Shadowing Practice: Audio script for audio track2.cambridge grammer for ielts. - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Recording 1A
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Well, both, actually.
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I'm studying really hard for my exams this month.
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I'm doing maths at university.
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But I also help my parents out.
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They own a restaurant and I work there as a waiter in the evenings.
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So I don't get a lot of free time during the week.
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It sounds as if you're very busy.
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Yes, I am.
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And my mum's always saying I don't help enough in the restaurant.
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But I do manage to find some free time most days.
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Great.
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Now, can you have a look at this list and tell me whether you do any of these things, and if so, how often?
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Sure.
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OK.
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Well, I love music, and I'm learning to play the piano.
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I get up really early and practise for an hour or so, just about every day.
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I also play the guitar in a band with some other friends.
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We used to practise together at least three times a week, but these days we only manage to meet about once every two weeks.
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What about the next thing on the list?
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Computer games.
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I assume you're too busy to play them.
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Well, I used to play them all the time, but now I'm too busy studying, and I don't miss them at all.
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And do you use a computer for other things?
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I use the Internet just about every day for my studies, and I also use it to keep in touch with my friends and family.
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My cousin is living in Thailand at the moment
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and he sends me regular emails to let me know how much fun he's having.
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He's always visiting exciting places.
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Yes, the internet is making it much easier for people to stay in touch with each other.
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Now, how about team sport?
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Actually, I joined the local football team when I was at school and I still play once a month, provided I can get to training.
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I much prefer playing football to watching it on TV, though I do occasionally watch a match if there's a big final or something.
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What about going to watch live matches?
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I'd love to be able to afford to go every week because I support my local team, but students don't generally have much money, you know.
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I can't remember the last time I went to a live match.
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Oh, sorry, I can see my friends.
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I have to go now.
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Thank you for your time.

Understanding the Speaker and Their Daily Routine

The video features a conversation with a university math student balancing exams, part-time work at his parents' restaurant, and personal hobbies. He shares insights into his busy schedule, from early morning piano practice to occasional football games, offering a relatable glimpse into daily life. The dialogue is casual and realistic, making it perfect for learners looking to learn English with YouTube and practice everyday communication.

5 Essential Phrases for Everyday Conversations

  • "I manage to find some free time most days" – A natural way to explain balancing busy tasks.
  • "I used to play them all the time, but now..." – Useful for contrasting past and present habits.
  • "provided I can get to training" – A subtle way to add a condition to a statement.
  • "I can't remember the last time I..." – Expressing infrequency or forgetfulness about an activity.
  • "I assume you're too busy to..." – Polite speculation in a conversation.

A Simple Shadowing Guide for This Video

Shadowing (repeating speech immediately after the speaker) is a great way to improve English pronunciation. Here's how to tackle this dialogue:

Step 1: Listen and Identify Pauses

The speaker often pauses between thoughts (e.g., after "Well, both, actually"). Note these pauses to mimic natural rhythm.

Step 2: Focus on Connected Speech

Phrases like "just about every day" or "most days" use relaxed pronunciation. Repeat them slowly to catch how words link together.

Step 3: Mimic Tone and Emphasis

The speaker emphasizes frustration ("students don't generally have much money") and enthusiasm ("I'd love to be able to afford..."). Copy these tones to sound more natural.

Step 4: Practice Short Segments

Break the video into 10-second clips. Use a shadowing app or pause manually to repeat each segment until it flows smoothly.

Step 5: Record and Compare

Record yourself shadowing, then listen back. Notice differences in pronunciation or pace, and adjust. This helps refine your shadow speech skills over time.

By working through this dialogue, you'll gain confidence in real-life conversations while mastering practical phrases and pronunciation. Start small, and soon you'll be mirroring the speaker's fluency effortlessly!

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 →