Shadowing Practice: 32 listen and repeat dangerous mistake at the bank english youtube McEoKS4y - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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Last week, I went to a bank in the United States.
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Last week, I went to a bank in the United States.
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I needed to take money from my account.
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Simple, right?
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But when I spoke to the cashier,
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I said, Give me all the money from my account.
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The cashier stopped.
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The people behind me stopped.
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And suddenly, everything felt very serious.
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I smiled, but inside I was thinking,
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Did I say something wrong?
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In this lesson, you will learn real bank English people use every day
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and how one sentence can sound very dangerous if you say it the wrong way.
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Now repeat this sentence with me.
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I think I misunderstood.
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Good.
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Let me tell you what happened that day at the bank.
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Last week, I needed some cash because I had to pay back a friend.
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She paid for lunch the day before,
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and I promised her, I'll pay you back tomorrow.
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It was not a lot of money,
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but I wanted to keep my promise.
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Repeat.
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I'll pay you back tomorrow.
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Good.
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The next morning, I went to an ATM near my apartment.
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I felt calm because I did not need to speak to anyone.
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I only had to use the machine.
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Card in, pin number, money out.
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Simple.
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At least, that is what I thought.
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I put my card into the ATM and chose English on the screen.
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I saw several options.
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Balance, deposit, transfer, and cash.
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I knew one of them was for taking money out,
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but I did not stop to remember the exact word.
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I just followed the screen.
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Then the machine made a sound.
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I waited for the cash,
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but a message appeared on the screen.
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No cash available.
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I blinked.
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No cash?
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In an ATM?
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Then I understood.
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The ATM ran out of cash.
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Repeat, the ATM ran out of cash.
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Excellent, run out of means there is no more left.
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The ATM had no more cash inside and now I had to make a decision.
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There was a bank branch right next to the ATM.
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The machine was easy, but inside the bank I had to speak to a real person in English.
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I looked through the glass doors.
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There was a teller at the counter,
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and there were people waiting in line.
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Suddenly, I felt nervous.
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I asked myself, what is the correct way to say this in English?
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I knew give me money sounded strange.
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I knew take money sounded too direct.
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But the correct word disappeared from my mind.
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Repeat.
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The word disappeared from my mind.
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Good!
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I took a deep breath,
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opened the door, and walked inside the bank.
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I did not know it yet,
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but the ATM was not the real problem.
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I walked inside the bank and joined the line.
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There were only three people in front of me,
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but somehow the line felt very long.
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I looked at the teller behind the counter.
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She was smiling and helping another customer,
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but I still felt nervous.
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Speaking to a machine was easy.
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Speaking to a real person was different.
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I looked at my phone and opened my banking app.
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Yes, I had money in my account.
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Not a lot, but enough to pay back my friend.
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Repeat.
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I have enough money in my account.
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Good.
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Then, I practiced quietly in my mind.
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I need money from my account.
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No, that sounded strange.
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I want to take money.
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No, that sounded too direct.
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I want to remove money.
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No, definitely not.
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The line moved forward.
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Now there was only one person in front of me.
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My heart started beating faster.
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The man behind me sighed loudly.
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Maybe he was in a hurry.
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Maybe he was just tired.
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But now I felt even more pressure.
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Finally, the teller looked at me and said, Next, please?
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I stepped forward and smiled.
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Hi, she said kindly.
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How can I help you today?
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This was my moment.
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I opened my mouth, and the correct word disappeared again.
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So I smiled with full confidence and said,
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I need you to give me all the money from my account.
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The teller stopped moving.
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Her smile disappeared for one second.
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The man behind me stopped sighing.
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The bank suddenly felt very quiet.
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Repeat.
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Give me all the money from my account.
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Good.
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But be careful.
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That sentence sounds too strong.
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The teller looked at me carefully and said, I'm sorry.
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What do you mean?
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I felt my face getting warm.
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I tried to explain.
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No, no. I mean, it is my money.
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The teller blinked.
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Yes, I understand.
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That did not help.
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I pointed to my debit card.
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I have money here, I said.
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And I want to take it.
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The man behind me whispered,
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Do not hold up the line.
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Hold up the line.
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That means to delay everyone behind you.
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Repeat.
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Sorry for holding up the line.
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Very good.
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Now I was embarrassed.
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I was not trying to rob the bank.
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I was just trying to get $20.
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But somehow, my English made the situation sound very serious.
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The teller looked at me kindly and said,
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Do you mean you would like to withdraw some money?
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Withdraw!
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There it was!
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The word I needed!
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I nodded quickly.
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Yes, yes, exactly.
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I would like to withdraw some money.
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Repeat, I would like to withdraw some money.
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Excellent!
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The teller smiled again.
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No problem, she said.
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We can help you with that.
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I smiled too, but inside I was thinking,
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please, let this moment end quickly.
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But of course, it did not end there.
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The teller smiled and pulled a small form from under the counter.
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Okay, she said.
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You just need to fill out this form.
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Fill out.
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That means to complete a form with your information.
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Repeat.
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I need to fill out this form.
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Good.
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She handed me the paper and a pen.
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I looked at the form.
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Name, account number, amount, signature, simple.
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But after what I had just said,
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even a simple form felt difficult.
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I looked at the line that said, amount.
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The teller asked, how much would you like to withdraw?
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Withdraw.
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Now I knew the word.
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I smiled carefully and said, $20, please.
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She looked at me.
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Just $20?
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I nodded.
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Yes, just $20.
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The man behind me made a small sound.
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Not a laugh.
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Not exactly, but close.
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I felt my face getting warm again.
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Repeat.
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Just $20.
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Good.
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The teller smiled kindly.
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That is perfectly fine, she said.
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I looked at the form again and wrote, $20.
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Then I signed my name.
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The teller looked at my ID.
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She checked the account.
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Then she asked, Is this for anything special?
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I wanted to explain quickly.
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My friend paid for lunch yesterday, I said.
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I need to pay her back.
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Pay back?
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That means to return money you owe someone.
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Repeat.
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I need to pay her back.
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Excellent.
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The teller nodded.
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That is nice of you.
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I smiled.
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Yes, I promised her.
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Then I added, I am almost broke,
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but I keep my promises.
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The teller laughed softly.
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Broke.
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That means you have very little money.
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Repeat.
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I am almost broke.
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Good.
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The man behind me laughed too.
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This time it did not feel bad.

