Shadowing Practice: Everyday Life English Conversation - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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catering for a birthday party.
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Hello, I'd like some information about catering for my son's birthday party. Of course!
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I'd be happy to help.
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How many guests are you expecting?
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around 30 children and about 20 adults.
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Great!
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Do you already have a menu in mind?
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Not really.
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I'd like something that children will enjoy.
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- Our most popular children's menu includes mini burgers,
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chicken nuggets, pizza slices, and vegetable sticks. That sounds perfect.
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Do you have any vegetarian options?
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Yes.
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We can provide vegetarian pizzas and sandwiches.
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Excellent!
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What about desserts?
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We offer cupcakes, cookies and fruit platters.
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This combination sounds wonderful.
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Excellent.
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Now let's discuss drinks.
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What do you recommend?
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For children, we usually provide fruit juice, Lemonade.
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and bottled water. That sounds good.
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I'll prepare a quote based on 50 guests.
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Perfect.
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Thank you for your help.
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You're welcome.
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It's going to be a wonderful party.
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Excuse me, could I speak to you for a moment? Of course.
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Is everything all right?
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I'm afraid there's a small problem with my order.
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I'm sorry to hear that.
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What seems to be the issue?
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I ordered a grilled chicken salad.
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but I received a cheeseburger instead.
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"Oh, I apologize for the mistake." "That's okay, I just wanted to let you know." Thank you for telling me.
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I'll take care of it right away.
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I appreciate that.
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I'll bring you the correct order as soon as possible.
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"Thank you.
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How long do you think it will take?" It should be ready in about 10 minutes.
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That's fine.
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Could I also get a cup of tea while I wait?
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Certainly.
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I'll bring it right away.
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Thank you very much.
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You're welcome, and again, I apologize for the inconvenience.
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No problem, these things happen.
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Here is your tea.
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I'll be back shortly with your salad.
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Great, thank you.
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You're welcome.
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Here is your grilled chicken salad.
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I've double -checked it this time.
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It looks perfect.
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Thank you for fixing the mistake so quickly.
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My pleasure.
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Is there anything else I can get for you?
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No, that's all for now.
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Enjoy your meal!
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Thank you.
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Hello, could you help me?
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Please. Of course.
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What seems to be the problem?
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I think I got a bad sunburn yesterday.
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"I'm sorry to hear that.
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Can you tell me what happened?" I spent several hours at the beach and forgot to reapply sunscreen.
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I see.
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Which areas are affected?
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My shoulders, back and arms are very red and painful.
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Do you have any blisters?
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a few small ones on my shoulders.
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Okay, do you have a fever?
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Dizziness or nausea?
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No, just pain and a burning sensation.
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That's good.
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I can recommend an after -sun lotion with aloe vera and a cooling gel for the affected areas.
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Great!
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Will they help reduce the pain?
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Yes, they should soothe your skin and help it heal faster.
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How often should I apply them?
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Apply the cooling gel three times a day.
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and the lotion whenever your skin feels dry.
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Is there anything else I should do?
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Drink plenty of water and avoid direct sunlight for a few days. That makes sense.
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Also, wear loose clothing to avoid irritating your skin.
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Thank you for the advice.
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You're welcome.
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If the blisters get worse or you develop a fever, Please see a doctor.
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I will.
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Thanks for your help.
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- Ooh.
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Good afternoon, Roadside Assistants.
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How can I help you?
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Hi, I'm having a problem with my car and I need some help. Of course!
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Can you tell me what happened?
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I was driving home from work when my car suddenly stopped.
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I see.
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Were there any warning lights on the dashboard?
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Yes, the engine warning light came on a few minutes before the car stopped.
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Can you start the car now?
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"No, I've tried several times, but the engine won't start." Okay, where are you currently located?
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I'm on Green Street, near the shopping center.
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Thank you.
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Is your car in a safe place?
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Yes, I've parked on the side of the road and turned on my hazard lights.
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Excellent!
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Do you hear any unusual sounds when you try to start the engine?
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Yes, there's a clicking noise, but nothing else happens.
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It could be a battery problem.
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I'll send a technician to inspect the vehicle.
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Great.
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How long will it take? About 30 minutes.
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Thank you very much.
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You're welcome!
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Help is on the way!
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How to explain a problem clearly: Phone not working.
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you "Excuse me, could you help me?
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I'm having a problem with my phone." Of course, what's the problem?
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My phone isn't working properly.
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It keeps turning off by itself.
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I see.
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When did the problem start?
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About three days ago, At first it happened once or twice, but now it happens several times a day.
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Does it turn off when you're using a specific app?
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No, it happens with different apps.
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Sometimes it even turns off when I'm not using it.
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Have you dropped the phone recently?
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Yes, I dropped it last week, but it seemed fine at the time.
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How is the battery?
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The battery drains very quickly.
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Yesterday it went from 80 % to 20 % in less than two hours.
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Have you tried restarting the phone?
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"Yes, I've restarted it several times.
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I also updated the software, but the problem is still there.
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Thank you for explaining.
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It sounds like there may be a battery issue.
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We can run a diagnostic test to find out what's wrong.
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That would be great.
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I really need my phone for work.
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No problem.
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Let's take a look.
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Do you have a moment to talk? Of course.
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What's up?
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I wanted to discuss something that's been bothering me recently.
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Sure.
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Is everything okay?
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Well, I've noticed that the music from your apartment has been quite loud late at night.
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Oh, really?
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I'm sorry.
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I didn't realize it was disturbing anyone.
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I understand.
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I know you're not doing it intentionally.
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What time has it been happening?
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usually between 11 p .m and 1 a .m.
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"I see.
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I'm very sorry about that.
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The problem is that I have to wake up early for work and it's been difficult to sleep.
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I completely understand.
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I was hoping we could find a solution.
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Absolutely.
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I'll make sure to lower the volume, especially during the week.
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I appreciate that.
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Thank you.
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Thanks for speaking to me directly instead of getting upset.
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I thought it would be better to talk first.
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I agree.
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If there's ever another problem, please let me know.
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That's very kind of you.
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No problem.
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I'll be more careful from now on.
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Thank you.
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I really appreciate your understanding.
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Using the subway.
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Finding the correct platform.
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Excuse me, could you help me? Of course!
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What do you need?
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I'm trying to get to Central Station, but I'm not sure which platform I need.
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No problem.
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Let me see your ticket.
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Here it is.
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Okay, you're on the blue line.
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You need to take the train heading north.
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I see.
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Which platform is that?
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Go up the stairs and follow the signs to Platform 3.
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Platform 3?
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That's right!
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The next train from Platform 3 stops at Central Station.
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Great!
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How often do the trains run?
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every five minutes during the day.
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That's convenient.
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How long does the journey take? About 15 minutes.
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Perfect.
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One more question.
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How will I know when I've arrived?
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There will be announcements on the train, and the station name will appear on the screens.
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That's helpful.
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Thank you very much.
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You're welcome.
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Have a nice trip.
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Thanks.
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Have a great day.
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You too!
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Enjoy your visit to the city!
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Late Delivery Hello, I'm calling about an order that hasn't arrived yet.
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I'd be happy to help.
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Could you provide your order number?
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Sure, it's 458732.
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Thank you.
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Let me check the status of your delivery.
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Thanks, the package was supposed to arrive three days ago.
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I understand.
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Please give me a moment.
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No problem.
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What is the name of the world?
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I can see that there has been a delay at the local distribution center.
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I see.
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The reason I'm concerned is that the package contains a birthday gift.
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I'm sorry for the inconvenience.
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Do you know when it is expected to arrive?
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According to the latest update, it should be delivered tomorrow.
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Thank you for the information.
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I understand that delays can be frustrating.
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Yes, especially when the delivery date was guaranteed.
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You're absolutely right.
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As an apology, I'd like to offer a discount on your next purchase.
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I appreciate that.
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Is there anything else I can help you with?
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No, that's all.
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Thank you for your assistance.
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You're welcome!
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Have a great day! you

