Shadowing Practice: A2 Level – English Listening Practice: Numbers and Missing Words - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Listen and look.
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There is one example.
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Hello.
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Can I ask you some questions about your job?
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It's for my English homework.
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Yes, of course you can.
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Thank you.
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First, what's your surname?
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It's Powers.
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Is that P-O-W-E-R-S?
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That's right.
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Can you see the answer?
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Now you listen and write.
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And what do you do, Mr Powers?
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What's your job?
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I'm an engineer.
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Oh, do you like your job?
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Yes, it's very interesting.
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Where do you work?
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At London Airport.
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That's a very big place, isn't it?
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Yes.
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A plane arrives there every minute.
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And how do you get to work every day?
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Do you go by car?
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Oh, no. It's too far.
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I take the train every morning.
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Do you have to start work very early?
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Well, usually I start work at half past eight, but on Saturdays I begin at half past six.
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I'm always tired after that, but I don't have to work on Sundays or Mondays.
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Right.
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My last question.
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What do you like doing when you're not working?
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I mean, do you play a sport like football or tennis?
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Well, I prefer golf.
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That's my favourite sport, but I'm not very good at it.
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Thank you, Mr Powers.
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That's everything.
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Thank you.

Practice Real-Life English with a Friendly Job Interview Dialogue

Ever wanted to practice listening and speaking with a natural, everyday conversation? The video features a simple job interview between a student and an engineer, Mr. Powers. It’s perfect for A2 level learners, focusing on numbers, job details, and daily routines—topics you’ll use in real life. The dialogue flows like a casual chat, making it easy to follow and mimic, which is key for building confidence in english speaking practice.

Top 5 Phrases to Use in Daily Talks

  • “Can I ask you some questions?” – A polite way to start a conversation or interview.
  • “I take the train every morning.” – Useful for talking about your daily commute.
  • “I start work at half past eight.” – Learn to share work hours with this simple structure.
  • “I prefer golf.” – Great for expressing likes and dislikes in hobbies.
  • “That's everything.” – A natural way to end a conversation or task.

How to Master the Dialogue with the Shadowing Technique

The shadowing technique is a proven way to improve your speaking and listening. Here’s how to use it with this video:

  1. Listen first: Watch the video once to understand the story. Focus on Mr. Powers’ tone and pauses.
  2. Shadow immediately: Play a short clip (5-10 seconds) and repeat it out loud right after the speaker. Try to match their speed and intonation—this is called shadow speech.
  3. Check for mistakes: Pause and compare your version to the video. Did you say “half past six” correctly? Fix any number or word mix-ups.
  4. Extend the clip: Once you’re comfortable, try longer sections. This builds stamina for real conversations.
  5. Practice daily: Use a shadowing app or shadowing site to record yourself and track progress. Consistency is key!

This dialogue is ideal for shadowing because it’s slow, clear, and full of common phrases. By mimicking Mr. Powers, you’ll learn to speak more naturally and understand everyday English better. Ready to start? Hit play and let the practice begin!

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.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →