Shadowing Practice: Connect with English - Episode 02. Differences - Learn English Speaking with Video
Creating lesson...
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Annenberg Media Additional funding is provided by The Stratford Foundation
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The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations Geraldine R.
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Dodge Foundation George I.
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Alden Trust and Alfred E.
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Chase Charity Foundation Kevin, I can write my songs on a computer.
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They have a computer lab.
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It opens up the possibilities of song competition.
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What's the possibility of getting some food in this house soon?
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I'm going grocery shopping tomorrow.
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Put what you want on the list.
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I can't believe how many forms I have to fill out.
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I can't believe we're out of cereal.
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Put it on the list.
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Okay.
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Rebecca Casey.
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1097 E Street.
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Apartment number 3.
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Boston Mass 02168 We're almost out of peanut butter.
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I just bought that jar.
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Hey, look, a coupon.
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Two for the price of one.
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I know.
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Put it on the list.
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Phone number 617-686-7731 age 28.
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Father, Patrick, Casey, mother, Margaret, Casey, deceased.
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We should get more cookies.
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Gee, they want to know everything.
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My interests, hobbies, sports, awards, on and on.
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I'll be here all night.
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Do you think this college thing is a good idea?
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Yeah, for me it is.
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It's the only way I'm going to get anywhere in the music world.
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When are you going to give up junk food and eat something healthy?
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When healthy food tastes as good as cookies and peanut butter.
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Good night.
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I hope I can make it, Mom.
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I'm sorry.
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I am late to school.
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Don't drink from the carton.
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Milk tastes better this way.
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You drive me insane.
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Why are you wearing shorts and a tie?
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High school graduation pictures.
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What do you mean?
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Graduation pictures, you know?
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They take a picture from here up.
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They don't take a picture of your legs.
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Are all your exams finished?
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I just had my math final.
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Kevin!
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Beck, don't worry.
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Math is a breeze.
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I gotta go.
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Hi, Dad.
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Bye, Dad.
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Don't slam the door.
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Thanks.
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Hi, Dad.
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Why are you up so early?
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Where's my coffee?
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What, this?
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Is this yours?
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I'm sorry.
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That's okay.
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I'm late anyway.
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I'll get coffee at work.
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What's that?
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It's my application to the Boston School of Music.
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I have to mail it today.
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Oh, not another school application.
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Yes, another school application.
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By the way, does Kevin ever tell you how his final exams are going?
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No, he doesn't tell me anything.
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I try to talk to him, but...
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He has a final today.
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I don't even know if he studied for it.
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He won't graduate if he doesn't pass his exams.
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I'll talk to him.
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I have to go.
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Your lunch is in the fridge.
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Do you have enough change for the bus?
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Yes, I have some, thanks.
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Becky, don't slam the door.
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Thanks.
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Sandy.
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Hey, Carl, you just made it. Is everything okay?
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I was up late last night. With meth?
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No. With this.
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Look.
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What is it?
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It's a brochure from the Boston School of Music.
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I sent my application in this morning.
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Good for you.
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This place looks expensive.
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It is, but it'll be worth it if I get accepted.
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And if you don't get in?
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I've got my backup schools.
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Maybe I'll get into one of them.
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How many colleges are you applying to?
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Four.
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Four?
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Why so many?
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That's a lot of work.
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And a lot of money just to apply.
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But I've been dreaming of this for a long time.
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Your dreams are so big.
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Exciting.
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I mean, my dreams are real simple.
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Get married, have a family, stuff like that.
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I can't explain it.
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I just want to know everything I can about music.
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I'll get my degree and make something myself.
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Well, when you become a big star and you get your first hit song, don't forget your friends here at the factory.
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Me?
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Forget?
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Never.
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I'll even send you a free copy.
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Oh, you're all harsh.
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Make your dreams come true at the Boston School of Peace.
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Hello?
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Apply now.
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Dad.
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Ah, you're home early.
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It was a half day today.
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How come?
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I just had one final and graduation pictures.
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What's that?
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My cap and gown.
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Let me show you.
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It smells funny. And the cap?
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How about it?
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Kevin Casey, high school graduate.
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Ah, it's too bad your mother can't see you now.
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What's for lunch?
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Kevin, come sit here.
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Rebecca and I are both worried about your finals.
