Shadowing Practice: Expressing ability: Can - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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They can dance, they can sing,
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they can do most anything, together side by side. Can you sing?
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Yes, I can.
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People, people who need people,
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are the luckiest people in the world.
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How's that?
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Very nice. Can you sing?
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No, I can't.
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Feelings, nothing more than feelings.
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You see, I can't sing.
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Sorry.
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That's okay.
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Can you play the violin?
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Yes, I can.
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That's beautiful.
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Thank you.
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Can you play the violin?
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No, I can't.
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I'm sorry, I just can't play the violin.
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That's all right. Can you speak Hungarian?
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No, I can't, but I can speak Romanian.
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What languages can you speak?
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I can speak English and Chinese.
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I can't speak Chinese, but I can speak Spanish.
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I can't speak Spanish, but I can speak Japanese.
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Japanese?
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No, I can't speak Japanese, but I can't speak Korean.
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No, I'm afraid I can't speak Korean, but I can speak Portuguese.
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I can't speak anything today.
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I have laryngitis.
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Sorry. Can Jack fix cars? Of course he can.
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He fixes cars every day.
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He's a mechanic.
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I'm not sure what you like.
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So you're looking for a job.
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Yes, I am.
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Well, tell me.
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What can you do?
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I can fix cars.
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Oh, you're a mechanic.
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Yes, that's right.
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Well, let's see if we can find a job for a mechanic.
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I'm afraid we don't have any jobs for mechanics right now.
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Can you do anything else?
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Hmm.
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Well, I can do lots of things, I guess.
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Such as?
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Well, I...
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I can...
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Uh...
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I can...
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Hmm.
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Tell you what.
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Let's check and see what kinds of jobs we have right now.
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I'm sure we can find a job that's right for you.
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Thank you.
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Let me see.
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Oh, here we are.
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Betty's Bakery is looking for a baker.
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Can you bake bread and cakes?
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No, I can't.
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I can bake chocolate chip cookies, but I can't bake bread or cakes.
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All right.
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Let's see what else we have.
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Ah, the Ajax Bus Company is looking for a bus driver.
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Can you drive a bus?
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I'm afraid I can't.
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I can drive a car, but I can't drive a bus.
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That's too bad.
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Let's keep looking here.
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Hmm.
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Here's one.
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The Renaissance restaurant is looking for a chef. Can you cook?
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Oh, no. I can't cook at all.
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Well.
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Here's a job for a secretary.
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Can you type?
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No, I can't.
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Hmm.
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This school is looking for a teacher.
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Can you teach?
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Sorry, I can't.
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Here's one for a painter.
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No, definitely not.
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I can't paint.
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This company is looking for a truck driver.
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I can't drive a truck.
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This place needs a dancer.
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I can't dance.
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Here's one for a writer.
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I can't write.
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This is terrible.
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I can't believe this.
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I can't claim this.
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I can't bake.
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I can't drive a bus.
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I can't cook.
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I can't type.
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I can't teach.
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I can't paint.
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I can't drive a truck.
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I can't dance.
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I can't write.
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I can't do anything.
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Woe is me.
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What can I do?
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What can I do?
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What can I do?
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You can act.
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I can what?
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You can act.
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And I have a job for you.
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Here.
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The Stage Light Theater Company is looking for an actor.
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Me?
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An actor?
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Yes.
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You're an excellent actor.
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Go down to the Stage Light Theater right now.
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I think you can get the job.
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Do you really think so?
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Believe me, you can act.
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You're a terrific actor.
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Thank you.
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Thank you so much.

About This Lesson

You're practicing English with "Expressing ability: Can" using the Shadowing technique — a method originally developed for professional interpreter training.

Focus on sounding like the speaker — not just repeating words. With 15–30 minutes of daily practice, you'll build real-world speaking confidence.

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 →