Shadowing Practice: Best Networking Tips: How to Make a Connection | Indeed - Learn English Speaking with Video

This video has 60 sentences and 487 words to shadow. The speech runs for 3:07. The speaker talks at a natural 156 words per minute, close to everyday conversation. 84% 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 less common words from the video, with pronunciation and meaning:

• associate /əˈsoʊʃi.ət/ (noun) — A person united with another or others in an act, enterprise, or business; a partner or employee.
• skill /skɪl/ (noun) — A capacity to do something well; a technique, an ability, usually acquired or learned, as opposed to abilities that are regarded as innate.
• topic /ˈtɑpɪk/ (noun) — A subject; a theme; a category or general area of interest.
• universal /ˌjunəˈvɜɹs(ə)l/ (adjective) — Of or pertaining to the universe.
• naturally /ˈnæt͡ʃ.(ə.)ɹə.li/ (adverb) — In a natural manner.
• reveal /ɹɪˈviːl/ (verb) — To uncover; to show and display that which was hidden.
• hire /ˈhaɪɹ/ (verb) — To obtain the services of in return for fixed payment.
• smooth /smuːð/ (adjective) — Having a texture that lacks friction. Not rough.
• genuine /ˈd͡ʒɛn.juˌɪn/ (adjective) — Belonging to, or proceeding from the original stock; native.
• introduce /ˌɪntɹəˈdus/ (verb) — To cause (someone) to be acquainted (with someone else).
• contribute /kənˈtɹɪb.jut/ (verb) — To give something that is or becomes part of a larger whole.
• ton /tʌn/ (noun) — The short ton of 2000 pounds (about 907 kg), 20 hundredweights of 100 pounds avoirdupois each.
• shoe /ˈʃu/ (noun) — A protective covering for the foot, with a bottom part composed of thick leather or plastic sole and often a thicker heel, and a softer upper part made of…
• acquire /əˈkwaɪɚ/ (verb) — To get.
• resume /ˈɹɛz.ə.meɪ/ (verb) — To start (something) again that has been stopped or paused from the point at which it was stopped or paused; continue, carry on.

Phrasal verbs you will hear

• ask for (verb) — To request; to order.
• bring up (verb) — To mention.
• come up (verb) — To emerge or become known, especially unexpectedly.
• make for (verb) — To set out to go (somewhere); to move towards.
• pass along (verb) — To deliver a message or item to its intended recipient.
• pay off (verb) — To bribe, especially to deter oversight.
• work together (verb) — To be coworkers with someone; to share a workspace with someone.

Pronunciation to watch

The speaker uses 17 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, you're, doesn't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.

• The “th” sounds: smooth /smuːð/, athlete /ˈæθ.liːt/, authentic /ɔˈθɛn.tɪk/, worthwhile /ˌwɜː(ɹ)θˈwaɪl/
• The “sh” and “zh” sounds: associate /əˈsoʊʃi.ət/, shoe /ˈʃu/
• Long words — get the stress right: associate /əˈsoʊʃi.ət/, universal /ˌjunəˈvɜɹs(ə)l/, naturally /ˈnæt͡ʃ.(ə.)ɹə.li/, curiosity /ˌkjʊɹ.iˈɑ.sə.ti/

How to practise with this video

1. Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
2. Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
3. Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like associate, skill, topic.