˌhæfˈweɪ/ | Half of the way between two points. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| speak out verb | To assert or promote one's opinion; to make one's thoughts known. |
| work together verb | To be coworkers with someone; to share a workspace with someone. |
| come back verb | To return to a place. |
| give up verb | To surrender (someone or something); to inform on (someone). |
| step forward verb | to take one or more steps forward, especially in response to a request for identification |
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 | have said · have practiced |
| Advice with “should” should + verb — saying what is a good idea | should ask · should discuss |
| Present continuous am/is/are + -ing — something happening right now or around now | are sharing · are doing · are not going |
| Future with “will” will + verb — a decision, promise or prediction | will have · will speak · will work |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 3 contractions and reduced forms, such as don't, you're. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: shadow /ˈʃædəʊ̯/, suggestion /səˈd͡ʒɛst.ʃən/, impression /ɪmˈpɹɛʃn̩/, perfection /pɚˈfɛk.ʃən/, pronunciation /pɹəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/
- Long words — get the stress right: pronunciation /pɹəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/, repetition /ˌɹɛp.əˈtɪʃ.ən/
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 shadow, solve, breathe.
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.