Shadowing Practice: 7-Day English Shadowing Challenge | Practice Speaking Real-Life Cpnversations - Learn English Speaking with Video
Creating lesson...
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You're in the middle of a sentence and the word you need just disappears.
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You know that word, you've seen it a hundred times, but right now in front of an actual person, it's gone and you're quiet.
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That happens because reading and listening are not the same skill as speaking.
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You can recognize 10,000 English words and still not be able to pull them out of your mouth in real time.
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The only thing that fixes it is doing it.
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So I made you a challenge.
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For the next seven days, I'm uploading one new video every day.
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Each video is one real conversation.
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You'll shadow the dialogue, which means you speak the words out loud at the exact same time as the characters speaking, not after them, with them.
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Same phase.
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By Sunday, you will have practiced seven conversations you can actually have in real life.
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You will stop freezing, speaking English every day will start to feel natural.
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Are you committed to the challenge?
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Write it down in the comments.
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I read all of them and seeing you say I'm in is what keeps me uploading every day this week.
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So day one, I chose today's dialogues
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because it's something I deal with every single day now that I have my dog Kiwi.
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People stop me on the street constantly.
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They want to say hi to her.
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They don't really care about me.
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Nobody asks me what my name is, where I'm from.
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They're just asking what her name is what her breed is how old she is
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and where i got her and the conversation never ends at just hello and honestly
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if you have a dog yourself this is one of the
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easiest ways to start a conversation with someone new i'm actually thinking now she's the best networker in our family
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because she just meets everyone
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and in order to start a conversation just comment on people's dogs it works every time everybody loves their dogs
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so today's conversation is small talk
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at the dog park two strangers two dogs
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and a few minutes of conversation
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that does not end after the first polite question here are the words
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and phrases you need to know first let's start with the
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first one gorgeous gorgeous means extremely beautiful it is much stronger than beautiful
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and americans use it constantly you can say it about a dog a person a place the weather even a meal
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What a gorgeous dog.
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The weather's gorgeous today.
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Next up, breed.
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A breed is a specific type of dog with shared physical and personality traits.
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Golden Retriever, Corgi, Husky, Poodle.
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These are all breeds.
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When you don't know what kind of dog you're looking at, you ask, what breed is he?
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Moving on.
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A rescue.
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A rescue is a dog that has been adopted from a shelter or rescue organization instead of being bought from a breeder.
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In the US saying she's a rescue is a really common way to describe your dog
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and people say it with a lot of pride.
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Now this next one is great for talking about personality.
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Outgoing.
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Outgoing describes someone who is confident, social and enjoys being around other people or other dogs.
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It is a positive personality word.
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He's really outgoing means he loves meeting new people.
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And here's one of the most useful phrasal verbs in everyday English.
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To get along with someone.
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This means to have a good, friendly relationship with someone.
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She gets along with everyone means she has no problem being around different people.
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You will hear this one every single day.
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Next, an idiom you are going to love.
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To take some getting used to.
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This phrase means something feels strange or new at first, and you need time to adjust.
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The weather here takes some getting used to.
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Use this when something is different, but not bad.
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Okay, this next one is a really natural way to show strong preference.
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I'll take X over Y any day.
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I'll take coffee over tea any day.
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It shows clear, confident preference, and it sounds very natural in American English.
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And here's a phrasal verb you'll hear all the time in casual conversation, to swing by a place.
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This means to stop by a place briefly, usually without a specific plan.
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You should swing by the bookstore on your way home.
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Very relaxed, very American.
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Next up, a warm little word, a sweetheart.
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A sweetheart is a kind, gentle, lovable person or animal.
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You can say he's such a sweetheart about a friendly dog, a sweet child, or a thoughtful friend.
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It is warm and a little affectionate.
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Next, the highlight of my day.
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This means the best part of your day.
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Talking to you was the highlight of my day.
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It is a warm compliment that makes the other person feel really good.
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And the last one, to run into someone.
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This means to meet someone by chance when you weren't planning to see them.
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I ran into my neighbor at the store.
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Do not translate this one literally.
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It has nothing to do with running.
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And now that you know these 11, let's get into today's conversation.
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Quick thing before we start the dialogue.
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I want to tell you about something I think a lot of you are going to actually use, which is put together a new offer on the Language Rep handbooks.
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It's called Turbo English and it's buy two, get one for free.
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The reason I really love it is that we built two completely different sets depending on where you're stuck right now.
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The first set is for speaking and vocabulary.
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This one is for you if you understand a lot of English.
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For the moment, you have to actually speak your phrase.
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The words don't come out.
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You reach for the same simple phrases over and over, even though you know more.
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This set gives you the natural expressions native speakers actually use in everyday conversations,
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plus a workbook from me that shows you how to bring English into your daily life.
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So it stops feeling like a school subject and starts feeling like something you actually use.