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Why practice speaking with this video?

This video offers an engaging and real-world context for English learners focused on banking scenarios. By watching and repeating the phrases used in this video, you can enhance your English speaking practice tailored to everyday situations. The bank setting provides specific vocabulary and expressions that help build confidence when handling similar conversations in English.

Utilizing the shadowing technique, where you mimic the speaker's tone and pace, can significantly improve your accent and fluency. This lesson emphasizes how even small phrases can convey meaning and context, making it essential for learners looking to refine their speaking skills. By repeating phrases such as "I'll pay you back tomorrow," you’re grasping not only the words but also how to use them appropriately in a conversational setting.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

  • I think I misunderstood. - This phrase perfectly illustrates how to express confusion and ask for clarification, which is essential in any conversation.
  • I’ll pay you back tomorrow. - A practical application of the future tense that emphasizes commitment and accountability in social settings.
  • The ATM ran out of cash. - Here, you learn the phrasal verb “run out of,” which is critical for describing shortages in everyday speech.
  • Give me all the money from my account. - While direct, this phrase serves as an example of how tone and context are important in communication to avoid misunderstandings.

Engaging with these structures not only broadens your understanding of English grammar but also equips you with the necessary tools to handle banking conversations confidently.

Common Pronunciation Traps

Throughout the video, certain words and phrases may present challenges for learners. For instance:

  • Misunderstood - This word may be tricky due to its length and the placement of the stress. Practice breaking it down: mis-un-der-stood.
  • ATM - Although an acronym, be aware of how it’s commonly pronounced in conversation. Listen closely to ensure your pronunciation matches what native speakers use.
  • Run out of - This phrasal verb can be difficult to pronounce quickly. Pay attention to the natural contraction and linking of words when practicing.

Applying the shadow speech approach by mimicking the speaker’s pronunciation and intonation can help overcome these challenges, allowing for a smoother and more natural speaking style. Use this video as a resource to learn English with YouTube and practice your skills effectively!

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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