Shadowing Practice: Business Partner A1 7.1.1 - Learn English Speaking with Video

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Every company has procedures.
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We talked to Bernice about a procedure for issuing purchase orders and paying suppliers.
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My name is Bernice Luxford and I work as a project administrator for a large international company with many suppliers and contracts.
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I enter each contract into the system and then I make sure that each invoice is approved for payment.
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This is how I do it.
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I receive contracts here.
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When I receive a new contract I have to create a purchase order.
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I have to enter the supplier details,
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company name and address, the price and the delivery date.
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When I finish, the system notifies my manager and my manager approves the purchase order.
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Then the system sends the purchase order number to the supplier.
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Then the supplier sends the invoice.
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The supplier has to include the purchase order number on their invoice.
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I check the invoice with the purchase order. and I approve it.
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All done.

Why Practice Speaking with This Business Video?

Practicing with this video offers real-world business context, perfect for building confidence in professional communication. The dialogue focuses on a common workplace procedure—issuing purchase orders and processing invoices—making it ideal for learners aiming to master practical, job-related language. Whether you’re preparing for IELTS speaking practice or simply want to improve workplace English, the clear, step-by-step narration helps you internalize natural speech patterns. Using a shadowing app or shadow speech technique with this content lets you mimic the speaker’s rhythm and clarity, a key skill for effective communication.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

The video uses several essential structures for describing processes. First, "I have to create a purchase order" highlights the modal verb "have to" for obligations, a common form in workplace instructions. Second, "the system notifies my manager" demonstrates passive voice, useful for focusing on actions rather than doers in professional settings. Third, "the supplier has to include the purchase order number" repeats "has to" to emphasize requirements, a pattern you’ll hear frequently in business procedures. Finally, "I check the invoice with the purchase order" uses the phrasal verb "check with" to mean compare, a practical expression for daily tasks. These structures are easy to practice with shadowing, as the speaker’s pace is slow and clear.

Common Pronunciation Traps

While the speaker’s accent is neutral, a few words may challenge learners. "Purchase" (/'pɜːtʃəs/) often gets mispronounced with a short "u" sound; focus on the "er" sound in the first syllable. "Invoice" (/'ɪnvɔɪs/) can be tricky—remember the stress is on the first syllable, not the second. "Approves" (/'əpruːvz/) has a long "oo" sound, so avoid shortening it to "uh." Using a shadowing site to replay these words helps you match the correct pronunciation. Additionally, the phrase "all done" is spoken quickly, with a reduced "all" (/'ɔːl/) and "done" (/'dʌn/), a casual but common way to conclude a process. Mimicking this flow with shadow speech will make your speaking sound more natural.

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.