Shadowing Practice: English Podcast for Easy English Conversation in Daily Life | Talk Confidently | Speak Like a Leader - Learn English Speaking with YouTube
B2
What's up everyone?
405 sentences
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What's up everyone?
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Welcome back to Podcast and Chill.
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I'm Leo.
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And I'm Gwen.
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This is our little space for learning English.
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No stress here, just real talks.
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Today we're talking about something I'm not great at.
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Walking into a room full of people.
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And feeling like you're on the outside looking in?
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Exactly.
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My brain immediately goes, don't say anything stupid.
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Just stay quiet.
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And what happens next?
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I say nothing.
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Then I leave thinking, why didn't I just talk to them?
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It's the worst.
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That's exactly what we're talking about today.
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How to speak with confidence.
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But Gwen, here's the weird part.
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The more I want to be confident, the more tense I get.
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So why does trying make us freeze?
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That's the big question, isn't it?
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Well, we're getting into that.
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We'll look at what's going on inside our heads and how to change it in simple ways.
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By the way, this episode is B1-level English, so if you hear new words, don't panic.
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We'll break down key vocabulary in our English word journey at the end.
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For now, just listen and let it flow.
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You don't need to catch everything.
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It'll come, naturally.
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Alright.
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Ready to talk confidently?
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Let's do this.
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So, Gwen, do you ever join a conversation but just can't focus?
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Like, your body's in the room, nodding and smiling, but your mind's somewhere else.
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Oh, I know that feeling.
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It happens to me sometimes.
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Right?
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I just don't know why that happened.
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It's like there's this force or voice controlling my mind.
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It keeps whispering things to me while everyone else is talking.
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Whispering what?
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So, every time I'm about to speak, it shuts me down with something like, don't say that, nobody cares, just stay quiet, it's safer.
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Uh-huh.
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While that voice is whispering, what's happening in the real conversation?
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It keeps moving, without me.
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I'm standing there like a garden statue, watching life move past me while I'm just frozen.
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Well, Leo, that means you're actually having two conversations at once.
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Two at the same time?
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Whoa.
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Yeah.
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So there's one conversation happening out loud with people.
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Meanwhile, the other is inside your head with yourself.
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Hmm.
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I feel like I'm arguing with myself more than I'm talking to anyone.
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I know.
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But that's normal.
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You probably think that voice is there because you have nothing to say, right?
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I mean, yeah.
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It feels that way sometimes.
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But that's not true.
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You do have things to say.
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The problem is you're too busy thinking about whether you should say something or not.
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And by the time I decide to speak, the moment's gone.
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Exactly.
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The conversation already moved on, and you're still stuck on the last topic.
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True.
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It's so exhausting.
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So where does this voice even come from?
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Like, who invited it?
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Well, it comes from caring too much about what other people might think.
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Might.
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Key word.
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Half the time, they're not even thinking about me.
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Yeah.
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In your head, though.
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What if I say something wrong?
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What if they think I'm weird?
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What if I sound stupid?
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Ugh.
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Stop reading my diary.
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Seriously.
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I ask myself those exact questions every single time.
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Right.
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So when you walk into a conversation with your mind full of those thoughts...
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It makes you feel so timid before you even open your mouth.
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Exactly.
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But you're not really a shy person.
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You're just letting that voice run the show.
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And when that voice runs the show, there's no room left to actually listen.
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Bingo!
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You spend so much time watching yourself that you can't be there with people.
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So, I'm basically watching a movie of myself instead of being in the actual scene?
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Yep.
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Your attention should be on the people you talk to, not on the voice in your head putting you down.
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But Gwen, it's so hard to stop.
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It just turns on by itself.
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I know.
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The worst part is that those negative thoughts create what I call a mental wall.
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A mental wall?
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Yeah, that wall blocks you from connecting with people.
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It keeps you safe, sure.
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But it also keeps you stuck outside the conversation.
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Huh.
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Just like standing there like a garden statue.
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It's quite sad if you think about that.
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Yeah, it is.
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Good news is, we don't have to be stuck there forever.
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We just need to change a few things.
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Let's start with something simple.
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body.
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Your body?
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I thought this was about my brain.
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Well, your brain follows your body.
