Shadowing Practice: American English Connected Reading | Business English: Sales Meeting (part one) - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Hey, what's up?
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It's Alex.
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Today I'd like to look at the connected sounds in a short text stimulating what somebody might say in a sales meeting.
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Let's take a look.
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I just wanted to let you know that the meeting went really well.
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I just wanted to, just wanted to let you know.
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So we take out the T in just.
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I just wanted to, wanted to, we connect d and t here, wanted to let you know.
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In front of you, a t or d sound turns into ch or j.
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Let ch, let ch know.
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Let ch know that the meeting went really well.
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That turns into the, that the meeting went really well.
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Went really, we have a glottal stop here for the t and went.
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Went really well.
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She said they're ready to commit to the deal.
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Said there, said there.
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Here the D and TH connect.
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She said they're ready, they're ready.
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The two R sounds connect too we don't say they're ready with a pause
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or glottal stop in between them we just connect them they're
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ready they're ready she said they're ready to commit to the deal to commit to
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so here to both times two turns into to
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and commit to the two t's connect commit to the deal we talked about in the email.
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This is interesting here after about the T and the N kind of connect together.
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Talked about in the email. About nn. About nn.
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And the I in in, the I sound disappears.
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Talked about in the email.
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So about in the all connects together.
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About nn the.
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About nn the.
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So about the lot will stop n-the, about n-the, about in the email.
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It's going to be a two year contract, just like we were hoping for.
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Contract just so j starts with a d sound, right?
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Juh, juh, right?
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It's a little bit of a d before the juh.
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Just.
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So that means the T connects to it.
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Contract just, contract just, contract just like.
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But now actually we take out the T in just.
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Just like we were hoping for.
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just like we were hoping for.
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No T in just there.
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Just like we were hoping for.
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I already wrote up the contract.
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I already.
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I y'all.
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Y'all.
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We add a little bit of a ya between I and already.
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I already wrote up the contract.
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Rode up.
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Rode up.
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We make a tap there.
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Rode up.
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Rode up.
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There's a tapped T between rote and up.
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Rote up the contract with the new pricing.
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Now, why don't we change anything with contract?
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There's a regular T at the end.
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Why don't we change?
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Because kt stays like kt.
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Contract with the, contract with the, but the two th sounds do connect together so contract doesn't change
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but with the with the with the new pricing with the
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new pricing it's a long voiceless with with with the new pricing
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so once you take a look I'll send it over to them I'll I'll send it over to them.
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Send it over.
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It over.
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There's a tapped T with it there.
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I'll send it over to them.
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So to, we could say a full to here.
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That would be okay.
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I'll send it over to them.
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Send it over to them. To them. To them.
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It's a little bit more informal and a little bit more relaxed to say to.
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Over to them.
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I just wanted to let you know that the meeting went really well.
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She said they're ready to commit to the deal we talked about in the email.
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It's going to be a two-year contract just like we were hoping for.
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I already wrote up the contract with the new pricing, so once you take a look, I'll send it over to them.

Why Practice Speaking with This Video?

This video is designed to help you improve your English speaking practice, particularly in a business context. It simulates a sales meeting scenario, which is common in professional environments. Engaging with this kind of content allows learners to familiarize themselves with real-world language usage. By practicing your speaking skills through the video, you can develop a natural flow and cadence in conversation that will aid you in actual meetings. Furthermore, the video serves as an excellent resource for those preparing for IELTS speaking practice, giving you the tools to articulate your thoughts clearly and effectively.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

The transcript features a variety of useful structures and expressions relevant to professional communication:

  • “I just wanted to let you know…” - This phrase is commonly used to convey information politely. It sets a friendly tone for the conversation.
  • “They’re ready to commit to the deal.” - Here, 'commit to' indicates agreement or acceptance, which is vital in negotiations.
  • “Talked about in the email.” - This structure emphasizes previous communication, linking past discussions to the current context.
  • “It’s going to be a two-year contract…” - The use of 'going to' indicates a planned future action, an essential aspect of business planning discussions.

Engaging with these structures will not only enhance your vocabulary but also help you understand how to use them effectively in your professional interactions.

Common Pronunciation Traps

As you practice with this video, pay attention to the following pronunciation points that may pose challenges:

  • Connected Sounds: Notice how sentences blend together. For instance, “just wanted to” becomes “jus’ wanna” – learning these connections can make your spoken English sound more natural.
  • Glottal Stops: In phrases like “went really well,” the T sound is often dropped, which can be tricky for learners who tend to pronounce every sound distinctly.
  • Shifts in Sounds: The sound transitions, like “contract just,” where the T connects with the J sound, may confuse those unfamiliar with these patterns. Understanding such nuances is crucial for non-native speakers aiming to sound fluent.

By recognizing and practicing these common pronunciation traps, you can significantly enhance your speaking skills in both casual and formal settings. To reinforce your learning, try shadowing the speaker by repeating phrases after them; this technique is invaluable for mastering the nuances of English.
Consider using a shadowing site to further supplement your practice. By combining this video with additional resources, you can elevate your English speaking abilities to new heights.

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.