Shadowing Practice: [Audio] Basic IELTS Listening - 39 - Learn English Speaking with Video

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Part 5 Time Exercise 1 Can you tell me the time?
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Listen to the tape and write down the times.
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1. Excuse me, can you tell me the time, please?
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Yes, it's a quarter to 3.
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2. Do you have the right time, please?
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I think it's half past 1.
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3. Do you know what time is the next train? to leads please yes it's twenty to four four
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when do the banks open please at nine o'clock
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five what time does the film finish please twenty past seven six
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when did they come at twenty five to five seven what
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time do you finish your work today half past five eight Do you know when the play finishes?
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Yes, at exactly ten past ten.
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Nine.
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Excuse me, please.
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What time does the Glasgow train arrive?
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Two-thirty.
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Ten.
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When is the next flight to Paris?
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Eleven-forty.
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Eleven.
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What time does the Oxford train arrive?
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1830. 12.
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When does the Tokyo flight leave?
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1940. 13.
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What's the next train to Liverpool?
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10 past 5.
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14. 14.
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What time does the London train arrive?
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20 past 7.
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15. When does your mother come?
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Half past nine Sixteen When does the teacher come?
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Ten past eight

Who Will Benefit from This Video?

This video is perfect for beginner to intermediate English learners prepping for the IELTS Listening test or anyone wanting to master time-telling in daily conversations. If you struggle with understanding or saying times like "a quarter to 3" or "20 past 7," this practice will build your confidence. It’s also great for those using the shadowing technique—repeating phrases aloud as you hear them—to improve fluency and pronunciation.

Key Phrases to Add to Your Vocabulary

The dialogue is packed with practical time expressions you’ll use daily. Here are the standouts:

  • A quarter to (15 minutes before the hour, e.g., "a quarter to 3" = 2:45)
  • Half past (30 minutes past the hour, e.g., "half past 1" = 1:30)
  • Twenty to (20 minutes before, e.g., "twenty to four" = 3:40)
  • Military time (e.g., "1830" = 6:30 PM, "1940" = 7:40 PM)
These phrases are essential for asking about train times, flight schedules, or meeting up—so "steal" them and start using them today!

Nailing the Pronunciation with Shadowing

To get the accent right, try shadow speech (also called shadowspeak). Play a short clip, pause, and repeat it immediately, mimicking the speaker’s rhythm and intonation. Notice how "half past" is said quickly, almost like "haf-past," or how "twenty-five to five" flows smoothly. Focus on reducing pauses between words—native speakers often link "what time does" into "wuh-time-duz." Practice daily with this video, and you’ll soon notice your pronunciation sounding more natural. Remember, shadowspeaks (repeating in real time) helps train your mouth and ears to keep up with conversational speed. Don’t worry if you stumble at first—every mistake is a step toward better English!

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.