Shadowing Practice: Americans Try Vietnamese Noodles - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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- Have we had Vietnamese noodles?
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- I am Vietnamese and I've had quite a few.
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- I've definitely never had pho, and when I tell people that, especially in LA, they gasp.
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- Let's try some noods!
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- Aw, damn.
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- Smells like home.
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- So is this pho?
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- Yeah, it's pho.
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- This is the most delightful hot tub.
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Like I could just swim in this and drink it.
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- Oh my gosh.
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- Do you pho-cks with it?
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- I do pho-cks with it.
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- I'm living right now.
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- Beef tripe.
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- Ooh, that's intestinal lining.
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Mm, it's like eating tender strands of a wallet.
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- It's a very clean broth.
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It's just a good way to, like, fix you up after you've had too much to drink.
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- Or if you get too pho-cked up, pho-ll yourself up in the morning.
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- This looks fuckin' delicious.
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- It comes with an egg roll? I'll take six.
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- We were missing one key ingredient.
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- Fish sauce. - Ooh, that's dank.
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- Kind of smells like a vet.
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- So that's the thing about a lot of Vietnamese dishes.
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We just love to stuff our dishes with veggies and it kind of balances everything out.
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It's a little symphony in your mouth.
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- No, my finger, my finger went in the sauce!
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- Oh my god.
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- Mm, that pork is good.
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Did you try that pork yet?
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- Mm-mm.
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- Oh, yeah.
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- It's tender, it's flavorful.
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- I feel like the fish sauce is really imperative.
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It just kinda, like, weaves everything together in a really good way.
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- You say 'boom away'?
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- Bún Bò Huế.
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- It's so festive.
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- It's a lot of depth and spice in it, it's really good.
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- The fuck is that?
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- That's not a lot. - You don't need a lot.
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- Alright, so we mix it in.
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I think the shrimp taste actually changed the game.
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- It is more complicated, but I don't know if I like it more, because my mouth is on fire.
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- The soup is a little spicy.
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- I'm trying to stay calm, but it's very spicy for me.
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- No, no, you just made me laugh and it, like, shot up to the back of my nose.
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- Oh no. - It's so spicy I'm dead.
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- Oh no. - They're all my favorite but pho will always have a special place in my heart.
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- I'm very happy I finally got to try pho, I will be ordering it the next time I go way too hard at the club.
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- We're not gonna start a GoFundMe but someone else can, it's called the 'Bring Zach and Kieth to Vietnam fund'.
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We will come, we will eat all your noodles.
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Thanks, we'll see you there.
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- And the description of the event is pho-ck Ned and Eugene.
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- Fuckin' nailed it.

Context & Background

In this engaging episode, a group of Americans steps out of their comfort zone to experience authentic Vietnamese noodles, particularly pho and Bún Bò Huế. The dialogue presents a unique blend of cultural appreciation and humor, revealing the speakers' initial hesitations and ultimate delight in trying traditional Vietnamese dishes. The speaker who identifies as Vietnamese adds authentic insight, contributing to a deeper understanding of the dishes and the cultural significance behind them. This episode serves not only to entertain but also to educate viewers about Vietnamese cuisine and its rich flavors.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • "Have we had Vietnamese noodles?" - A conversational opener to discuss food preferences.
  • "It smells like home." - Used to express nostalgia and comfort associated with familiar aromas.
  • "Do you pho-cks with it?" - A playful way to ask if someone enjoys a particular dish, incorporating cultural slang.
  • "It's a very clean broth." - A way to describe the freshness and quality of a food item.
  • "My mouth is on fire." - A vivid expression indicating that the food is very spicy, perfect for sharing experiences about food.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively improve your English speaking skills using this video, follow this structured shadowing approach:

  1. Watch the video without subtitles first to grasp the overall context and tone. Take notes on phrases and expressions that stand out.
  2. Turn on the subtitles and replay the video. Focus on the speakers' pronunciation and intonation, particularly the unique phrases that resonate with you.
  3. Practice shadowspeaking by repeating phrases immediately after the speakers. Aim to match their pace and emotion. This mimicking technique is crucial for building fluency.
  4. Break down complex dialogues into smaller sections. Repeat each section multiple times until you feel comfortable with the pronunciation and rhythm.
  5. Use the vocabulary learned in your own sentences. Incorporate them into daily conversations or writing exercises to solidify your understanding.

Utilizing this shadow speak method within your learn English with YouTube practice not only enhances your listening skills but also boosts your confidence in speaking. By harmonizing with the video content, you can transform your English language learning experience into an enjoyable and practical journey. Engage with this thoughtful content on a dedicated shadowing site to further improve your skills and experience the rich tapestry of English communication.

Grammar in this video

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

StructureIn the video
Future with “will” will + verb — a decision, promise or predictionI'll take · will always have · will be
Present continuous am/is/are + -ing — something happening right now or around nowI'm living · I'm trying

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 →