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It's hard to control your thoughts directly, but you can control your posture.
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Okay, I'm listening.
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So what do I do?
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Stand like a soldier?
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Close.
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Just stand straight.
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Shoulders back, make eye contact.
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Don't forget to smile.
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A smile actually helps?
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Of course.
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When someone smiles at you, how do you feel?
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Safe.
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like I'm allowed to go talk to them.
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That's right.
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A smile is like a green traffic light.
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It tells people you can come closer.
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Universal welcome sign, eh?
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Yeah, and the cool part is when you stand tall and smile, your brain goes, oh, we must be confident right now.
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It's like sending signals to your mind.
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Ah, fake it till you make it.
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It's not even fake.
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You're just choosing a confident posture, and your feelings follow.
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Let me just sit straight.
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Huh.
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It actually doesn't feel that bad.
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But Gwen, my brain's still loud.
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That voice doesn't give up easily, does it?
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Your body's ready, but your thoughts are still running.
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Hmm.
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Can I just ignore it and talk anyway?
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That's one way.
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But let's get more specific.
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Say you make a comment and people laugh.
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What's the first thing that appears in your head?
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Oh no, I said something stupid.
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Now they're making fun of me.
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Yeah, that sounds about right.
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Now, what if your brain tried this instead?
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At least I made someone happy.
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Hold on.
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That's actually a completely different way to see it.
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Right?
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Or if you make a mistake, instead of I'm so dumb, try that's a moment to learn.
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Let me get this straight.
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My brain has been feeding me the wrong lines this whole time.
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Yep, the wrong lines, the wrong script, the whole thing.
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You just didn't know you could rewrite it.
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So if I change the thoughts, I change the talk.
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Is it really that simple?
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That's the idea.
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And the thing is, you'll mess up while doing it.
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But we all do.
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Because real confidence isn't about never making mistakes, it's about not being afraid of them.
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Yeah, Scared Leo stays quiet.
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Not Scared Leo, though, he might have a real good time.
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I want to meet this not scared Leo.
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Does he actually know how to talk to people?
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He does.
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But let me guess how you play the conversation game.
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The conversation game?
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Uh-huh.
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Here's a test.
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When someone's talking, are you already planning what to speak?
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Isn't that what everyone does?
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Thinking about what to say next while the other person is still going?
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That's the problem right there.
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You're not really listening.
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You're just waiting for your turn.
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Huge difference.
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Oh, you mean I've been treating conversations like standing in line at a coffee shop.
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A little bit, but here's a better way to play it.
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Imagine a conversation is like playing football.
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Okay, I like this.
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My social life is basically a sport.
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If you hold the ball too long, like talking only about yourself, the game gets boring, right?
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Yeah, nobody wants to watch one person run around with the ball forever.
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And yet, just passing it back with questions, no sharing, that doesn't work either.
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So too much me or too much them both are bad.
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To keep the game alive, we need to… We've got to go back and forth.
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That's what makes it fun.
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You pass the ball with open-ended questions, the kind people can't just answer with yes or no. Like, what do you think about?
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Or what's the most interesting part for you?
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That's right.
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And when they answer, you listen.
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Like really listen to them, not waiting for your turn.
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Then I get the ball back with follow-up questions.
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Now you're playing.
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Try something like, why is that?
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Or tell me more.
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Simple but gold.
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Interesting.
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So if I'm just waiting to speak I'm basically talking to myself pretty much and that's not even a
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conversation that's just two people taking turns being bored calling me out again hey I'm saying this
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with love the connection between people needs more than just words it needs presence too huh like be there for them truly listen and respond.
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Correct.
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Cool.
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But even when I'm trying to be present, there's this thing I do that probably ruins it.
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Tell me already.
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Now I'm curious.
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I apologize.
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For everything.
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Sorry I'm talking too much.
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Sorry that was a dumb question.
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Sorry for even breathing the same air with you.
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All right.
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That's a lot of self-deprecation.
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Leo, why would you put yourself down like that?
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I don't know.
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I guess I don't want people to think I'm annoying or rude.
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Leo, when you do that, it kind of sends the message that you don't value your own voice.
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And that's just sad.
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Way worse than being a little annoying.
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Whoa.
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Okay, Gwen.
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That one actually hurt.
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I thought I was being polite.
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Nope.
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People will believe what you tell them.
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Keep apologizing, and they'll think you should.
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That's scary.
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What should I say then?
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because speaking without saying sorry feels weird.
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It's simple.
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Just say what you want to say, then stop.
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That's it?
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I don't need to over-explain myself?
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Not at all.
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Trust that people understood you.
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If they don't, they'll ask.
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What if there's silence after I speak?
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I always feel like I need to fill it.
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It's fine, really.
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A two-second silence isn't a disaster.
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It's a pause, like in music, you know?
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You mean the pauses give meaning to the notes?
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Uh-huh.
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You don't have to fill every second with sound.
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Sometimes silence means people are thinking about what you said.
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So the quiet doesn't always signal danger?
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Nope.
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It's just space.
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And if you still want to, you can ask, does that make sense to you?
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Or thanks for listening.
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Instead of apologizing?
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Yep.
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Instead of sorry for even breathing the same air with you.
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All right, all right.
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I'm done with that habit.
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It's crazy how normal it felt until you pointed it out.
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There you go.
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Now, remember that presence thing we mentioned earlier?
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Yeah, the truly listen and respond part?
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Well, that's actually where confidence lives, not in saying the perfect thing.
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Just being able to be there with someone, fully.
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All that football passing, the listening, not over-apologizing, is it pointing us to that?
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Bingo.
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When you're truly present, the other person notices.
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Like they feel respected?
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Yeah.
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Once they sense that respect, they relax.
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After that, the conversation just flows.
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You don't have to force it.
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Oh, I see it now.
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Gwen, you know those people who actually listen?
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Like, really listen?
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Yeah?
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What about them?
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I met a few.
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And every time I walk away when I'm done talking with them, I think, man, I feel so much better now.
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But I never knew why.
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Hmm.
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The way they listen, there's something about it that strikes a chord, isn't there?
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Yeah, it just felt so right.
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Like they actually got me.
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I just didn't have the words for it before.
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See?
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They weren't trying to impress you.
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They were simply there with you.
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So confidence isn't about being all smooth.
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It's about making the other person feel seen?
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Resonate.
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That's the word.
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When your presence resonates with someone, they remember how you made them feel, not what you said.
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Because it sticks with them.
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Yep.
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A good kind of sticky.
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It's way more attractive than someone trying to be impressive.
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Okay, but real talk here.
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I have another problem.
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Only one?
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I'm serious.
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I am so bad at endings.
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Like, when the conversation's over, I just kinda leave it there?
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Or mumble, well, see you around, I guess.
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Please tell me you're joking.
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I wish I were.
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It gets so awkward.
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I don't know how to end it.
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Listen here, Leo.
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The last impression?
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It actually matters more than the first one.
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Wait, really?
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Think about it.
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You have a great chat with someone, then they just disappear.
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How do you feel?
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Forgotten, I think.
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Like it was all fake.
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Right, but imagine they look at you, smile, and say, hey, I really enjoyed talking with you.
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You feel...
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Oh, I feel great.
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Wonderful even.
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That's the power of a simple ending for you.
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You don't need a speech, just a little honesty.
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No need for fancy goodbye, this was fun, great talking with you, that's enough?
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That's plenty.
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It shows you value the time you just shared.
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You know what I'm realizing?
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All of this, posture, questions, not apologizing, endings?
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Yeah.
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It's a lot to remember.
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I'm definitely going to mess some of this up.
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Like I said before, Leo, you will mess up, but that's how you build confidence anyway.
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Hmm, because confidence is a skill, not something you're born with, am I right?
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You're on point, and that skill is something you can build by trying, failing, and improving.
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Every conversation is a practice.
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You don't have to be perfect right away.
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Fair point.
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Nobody picks up a guitar and plays like a rock star overnight.
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Speak for yourself.
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I'm still working on Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
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Well, we all start somewhere, I guess.
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Even great guitarists had to learn their first chord.
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True.
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And since we're all about words here...
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Oh, is it time?
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Yep.
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Time for English word journey, everyone.
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Let's break down the key words from today's episode.
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First up, presence.
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This means you give someone your full attention and really focus on them.