About This Lesson

In this lesson, learners will practice conversational English that is commonly used in everyday situations, particularly in the context of ordering food and discussing catering services. By engaging with the dialogue from a typical birthday party catering conversation, you will enhance your ability to participate in similar real-life interactions. This practice will not only help improve your vocabulary but also assist in boosting your English pronunciation and overall fluency.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Catering - Providing food and drinks for events.
  • Menu - A list of available food and drink items.
  • Vegetarian options - Meals without meat suitable for vegetarians.
  • Order - To request food or drink from a restaurant or service.
  • Apologize - To express regret for a mistake or problem.
  • Correct order - The right food or drink that was initially requested.
  • Inconvenience - A situation or problem that causes discomfort or trouble.
  • Shadowing technique - A method of language learning where you repeat after a speaker to improve pronunciation and fluency.

Practice Tips

To effectively use the shadowing technique while practicing this lesson, it's important to pay attention to the speed and tone of the dialogue. The conversation flows at a natural pace, making it an excellent resource for English speaking practice. Here are some tips to maximize your learning:

  • Listen then Repeat: First, listen to the dialogue without speaking. Focus on the pronunciation and rhythm of the words.
  • Break It Down: Divide the transcript into shorter sections. Repeat each section several times before moving on to the next.
  • Use a Shadowing App: If available, utilize a shadowing app to help you track your progress and provide feedback on your pronunciation.
  • Mimic Emotion and Tone: Try to mimic not just the words but also the emotions and tone used in the conversation to sound more natural.
  • Practice With a Partner: If possible, practice this dialogue with a speaking partner. Role-play the conversation to enhance contextual understanding.
  • Record Yourself: Capture your attempts and compare them to the original dialogue. This can help you identify areas to improve your pronunciation and clarity.

Remember, consistent practice is key to mastering these essential English conversation skills. By regularly engaging with the material and utilizing these tips, you'll be well on your way to improving your English pronunciation and fluency.

Grammar in this video

The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:

StructureIn the video
Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters nowI've tried · I've parked · I've restarted
Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does itare affected · is expected · should be delivered
Advice with “should” should + verb — saying what is a good ideashould be · should soothe · should I apply
Past continuous was/were + -ing — an action in progress at a moment in the pastwas driving · was disturbing · was hoping

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.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →