Shadowing Practice: Business Partner B2 Unit 1.3.1 - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Careful!
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Overflowing.
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Yeah, thanks.
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Something on your mind?
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some things.
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mainly about this meeting with Claudio today.
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- Thank you.
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It's just that I don't really know Claudio or Emma very well.
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Or the whole Go Global setup for that matter.
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Things have gone so fast these last five weeks and it's such a big
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big step to go in with these guys and commit to the finance.
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- They come from a very different world.
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different values and Well, I'm worried that they're going to take over the project completely.
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Their number one priority will always be maximizing profits and...
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that isn't always the case with us.
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So.. you don't trust them?
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- Thank you.
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Bye.
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Stop I guess it is.
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I'm just trying to figure out how to handle things properly.
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I want to do things our way.
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ENTEC stands for something.
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Even if you don't trust them, pretend you do.
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Otherwise, they may well just walk away from the deal.
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Amen.
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And if we make the wrong choice?
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At least we tried to make the right one.
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That counts for something.
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Ugh.
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I've got to deal with this.
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Let me know how it goes.
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See you at five, okay?
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- Okay. And thanks.
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I appreciate all your advice.
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Here's a bit more advice.
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Have some coffee instead.
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Perk up!

About This Lesson

This lesson focuses on developing English speaking skills through a real-world business scenario. Learners will practice important conversational techniques for discussing meetings, addressing concerns about partnerships, and navigating cultural differences. By engaging with the dialogue presented in the video, you'll enhance your vocabulary and comprehension, allowing you to communicate more effectively in professional settings. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn English with YouTube by immersing yourself in practical language use, helping you gain confidence in English speaking practice.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Overflowing - filling beyond capacity; can refer to emotions or physical items.
  • Something on your mind? - a polite way of asking if someone is worried or preoccupied.
  • Commit to - to bind oneself to a certain course of action, often involving finance or responsibility.
  • Maximizing profits - the act of increasing financial gain, which can sometimes conflict with other values.
  • Take over the project - to gain control over a project, possibly against the original leader's wishes.
  • Even if you don't trust them, pretend you do - a strategy to maintain relationships during negotiations.
  • At least we tried - a phrase indicating that effort matters, even if the outcome isn't favorable.
  • Perk up! - an encouragement to become more lively or attentive.

Practice Tips

Utilizing the shadowing technique is highly effective with this video, as the speakers maintain a natural yet professional conversational tone. To maximize your English speaking practice:

  • Listen attentively to the dialogue, noting the rhythm and intonation of the speakers.
  • Use a shadowing app or tool like shadowspeak to mimic the pronunciation and pace of the speakers. This will help you align your speech with native pronunciation styles.
  • Slow down the video if necessary to ensure clarity as you repeat phrases, gradually increasing the speed as you become more comfortable.
  • Concentrate on the context of the conversations, such as discussing trust and partnership dynamics, to enrich your vocabulary usage in real conversations.
  • Practice speaking out loud and recording yourself to compare your delivery with the original dialogue.
  • Incorporate the key vocabulary and phrases in your daily conversation or writing to reinforce their usage.

By applying these techniques, you'll not only improve your fluency but also engage more effectively in discussions around complex topics—key for any aspiring professional. Remember, practice makes perfect, especially when you learn English with YouTube!

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.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →