Shadowing Practice: Cancelling on a Friend at the Last Minute - Learn English Speaking with Video
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28 sentences
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1
Hey... um, are you at the restaurant already?
2
Yeah, I got us a table by the window!
3
Oh no. I'm so sorry, I can't come tonight.
4
What? You're cancelling now? Seriously?
5
My boss just gave me a report for tomorrow.
6
Ugh, this is the third time this month!
7
I know, I know. I feel terrible.
8
Fine... I'll just eat alone, then.
9
Um, morning! I brought coffee... and croissants.
10
Hmm. Is this an apology breakfast?
11
Yes, it is. Please, can I come in?
12
Okay, but only because of the croissants!
13
Listen, I've been a really bad friend lately.
14
Well... I was pretty upset last night.
15
I'd already waited for half an hour.
16
I'm sorry. I should have called you much earlier.
17
So why do you keep saying yes to your boss?
18
I'm scared that I'll lose my job.
19
Oh. I didn't know you felt that way.
20
Hey, you work really hard. Your boss knows that.
21
It's okay to say no sometimes.
22
You're right. I'll talk to her on Monday.
23
Good! And no more last-minute cancelling, okay?
24
Deal! And dinner is on me this time!
25
So... the same restaurant on Friday?
26
Yes! And I'll turn my work phone off.
27
Ha, really? I'll believe that when I see it!
28
Just wait. I'll be there first!
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This B1 speaking lesson is built on the video “Cancelling on a Friend at the Last Minute”. This video has 28 sentences and 213 words to shadow. The speech runs for 1:38. The speaker talks at a steady 130 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 83% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start. 10 of its 28 sentences are questions, so it is good practice for question intonation and short answers.
Key vocabulary in this video
The 15 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| cancel verb | /ˈkæn.sl̩/ | To cross out something with lines etc. |
| lately adverb | /ˈleɪt.li/ | Recently; not long ago; of late; not long since. |
| scare verb | /skɛɚ/ | To frighten, terrify, startle, especially in a minor way. |
| apology noun | /əˈpɑ.lə.d͡ʒi/ | An expression of remorse or regret for having said or done something that harmed another: an instance of apologizing (saying that one is sorry). |
| croissant noun | /kɹəˈsɑnt/ | A flaky roll or pastry in a form of a crescent. |
| restaurant noun | /ˈɹɛst(ə)ˌɹɑnt/ | An eating establishment in which diners are served food, usually by waiters at their tables but sometimes (as in a fast food restaurant) at a counter. |
| breakfast noun | /ˈbɹeɪkˌfæst/ | The first meal of the day, usually eaten in the morning. |
| upset verb | /ʌpˈsɛt/ | To make (a person) angry, distressed, or unhappy. |
| boss noun | /bɔs/ | One who oversees and directs the work of others; a supervisor. |
| earlier adverb | /ˈɝliɚ/ | previously; before now; sooner |
| minute noun | /ˈmɪnɪt/ | A unit of time which is one sixtieth of an hour (sixty seconds). |
| coffee noun | /ˈkɑfi/ | A beverage made by infusing the beans of the coffee plant in hot water. |
| window noun | /ˈwɪndoʊ/ | An opening, usually covered by one or more panes of clear glass, to allow light and air from outside to enter a building or vehicle. |
| dinner noun | /ˈdɪnɚ/ | The main meal of the day, often eaten in the evening. |
| terrible adjective | /ˈtɛɹəbəl/ | Dreadful; causing terror, alarm and fear; awesome |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- I'm so sorry, I can't come tonight.
- I'll just eat alone, then.
- Please, can I come in?
- Listen, I've been a really bad friend lately.
- I'd already waited for half an hour.
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 15 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'll, I'm, you're. 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 cancel, lately, scare.
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.