Shadowing Practice: [A2] Talking about your Hobbies | English Listening & Speaking Practice - Learn English Speaking with Video

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Hi there, and welcome to the 5-Minute English Podcast.
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The place where you learn real English for real life in just five minutes a day.
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Here, we keep things simple, practical, and easy to follow.
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You'll hear clear English, useful conversations, and everyday vocabulary that you can actually use, whether you're learning at home, on a break, or on the go.
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New episodes drop regularly, so don't forget to follow, subscribe, and turn on the bell if you're watching on YouTube.
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We've got a free vocabulary PDF waiting for you in the description.
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Let's dive in and start learning.
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Today we're going to talk about hobbies.
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Things you like to do in your free time.
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Let's listen to a simple and natural conversation between Lisa and her friend Anna.
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They are meeting at the park on a sunny afternoon, just chatting and enjoying the day.
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Hey Anna, isn't the weather amazing today?
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Hi Lisa, yeah it's perfect.
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I've been sitting here reading for a bit, it's so calm and quiet.
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Reading at the park?
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That sounds lovely.
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Do you enjoy reading?
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I really do.
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Reading is one of my favorite hobbies.
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I try to read a little bit every day.
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Right now, I'm into a mystery novel.
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How about you?
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What do you like to do in your free time?
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Hmm.
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I love painting.
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It really helps me relax after a busy day.
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Last weekend, I painted some flowers from my garden.
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That's awesome.
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Do you take art classes?
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Nope.
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I just watch YouTube videos and practice at home.
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It's just for fun.
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Besides painting, I also enjoy cooking.
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How about you?
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Any other hobbies?
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Yes.
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I love cooking, too.
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I try new recipes on the weekends.
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Last week, I made Thai noodles, and they were actually really good.
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Yum.
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I usually stick to pasta or salad, simple and quick.
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Do you listen to music while you cook?
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Always.
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I like playing pop music while I'm in the kitchen.
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It just makes it more fun.
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Same here.
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I really like Ed Sheeran.
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His songs are so chill and relaxing.
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I'm a big Taylor Swift fan.
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Her songs are fun to sing along to.
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Oh yeah, she's super popular.
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So what do you usually do in the evening.
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In the evening, I like to take a walk or watch something on Netflix.
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Sometimes I just put on music and relax.
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That sounds perfect.
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I'm the same.
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A little walk, some music, maybe a bit of painting.
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That's my ideal evening.
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Let's learn some words from today's talk.
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Hobby, something you enjoy doing in your free time.
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Free time, the time when you're not working or studying.
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Enjoy, to like something and feel happy doing it.
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Relax, to feel calm and rest.
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Recipe, the instructions to make food.
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Delicious, very tasty, very good to eat.
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Usually, something that happens most of the time.
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Take a walk, go for a walk, to walk outside to relax or get fresh air.
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Listen to music, to hear music from your phone, speaker, or headphones.
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Popular, many people know and like it.
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Just for fun, you do it to enjoy yourself, not for work.
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What about you?
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A friendly way to ask someone the same question.
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That's it for today's episode of the 5-Minute English Podcast.
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Want more daily English practice?
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Subscribe to 5-Minute English Podcast for more beginner lessons every week.
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Like, comment, and share if you found this helpful.
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See you next time and remember, practice a little every day.
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doing great.

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Why This Video Is Perfect for English Speaking Practice

If you’re looking to boost your English speaking skills, this video is a goldmine. It features a natural, everyday conversation about hobbies—something we all talk about! The dialogue is slow, clear, and full of common phrases you can use right away. No complicated grammar or rare words here—just real English for real life. Plus, the topic is relatable, so you’ll easily connect with the content, making it easier to remember and practice. It’s the ideal material for english speaking practice and mastering the shadowing technique.

Breaking Down the Natural Dialogue

Let’s look at a few lines that make this conversation sound so authentic:

  • “I’ve been sitting here reading for a bit, it’s so calm and quiet.” The phrase “for a bit” is a casual way to say “for a short time”—perfect for everyday chats. It sounds much more natural than “for a short period.”
  • “Right now, I’m into a mystery novel.” “I’m into” is a super common way to say you’re interested in something. Using this instead of “I am interested in” makes your speech flow better.
  • “I just watch YouTube videos and practice at home. It’s just for fun.” Repeating “just” here keeps the tone light and conversational. Native speakers often use repetition to emphasize simplicity or lack of formality.

These small details are what make the dialogue sound real—and they’re exactly what you need to mimic for better pronunciation and fluency.

Your Simple Practice Routine: Shadow Speech to Improve Fast

Ready to put this into action? Try this shadow speech routine: 1. Watch the video once to understand the conversation. 2. Play a short 5-10 second clip, pause, and repeat it out loud—copying the tone, speed, and pronunciation. This is shadowspeaks in action! 3. Record yourself while shadowing. Compare your recording to the video—notice where your pronunciation or rhythm differs. 4. Repeat the clip until you sound almost identical. 5. Move to the next clip and repeat. Do this for 5-10 minutes a day, and you’ll start to see progress in your fluency and improve english pronunciation in no time. Remember, consistency is key—even small daily practice adds up!

With this video and a little shadowing practice, you’ll be talking about your hobbies like a pro before you know it. Let’s get started!

Grammar in this video

The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:

StructureIn the video
Verb + -ing enjoy, keep, stop… + -ing — verbs that are followed by the -ing formstart learning · enjoy reading · love painting
Present continuous am/is/are + -ing — something happening right now or around nowyou're learning · you're watching · are meeting

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 →