Shadowing Practice: Complete Ielts 4 5 SB Unit 1 Track 3 - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Track 3, Unit 1, Listening,
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Exercise 5 Dubai Palm Apartments, Amanda speaking.
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How can I help you?
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Oh, hi Amanda.
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I'm ringing to enquire about a holiday apartment for the month after next.
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OK, no problem.
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Let me get your details first, then I'll tell you what we've got.
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Is that alright?
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Fine, go ahead.
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OK.
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Can I have your name first, please?
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Yes, it's Leo Blücher.
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That's L-E-O.
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That's my first name.
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And my surname is B-L-U-C-H-E-R.
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OK, I've got that.
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Where are you from?
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Just out of interest, Leo.
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I'm Austrian.
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Right, OK.
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And what's your address?
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It's number 37, Blumengasse, in Vienna.
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Right.
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Could you just spell Blumengasse for me, please, Leo?
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My German's not too good.
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Sure.
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It's B-L-U-M-E-N-G-A-S-S-E.
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Great, thanks.
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Great, thanks.
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And what's the weather like in Vienna at the moment?
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It's pretty grey and rainy, I'm afraid.
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Hope it's better in Dubai.
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Yes, it's lovely at the moment.
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Sunny and warm, but not too hot.
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Now, can you give me your phone number?
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Yes, it's 4312-11057.
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Great.
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So, you're looking for a holiday apartment, Leo.
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How many people is it for?
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Just yourself?
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No, there'll be four of us, two adults and two children.
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Fine.
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And when would you like it from?
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Ideally from the 1st of January.
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January the 1st. OK.
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I'll have a look and see what we've got.
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How long would you like to stay?
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Well, it depends a little bit on the price, but I think that about nine days would be perfect.
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Fine.
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And talking of prices, what would be your maximum, do you think?
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Well, I've looked on the internet, but I don't know if I'm being realistic if I say 200 euros per day.
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Things seem to range from 150 to well over 400.
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Well, it depends where, of course, but I think we could probably find something for you at that price.
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Great.
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There are various other things, though.
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Our children are quite small and we don't want to take them to restaurants all the time.
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So one thing we'd really appreciate is a fully equipped kitchen so we can do some cooking.
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Yes, I completely understand.
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Do you have any other special requirements?
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Yes, we live in the city centre, hundreds of miles from the sea, so we'd really like to be able to see it from our apartment.
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OK, I'll note that down.
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All our apartments come with air conditioning and central heating, by the way.
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Oh dear, one thing I don't like is the noise of air conditioning in the background.
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Can you make sure it's as quiet as possible?
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Yes, I'll look into that.
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Anything else?
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Yes, just one more thing.
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We'd like to hire a car while we're in Dubai, so we'll need to have a parking space, I think.
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We don't want to have to walk a long way from the car to the apartment.
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I think you're quite right.
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I'll look into all these things and make a list of possible apartments.
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Do you have an email address so I can send them to you?

Context & Background

In this engaging listening exercise from "Complete IELTS 4 5," we dive into a conversation focused on booking a holiday apartment in Dubai. The dialogue features Amanda, a customer service representative, and Leo Blücher, a prospective guest from Austria, who is looking for accommodation. The exchange highlights not only the necessary information for booking an apartment but also cultural nuances, like discussing weather and personal details. Understanding this context is vital for English learners as it provides a practical scenario where they can apply everyday conversation skills.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “How can I help you?” - A polite way to initiate customer service interactions.
  • “Can I have your name first, please?” - A common request for personal information.
  • “Could you just spell that for me, please?” - Useful for clarifying information, especially with foreign names or terms.
  • “What would be your maximum, do you think?” - A phrase to enquire about budget while discussing costs.
  • “How long would you like to stay?” - Essential when discussing accommodations or travel plans.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

Shadowing is a powerful technique that can significantly improve English pronunciation and fluency. To maximize your learning experience from this video, follow these steps:

  1. Listen Actively: Begin by listening to the conversation without interruption. Pay attention to the intonation and rhythm of the speakers.
  2. Transcribe Key Sections: Write down phrases that resonate with you or that you find challenging. This will help reinforce your understanding and retention.
  3. Use a Shadowing App: Leverage a shadowing app or tool that allows you to play the audio at a comfortable speed. As you listen, repeat what you hear immediately after the speaker, mimicking their pronunciation as closely as possible.
  4. Add Emphasis: Focus on the emotions and intonations of the speakers. Understand when they emphasize certain words, as this reflects natural speech patterns.
  5. Record Yourself: Use a simple recording device or app to capture your attempts. Play them back to identify areas for improvement. This practice will greatly enhance your overall speaking abilities.

By following this step-by-step guide and utilizing tools like shadow speak or shadowspeaks, you will find an effective way to improve English pronunciation and build your confidence in everyday conversations.

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.