Shadowing Practice: Confident English Conversations | How to Discuss Your Daily Routine Naturally - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Hello, everyone, and a very warm welcome to you.
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I am so happy to be here with you today.
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Hello!
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It is great to be here.
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Welcome to the Confident English podcast, a cozy space where learning English feels easy and confident.
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That sounds perfect.
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Easy and confident.
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That is exactly what we want.
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Exactly.
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Hi Alex, it is so good to see you.
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How are you feeling today?
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Hi Sophie.
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I am feeling really calm today, very relaxed.
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It is a beautiful morning.
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That is wonderful.
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I am happy to hear that.
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A calm morning is the best way to start.
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It really is.
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And you Sophie, how are you doing?
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I am doing very well, thank you.
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I have my cup of tea and I am ready to chat.
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Perfect.
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You always have your tea.
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Always.
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It is part of my routine.
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And actually, that is our topic for today.
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Oh?
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What is the topic?
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Today, we are going to talk about daily routine.
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Ah, daily routine.
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That is a very useful topic.
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Yes.
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We will talk about what we do every day, from the morning to the night.
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Simple things like waking up, eating, and working.
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Exactly.
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But before we start, lower your voice playfully.
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Alex, can we ask our listeners something? Of course.
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If you enjoy our conversations, please remember to subscribe to the Confident English podcast.
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Yes, and please like this episode.
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It helps us so much.
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And we love reading your comments, so please say hello in the comments below.
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We really do love it.
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Okay, let's begin.
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Alex, tell me, how does your day start?
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Well, my day starts early.
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Usually I wake up at 7 a.m.
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7 a.m.
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That is a good time.
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Do you use an alarm clock?
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Yes, I use the alarm on my phone.
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Beep, beep, beep.
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Oh no, I hate that sound.
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Me too.
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But I need it.
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If I don't use an alarm, I sleep until 10 a.m.
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I understand.
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Sleep is very nice.
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So, you wake up at 7 a.m.
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What is the first thing you do?
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The first thing I do is stretch.
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You stretch?
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Yes.
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I stretch my arms.
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I stretch my back.
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It helps me wake up.
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That is a healthy habit.
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I should do that.
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It feels good.
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What about you, Sophie?
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When do you wake up?
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I usually wake up a little earlier, around 6.30 a.m.
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6.30 a.m.
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That is early.
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Yes, but I like the quiet morning.
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It is very peaceful.
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I agree.
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The morning is very quiet.
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After I wake up, I go to the kitchen immediately.
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Immediately?
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Not even a stretch?
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No stretching.
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I go straight to the kitchen to make coffee.
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Ah, coffee, the most important part of the morning.
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Yes, I need my coffee.
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I cannot speak without my coffee.
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I know that feeling.
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I drink coffee too, but only after I take a shower.
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Oh, you take a shower first?
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Yes, I wake up, I stretch, and then I take a shower.
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Cold water helps me wake up.
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Cold water?
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Wow, you are brave, Alex.
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I like hot water.
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Hot water is nice too, but cold water gives me energy.
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So after your shower, you have breakfast?
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Yes, I go to the kitchen and I make breakfast.
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What do you usually eat for breakfast?
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I keep it simple.
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Usually I have oatmeal with fruit or sometimes just toast and eggs.
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That sounds delicious.
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Toast and eggs is a classic breakfast.
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It is easy to make and I'm usually hungry in the morning.
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Me too.
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I usually eat yogurt and fruit.
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It's light and fresh.
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That sounds healthy.
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I try.
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So we We have finished breakfast.
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What happens next in your daily routine?
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After breakfast, I brush my teeth.
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Very important.
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Yes.
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Then I get dressed.
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I put on my clothes for the day.
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Do you choose your clothes the night before or in the morning?
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Usually in the morning.
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I look out the window.
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I check the weather.
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That is smart.
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If it is raining, you need a warm jacket.
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Exactly.