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And the second set is for grammar.
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This one is for you if you keep getting confused by the same rules over and over, especially the tenses.
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When do I use present perfect?
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When is it just past simple?
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This set takes the trickiest grammar topics and breaks them down with examples that actually stick.
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It also includes a handbook for the small everyday mistakes that even advanced learners still make.
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Each set is around $12 less than one private class and
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because it's buy two get one free you're really getting three handbooks for the price of two.
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The link is in the description.
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Now let's get into today's conversation.
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The first time through you You are just going to listen.
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Don't try to speak yet, just get familiar with the words, the pacing, and the rhythm.
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Notice how the sentences flow into each other.
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Notice the words you just learned showing up in real conversation.
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Ready?
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Here we go.
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Oh my goodness, your dog is gorgeous!
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Look at that face.
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Oh, thank you so much.
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His name's Toby.
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He just turned three.
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Three is such a good age.
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What breed is he?
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He looks like a golden, but with something else mixed in.
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He's a golden retriever.
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Pure golden, actually.
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He just has a slightly different coat.
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Beautiful.
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Mine's the small one over here.
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Her name's Bean.
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She's a corgi.
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Oh, I love corgis so much personality in such a small body.
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Tell me about it.
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She runs this whole household.
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That's the cutest name.
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How old is she?
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She's almost two.
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She's a rescue.
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We got her last year.
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Oh, that's so wonderful.
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Is she good with other dogs?
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She's really outgoing.
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She gets along with pretty much everyone.
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She just gets a little nervous around the really big dogs.
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Toby's the same way.
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Honestly, he's such a sweetheart.
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He just wants everyone to like him.
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That's so sweet.
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Are you from around here?
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I am, yes.
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I've been here for almost five years.
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Oh, nice!
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We actually just moved here a couple of weeks ago.
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Oh, welcome.
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How are you settling in?
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It's going okay.
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Honestly, it takes some getting used to.
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Everything's so different from where we came from.
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Where did you move from, if you don't mind me asking?
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Not at all.
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We came from Chicago.
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Oh, wow.
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That's a big change.
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The weather alone must feel very different.
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It really does.
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I'm not complaining though.
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I'll take this over a Chicago winter any day.
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That's fair.
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Do you miss anything about Chicago?
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Honestly, just the food.
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The pizza, the hot dogs, all of it.
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But that's about it.
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I can imagine.
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So, how are you liking it here so far?
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I like it a lot.
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The people are friendly.
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I just don't know where anything is yet.
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Well, if you ever need recommendations, just ask.
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There are some really good spots around here.
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Actually, that would be amazing.
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Is there a coffee shop you like?
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I've been trying to find a good one.
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Yes, there's a place called Sunrise Cafe about two blocks from here.
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They have the best lattes, and they're very dog-friendly.
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They even have a water bowl outside.
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That sounds perfect.
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Are they usually busy in the mornings?
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Surprisingly, no. After 10 on weekends, it gets pretty packed, but mornings are pretty quiet.
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Good to know.
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I'll definitely swing by this weekend.
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And there's a farmers market every Sunday morning morning at the park down the street.
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A lot of people bring their dogs.
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It's a good way to meet people in the neighborhood.
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Oh, I love farmers markets.
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That's so good to know.
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Thank you. Of course.
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Honestly, running into you was the highlight of my morning.
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I was a little nervous coming to a new park alone.
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I'm so glad we met.
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Welcome to the neighborhood, really.
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I hope to see you here again soon.
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Me too.
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I'll probably be back tomorrow if the weather is nice.
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We're usually here in the mornings.
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Maybe we'll run into each other again.
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I hope so.
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Well, nice meeting you.
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Nice meeting you too.
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Take care.
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You too.
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Bye.
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Bye.
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Now it is your turn.
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The conversation is going to play one more time and this time you are going to speak with it.
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Pick one of the two characters and become her voice.
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The important thing is you speak out loud at the exact same time as your character.
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after her, with her, same pace, same rhythm.
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Oh my goodness, your dog is gorgeous!
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Look at that face!
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Oh, thank you so much.
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His name's Toby.
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He just turned three.
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Three is such a good age.
219
What breed is he?
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He looks like a golden but with something else mixed in.
221
He's a golden retriever.
222
Pure golden actually.
223
He just has a slightly different coat.
224
Beautiful!
225
Mine's the small one over here.
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Her name's Bean.
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She's a corgi.
228
Oh, I love corgis.
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So much personality and such a small body.
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Tell me about it.
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She runs this whole household.
232
That's the cutest name.
233
How old is she?
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She's almost two.
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She's a rescue.
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We got her last year.
237
Oh, that's so wonderful.
238
Is she good with other dogs?
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She's really outgoing.
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She gets along with pretty much everyone.
241
She just gets a little nervous around the really big dogs.
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Toby's the same way.
