Shadowing Practice: Business Partner B1+. Unit 5. Video 5.3.1. - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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43 sentences
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Another day in paradise.
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We're going round in circles here.
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Unbelievable.
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Been talking to Raj?
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No.
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IT downstairs.
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Trying to get some understanding of an email I received from Raj this morning.
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Of course, they were very happy to point out that if it was their responsibility in-house and not my expensive external provider, there wouldn't be any of these issues.
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Told me to cancel the contract with Raj and let them handle the project.
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They may be right.
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I know they're right, but it's still not very helpful.
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But I thought you discussed this with Raj last week.
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I did.
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We had, what was it, a three-hour conference call?
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Look, I know they have their issues.
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Raj is under a lot of pressure over there in India, but he made promises about where we'd be by now.
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And then he suddenly went very quiet.
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And then I get an email this morning that there are these issues and they need more time.
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more money.
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You know, maybe it's cultural.
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Raj didn't feel that he could say no to me in the first meeting when I asked him if he could solve things.
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People love to go on about cultural differences, but it's too simple, just stereotyping.
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To be honest, I think it's you.
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I think you are too soft on Raj.
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If the platform is not ready and the project is going over budget, you need to put some pressure on him.
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He needs to make us his number one priority.
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Call his manager.
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I don't know.
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Bringing in management, it changes the atmosphere.
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I don't want to make it more difficult to work with Raj.
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It's a waste of time, Matt.
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You need to get tough.
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We're the customer here.
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Demand some action.
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Raj is pretty sensitive.
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He might not react too well to that kind of thing.
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Look, I have a call with him later.
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I'll try and negotiate some kind of solution on the pricing at least.
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Costs are getting out of control.
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What?
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Nothing.
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You
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Why practice speaking with this video?

This video provides a realistic view of a business discussion involving project management and cultural differences, making it an excellent resource for those preparing for IELTS speaking practice. By practicing with this material, you can enhance your ability to engage in professional conversations, negotiate, and deal with challenges in a business context. This is crucial for anyone looking to improve their spoken English in corporate scenarios.

Additionally, the dialogues illustrate the importance of clarity and assertiveness in communication. As you learn English with YouTube, shadowing the speakers allows you to pick up nuanced vocabulary and expressions, significantly improving your fluency and confidence in various work-related discussions.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

  • Conditional Statements: The phrase, "If it was their responsibility in-house and not my expensive external provider," demonstrates a conditional structure that highlights cause and effect. Understanding how to construct such sentences can enrich your speaking ability.
  • Direct Requests: The expression, "Call his manager," is a straightforward request that shows assertiveness. Practicing this type of communication is vital in business negotiations where clear instructions or requests are necessary.
  • Complex Sentences: The sentence, "I know they're right, but it's still not very helpful," is an example of using conjunctions to express contrasting ideas. Mastering this structure can help you convey more complicated thoughts effectively.

Integrating these structures into your speaking repertoire will facilitate smoother communication and aid in your shadow speech practice. Aim to use these expressions contextually in your discussions.

Common Pronunciation Traps

Pronunciation plays a vital role in effective communication. In the video, you might encounter tricky phrases like "cultural differences" and "costs are getting out of control." It's essential to practice the intonation and stress of these phrases to ensure clarity when you speak.

The accents of the speakers can vary, which may introduce additional challenges. Focus on replicating the rhythm and melody of their speech to improve your own speaking skills. Utilize shadow speak techniques by mimicking the speakers as closely as possible, enabling you to identify and rectify any mispronunciations.

Engaging in this type of practice not only bolsters your spoken English proficiency but also prepares you for real-life conversations, particularly in business settings where clear communication is key.

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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