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If it's sunny, I wear a t-shirt.
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So you are dressed, you have eaten breakfast.
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Are you ready for work?
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Yes, I am ready.
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I leave the house around 8.30 a.m.
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Do you drive to work?
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No, I don't drive.
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I take the bus.
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You take the bus.
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Is it crowded?
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Sometimes.
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In the morning, many people are going to work, so the bus is full.
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I see.
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I work from home, so I don't take the bus.
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You are lucky.
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No traffic, no crowds.
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Yes, I am very lucky.
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My commute is very short, from the kitchen to the living room.
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That is the best commute.
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So, you are at work.
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What do you do during the day?
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In the morning, I check my emails.
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I have many emails to read.
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Emails.
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We all have emails.
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Yes.
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I read them and I reply to them.
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Then I have meetings.
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Meetings can be long.
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Sometimes they are long, sometimes they are short.
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But I like talking to my colleagues.
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That is nice.
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It is good to have friendly colleagues.
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It makes work better.
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Sophie, what do you do during the day?
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Well, because I work from home, I have to be disciplined.
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Disciplined.
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That is a good word.
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Can you explain it?
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Sure.
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Being disciplined means I have to control myself.
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I have to work even if I want to watch TV.
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Ah, I see.
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Because you are at home, it's easy to relax.
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Exactly.
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So I sit at my desk at 9 a.m and I start writing.
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You write lessons?
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Yes.
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I write lessons for our students and I record podcasts, like this one.
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Like this one?
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That is hard work.
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It is fun work.
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I love it.
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But I also need breaks.
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Breaks are important.
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We cannot work all day without stopping.
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True.
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So, at 12 p.m., I stop for lunch.
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Lunchtime.
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My favorite time.
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Mine, too.
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What do you do for lunch, Alex?
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I usually bring my lunch from home.
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Oh, you cook at home and bring it?
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Yes.
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It saves money, and it's healthier.
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That is very organized of you.
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I try.
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I usually bring a salad or maybe some pasta.
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Pasta is great for lunch.
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It gives you energy for the afternoon.
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Yes, I eat my lunch and then I like to go for a walk.
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A walk?
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Outside?
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Yes, even just for 10 minutes.
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Fresh air is good for the brain.
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I agree completely.
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I also go for a walk after lunch.
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It helps me think.
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And it feels good to move the body.
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Sitting in a chair all day is not good.
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No, it isn't.
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So, the afternoon passes, we work some more.
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Yes, more work, more emails.
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And then the workday ends.
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What time do you finish work?
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I usually finish at 5 p.m.
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5 p.m., a standard workday.
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Yes, at 5 p.m., I turn off my computer and I go home.
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Do you take the bus home again?
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Yes.
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The bus ride home is usually quieter.
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Everyone is tired.
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Everyone is dreaming of dinner.
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Exactly.
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I am definitely thinking about dinner on the bus.
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So you arrive home.
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What is the first thing you do?
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The first thing, I take off my shoes.
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Oh, yes.
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That is the best feeling.
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And I change my clothes.
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I put on comfortable clothes, like sweatpants.
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Comfortable clothes are essential.
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I wear pajamas very early sometimes.
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No judgment here, Sophie.
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Pajamas are great.
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So you are comfortable.
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Now, what about the evening?
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Do you cook dinner?
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Yes, I like cooking.
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It relaxes me.
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That is nice.
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Some people find cooking stressful, but you find it relaxing.
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Yes, I put on some music, I chop vegetables.
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It is a nice transition from work to rest.
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A transition.
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That means a change, moving from work time to relax time.
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Exactly.
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Cooking helps me forget about work.
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What do you like to cook in the evening?
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I make simple things, maybe soup or chicken with rice.
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Warm food, comfort food.
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Yes.
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And you, Sophie?
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What is your evening routine?
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My evening routine is very slow.
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I make dinner, usually something quick.
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Quick is good.
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Then I clean the kitchen.