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How was your exam today?
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A breeze.
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Math was my best subject.
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It was an easy test.
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Well, good.
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What about the others?
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Science, history.
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Dad, give me a break.
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I'll pass them all with flying colors.
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Oh, thanks.
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Thanks.
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This won't even cover my bills.
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Your whole paycheck?
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Yeah.
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I lent some money to Jack.
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You can sure kiss that money goodbye.
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Why are you so hard on Jack?
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You know, he's really a good guy.
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I'm sorry, I just don't think the...
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Let's forget it.
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I'd like to cash this check, please.
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Do you have an account at this bank?
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Yes.
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Could I see some form of identification, please?
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Why do I always have to show Matt?
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He's a new teller.
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Hey, they do it for your protection.
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Right, so we have to show our ID every single time.
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20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200.
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Thanks.
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Hi, I'd like to deposit this whole check into my savings account, please.
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Why do you live without cash?
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I get money from the cash machine, $40 dollars at a time.
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Oh, I can't stand you, Rebecca.
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Don't they charge you for these cash machines?
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Depends on what kind of account you have and whether you have enough money in it.
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And you have that much money saved?
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How else am I going to pay for college?
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Save, save, save.
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Do you know about this videotape?
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The Boston School of Music?
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Yeah, this is the music school that Becky wants to go to.
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Why doesn't she study something practical like business?
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She'll never make any money with a degree in music.
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You never know.
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Now, let's review and discuss the story.
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Kevin is Rebecca's brother.
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He's a senior in high school.
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Kevin Casey, high school graduate.
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Patrick Casey.
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Is Patrick Casey Rebecca's father?
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Yes.
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Hi, Dad.
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Rebecca's mother died a long time ago.
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Rebecca meets her best friend Sandy in the factory.
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Hey, girl, you just made it.
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There's a big difference between those two women, Rebecca and Sandy.
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Your dreams are so big, exciting.
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I mean, my dreams are real simple.
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Get married, have a family, stuff like that.
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I just want to know everything I can about music.
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get my degree and make something myself.
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I don't think it's good to judge what is right, what is wrong, and it's just a personal choice.
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And Sandy, if that's really what she wants to do and have a family settle down, that's fine.
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You can also do both.
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I think these days married women are not stuck just sitting home and having children.
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I think you can have a career and do whatever you want.
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So these two things are not really conflict with each other can have both
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if you can manage it well in both situation you you gain something you lose something at the same time too
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annenberg media for information about this and other annenberg media programs call 1-800-LEARNER and visit us at www.learner.org.
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Additional funding is provided by the Stratford Foundation, the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, Geraldine R.
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Dodge Foundation, George I.
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Alden Trust, and Alfred E.
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Chase Charity Foundation.
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Who Will Benefit from This Video?
This episode is perfect for intermediate learners ready to practice everyday conversational English. If you want to sound natural in family-style chats, fill out forms, or talk about goals like college or music, the dialogue’s mix of casual banter and practical tasks makes it ideal. It’s also great for those using shadow speak techniques—repeating lines to mimic rhythm and tone—since the speech is clear but not overly formal.
Words & Idioms to Add to Your Toolkit
The conversation is packed with phrases that feel "lived-in," not just textbook-perfect. Here are a few to note:
- "Put it on the list": A common way to say "add that to our grocery/to-do list"—used when organizing tasks together.
- "Drive me insane": Means "annoy me a lot" (but in a playful way here). Great for showing frustration without being harsh.
- "Get anywhere": To make progress. Example: "I need practice to get anywhere with my English."
Mastering the Accent: Rhythm & Intonation
The speakers in the video use a relaxed, conversational tone—notice how questions rise at the end ("What do you mean?") and statements fall ("I just had my math final"). To nail this, try shadowspeak: pause the video, repeat each line, and focus on matching the speed and stress. For example, "I can’t believe we’re out of cereal" stresses "can’t believe" and "out of" to show surprise. A shadowing app can help you record yourself and compare, but even repeating aloud with the video works. Pay attention to how "peanut butter" is pronounced with a soft "t" (more like "pea-nut buh-ter")—a common feature in casual speech. Practicing these details will make your English sound more natural, whether you’re chatting with friends or filling out forms. Keep at it, and you’ll soon notice your shadowspeaks skills improving!
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.