Shadowing Practice: Business Partner B2 Unit 1.3.3 - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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- So, as you can imagine, there's been lots of discussion with our management here at Go Global around the financing of the project.
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I'm pleased to say they love the proposal.
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I think we both want to go forward with this project.
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That's great news, Claudio.
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If I may
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Well to come straight to the point I think there are only really two key topics to focus on today.
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Production location and the choice of distributors.
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Right now we need to know if our position to go with local people is being considered.
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Yes, well, both topics did come up in discussions.
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So, what's the feedback?
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Sorry, but you must understand these are very important issues to us.
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- Sanjit.
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It seems like we have two main problems here.
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The product is excellent, yes.
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But if you produce in Bangladesh, we feel you risk quality issues.
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producers in China can guarantee better standards.
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As for the distribution partners you want to work with, We just don't think they're good enough.
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They're small.
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Limited finances.
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Frankly, you risk the sales.
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But have you fully analysed these risks?
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Where's your data?
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We know these markets and partners very well and we're confident.
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That's true, yes.
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We do have less experience in this market, which is precisely why we're being so cautious.
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We're happy to take a look at any numbers you might have.
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I can't give you any financial information from the partners at the moment.
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The data you need is very difficult for them to put together.
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They're not used to these kinds of management processes.
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They need more time.
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And in the meantime, What do we do?
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We need the data to make decisions.
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Okay.
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Look.
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Thank you.
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These are not easy discussions, but they are useful.
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Antec clearly has a focus on local partners, and we're open to that in principle.
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Good.
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but we do need that data.
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you What shall we do?
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I actually emailed a couple of times last week.
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No response.
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Okay, could we help you with that?
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Let me call them.
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I'll see what we can realistically get for next week.
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Okay, that would be useful.
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By next week we'll also have the auditor's report on quality at the local production site.
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then we'll be better placed to discuss this again.
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Right.
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Moving on, I had some questions about sales forecasts.
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Sanji.

Why practice speaking with this video?

Engaging with this video allows you to immerse yourself in a realistic business conversation, which is crucial for those aiming to improve their English speaking skills. By practicing the dialogues, you can refine your ability to communicate complex ideas succinctly and effectively. The context of discussing project financing and production choices illustrates the type of language you might encounter in professional environments. Not only will this enhance your vocabulary, but it will also prepare you for real-life situations that require clear and confident communication. Using shadowspeak techniques while shadowing these discussions fosters an organic learning experience, allowing learners to improve English pronunciation and increase fluency.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

  • Conditional Constructions: Phrases like "If we may," "If you produce in," and "If we can get" showcase conditional structures that are essential for polite business discussions. Practicing these structures can enhance the way you express possibilities and hypothetical situations.
  • Direct Questions: The use of direct, open-ended questions like "Where's your data?" encourages clear communication and elicits detailed responses. This is a useful strategy in both meetings and everyday conversations.
  • Evaluative Language: Expressions such as "we feel you risk quality issues" and "we just don't think they're good enough" demonstrate how to give critical feedback effectively. Incorporating evaluative phrases into your speech can help articulate opinions and assessments.

By incorporating these grammatical structures into your English speaking practice, you can develop a more professional and polished communication style, which is especially relevant for IELTS speaking practice.

Common Pronunciation Traps

While practicing with this transcript, pay attention to specific words and phrases that can be challenging to pronounce correctly. Words like "producers," "feedback," and "financials" may have nuances in consonant sounds that can be tricky for non-native speakers. Additionally, note the intonation in questions versus statements, particularly in phrases such as "So, what's the feedback?" Proper intonation is crucial for conveying meaning correctly. Engaging in dedicated practice, such as English speaking practice through repetition and mimicking the speaker, allows you to overcome these pronunciation hurdles.

Whether you are preparing for an exam or seeking to improve your spoken English, combining these strategies with the video will undoubtedly support your journey to learn English with YouTube effectively.

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 →