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I don't like a dirty kitchen in the morning.
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Oh, that is very smart.
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I sometimes leave the dishes until the morning.
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Oh, Alex, no!
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I know, I know.
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It is a bad habit.
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If you clean at night, the morning is much happier.
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You are right.
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I need to be more like you, Sophie.
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Only with the dishes.
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So after cleaning, what do you do to relax?
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I like to watch a little bit of TV, maybe a series or a movie.
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It is nice to turn off your grain and watch a story.
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Yes, just for one hour.
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And sometimes I read a book.
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Reading is wonderful before bed.
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It makes you sleepy.
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It does.
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If I read in bed, I fall asleep very fast.
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What time do you usually go to sleep?
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I try to be in bed by 10.30 p.m.
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10.30 p.m.
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That is a reasonable time.
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I need my eight hours of sleep.
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If I sleep less, I am grumpy the next day.
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Grumpy.
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That means you are not in a good mood.
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You're a little bit angry.
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Yes, I am not fun when I am tired.
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I think we are all a little grumpy when we are tired.
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So 10.30 p.m is my bedtime.
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I turn off the lights and I sleep.
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And then the alarm rings at 7 a.m again.
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And the routine starts all over again.
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It sounds like a nice routine, Alex.
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Balanced.
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Thank you.
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It works for me.
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What about your bedtime?
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My evening routine is very similar.
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I make dinner, usually something quick.
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Quick is good.
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Then I clean the kitchen.
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I don't like a dirty kitchen in the morning.
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Oh, that is very smart.
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I sometimes leave the dishes until the morning.
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Oh, Alex, no!
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I know, I know.
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It is a bad habit.
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If you clean at night, the morning is much happier.
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You are right.
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I need to be more like you, Sophie.
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Only with dishes.
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So after cleaning, what do you do to relax?
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I like to watch a little bit of TV, maybe a series or a movie.
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It is nice to turn off your brain and watch a story.
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Yes, just for one hour.
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And sometimes I read a book.
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Reading is wonderful before bed.
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It makes you sleepy.
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It does.
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If I read in bed, I fall asleep very fast.
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What time do you usually go to sleep?
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I try to be in bed by 10.30 p.m.
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10.30 p.m.
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That is a reasonable time.
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I need my eight hours of sleep.
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If I sleep less, I am grumpy the next day.
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Grumpy.
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That means you are not in a good mood.
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You're a little bit angry.
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Yes, I am not fun when I am tired.
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I think we are all a little grumpy when we are tired.
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So 10.30 p.m is my bedtime.
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I turn off the lights and I sleep.
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And then the alarm rings at 7 a.m again.
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And the routine starts all over again.
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It sounds like a nice routine, Alex.
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Balanced.
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Thank you.
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It works for me.
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What about your bedtime?
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My evening routine is similar.
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I go to bed around 10 or 10.30 p.m.
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Do you check your phone before bed?
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I try not to.
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I try to put my phone away.
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The blue light from the phone is not good for sleep.
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That is very true.
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It wakes up your brain.
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Exactly.
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I want my brain to calm down.
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So I read or I listen to soft music.
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Soft music is very relaxing.
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It is.
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It helps me drift away.
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Drift away into sleep.
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That sounds very peaceful.
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It is.
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You know, Alex, routines are interesting.
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Why do you think so?
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Because everyone has one, but they are all different.
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That is true.
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Some people wake up at 5 a.m.
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Some people wake up at 12 p.m.
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Yes, night owls and early birds.
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Exactly.
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I'm definitely an early bird.
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I like the morning.
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Me too.
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But maybe some of our listeners are night owls.
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Maybe.
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To our audience, are you a night owl?
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Do you like staying up late?
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Or do you like waking up early?
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We would love to know.
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It is fun to compare.
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It is.
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And routines help us.
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They give structure to our day.
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Structure.
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That is important.
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If we have a plan, we feel more in control.
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Yes.
