Shadowing Practice: Business Partner A2+ Unit 2.3.2 - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

A2
So, Marta's post will be vacant soon and as her post is vacant we need someone to fill it.
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So, Marta's post will be vacant soon and as her post is vacant we need someone to fill it.
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We'll need someone for about a year as that's how long she's away.
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She's on maternity leave, did I tell you that?
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I should also add that we did talk about taking someone on for longer, maybe 18 months, so they could...
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Cover the handover period.
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Yep, great, understood.
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That's right.
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But is a six-month handover really needed?
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It's expensive and...
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Sorry to interrupt, but I think a handover period is important.
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But how about two months instead of six?
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That could work.
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Or three months, maybe.
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Sean?
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I agree with Alex.
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So that's a 14 month contract.
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Can you just confirm that for us Nick?
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Yes, I suppose I...
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15 months.
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Just to be on the safe side.
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Great.
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15 months.
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Now, about the benefits package you're offering.
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Well, and as you know, I'm really busy at the moment.
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Also, I'm not a logistics expert, so I don't always know which technical questions to ask.
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The last time I interviewed...
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Let me just clarify once more.
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Alex is your dedicated HR consultant.
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Anything you need, he can help you.
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No need to worry.
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I really appreciate it.
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It's wonderful to have you with us, Alex.
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We've always had an excellent service from your firm.
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Are you enjoying your time there so far?
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I'm down for a coffee.
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Coffee break?
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Back here in 15 minutes.
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Great.
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See?
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On and on.
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Drives me crazy.
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I could ask the questions when we go back in.
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Sure.
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Aye, be my guest.

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Context & Background

The dialogue featured in this video revolves around a meeting to discuss the temporary staffing needs of a business. Specifically, the team is addressing the vacancy left by Marta, who is going on maternity leave. This scenario presents a practical example for English learners to grasp the nuances of workplace communication, including negotiations on contract length and the importance of handover periods. The conversation includes key stakeholders who express their opinions and agree on essential terms, making it a rich resource for those looking to enhance their English speaking practice in a professional context.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “As her post is vacant, we need someone to fill it.” - A common business phrase indicating a need for staffing.
  • “Can you just confirm that for us?” - A polite way to request verification in conversations.
  • “Is a six-month handover really needed?” - Important for discussing logistics and timeframes.
  • “I appreciate it.” - A simple expression of gratitude, useful in any English-speaking context.
  • “I could ask the questions when we go back in.” - A way to indicate readiness to participate actively in a discussion.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively use this video for improving your English speaking capabilities, follow this structured shadowing approach:

  1. Listen Carefully: Play the video and listen attentively to the dialogue. Focus on the pronunciation and intonation of the speakers.
  2. Repeat in Real-time: As the dialogue progresses, try to repeat the phrases immediately after you hear them. This technique, known as shadow speech, helps in mimicking natural speech patterns.
  3. Break It Down: Choose specific sentences or phrases, like “Can you just confirm that for us?” and practice them multiple times. Focus on clarity and rhythm to improve your English pronunciation.
  4. Use a Shadowing Site: Utilize any available shadowing site to find similar dialogues or phrases. This can provide additional practice and variation in vocabulary.
  5. Record Yourself: After practicing, record your voice while shadow speaking. Listen to the playback to identify areas of improvement in your pronunciation and speech flow.

By diligently following this guide, you can enhance your English speaking practice, improve your confidence in professional settings, and develop a greater command of the language. Regular use of these techniques will lead to measurable progress in your English speaking and listening abilities.

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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