Shadowing Practice: Business Partner B1 Unit 1.1.1 - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

B1
The 21st century workplace is constantly changing.
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The 21st century workplace is constantly changing.
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In many countries, the idea of a career for life is long gone.
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What employers want are skills that can be applied to a range of tasks and roles.
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As a result, they look for flexible people who can demonstrate transferable professional skills
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as well as personal qualities that will benefit the company.
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Here's an insider's guide to the skills and qualities
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that will get you hired and also help you survive in today's job market.
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A large part of the academic experience is based around individual performance.
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In business, however, things are quite different.
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You need to develop a range of transferable skills.
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And one thing that many recruiters put at the top of their list is the ability to work in teams.
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I would look at can this candidate fit into the team well?
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Do they work well with people?
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Are they passionate about the topic?
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Do they think outside of the box?
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The employers value team working skills very highly indeed.
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So if you're studying, it's really important you try and get some experience.
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Now, obviously an internship is an ideal way to do this,
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but you can also do it through part-time jobs,
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through vacation work, through voluntary work,
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or helping with societies and clubs while you're at university.
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Your experience at school is really, really important.
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So if you played in a team, guess what?
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You're a team player.
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You set goals, you can achieve.
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21st century careers involve a lot of movement,
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not just between jobs, but also between industries and countries.
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It's no good if your skill set locks you into one industry or even into one company.
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And this is where flexibility is important.
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Be prepared to develop attributes that are transferable across sectors so you can make the best moves for your career.
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I'm talking about things like critical thinking,
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which means analysing information very carefully,
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communication skills, problem solving, being able to influence people.
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Make sure you work on your communication skills,
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in person, on paper, face-to-face,
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in small groups, in large groups.
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You'll need to do this wherever you work,
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whatever job it is, across all sectors,
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communication skills are absolutely key.
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Employers are not just hiring a package of skills,
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they're hiring a person and it's personal qualities that are of key importance.
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Honesty, flexibility, enthusiasm.
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These things matter a lot. Be passionate.
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If you're really going to apply to a company that you're interested in,
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make sure your passion comes through and be genuine and authentic about that passion.
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You're going to work hard,
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you're going to play hard,
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but you have to be passionate to be successful.
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It's their own determination that's going to get them a job.
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Right?
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Employers, you know, are going to look at them,
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not necessarily for their skills that they may have but for the passion that they may,
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you know, express.
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Convince them that you have integrity,
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you know, integrity is is very important obviously and convince them
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that you have ability that you will do everything you can to make that job work.
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If you are motivated and have a can-do attitude you will get wherever you want.
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So to sum up our Insider's Guide you need professional skills that can transfer from one job to another,
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especially the ability to be a good team player.
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Don't forget that employers look at the person behind the CV
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or resume to identify the personal qualities they value in the workplace.
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Context & Background

In the dynamic landscape of the 21st-century workplace, traditional career paths have shifted dramatically. The speaker emphasizes the importance of adaptability and the cultivation of transferable skills in today’s job market. As employers increasingly seek individuals who are not only equipped with hard skills but also possess personal qualities like teamwork, communication, and flexibility, it’s essential for future professionals to understand what they need to thrive. This video serves as a guide to help learners navigate these expectations while enhancing their English speaking practice.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “Are they passionate about the topic?” - A key question to determine enthusiasm in any job role.
  • “Can this candidate fit into the team well?” - Highlighting the importance of teamwork in professional settings.
  • “Make sure you work on your communication skills.” - Essential advice for anyone wanting to excel in the workplace.
  • “Be prepared to develop attributes that are transferable.” - Encouraging adaptability across sectors and roles.
  • “Be genuine and authentic about that passion.” - The importance of authenticity in personal presentation.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

Shadowing the speaker in this video can greatly enhance your English speaking practice. Here’s a step-by-step guide to maximize your learning through shadow speech:

  1. Watch the video without any distractions. Focus on the speaker's delivery and intonation to understand the context and emotional tone.
  2. Listen to the transcript carefully. As you read, identify key phrases and how they're used. Pay attention to the flow of sentences and the speaker’s emphasis on important words.
  3. Use a shadowing app or record yourself. After familiarizing yourself with the phrases, start to repeat the sentences just after the speaker says them. This will improve your pronunciation and rhythm.
  4. Practice with variations. Try saying the phrases in different contexts or using synonyms to stretch your vocabulary while maintaining the original meaning.
  5. Engage with peers. Use platforms or groups where you can practice these phrases with others, discussing their relevance to real-world situations.

By integrating these steps into your routine, you can harness the power of shadowing to develop essential communication skills that go beyond mere vocabulary, ensuring you are well-prepared for the modern workforce. Remember, practicing with real content enhances retention and boosts your confidence in speaking scenarios, making shadowspeaks an invaluable part of your shadow speak journey.

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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