Shadowing Practice: Beginner Listening A1 Lesson #1 Be Verbs - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

A1
So Todd, where are you from?
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So Todd, where are you from?
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I am from the US.
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I am from San Francisco.
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It's on the West Coast.
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And what do you do?
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I'm an English teacher.
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Also I create ELO.
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So I work on ELO a lot.
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Okay.
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How old are you?
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I am 47.
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Yeah, I am old.
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It's not old.
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Who is your best friend?
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My best friend is Don.
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He is a teacher too.
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He lives in America.
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And are you married?
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No, I am not married.
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I am still single.
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Where is your mom from?
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My mom is from California.
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She is from Los Angeles.
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And what does she do?
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She is a manager.
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She works in a clothing store.
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Where is your dad from?
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My dad is from San Francisco.
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He is not from Los Angeles,
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but he met my mother in Los Angeles.
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And what does he do?
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He is also a manager.
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He works for a tree cutting company.
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They cut trees.
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Wow.
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That sounds exciting.
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Yeah, cool job.
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Is it dangerous?
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It is a little dangerous, a little.
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And Amy, what about you?
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Where are you from?
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I'm from Glasgow on the west coast of Scotland in the United Kingdom.
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Nice.
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And what do you do?
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I'm also a teacher.
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Nice.
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What do you teach?
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I teach English.
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Me too.
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It's fun isn't it?
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It is.
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It is very fun.
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Excuse me, can I ask, how old are you?
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Of course you can ask.
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I'm 34.
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Okay, very young.
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Very young.
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Where is your mom from?
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My mom is also from Glasgow.
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What does she do?
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Well she's retired now but she was a nurse.
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Oh nice.
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And is your dad from Glasgow?
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Yes he is.
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What does he do?
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He's also retired but he used to be a teacher.
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Oh wow.
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Mini teachers.
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Yes.
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It looks like it.
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Well, thanks, Amy.
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Nice talking to you.
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You too, Todd.

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About This Lesson

Welcome to the Beginner Listening A1 Lesson #1 focused on the "Be Verbs." In this lesson, you will practice listening to basic English conversations that utilize forms of the verb "to be." Join Todd and Amy as they discuss their backgrounds, occupations, and more. This lesson is designed to help you gain confidence in speaking English by improving your listening skills, which are crucial for effective communication. By focusing on the "be verbs," you'll learn to describe people, places, and things while enhancing your overall English speaking practice.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • I am - a phrase used to introduce oneself or state facts.
  • Where are you from? - a common question used to inquire about someone's origin.
  • My best friend - a phrase to talk about important relationships.
  • He/She is - used to describe someone else.
  • I am married/single - phrases to indicate marital status.
  • What do you do? - a question used to ask about someone's occupation.
  • Exciting - an adjective to describe something that stirs interest.
  • Manager - a job title indicating someone who oversees operations.

Practice Tips

To effectively improve your English speaking skills using this lesson, consider using a shadowing app or technique. Shadowing involves listening to a native speaker and trying to imitate their speech as closely as possible. This lesson features a clear conversation at a moderate speed, making it ideal for shadowing. Here’s how to do it:

  • Listen Carefully: Play the video and focus on how Todd and Amy speak. Pay attention to their pronunciation, intonation, and rhythm.
  • Repeat & Imitate: Use a shadow speak technique. As soon as you hear a phrase, pause the video and try to repeat it immediately. Mirror their tone and speed.
  • Record Yourself: Use your phone or computer to record your voice while practicing. This will help you to compare your pronunciation with the original speakers.
  • Practice with a Partner: If possible, find a friend to practice speaking with. You can take turns asking each other questions like, “Where are you from?” or “What do you do?”

By regularly practicing with this lesson and applying shadowing techniques, you'll enhance your listening and speaking abilities, making your journey to learn English with YouTube more effective and enjoyable!

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.

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