Shadowing Practice: CELPIP Exam Speaking Practice | Describe a Picture - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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Hey, welcome to Mad English TV.
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Hey, welcome to Mad English TV.
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Take a look at this picture.
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How would you describe it?
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You might need to describe a picture like this on an English exam.
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But even if you never take an English exam,
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knowing how to describe a picture or a scene is really important.
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It's a very important skill to have in English.
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Okay, let's say I'm shopping in a store and I see a nice picture that I think you would like.
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I want to buy it for you.
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Okay, but I'm not quite sure if you'd like it,
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so I'm going to call you and say,
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hey, I'm just at the store right now and I see a really nice picture.
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I just want to know if I should buy it or not.
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The picture is of a staircase going from bottom right to top left
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and in the top left corner there's a girl wearing a hat holding an umbrella
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and in the bottom left corner there's a castle
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and in the center of the picture there's a young boy walking down the stairs and a dove flying through the picture.
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Okay in In the bottom right,
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there's a girl wearing a pink jacket, holding a white umbrella.
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In the foreground of the picture,
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in the front of the picture,
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there's a staircase with some people and some ants on it.
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And in the background, there's a blue sky with white clouds.
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Okay, should I buy this picture for you?
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You need to know all that information because you can't see the picture, okay?
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So I need to describe all details.
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So it's a very important skill to have.
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Okay, so let's try to describe this picture.
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How would you start?
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Well, we need to say this is a picture of a bus stop.
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Okay, this is a picture of a bus stop.
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Now what?
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Well, there are four people waiting in the bus shelter.
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Okay, we could describe this as a bus shelter.
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Okay, one, two, three, four.
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And there are three people outside the bus shelter.
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Okay, this woman, this guy, and that woman.
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Okay, what else is in the picture?
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Well, there is a blue and white bus stop sign on the left side of the picture.
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Okay, and on the right side of the picture,
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there is a woman walking away from the bus stop.
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Okay, this woman here.
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Now, what's she wearing?
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She is wearing a red dress and high heels.
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Okay, these kinds of shoes, they're called high heels.
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Now, in the background of the picture,
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there is a white brick wall.
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Okay, look at this.
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These things are called bricks.
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So there's a white brick wall and there is also a bright green plant here and two people walking.
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Okay?
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Inside the bus shelter there is a black man leaning against the glass.
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A black man leaning against the glass.
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This is what it means to lean.
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I'm leaning against my TV.
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Okay, and what's he wearing?
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He's wearing a gray tracksuit.
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Look at that, a gray tracksuit.
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Okay, now a woman with long brown hair is sitting on the bench.
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She's wearing a pink sweater or shirt or something,
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I'm not sure what that is, jeans and brown boots.
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Okay, what's this guy doing?
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A man wearing blue pants has one foot on the bench and is leaning on his knee.
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Okay, he's leaning forward on his knee.
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Okay, a girl on the left side of the bus shelter is biting her nails.
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Look at that.
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She's biting her nails.
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These things are called nails and some people have a bad habit of biting their nails.
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Okay, she has a pink striped ball in front of her.
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Okay, so that's how you would describe a picture.
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You could say anything as long as you describe it somehow to communicate to the person what's happening.
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Remember, I can't see it.
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So you need to tell me what's happening.
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Okay, so take a look at this picture.
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Imagine that I can't see it and you need to describe it for me.
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Okay, what's happening in this picture?
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Let me know in the comments right down there and I'll see you over in the next episode of Mad English TV.
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Take care.
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you

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About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will practice the important skill of describing a picture in English, which is particularly useful for those preparing for exams like the CELPIP. Describing visuals not only enhances your vocabulary but also improves your ability to convey information clearly. Throughout this exercise, you will learn how to articulate details about various elements within a picture, such as people, objects, backgrounds, and actions. By mastering this skill, you will be better equipped to engage in conversations and better express yourself in everyday situations.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Bus shelter: A structure where passengers wait for buses.
  • High heels: Stylish shoes with elevated heels, typically worn by women.
  • Walking away: The action of moving away from a location.
  • Background: The part of a picture that is furthest from the viewer.
  • Brick wall: A wall made of bricks, often used in construction.
  • Umbrella: A portable device used for protection against rain or sun.
  • Sky: The expanse of air over the Earth, often seen above our heads in a picture.
  • Foreground: The part of the picture that is closest to the viewer.

Practice Tips

To make the most of this lesson, follow these practice tips as you learn English with YouTube. Use the transcript as a guide, and engage in shadow speech to strengthen your speaking skills:

  • Start Slow: As you begin, focus on repeating phrases slowly. This will help you understand the sounds and structure. You can gradually increase the speed as you become more comfortable.
  • Shadowing App: Utilize a shadowing app for a more structured approach. Listen to the video and pause to repeat sentences, mimicking the tone and rhythm of the speaker.
  • Visualize the Image: As you describe the picture, try to visualize it in your mind. This will make your descriptions more vivid and engaging.
  • Record Yourself: Record your voice while shadowing. Listening back helps you identify areas for improvement in English pronunciation and clarity.
  • Engage in Conversation: Practice describing pictures to friends or language partners. This reinforces your vocabulary and builds your confidence in speaking.

By integrating these tips into your practice routine, you will not only improve your ability to describe scenes but also enhance your overall fluency in English.

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.

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