Shadowing Practice: Calling In Sick: I Can't Come to Work Today - Learn English Speaking with Video
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29 sentences
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1
Hi, Emma! You're calling early.
2
Hi, Tom. Sorry... I'm not feeling well today.
3
Oh no! What's wrong?
4
I've got a bad headache and a high temperature.
5
I'm afraid I can't come to work today.
6
Oh dear. When did it start?
7
Um, last night, after dinner. I didn't sleep at all.
8
Okay, don't worry. Your health comes first.
9
Thank you. I'm really sorry about this.
10
Have you called a doctor yet?
11
Not yet. The clinic opens at nine.
12
Wait... we have the meeting with Green Foods at ten.
13
Oh no, I forgot! The slides are on my laptop.
14
Hmm, that's a problem. Nobody else has them.
15
Well... I can send them to you now.
16
Can you? Are you sure you're okay?
17
Yes. It only takes five minutes.
18
Sam knows the project well. He can present them.
19
Good idea. Sam is very good with clients.
20
I'll email the slides and my notes to both of you.
21
Perfect. Thank you, Emma. That really helps.
22
No problem. Tell Sam to call me if he needs help.
23
No, no. Sam won't call you. You need to rest today.
24
Drink lots of water and go back to bed.
25
Ha, okay. That's the best plan I've heard all week.
26
Do you think you'll be back tomorrow?
27
Well, I hope so. I'll call you in the morning.
28
Great. Feel better soon, Emma!
29
Thanks, Tom. Bye!
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This A2 speaking lesson is built on the video “Calling In Sick: I Can't Come to Work Today”. This video has 29 sentences and 227 words to shadow. The speech runs for 1:56. The speaker talks at a steady 117 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 86% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start. 6 of its 29 sentences are questions, so it is good practice for question intonation and short answers.
Key vocabulary in this video
14 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| slide noun | /ˈslaɪ̯d/ | An item of play equipment that children can climb up and then slide down again. |
| laptop noun | /ˈlæp.tɑp/ | A laptop computer. |
| clinic noun | /ˈklɪn.ɪk/ | A medical facility, such as a hospital, especially one for the treatment and diagnosis of outpatients. |
| headache noun | /ˈhɛdeɪk/ | A pain or ache in the head. |
| email noun | /ˈiˌmeɪl/ | A system for sending messages and datas by means of a computer network, primarily the Internet, using the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol and the Internet… |
| temperature noun | /ˈtɛm.p(ə.)ɹə.t͡ʃə/ | A measure of cold or heat, often measurable with a thermometer. |
| client noun | /ˈklaɪ.ənt/ | A customer, a buyer or receiver of goods or services. |
| doctor noun | /ˈdɑktɚ/ | A physician; a member of the medical profession; one who is trained and licensed to heal the sick or injured. The final examination and qualification may award… |
| drink verb | /ˈdɹɪŋk/ | To consume (a liquid) through the mouth. |
| nine noun | /naɪn/ | The digit or figure 9. |
| worry verb | /ˈwʌ.ɹi/ | To be troubled; to give way to mental anxiety or doubt. |
| dinner noun | /ˈdɪnɚ/ | The main meal of the day, often eaten in the evening. |
| dear adjective | /dɪɹ/ | High in price; expensive. |
| afraid adjective | /əˈfɹeɪd/ | Impressed with fear or apprehension; in fear. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| go back to verb | To stem from; to originate in. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- I'm not feeling well today.
- I've got a bad headache and a high temperature.
- Have you called a doctor yet?
- Are you sure you're okay?
- Do you think you'll be back tomorrow?
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | Have you called · I've heard |
| Future with “will” will + verb — a decision, promise or prediction | I'll email · won't call · you'll be |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 14 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, I'll, I've. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like slide, laptop, clinic.
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.