Shadowing Practice: Deutsch lernen - A1 Prüfung - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Good day! I welcome you to the German A1 oral exam.
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We are your examiners.
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My colleague's name is Thomas Kaiser.
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My name is Agathe Mueller.
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Good day! In the first part of the exam, introduce yourself.
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Name, age, country, place of residence, languages, occupation and hobbies.
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After that you have to spell and name a number.
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I introduce myself first.
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My name is Agathe Mueller.
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I am 38 years old.
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I come from Germany and live in Stuttgart.
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I speak German, English and a little Spanish.
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I am a teacher.
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My hobbies are fitness and photography.
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So now it's your turn.
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Please introduce yourself.
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My name is Kim Park.
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I am 24 years old I am from South Korea.
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I live in Seoul.
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I speak Korean, Japanese and some German.
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I am a journalist by profession.
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My hobbies are painting and travelling.
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Please spell your place of residence.
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Seoul is spelled SEOU L.
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What phone number can I reach you on?
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My phone number is 0082 123 654 290.
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Thank you very much. Now please introduce yourself.
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My name is Nandita Kaushik.
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I am 31 years old.
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I come from India.
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My hometown is New Delhi but I live in Munich.
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I speak Hindi, English and a little German.
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I am an architect by profession.
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In my free time I like to read a lot.
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I didn't understand your surname.
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Can you spell it please?
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Yes, sure. KAUSHI K If I want to call you, what is your phone number?
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My phone number is 0032 61 75 29.
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Thank you very much. And now to you.
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Please introduce yourself.
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Yes. My name is Thomas Schwartz.
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I am 29 years old.
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I am from the USA.
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My place of residence is Berlin.
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I speak English and a little German.
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I am an accountant by profession.
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My hobbies are baseball and motorcycles.
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Please spell your last name.
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S C H W A R T Z.
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Mr. Schwartz, how can I reach you by phone?
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My phone number is 001 44 29 845.
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Thank you very much. That was the first part of the exam.
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We come to the second part.
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In the second part you have to ask for information.
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For example: This card says Sport.
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The question could be: Do you exercise at the weekend?
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And the answer could be: Yes, I like to go jogging at the weekend.
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Now, please, all draw a card.
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But don't turn over yet.
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Please turn your card over.
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Ask your colleague a question.
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The word is 'excursion'.
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Do you often go on trips at the weekend?
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No, I often have to work on weekends.
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It's your turn now.
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The word is family.
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Do you spend time with your family at the weekend?
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Yes, we spend a lot of time together.
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Please turn your card over now.
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The word is breakfast.
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What do you eat for breakfast at the weekend?
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At the weekend I usually eat omelets with tomatoes.
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Thanks. That was the first round.
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The theme of the second round is city.
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Please all draw a card.
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But don't turn around yet.
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Please turn your card over.
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The word is supermarket.
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Sorry, is there a supermarket near here?
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Yes, there is a supermarket about 500 meters from here.
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And now you, please.
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The word is park.
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How long is this park open?
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The park is open until 10 p.m.
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Please turn your card over.
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The word is 'train station'.
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How do I get to the train station?
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The best way to get there is by bus, one stop.
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Thank you, that was the second part of the exam.
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We now come to part 3.
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In this part you have to formulate requests and respond to them.
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For example: There is a music CD on the card.
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A request can be: Could you please lend me the CD?
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One answer can be: Yes, but only until tomorrow morning.
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Please draw your cards.
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But don't look yet.
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Please turn your card over.
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A chair is shown on the card.
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Please have a seat here.
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Thank you very much.
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And now you, please.
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There is a clock on the card.
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Can you please tell me what time it is?
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It's five minutes to twelve.
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Please turn your card over.
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On the map is a sign 'No smoking'.
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Please do not smoke here, smoking is prohibited here.
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I'm sorry, I didn't know that.
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Thank you very much.
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We come to the second round.
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Please look at your card.
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There is a glass of water on the card.
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Could I have a glass of water, please?
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Yes of course. I'll bring it to you right away.
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And now you, please.
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Could you please open this bottle?
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Sorry I don't have a bottle opener.
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It is now your turn.
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Could you please lend me a pencil?
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Yes of course. Here please.
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We thank you.
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The exam is now over.
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You will get the results in a couple of weeks.

Why practice speaking with this video?

This video effectively showcases real-life conversational scenarios that are crucial for English learners. By observing the A1 oral examination format, learners can enhance their english speaking practice in a structured way. Watching these interactions not only highlights how to introduce oneself but also provides insight into how to engage in casual dialogue. Utilizing the shadowing technique, where learners repeat what is said after hearing it, can significantly facilitate the retention of phrases and structures that are vital for everyday conversations.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

Throughout the video, several key grammatical structures and expressions arise that are particularly useful for beginners:

  • Self-introduction: The phrase "My name is..." followed by your name is commonly used and sets the foundation for any conversation.
  • Ages and origins: Statements like "I am 38 years old" and "I come from Germany" illustrate how to convey age and origin, which are essential personal details.
  • Hobbies and professions: Using expressions like "I am a teacher" or "My hobbies are fitness and photography" allows learners to share interests and occupations, promoting deeper connections in conversation.
  • Spelling and contact information: The necessity of asking for spelling, as seen with the surname, familiarizes learners with the practical aspects of conversation, especially in professional contexts.

Integrating these expressions through the shadowspeak method can help to improve english pronunciation and fluency over time.

Common Pronunciation Traps

While practicing with this video, learners may encounter specific pronunciation challenges:

  • Surnames with complex sounds: For instance, the spelling of "Kaushik" presents a challenge; learners should focus on the 'K' and 'sh' sounds, often confusing for non-native speakers.
  • Numbers: The transformation of numbers into spoken form can be tricky. Practicing "0082 123 654 290" will require attention to intonation and flow.
  • City names: Pronunciation of “Seoul” and “Munich” is crucial, as mispronunciation can lead to misunderstandings. Learners should focus on mimicking the pronunciation used in the video to enhance clarity.

Consistent practice using the shadow speech approach can help learners navigate these tricky pronunciations and build confidence in their speaking abilities.

Grammar in this video

The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:

StructureIn the video
Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does itis spelled · is shown · is prohibited
Obligation: must / have to / need to saying that something is necessaryhave to spell · have to ask · have to work

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.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →