Shadowing Practice: English Shadowing Challenge | Practice Speaking Real-Life Conversations - Learn English Speaking with Video
Creating lesson...
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You're having a conversation in English and you hit a word you can't remember.
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You stop, there's an awkward silence, you change the subject because you can't finish the sentence the way you want it to.
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That's you.
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The 7-day shadowing challenge is for you.
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Every day this week, one new conversation.
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Shadowing is when you speak the words at the same time as the characters speaking, matching their rhythm and their pace.
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You speak with them, not after them.
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Even 5 minutes a day starts to rewrite how your mouth handles English.
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Today is day three and today we're going shopping for clothes.
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You are the customer and you need help finding something, but it turns out to be a little more complicated than just picking a size off the shelf.
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Here are the words and phrases you need to know first.
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Aisle.
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An aisle is one of the long walkways between the shelves or racks in a store.
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So the third aisle means the third walkway.
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Next to be in stock.
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If something is in stock, the store has it available right now.
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If it is out of stock, they have sold out and you cannot buy it today.
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Then, to check in the back, most stores have a storage room behind the main shop floor.
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When a staff member says they will check in the back, they are going to look in that storage area for what you need.
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Next, to place an order.
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When a store places an order for you, they contact their supplier to get the item sent in.
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It will arrive later and you are essentially reserving it.
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Next, to exchange.
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An exchange is when you swap one item for a different one.
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Usually a different size or color.
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You do not get cash back.
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You get a different item instead.
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Next, store credit.
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Store credit is what a shop gives you instead of a cash refund.
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You can only spend it in that store but you do not lose the value of what you paid.
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Then receipt.
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A receipt is your printed or digital proof of purchase.
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Stores almost always ask to see it if you want to return or exchange something.
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Next, to run small, when clothing runs small, the sizing comes up smaller than you would normally expect.
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So a medium in that brand might fit more like a small.
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Then final sale.
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Final sale means the item cannot be returned or exchanged under any circumstances.
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Once you buy it, the transaction is done.
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And finally, on the floor, and when a staff member says something is on the floor, they mean it is out in the main shopping area where customers can see and pick it up.
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By the way, before we get into the dialogue, I want to talk to those of you who feel like
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your English has been stuck at the same level for way too long.
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There is a course that we created for you that's called From Elementary to Intermediate, and it's a seven-week course.
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We're built specifically for the stage where you know the basics, but you keep making the same mistakes.
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You understand a lot, but speaking still feels like work.
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Grammar still confuses you.
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You keep reaching for the same simple phrases.
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The course is 30 lessons, a new one every other day, so it never feels overwhelming.
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You get articles, tenses, conditionals, passive voice, everyday vocabulary, phrasal verbs, pronunciation, all in one place,
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plus homework that actually helps you practice, not just memorize, and a challenge mode where you get paired with a steady buddy, complete tasks together, and earn points.
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You also learn with Vinja Pak, who is one of the best teachers I know.
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He has his own proven system, and we are in this course together.
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More than 10,000 students have already finished it.
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Use promo code LINGUA MARINA for $20 off.
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The link is in the description.
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Okay, now let's get into today's conversation.
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Excuse me, hi.
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I am looking for a specific jacket I saw on your website.
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The navy quilted one.
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Do you carry it in store?
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Yes, I know exactly the one you mean.
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We do carry it.
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What size are you looking for?
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Ideally a medium, but I would try a large as well if that is what you have.
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Okay, let me take a look.
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I am pretty sure I saw some on the floor this morning, but we have had a busy day.
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Give me just a second.
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Of course, take your time.
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So right now, I have got a small and an extra large on the floor.
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The medium and large are both showing as out of stock in the system.
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But honestly, that does not always mean we have nothing.
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Let me go and check in the back for you.
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Oh, that would be wonderful.
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Thank you.
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No problem at all.
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I will be back in two minutes.
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Okay, so good news and sort of good news.
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I found a medium in the back, but it is in the olive, not the navy.
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And I do have the large in navy.
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Hmm.
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Honestly, can I try both?
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I want to see how the large and navy fits before I decide.
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Absolutely.
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The fitting rooms are around the corner to your left, just past the accessories section.
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Hi, I am back.
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So the large and navy actually fits pretty well.
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Better than I expected.
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Yes, they do tend to run small.
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Most customers go up at least one size with them.
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So what you are experiencing is pretty typical.
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Good to know.
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Does this brand run small in general?
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Because the large is fitting me like a medium normally would.
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You are not between sizes or anything.
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The large is genuinely your size in this brand.
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That is reassuring.
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Thank you.
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What about the olive medium?
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Did that one fit differently?
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Because olive is the same cut and same fabric, it should fit the same way.
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If the large navy works, the medium olive probably would not.
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It would likely feel a bit tight.
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Right, okay.
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I think I will stick with the large and navy then.
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Is this one part of the current sale?
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I saw something on your homepage about a promotion.
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Yes, it is 20% off right now.
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The one thing to mention is that sale items are final sale, meaning no returns.