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Honestly, he's such a sweetheart.
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He just wants everyone to like him.
245
That's so sweet.
246
Are you from around here?
247
I am, yes.
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I've been here for almost five years.
249
Oh, nice!
250
We actually just moved here a couple of weeks ago.
251
Oh, welcome.
252
How are you settling in?
253
It's going okay.
254
Honestly, it takes some getting used to.
255
Everything's so different from where we came from.
256
Where did you move from, if you don't mind me asking?
257
Not at all.
258
We came from Chicago.
259
Oh wow, that's a big change.
260
The weather alone must feel very different.
261
It really does.
262
I'm not complaining though.
263
I'll take this over a Chicago winter any day.
264
That's fair.
265
Do you miss anything about Chicago?
266
Honestly, just the food.
267
The pizza, the hot dogs, all of it.
268
But that's about it.
269
I can imagine.
270
So, how are you liking it here so far?
271
I like it a lot.
272
The people are friendly.
273
I just don't know where anything is yet.
274
Well, if you ever need recommendations, just ask.
275
There are some really good spots around here.
276
Actually, that would be amazing.
277
Is there a coffee shop you like?
278
I've been trying to find a good one.
279
Yes, there's a place called Sunrise Cafe about two blocks from here.
280
They have the best lattes, and they're very dog friendly.
281
They even have a water bowl outside.
282
That sounds perfect.
283
Are they usually busy in the mornings?
284
Surprisingly, no. After 10 on weekends it gets pretty packed, but mornings are pretty quiet.
285
Good to know.
286
I'll definitely swing by this weekend.
287
And there's a farmer's market every Sunday morning at the park down the street.
288
A lot of people bring their dogs.
289
It's a good way to meet people in the neighborhood.
290
Oh, I love farmer's markets.
291
That's so good to know.
292
Thank you. Of course.
293
Honestly, running into you was the highlight of my morning.
294
I was a little nervous coming to a new park alone.
295
I'm so glad we met.
296
Welcome to the neighborhood, really.
297
I hope to see you here again soon.
298
Me too.
299
I'll probably be back tomorrow if the weather is nice.
300
We're usually here in the mornings.
301
Maybe we'll run into each other again.
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I hope so.
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Well, nice meeting you.
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Nice meeting you too.
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Take care.
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You too.
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Bye.
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Bye.
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And that's day one.
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Done.
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You spoke an entire conversation in English and Kiwi is really happy for you and she's uploading.
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Yeah, that counts.
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Are you coming back tomorrow?
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Write day one done in the comments.
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And also please let me know how cute this dog is.
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She just got groomed yesterday.
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So this is her best look ever.
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Tomorrow we are at the coffee shop for day two.
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We can take our dog as well.
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See you there.
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Don't forget to subscribe to this channel and bye-bye.
Context & Background
Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a conversation in English, struggling to find the words? You're not alone. Many English learners face this challenge when transitioning from passive skills like reading and listening to active speaking. In this video series, you will participate in a 7-day English shadowing challenge, designed to enhance your speaking abilities through real-life conversations. Each day, a new video will present a dialogue that mimics everyday situations, helping you to practice essential phrases and improve your fluency. The first conversation focuses on small talk at a dog park, a common social setting where you can easily engage with others.
Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication
- Gorgeous: This word means extremely beautiful and is often used to compliment dogs, people, or even the weather. For instance, "What a gorgeous dog!"
- Breed: A term that refers to a specific type of dog. When you're unsure about a dog’s type, you can ask, "What breed is he?"
- Rescue: This word describes a dog that has been adopted instead of being purchased from a breeder. Saying "She's a rescue" is common and indicates pride in saving a dog.
- Outgoing: This adjective describes someone who is friendly and enjoys being around others, perfect for discussing the personality of dogs and people alike.
- Small talk: Engaging in light conversation, often about the weather or personal interests. It's a vital skill in building relationships.
Step-by-step Shadowing Guide
To successfully tackle this daily challenge and improve your speaking skills, follow this shadowing technique:
- Watch the Video: Begin by watching the full dialogue video on our shadowing site. Pay attention to the pronunciation, intonation, and pacing of the speakers.
- Listen Actively: Replay the video and listen closely to how phrases are used in context. Focus on the key expressions highlighted above.
- Shadow the Dialogue: Practice shadow speech by repeating the dialogue out loud simultaneously with the speakers. This method not only aids in pronunciation but also helps you to retain the rhythm and flow of spoken English.
- Record Yourself: After a few attempts, record your shadowing practice. Listening to your recordings will help you identify areas for improvement.
- Engage with Others: Finally, try to use these phrases in real-life conversations or practice with a friend. This will solidify your learning and make speaking English feel more natural.
By consistently practicing these steps over the week, you'll find that engaging in conversations becomes easier, which is vital for anyone looking to learn English with YouTube and improve their English pronunciation.
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.