Shadowing Practice: 4 Great Ways to Say "Hi" and "Hello" in English - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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Hi, Bob the Canadian here.
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Hi, Bob the Canadian here.
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I'm going to imagine you already know how to greet someone with the simple greetings of hi and hello.
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But there are four greetings I want to go over with you
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that you would use when someone you know well returns from a trip.
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So let's imagine a good friend of yours has just gotten back from a one-month vacation.
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The first time you run into them, you could say, hey Dave, long time no see.
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Long time no see.
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This is a North American phrase or greeting that basically means,
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hey it's been a long time and during that time I did not see you.
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The second thing that you could say to them is, it has been a while.
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Hey Dave, it has been a while.
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And the faster version of that would be, it's been a while.
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Hey Dave, it's been a while.
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Hey Dave, it's been a while.
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The third thing you could say to them, especially if you're greeting someone you know extremely well, like a family member, is, it is good to see you.
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Hey Dave, it is good to see you.
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As well, you could say, hey Dave, it's good to see you.
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And the last thing that you could say of the four is, hey Dave, how have you been?
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Hey Dave, how was your trip and how have you been?
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Now, those are four ways that you can greet someone that you know quite well
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after not having seen them for a while.
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You can also combine them.
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So you could say, Hey Dave, long time no see.
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It is good to see you.
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Hey Dave, it has been a while.
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How have you been?
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You can use them almost interchangeably.
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I wouldn't put all four together though, because that would get a little bit long.
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Bob the Canadian here.
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Learn English with Bob the Canadian.
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I just want to tell you how much I've enjoyed making these videos for you.
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If you could return the favor by liking, subscribing, sharing, or leaving a comment I would really appreciate it.
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The more you contribute the happier I am and the happier I am the more videos I make.
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Bob the Canadian here.
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Learn English with Bob the Canadian.
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Have a great day.

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About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will learn four engaging ways to greet someone you know well after a significant time apart. These phrases not only enhance your vocabulary but also help you communicate more naturally in everyday situations. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently use these greetings in your conversations, improving your spoken English skills and making your interactions more personal and friendly.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Long time no see - A casual greeting used when you haven't seen someone in a while.
  • It has been a while - An alternative way to express that a significant amount of time has passed since you last met.
  • It's been a while - A more conversational, quicker version of the previous phrase.
  • It is good to see you - A warm and friendly greeting indicating pleasure in seeing someone again.
  • How have you been? - A common question to inquire about someone's wellbeing after a long absence.
  • Hey [Name] - The informal and friendly way to start your conversation.
  • How was your trip? - A specific question to show interest in someone's recent travel experience.

Practice Tips

To effectively use the phrases from this lesson, incorporate the shadowing technique into your practice routine. Begin by listening to the phrases slowly and repeatedly, then try to mimic the pronunciation and intonation as closely as possible. This technique is particularly beneficial for IELTS speaking practice, as it helps with fluency and natural speech patterns.

As you shadow, pay attention to the rhythm and tone of the speaker. If the pace is a bit fast, don't hesitate to slow it down until you feel comfortable. Use phrases like "Hey Dave, long time no see" or "It's been a while" in conversation with friends or family to become more familiar with their usage.

Remember, the goal is not just to repeat the words but to make them a part of your speaking arsenal. With consistent practice using shadowspeaks methods, you will find that you can use these greetings effortlessly in your daily interactions. So grab a partner or practice in front of a mirror and start enriching your conversational English today with these friendly expressions!

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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