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Exchanges are still fine within the 28 days.
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That is totally fair.
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Okay, I am going to take it.
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Great choice.
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It is honestly one of our most popular pieces this season.
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Do you want to pay here or at the main till?
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I will go to the main till.
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Thank you so much for your help.
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You really went above and beyond.
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It is my pleasure.
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That is what I am here for.
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Enjoy the jacket.
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Thank you.
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Okay, now you speak the conversation plays again say the customer's
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words at the exact same time as you hear them excuse
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me hi i am looking for a specific jacket i saw
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on your website the navy quilted one do you carry it
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in store yes i know exactly the one you mean we
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do carry it what size are you looking for ideally a medium
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but i would try a large as well if that is what you have okay let Let me take a look.
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I am pretty sure I saw some on the floor this morning, but we have had a busy day.
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Give me just a second.
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Of course, take your time.
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So right now I have got a small and an extra large on the floor.
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The medium and large are both showing as out of stock in the system.
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But honestly, that does not always mean we have nothing.
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Let me go and check in the back for you.
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Oh, that would be wonderful.
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Thank you.
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No problem at all.
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I will be back in two minutes.
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Okay, so good news and sort of good news.
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I found a medium in the back, but it is in the olive, not the navy.
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And I do have the large in navy.
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Hmm.
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Honestly, can I try both?
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I want to see how the large in navy fits before I decide.
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Absolutely.
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The fitting rooms are around the corner to your left, just past the accessories section.
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Hi, I am back.
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So the large in navy actually fits pretty well.
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Better than I expected?
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Yes, they do tend to run small.
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Most customers go up at least one size with them.
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So what you are experiencing is pretty typical.
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Good to know.
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Does this brand run small in general?
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Because the large is fitting me like a medium normally would.
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You are not between sizes or anything.
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The large is genuinely your size in this brand.
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That is reassuring, thank you.
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What about the olive medium.
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Did that one fit differently?
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Because olive is the same cut and same fabric, it should fit the same way.
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If the large navy works, the medium olive probably would not.
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It would likely feel a bit tight.
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Right, okay.
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I think I will stick with the large and navy then.
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Is this one part of the current sale?
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I saw something on your homepage about a promotion.
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Yes, it is 20% off right now.
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The one thing to mention is that sale items are final sale, meaning no returns.
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Exchanges are still fine within the 28 days.
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That is totally fair.
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Okay, I am going to take it.
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Great choice.
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It is honestly one of our most popular pieces this season.
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Do you want to pay here or at the main till?
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I will go to the main till.
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Thank you so much for your help.
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You really went above and beyond.
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It is my pleasure.
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That is what I am here for.
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enjoy the jacket thank you that's day three you're now almost
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halfway through the challenge write down in the comments day three done
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and tell me which dialogue you've enjoyed the most
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so far tomorrow we're checking into a hotel for day four see you then and bye
Why practice speaking with this video?
The English Shadowing Challenge offers an engaging way to enhance your speaking skills through real-life conversations. By participating in this challenge, you will not only practice your pronunciation but also gain confidence in using everyday vocabulary. The unique approach of speaking along with the dialogue allows you to mimic the rhythm and pace of native speakers, making your English sound more natural.
This exercise is particularly beneficial for learners who often find themselves stuck during conversations. When you hit a word you can't remember, you usually pause or change the subject. With shadowspeak, you develop the ability to think on your feet, maintaining the flow of conversation and minimizing awkward silences. Each day's challenge focuses on a specific scenario, like shopping for clothes, which helps you build practical language skills suited for real-world situations.
Grammar & Expressions in Context
In the video, several key phrases and grammatical structures are highlighted, which can be valuable for learners looking to improve their conversational skills:
- “To check in the back” - This expression relates to asking a store employee to see if an item is available in their storage area. It introduces learners to practical requests.
- “If something is in stock” - This phrase helps learners understand inventory status, an essential concept when shopping, indicating whether the item is available for purchase.
- “Store credit” - Understanding this term helps learners navigate shopping exchanges effectively, clarifying that the value can be used for future purchases instead of direct cash refunds.
By mastering these phrases, you will be better equipped to engage in conversations about shopping and transactions, enriching your vocabulary as you practice to learn English with YouTube.
Common Pronunciation Traps
Pronunciation can be a significant hurdle for many English learners. The video features several words that might pose challenges:
- Aisle - The pronunciation of this word can be confusing because the 's' is silent, leading to mispronunciation as "ail" instead of the correct "aisle."
- Receipt - This word contains a silent 'p' and can confuse learners. It’s pronounced "ri-seet," which differs from how it's spelled.
- Runs small - This phrase can be tricky due to the blend of words. Pay attention to the smooth transition in pronunciation to sound fluent.
For those looking to dive deeper into enhancing their pronunciation and conversational skills, consider using a shadowing app or a dedicated shadowing site. Regular practice repeating after native speakers will sharpen your speaking skills significantly, ensuring a smoother learning experience.
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.