Shadowing Practice: Business English Conversations | ESL Business Meeting Conversation - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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hello everyone Tim and Melinda are running late but we have a lot to get through so
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24 sentences
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hello everyone Tim and Melinda are running late but we have a lot to get through so
0:07.40 – 0:19.00 (11.6s)
2
we should get started Jason can you please take the minutes
0:17.20 – 0:27.88 (10.7s)
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today yes of course Tony no problem
0:25.04 – 0:31.96 (6.9s)
4
thanks okay let's get the ball rolling first on the agenda
0:32.80 – 0:43.96 (11.2s)
5
today Carrie can you please give us an update on the marketing strategy for our new beverage Ginger
0:40.48 – 0:52.40 (11.9s)
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Cola yes Tony well we have decided to pitch the new Ginger
0:50.20 – 1:01.72 (11.5s)
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Cola as a health and energy drink fantastic I think this will be our next
0:57.96 – 1:08.24 (10.3s)
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big hit there is no reason that it shouldn't be a winner it tastes
1:07.12 – 1:17.96 (10.8s)
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great it's healthy and it has very low calories it's perfect for working
1:15.64 – 1:28.92 (13.3s)
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out let's make this the next Red Bull energy drink where are we with the advertising and
1:25.32 – 1:35.96 (10.6s)
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promotion strategy we still have a few things to work
1:33.96 – 1:43.96 (10.0s)
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out but we are planning to have a power hitter from the Japan baseball league as a celebrity
1:40.28 – 1:51.72 (11.4s)
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endorsement we still have to iron out some details but we think he's a great
1:49.12 – 2:00.48 (11.4s)
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fit great idea well let's set aside more time at the next
1:57.00 – 2:08.12 (11.1s)
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meeting for a more indepth look at what you have planned of course that's really
2:04.40 – 2:16.36 (12.0s)
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important but we have a lot to cover in today's meeting okay
2:13.16 – 2:23.16 (10.0s)
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Tony I will be ready to present to everyone then let's move on to the next
2:20.12 – 2:31.40 (11.3s)
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topic I have sent around an action list for each of you to take a look at it includes a look at the following
2:28.24 – 2:39.16 (10.9s)
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calls to action that we need to address for the upcoming charity
2:37.88 – 2:50.12 (12.2s)
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wathon let's take a few moments and go over everyone's
2:45.92 – 2:57.04 (11.1s)
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role this is extremely important for us we need to give back to the community
2:52.36 – 3:03.44 (11.1s)
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I couldn't agree more this has been at the top of all our agendas and we have come up with some
3:01.04 – 3:12.96 (11.9s)
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pretty innovative ideas let me start things off if that's
3:10.64 – 3:21.16 (10.5s)
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okay with everyone else
3:17.08 – 3:21.16 (4.1s)

About This Lesson

This lesson focuses on a business meeting conversation, specifically highlighting the interactions and discussions that typically occur in a corporate setting. Learners will practice essential English speaking skills relevant to business contexts. Key vocabulary topics include strategic marketing discussions, project updates, and collaborative decision-making. Additionally, grammar patterns such as the use of modal verbs for suggestions and the future tense for planning will be explored. Throughout the video, learners will engage with practical examples that enhance their understanding of how to communicate effectively in a professional environment.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Take the minutes: The act of recording the details and decisions made during a meeting.
  • Get the ball rolling: To initiate a discussion or process.
  • Pitch as a health drink: Presenting a product with emphasis on its health benefits.
  • Celebrity endorsement: A platform strategy in which a famous person promotes a product.
  • Iron out details: To clarify and resolve specific issues or complications.
  • Action list: A document outlining tasks assigned to individuals during a meeting.
  • Calls to action: Statements designed to encourage a response or engagement from the audience.
  • Give back to the community: To contribute positively to local society through charitable actions.

Practice Tips for This Video

This video provides an excellent opportunity for shadowing practice. Here are some specific tips:

  • Start Slow: Begin by watching the video at a reduced speed. This will help you catch key phrases and understand the context better.
  • Listen and Repeat: Use the shadowing technique by pausing after each sentence and repeating what was said. Focus on mimicking the pronunciation and intonation.
  • Focus on Vocabulary: Pay special attention to the business terminology introduced in this lesson. Try to use these phrases in your own sentences to enhance your vocabulary.
  • Contextual Understanding: Since the topic centers around business meetings, familiarize yourself with similar scenarios in your field or context to boost your English fluency.
  • Practice Regularly: Make it a habit to review this material frequently. Consistent practice is key to improving both your listening and speaking skills.

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.

How to Practice Effectively on ShadowingEnglish

  1. Choose your video: Pick a YouTube video with clear, natural English speech. TED Talks, BBC News, movie scenes, podcasts, or IELTS sample answers all work great. Paste the URL into the search bar. Start with shorter videos (under 5 minutes) and content you find genuinely interesting — motivation matters.
  2. Listen first, understand the context: On your first pass, keep the speed at 1x and just listen. Don't try to repeat yet. Focus on understanding the meaning, picking up new vocabulary, and noticing how the speaker stresses words, links sounds, and uses pauses.
  3. Set up Shadowing mode:
    • Wait Mode: Choose +3s or +5s — after each sentence plays, the video pauses automatically so you have time to repeat it out loud. Choose Manual if you want full control and press Next yourself after each repetition.
    • Sub Sync: YouTube subtitles sometimes appear slightly ahead or behind the audio. Use ±100ms to align them perfectly so you can follow along accurately.
  4. Shadow out loud (the core practice): This is where the real work happens. As soon as a sentence plays — or during the pause — repeat it out loud, clearly and confidently. Don't just mouth the words: mirror the speaker's exact rhythm, stress, pitch, and connected speech. Aim to sound like a shadow of the speaker, not just a word-by-word recitation. Use the Repeat feature to drill the same sentence multiple times until it feels natural.
  5. Scale up the challenge: Once a passage feels comfortable, push your limits. Increase speed to <code>1.25x</code> or even <code>1.5x</code> to train high-speed language reflexes. Or set Wait Mode to <code>Off</code> for continuous shadowing — the most advanced and rewarding mode. Consistent daily practice of 15–30 minutes will produce noticeable results within weeks.

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