Shadowing Practice: BBC - Starting Business English. (2) Using the telephone - Learn English Speaking with Video
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86 sentences
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hello my name is edward green i would like to speak to mr smith please i am sorry
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but mr smith isn't available okay i'll ring back does mr smith have a direct line i'm sorry
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but the number is confidential.
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okay.
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thank you.
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it's very difficult to speak to mr. Smith.
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yes I know.
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good morning.
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are you YJ advertising?
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good morning.
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this is Don Bradley.
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can I talk to phil watson please what company are you from please bybury systems i'll put you through
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phil watson's phone good morning can i talk to phil please can i ask who's calling please
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don bradley from bybury systems well mr bradley i'm afraid phil's not in the office at the moment
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can i take a message or would you like to ring him on his mobile phone i'll try his mobile
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can i have the number please 080254377 just let me check
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that 080254377 that's it thanks
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Hello, Phil Watson.
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Hello, Phil.
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This is Don Bradley.
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Hello, Don.
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Sorry to keep you waiting.
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How are you?
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I'm fine, thanks. Can we meet?
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We have a new product, and I want you to see it.
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Hello, Mr. Smith's office.
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Hello.
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My name is Edward Green from Bybury Systems.
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I rang earlier.
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I would like to speak to Mr. Smith, please.
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I'm afraid Mr. Smith isn't in the office at the moment.
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Can I ask what it is about?
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It is very important.
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I represent Bybury Systems.
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We've got a new product, and I want Mr. Smith to see it.
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Please send the product specifications by mail, Mr. Green.
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I would like Mr. Smith to see the product, and would like to talk to Mr. Smith direct.
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When is a good time to call?
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You could try ringing this afternoon.
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Thank you.
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Goodbye.
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Yes.
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Can I speak to Peter?
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Peter Hill.
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No, Peter Toyama there is no one here called peter toyama is
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that extension three six seven no you've got the wrong number
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this is four one two i'm sorry could you put me back to the switchboard yes hang on
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hello this is edward green i rang earlier i would like to speak to mr smith please i'm afraid
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that mr smith is in a meeting is he free later this afternoon i don't think
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so mr smith is very busy at the moment i'll ring
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again tomorrow i'm afraid mr smith isn't in
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the office tomorrow Clive Harris
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Clive it's Kate hello Kate are you busy no why I've got the sales report
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and I have all the figures ready for the presentation to mr. Sakai do you want to see
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them good morning by three systems how can I help you hello My name is Sakai.
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I would like to speak to Mr. Harris, please.
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Please hold the line, Mr. Sakai.
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I'll put you through.
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Hello?
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Mr. Sakai is on the line.
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Put him through.
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Sorry, Kate.
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I must go.
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I have a very important call.
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I'll talk to you later.
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hello mr sakai hello mr harris how are you i'm very well thank you how are you
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i'm fine i'm calling about our meeting yes hello biber assistance how can i help you could i ask who's calling please
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I'm afraid her extension is busy at the moment mr. Clark will you hold
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or can I take a message okay that's fine I'll ask her to call you back
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good night Edward good night I'm going to phone mr. Smith's
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number once again good luck it's six o 'clock maybe mr.
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Smith is still at work maybe his secretary
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isn't there I don't think
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just wait ah mr. Smith my name is Edward
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Yes.
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You don't know me, but I work in Don Bradley's office at Bybury Systems.
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Yes.
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I spoke to your secretary today.
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Yes.
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You publish your catalog this month, and we have an exciting new product.
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I have all the products I need.
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I would like you to have a word with Big Boss.
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i'm sorry i'll put our new product on the line now
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hello mr smith my name is big boss i am 18 inches high i am voice activated
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and i want to be in your catalogue
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We'll see you next time.
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This A2 speaking lesson is built on the video “BBC - Starting Business English. (2) Using the telephone”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: smith, product, speak, systems, bybury. This video has 86 sentences and 708 words to shadow. The speech runs for 7:51. The speaker talks slowly, about 90 words per minute, so there is time to copy every sound. 82% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| extension noun | /ɪkˈstɛnʃən/ | The act of extending; a stretching out; enlargement in length, breadth, or time; an increase. |
| catalogue noun | /ˈkæt.əˌlɔɡ/ | A systematic list of books, names, pictures, etc. |
| clock noun | /klɑk/ | A chronometer, an instrument that measures time, particularly the time of day. |
| presentation noun | /ˌpɹɛzn̩ˈteɪʃn̩/ | The act of presenting, or something presented. |
| goodbye | /ɡʊdˈbaɪ/ | Farewell; a formula used to another person or persons when the speaker, writer, or person addressed is departing. |
| publish verb | /ˈpʌblɪʃ/ | To issue (something, such as printed work) for distribution and/or sale. |
| confidential adjective | /ˌkɔn.fɪˈdɛn.ʃəl/ | Kept, or meant to be kept, secret within a certain circle of persons; not intended to be known publicly. |
| activate verb | /ˈæktɪˌveɪt/ | To encourage development or induce increased activity; to stimulate. |
| specification noun | An explicit set of requirements to be satisfied by a material, product, or service. | |
| excite verb | /ɪkˈsaɪt/ | To stir the emotions of; to cause to feel excitement. |
| switchboard noun | /ˈswɪt͡ʃˌbɔɹd/ | The electronic panel that is used to direct telephone calls to the desired recipient. |
| assistance noun | /əˈsɪs.təns/ | Aid; help; the act or result of assisting. |
| represent verb | /ˌɹɛpɹɪˈzɛnt/ | To present again or anew; to present by means of something standing in the place of; to exhibit the counterpart or image of; to typify. |
| advertising noun | /ˈædvɚˌtaɪzɪŋ/ | Communication whose purpose is to influence potential customers about products and services. |
| inch noun | /ɪnt͡ʃ/ | An English unit of length equal to 1/12 of a foot or 2.54 cm. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ring back verb | To return a phone call. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- Can I ask what it is about?
- I'll talk to you later.
- We'll see you next time.
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 32 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, I'll, isn't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: extension /ɪkˈstɛnʃən/, presentation /ˌpɹɛzn̩ˈteɪʃn̩/, publish /ˈpʌblɪʃ/, confidential /ˌkɔn.fɪˈdɛn.ʃəl/
- Long words — get the stress right: confidential /ˌkɔn.fɪˈdɛn.ʃəl/, advertising /ˈædvɚˌtaɪzɪŋ/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like extension, catalogue, clock.
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.