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Example, I felt calm because of her presence during our conversation.
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Second, resonate.
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It means something that connects with your feelings or experiences.
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For example, his story about feeling nervous in groups resonated with me because I've been there.
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Next, self-deprecation.
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This means making yourself or your abilities seem less important than they really are.
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Example, she made Leitifor a ward with self-deprecation, saying it was just luck.
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Continue with strike a chord.
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This phrase means something hits you emotionally because it feels true or familiar.
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For example, when Leo said he felt like a garden statue, that really struck a chord with me.
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Next, back and forth.
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This means something moves from one place to another and back again repeatedly.
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Example, the back and forth between the two friends was fun to watch.
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Last one, timid.
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This word means being shy, lacking confidence, or fearful.
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For example, the timid student sat in the back and never raised her hand.
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That's six vocabulary words for your confidence toolbox.
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But hey, don't click away just yet.
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Stick around a bit more with us.
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We're not done until we leave you with something real.
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Thank you guys so much for spending your time with us today.
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If this helped, give us a like and share it with someone who needs it.
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Before you go, remember that voice in your head, the one that tells you to stay quiet?
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We spent this whole episode talking about how to shut it down.
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Now, let's make it simple.
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Always stand straight and smile.
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That's your signal to turn on the confidence mode.
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Rewrite the script.
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Instead of, they're laughing at me, try, at least I made someone smile.
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Don't forget to pass the ball with questions, listen, and go back and forth.
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Finally, for the love of everything, stop apologizing.
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Silence isn't danger, it's just space.
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After this video, don't just nod and think, OK, I get it.
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Understanding isn't the same as doing.
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Here's your mission.
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Go to the comments and write this sentence.
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Next time, I will say blank.
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Fill in the blank with something you're usually afraid to say.
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It could be, I agree.
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What do you think?
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Maybe that's interesting, or just a simple hi.
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The moment you write it down is the moment you stop imagining and start doing.
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That's where confidence begins.
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Not in your head.
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Right there.
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In the comments.
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We're glad you hung out with us today.
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This is Podcast and Chill.
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I'm Leo.
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And I'm Gwen.
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We'll see you in the next episode.
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Goodbye.
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About This Lesson
In this lesson, you'll engage in an enriching English speaking practice session that focuses on building your confidence in everyday conversations. Drawing from relatable scenarios discussed in the podcast, you'll explore the experiences of feeling out of place in social settings. With a combination of listening and speaking exercises, you'll learn how to overcome anxiety and express yourself more freely. By the end of the session, you'll not only grasp the content better but also feel empowered to initiate conversations with greater ease and confidence.
Key Vocabulary & Phrases
- Confident: Feeling sure of oneself and one's abilities.
- Tense: Feeling anxious or nervous.
- Outside looking in: A feeling of not being part of a group.
- Whispering voice: The internal dialogue that affects your confidence.
- Focus: Concentrating on what’s happening around you.
- Real talks: Open and honest conversations.
- Frozen: Feeling unable to speak or act, often due to anxiety.
Practice Tips
To maximize your practice, use the shadowspeak technique during this session. Shadow speech involves listening closely to the podcast and repeating what you hear, mimicking the tone and speed of Leo and Gwen. Given the B1-level English of this episode, follow these steps to effectively enhance your speaking skills:
- Listen attentively: Focus on the speaker's pronunciation, intonation, and emotional expression. Pay attention to how they convey feelings of anxiety and confidence.
- Repeat in real-time: As you listen, try to repeat phrases immediately after you hear them. This technique not only improves your fluency but also helps you internalize key vocabulary.
- Pause and practice: Stop the audio after key sentences and repeat them. This allows you to take your time and focus on clarity and confidence while speaking.
- Use body language: While shadowing, incorporate body language and facial expressions. This not only helps you remember the phrases but also prepares you for real-life conversations.
- Reflect: After practicing, take a moment to think about how you felt during the exercise. Were there moments where you felt confident? What strategies helped you? Reflecting on your emotions can deepen your learning experience.
Incorporating these practice tips with a dedicated commitment to regular English speaking practice will significantly enhance your confidence in real-life conversations. Remember, the goal is to feel comfortable engaging in discussions, so keep practicing!
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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