Shadowing Practice: English Conversation 23 - EngSub - VietSub - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Unit 1.
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At the Travel Agent.
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Arranging a Trip.
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Good morning, sir.
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How can I help you?
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Well, I have some time off from work next month, and I was thinking of going to Australia.
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That sounds great.
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How long is your vacation?
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Just one week.
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My last day at work is the 26th of July, and I go back on the 5th of August.
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Okay.
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Here's our Sydney brochure.
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Have a look and see if there's a hotel that you like.
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Oh, this one is good.
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The Four Seasons Hotel.
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It's expensive, but I've been told it's very nice.
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Yes, it's a very high-class hotel.
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I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay there.
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Would you like me to make the booking now, sir?
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Yes, please.
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How long is your vacation?
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Just one week.
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Here's our Sydney brochure.
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Have a look and see if there's a hotel that you like.
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Would you like me to make the booking now, sir?
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Giving personal information I just need to take some personal information.
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What's your full name?
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Martin Andrew White. And your address?
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11, Sai Jibana Khan, Kong San, Bangkok. And your telephone number?
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026249734. Do you have a daytime number I can call if necessary?
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Mm-hmm.
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027771212. That's fine.
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Will you be traveling alone, Mr. White?
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Yep, just me.
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Okay, you finished work on Friday the 26th, so shall I try to book your flight for the next day?
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Yes, please.
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And a return flight on Saturday the 3rd of August.
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I just need to take some personal information.
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What's your full name?
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Do you have a daytime number I can call if necessary?
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Okay, you finish work on Friday the 26th.
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So shall I try to book your flight for the next day?
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Yes, please.
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And a return flight on Saturday the 3rd of August.
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I'll just check the availability.
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There are seats available on this Qantas Airways flight,
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but there is a three-hour stop over in Singapore is there a direct flight that I can take
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yes Malaysian Airways that flight departs at seven o'clock on Saturday morning and arrives at Sydney at 6.30 p.m local time.
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That sounds better, but it's a little longer than I thought.
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Well, it's an eight-hour long flight.
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Don't forget the time difference.
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All the times given are local times.
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Oh, yes, that's right.
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They're three hours ahead, aren't they?
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Can I have the details of the return flight?
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Certainly.
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That flight departs at 6 p.m and arrives in Bangkok at 11.15 on that same night.
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Shall I reserve a seat for you?
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Yes, please.
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Is there a direct flight that I can take?
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That sounds better, but it's a little longer than I thought.
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Well, it's an eight-hour-long flight.
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Don't forget the time difference.
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Can I have the details of the return flight?
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Making a Hotel Reservation Now let's reserve a room for you at the Four Seasons.
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Do you want a single or a double room?
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Oh, a single room will be fine, thanks.
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Will it have a view of the harbor?
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Oh yes, all rooms have harbor views.
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They have a room available.
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Shall I make the confirmation?
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Yeah, go ahead.
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Okay, so now you have a room available at the Four Seasons
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from Saturday the 27th of July until Saturday the 3rd of August.
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That's great.
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Can I pay by credit card?
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No problem.
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so it is 62 000 baht including your flight Here's my card.
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When will I be able to collect my ticket?
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It should be ready in a couple of days.
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I can call you at work if you like.
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Thanks very much.
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Do you want a single or a double room?
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A single room will be fine, thanks.
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Will it have a view of the harbor?
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They have a room available.
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Shall I make the confirmation?
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Can I pay by credit card?
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When will I be able to collect my ticket?

Context & Background

In this video titled "English Conversation 23," we find ourselves in a travel agency setting where a customer, Mr. Martin Andrew White, is arranging a trip to Australia. The dialogue focuses on common interactions one might have when booking a vacation, including discussing travel dates, accommodations, and personal information. This engaging exchange not only provides a realistic scenario for learners but also showcases essential vocabulary and phrases related to travel. By immersing yourself in this context, you can enhance your conversational skills and prepare for real-life situations.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “How can I help you?” - A common opening question often used by service providers.
  • “What’s your full name?” - Essential for gathering personal information.
  • “Would you like me to make the booking now?” - A typical phrase when confirming arrangements.
  • “I just need to take some personal information.” - Often used to indicate information collection.
  • “How long is your vacation?” - A key question for travel planning.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively use the shadowing technique while practicing this conversation, follow these steps:

  1. Listen Carefully: Play the video from the start, focusing on the pronunciation and intonation of the speakers. This will help you get a feel for the rhythm of the dialogue.
  2. Pause and Repeat: Use the shadow speak method—pause the video after each sentence. Try to replicate the speaker's tone and speed. This approach reinforces your ability to speak spontaneously while improving your accuracy.
  3. Break It Down: For more challenging phrases or sections, isolate them. Repeat them until you feel comfortable before moving on.
  4. Record Yourself: Utilize a shadowing app or site where you can record your voice. Compare your pronunciation with the speakers in the video to identify areas for improvement.
  5. Practice Regularly: Consistency is key. Regular practice using the shadowspeaks method will enhance your fluency and comprehension over time.

By integrating these strategies into your learning routine, you can significantly improve your English speaking skills, making you more prepared for various real-life situations such as planning a trip or communicating with service providers.

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.