Shadowing Practice: Buying a Train Ticket to Bath - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
1
Good morning. I'd like a ticket to Bath, please.
2
Single or return?
3
Return, please. I'm coming back this evening.
4
When would you like to travel?
5
The next train, if possible.
6
The next train leaves at ten fifteen from platform four.
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It arrives in Bath at eleven forty.
8
Perfect. Do I need to change trains?
9
No, it's a direct train.
10
Great. How much is the return ticket?
11
It's thirty-two pounds. Do you have a railcard?
12
Yes, I've got a senior railcard.
13
Then it's twenty-one pounds forty.
14
Lovely. Here's my card.
15
Thank you. Here are your tickets. Keep them safe.
16
Is there a cafe on the train?
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There's a trolley with hot drinks and snacks.
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And is it busy on Saturdays?
19
It can be. I'd get on early for a seat.
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Which way is platform four?
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Go through the barrier and turn left.
22
Thanks very much. You've been very helpful.
23
You're welcome. Have a lovely day in Bath.
24
I will. The weather's nice, so I'm going to walk by the river.

About This Lesson

You're practicing English with "Buying a Train Ticket to Bath" using the Shadowing technique — a method originally developed for professional interpreter training.

Focus on sounding like the speaker — not just repeating words. With 15–30 minutes of daily practice, you'll build real-world speaking confidence.

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 →