Shadowing Practice: Devil Wears Prada - Meeting the Boss - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
1
I have an appointment with Emily Charlton.
2
Andrea Sachs?
3
Yes.
4
Great.
5
Human resources certainly has an odd sense of humor.
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Follow me.
7
Okay, so I was Miranda's second assistant, but her first assistant recently got promoted, and so now I'm the first.
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Oh, and you're replacing yourself.
9
Well, I am trying.
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Miranda sacked the last two girls after only a few weeks.
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We need to find someone who can survive here, do you understand?
12
Yeah, of course.
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Who's Miranda?
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Oh my God, I will pretend you did not just ask me that.
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She's the editor -in -chief of Runway, not to mention a legend.
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You work a year for her and you can get a job at any magazine you want.
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A million girls would kill for this job.
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Oh, boy, it sounds like a great opportunity.
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I'd love to be considered.
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- Andrea, Runway is a fashion magazine, so an interest in fashion is crucial.
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What makes you think I'm not interested in fashion?
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Oh my god.
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No, no, no!
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What's wrong?
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She's on her way.
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Tell everyone.
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She's not supposed to be here until nine.
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I drive a just text message and her facial is ruptured at this.
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God, these people.
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That I can't even talk about.
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Hm?
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All right, everyone, gird your loins!
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Leave it!
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I don't understand why it's so difficult to confirm an appointment.
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I know, I'm so sorry, Miranda.
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I actually did confirm last time.
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The tales of your incompetence do not interest me.
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Who is that?
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Nobody.
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Um, uh, well, Human Resources sent her off about the new assistant job, and I was sort of pre -interviewing her, but she's hopeless and totally wants it.
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Well, clearly, I'm going to have to do that myself, because the last two you sent me were completely inadequate, so sent her in.
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That's all.
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Thank you.
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- Who are you?
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- My name is Andy Sachs.
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I recently graduated from Northwestern University.
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- And what are you doing here?
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- I came to New York to be a journalist.
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And, uh, basically it's this or Otto universe.
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- So you don't read runway?
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- No. And before today, you had never heard of me.
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No. And you have no style or sense of fashion.
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I think that depends on what your-- That wasn't a question.
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Um...
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You're right, I don't fit in here.
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I am not skinny or glamorous, but I'm smart.
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I learn fast and I will work very hard.
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All right, I've got the exclusive on the Cavalli for Gwyneth.
59
Thank you for your...
60
Time.
61
Is that sad little person?
62
Are we doing a before and after piece I don't know about?

Why practice speaking with this video?

Practicing speaking skills using scenes from movies like The Devil Wears Prada offers learners a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in real-world dialogues. This particular segment presents an engaging conversation between a new assistant and her boss, highlighting professional dynamics and the fast-paced environment of the fashion industry. Engaging with this content allows you to:

  • Enhance listening skills: By following the quick exchanges, learners will sharpen their ability to comprehend spoken English in various contexts.
  • Improve English pronunciation: Mimicking the actors helps perfect intonation and rhythm in English speech.
  • Cultivate confidence: Role-playing scenes from the video empowers learners to express themselves in similar high-pressure situations.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

Analyzing the dialogue reveals several useful grammar structures and expressions that can enhance your English speaking practice:

  • Interrogative sentences: Questions like “Who’s Miranda?” demonstrate how to use inquiries to gain information, a critical skill in any conversation.
  • Conditional phrases: Phrases like “if I came to New York” provide insight into how to express hypothetical situations, which are essential for nuanced conversations.
  • Direct address: The use of names, as seen in “Andrea, Runway is a fashion magazine,” shows how personalizing dialogue makes communication more effective.
  • Colloquial expressions: Phrases like “gird your loins” convey urgency and preparedness, providing an interesting cultural touchpoint for learners.

Common Pronunciation Traps

While watching the video, pay attention to these tricky words and accents that can trip up non-native speakers:

  • “Runway”: This word is often pronounced quickly in conversation, which can make it harder to catch. Practice saying it clearly, focusing on the 'r' and 'w' sounds.
  • “Miranda”: The emphasis on the second syllable can be challenging. It is important to pronounce it like "mi-RAN-da" to sound more natural.
  • Fast-paced dialogue: The characters speak very quickly, particularly in stressful situations. Engage in shadowspeak techniques by mimicking the rhythm and speed of their conversations to improve your adaptability in real-life discussions.

By focusing on these elements, learners looking to improve English pronunciation will find this video a compelling resource for english speaking practice. Use it as part of your shadowing routine on any reliable shadowing site to maximize your benefits.

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.