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We feel confident.
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I see what you did there.
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Confident.
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I always bring it back to confidence.
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But it's true.
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When you know what to do next, breakfast, bus, work, you feel calm.
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Exactly.
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You don't have to stress.
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You just follow the routine.
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And speaking of routines, practicing English should be part of the daily routine.
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Oh, absolutely.
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That is the best advice.
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Even just 10 minutes a day, like listening to this podcast while you drink coffee.
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Or while you take the bus to work.
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Or while you wash the dishes.
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Yes, even while washing dishes.
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Small habits every day make a big difference.
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That's the secret.
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You don't need to study for five hours once a week.
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No, it's better to listen for 10 minutes every day.
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Consistency.
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Doing it again and again.
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That's how we learn.
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Just like brushing your teeth.
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Yes.
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Don't forget to brush your teeth, and don't forget to practice your English.
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Two very important things.
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Well, Alex, I think we have covered a full day.
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We have.
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From the alarm clock to the pillow.
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I feel sleepy just talking about bedtimes.
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Me too.
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But it was a lovely conversation.
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It really was.
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Thank you for sharing your day with me, Alex.
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Thank you for asking, Sophie.
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It is always a pleasure.
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And thank you to our wonderful listeners for being here with us.
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Yes, thank you for listening.
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We hope you enjoyed this episode about daily routines.
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We hope it helps you talk about your own day.
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Remember, keep it simple.
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I wake up, I eat, I work.
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You can do it.
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We believe in you.
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Before we go, we have a small favor to ask.
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If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe to the Confident English podcast.
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It really helps our channel grow, and it helps other learners find us.
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And please leave us a like and a comment.
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Tell us, what is your favorite part of the day?
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Is it the morning coffee or the evening relaxation?
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Let us know below.
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We can't wait to read your answers.
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Have a wonderful day, everyone.
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Or a wonderful night.
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Yes, wherever you are in your routine, have a great time.
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Take care, stay confident, and see you next time.
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Bye, everyone.
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Bye.

Context & Background

In the video titled "Confident English Conversations | How to Discuss Your Daily Routine Naturally," the speakers, Alex and Sophie, engage in a friendly and relaxed conversation about their daily routines. This cozy dialogue not only highlights the importance of daily conversation in English but also sets a comfortable learning environment that encourages English learners to participate. By discussing simple yet essential topics like morning rituals and daily habits, the speakers make learning English feel accessible and fun. This kind of interaction is particularly beneficial for those looking to improve their English pronunciation and conversational skills.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “My day starts early.” - Use this phrase to describe your morning habits.
  • “I use the alarm on my phone.” - A practical way to discuss how you wake up.
  • “It is part of my routine.” - This phrase helps convey the importance of daily activities.
  • “How are you feeling today?” - A great opener for asking about someone's wellbeing.
  • “I am ready to chat.” - A confident way to signal your readiness to engage in conversation.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively use the shadowing technique from this video and improve your English speaking skills, follow these simple steps:

  1. Listen Carefully: Start by watching the video a couple of times to familiarize yourself with the content and the speakers’ pronunciations.
  2. Repeat After Them: Use the shadowspeak technique—repeat what you hear immediately after the speakers, mimicking their tone and rhythm. Focus on how they pronounce the phrases you’ve noted above.
  3. Break It Down: If certain phrases are difficult, break them down into smaller parts and practice each segment before trying the full phrase.
  4. Record Yourself: Use your smartphone or computer to record your voice as you practice. Compare your pronunciation with that of the speakers and note areas for improvement.
  5. Engage Actively: Finally, don't just listen passively—try to create your own sentences using the new phrases. For example, share your own daily routine with a partner or in a language exchange group, incorporating the expressions you’ve learned.

By consistently applying these methods, you can enhance your ability to communicate naturally in English, paving the way for more confident conversations in your daily life. Enjoy learning English with YouTube, and remember to have fun with the process!

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.