Shadowing Practice: Conversation 50 getting help - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This speaking lesson is built on the video “Conversation 50 getting help”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: Sue, consultant, agree, outside. This video has 38 sentences and 314 words to shadow. The speech runs for 2:44. The speaker talks at a steady 115 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 86% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start. 11 of its 38 sentences are questions, so it is good practice for question intonation and short answers.
Key vocabulary in this video
12 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| consultant noun | /kənˈsʌl.tənt/ | A person or party that is consulted. |
| qualify verb | /ˈkwɑ.lɪ.faɪ/ | To describe or characterize something by listing its qualities. |
| freelance adjective | /ˈfɹiˌlæns/ | Of or relating to a freelance; without a long-term employment contract. |
| hire verb | /ˈhaɪɹ/ | To obtain the services of in return for fixed payment. |
| genius noun | /ˈd͡ʒin.jəs/ | Someone possessing extraordinary intelligence or skill; especially somebody who has demonstrated this by a creative or original work in science, music, art… |
| expertise noun | /ˌɛkspɜːˈtiːz/ | Great skill or knowledge in a particular field or hobby. |
| crunch verb | /kɹʌnt͡ʃ/ | To crush something, especially food, with a noisy crackling sound. |
| corporate adjective | /ˈkɔɹ.pəɹ.eɪt/ | Of or relating to an institution; institutional. |
| detail noun | /ˈdi.teɪl/ | A part small enough to escape casual notice. |
| factory noun | /ˈfæk.tɚ.i/ | A building or other place where manufacturing takes place. |
| prepare verb | /pɹɪˈpɛ(ə)ɹ/ | To make ready for a specific future purpose; to set up; to assemble or equip; to forearm. |
| admit verb | /ədˈmɪt/ | To allow to enter; to grant entrance (to), whether into a place, into the mind, or into consideration. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| set up verb | /ˌsɛt ˈʌp/ | To make ready for use. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- I'd like to ask you a question.
- What do you mean?
- Can you think of anyone who may be qualified for the position?
- Why don't we call her to see if she's available?
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thing | anyone who may · woman who prepares |
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | may be qualified |
| Possibility with “might / may” might/may + verb — something that is possible but not certain | may be |
| Future with “going to” be going to + verb — a plan or something you can see coming | are going to be |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 9 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, don't, I'd. 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 consultant, qualify, freelance.
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.