Shadowing Practice: ANNE WITH AN E - Josie slaps Anne - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
1
- Yeah.
2
Thank you so very much.
3
Do not despair.
4
Good day.
5
- Thank you.
6
- - Josie?
7
Fuck!
8
Fuck!
9
- Yeah.
10
- Hey.
11
Thank you.
12
Thank you.
13
Thank you.
14
- - - - Huh?
15
- - Huh.
16
But he shouldn't have touched you!
17
You shouldn't have written about it!
18
You've always been jealous of me.
19
You couldn't rise to my level, so you brought me down to yours.
20
Congratulations, Anne.
21
Now I'm trash.
22
Just like you.

Why This "Anne With An E" Clip Is Perfect for Speaking Practice

This intense dialogue from the show is a goldmine for English learners. The raw emotions—frustration, anger, and hurt—make the speech natural and relatable, helping you pick up how tone shifts with feeling. Plus, the quick back-and-forth mimics real-life conversations, so practicing it will boost your ability to respond smoothly. It’s ideal for shadow speech because the lines are short, punchy, and full of everyday phrases you can use in your own talks.

Breaking Down the Dialogue: What Makes It Sound Natural

Let’s look at a few key lines to see why they work. First, "Do not despair." This old-fashioned but impactful phrase uses a strong negative ("do not") to comfort, showing how formality can soften a message. Next, "But he shouldn't have touched you!" The contraction "shouldn't" and the exclamation mark make this line sound urgent and personal—exactly how we speak when we’re upset. Then, "You've always been jealous of me." The present perfect tense ("you've always been") emphasizes a long-standing feeling, a common way to express ongoing emotions. Finally, "Now I'm trash. Just like you." Short, sharp sentences like these are how people communicate when they’re angry; they skip extra words, making the message hit harder. These details are what make the dialogue feel real, and learning them will make your speech sound more natural too.

A Simple Practice Routine to Master the Clip

Ready to start? Try this shadowing loop to improve your pronunciation and fluency. First, watch the video once to get the gist of the emotions. Then, play a short line (2-3 seconds), pause, and repeat it immediately, copying the tone, speed, and stress. Focus on matching the speaker’s pitch—rise when they’re upset, fall when they’re defeated. Record yourself as you go; this helps you spot where you need to adjust. Do this for 5-10 minutes a day, and switch between characters to practice different voices. If you need extra help, use a shadowing site to slow down the audio or compare your recording to the original. Over time, you’ll notice your English pronunciation getting clearer, and you’ll feel more confident speaking in emotional situations. Remember, every small repeat brings you closer to sounding like a native—keep going!

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 →