Shadowing Practice: Do you work in an English-speaking environment? English at Work is the series for you - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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Hi, I'm Neil.
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Hi, I'm Neil.
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Thanks for joining me on English at Work,
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a new series of programs set in an office full of
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top tips to help you learn some useful business language which you could use in the workplace.
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In the next few minutes,
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you can join me on an introductory tour around one of London's biggest imitation plastic fruit manufacturers called Tip Top Trading.
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We're going to hear from some of the employees that work so hard to keep the business running smoothly.
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So come on then, let's step into the office and eavesdrop on Tip Top Trading's possible newest recruit.
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I say possible because she's still being interviewed for the job of sales executive.
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Firstly, this job is an ideal match for my skills and experience.
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I've spent several years working in sales and I get on with people easily.
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Well, I mean, apart from the ones I don't like, of course.
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Secondly, I know Tiptop Trading is one of the fastest growing companies in London.
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and I want to be part of that.
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That's absolutely right.
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Tip Top Trading is the fastest growing company in the plastic fruit sector.
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Well said, Anna.
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If she gets that job,
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I'm sure she'll be an asset to the company.
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The decision is in the hands of manager Paul, who we heard there.
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He's a nice guy really – a little disorganised – but when things go wrong,
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he's got to take charge.
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A bit like this.
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Yesterday was not a great day.
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Two clients came in with serious complaints.
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Mrs Kumquat received a delivery of imitation bananas that were purple.
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Not very convincing.
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And Mr Lime ordered grapefruits but got pineapples.
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Tom!
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Yeah, listen.
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Were you responsible for these errors?
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Well, yes, but Paul, the thing is...
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Mistakes happen, but it seems that Mrs Kumquat left our offices even angrier than
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when she came in and she says she will never use tip-top trading again.
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I tried my best.
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Ah yes, Tom.
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I hadn't warned you about Tom,
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one of the company's top sales executives.
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He's good.
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Yeah, Tom speaking.
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Yeah, Frankie.
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So what's the latest?
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Are we on?
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But his interpersonal skills need working on.
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Listen to this.
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My computer has crashed.
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I've lost my phone and there's a big,
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big problem with my timetable.
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I've got two meetings scheduled at the same time with two extremely important clients.
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I can't do them both at once.
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See what I mean?
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Now, every office needs a good office assistant and tip-top trading is no exception.
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It's got Denise, who's there to assist,
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organise and sometimes make the tea.
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Oh, sorry.
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Excuse me.
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Here's your tea, Paul.
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Oh, er, thanks, Denise.
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But, goodness, she likes to talk.
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Really?
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Denise, do this.
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Denise, do that.
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I'm telling you, Sharon, I've almost had enough.
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I get treated like some kind of servant.
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That's Denise.
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I think we'll just leave the office now and let them get on with their work.
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So that's Tip Top Trading.
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There are plenty of other people we'll meet along the way, so go on.
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Why don't you join me for English at Work from bbclearningenglish.com.
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See ya!
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About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will immerse yourself in a simulated English-speaking workplace environment through the video "Do you work in an English-speaking environment? English at Work." You will practice essential business language that is relevant for various roles within a company. By listening to dialogues from employees at Tip Top Trading, you will gain insights into professional interactions and learn how to express your thoughts, experiences, and opinions effectively in English. This session will help you enhance your English speaking practice, especially in contexts involving sales, teamwork, and customer relations.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Sales executive - A professional responsible for selling products or services and managing client relationships.
  • Asset - A valuable person or thing that contributes positively to the organization.
  • Complaints - Expressions of dissatisfaction or grievance from clients or customers.
  • Interpersonal skills - The ability to communicate and interact effectively with others.
  • Disorganised - Lack of order or efficiency in managing tasks or responsibilities.
  • Timetable - A schedule of planned events or appointments.
  • Valuable insights - Important and useful information that can guide decision-making.

Practice Tips

To maximize your shadowing technique, first, listen closely to the video, paying attention to the pronunciation and intonation of the speakers. Since the dialogue is set in a professional environment, it moves at a conversational pace. Begin by mimicking the phrases used by the characters, focusing on the rhythm and energy of their speech. This will help you develop your shadowspeak abilities and improve your clarity in English.

When engaging in shadow speech, consider playing the video multiple times. Start slowly, allowing yourself to pause after each sentence. Gradually work up to repeating phrases in real time as you feel more comfortable. Furthermore, practice this with a partner or through a shadowing site that allows for interactive learning. This exercise not only promotes an understanding of workplace vocabulary but also enhances your overall fluency in English, making you better prepared for real-world conversations in an english speaking practice setting.

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.

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