Shadowing Practice: [Audio] Basic IELTS Listening - 53 - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Unit 3.
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Survival English.
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Exercise 1: health problems.
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Listen to the conversation and fill in the missing information in the notes below.
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Hi, Ellen.
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What's the matter with you?
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I think I've got a terrible cold.
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My nose is stuffed up, and I've got a sore throat.
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Oh, that's too bad.
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You should be at home in bed.
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It's really important to get a good rest.
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Yeah, you're right.
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And have you taken anything for it?
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No, I haven't.
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Well, you should take some vitamin C, and it's also a good idea to drink lots of liquids.
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That's a good suggestion.
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I've a bottle of vitamin C at home.
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Have you seen a doctor?
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Not yet.
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"Well, you'd better see a doctor first." And then go back home to rest.
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Yeah, I'll do it right now.
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Ellen, it's also helpful to cook chicken soup with some garlic in it.
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and drink a cup every half an hour.
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It really works.
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Oh!
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chicken stock for a cold, Okay, I'll try it.
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Thanks.
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I hope you recover soon.

About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will practice listening to a conversation that focuses on health problems, specifically dealing with common colds. By engaging with the audio, you will learn how to discuss symptoms and remedies effectively. This is a valuable exercise for learners looking to improve English pronunciation and enhance their conversational skills in everyday situations. The context provided will also help you become familiar with common phrases and vocabulary related to health, enabling you to communicate more confidently when discussing medical issues in English.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Terrible cold - A phrase used to describe a bad cold.
  • Stuffed up - Referring to a blocked nose due to illness.
  • Sore throat - Discomfort or pain in the throat, often associated with colds.
  • Vitamin C - A nutrient often recommended for boosting the immune system.
  • Cook chicken soup - A common home remedy for colds, known for its comforting qualities.
  • See a doctor - A phrase encouraging someone to seek professional medical advice.
  • Get a good rest - Advice to rest in order to recover from illness.

Practice Tips

To make the most of this audio lesson, consider using the shadowing technique. This method allows you to listen to a speaker and repeat their words almost simultaneously. Here are some specific tips to apply while practicing with this video:

  • Listen carefully to the speed and tone of the conversation. The speakers in this exercise maintain a natural pace, which is essential for authentic communication.
  • As you listen, try to shadow speak the phrases related to health problems. This will not only enhance your vocabulary but also improve your English pronunciation.
  • If you find it challenging to keep up, play the audio multiple times. Start by repeating short segments before attempting longer stretches of dialogue.
  • Focus on intonation and emotion in the speakers’ voices. Mimicking their tone can help you sound more natural when speaking.
  • Record yourself while practicing and compare your pronunciation with the audio. This feedback loop can be crucial for recognizing areas for improvement.

By dedicating time to learn English with YouTube and incorporating these shadowing exercises, you can significantly boost your speaking abilities and feel more prepared for real-life conversations about health and other topics.

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 →