Shadowing Practice: Feeding, Dressing, Washing And Putting Kids To Bed Is A Never Ending Battle! | Michael McIntyre - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

B1
Family people in tonight, who's got children?
⏸ Paused
186 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
Family people in tonight, who's got children?
2
Round of applause, you've got children?
3
There are basics that you have to do every single day when raising children,
4
and these are feeding them.
5
You have to feed them.
6
This is probably news for nobody.
7
You have to feed them,
8
you have to dress them, okay?
9
You have to wash them,
10
and you have to put them to bed.
11
You have to do these four things every single day.
12
Now, every single day, each one of these things is a battle.
13
They are reluctant to do these things and you are forced every day to compromise on each of them.
14
I don't know why they resist these basic things.
15
Every day is a battle.
16
Just getting dressed.
17
They will not get dressed.
18
Put your clothes on.
19
Put your pants on.
20
They refuse to wear pants.
21
I don't like pants.
22
They're uncomfortable.
23
I don't like pants.
24
Put your jumper on.
25
I'm boiling.
26
I'm boiling.
27
They're always boiling.
28
I'm boiling!
29
Yes, that's because I've heated the inside of the house,
30
but what I haven't done is heated the rest of the world!
31
So you will need it when you get outside.
32
Can I just take it?
33
So you just compromise.
34
All right, fine.
35
Just take it.
36
Do your laces.
37
Can I do it in the car?
38
Fine!
39
Do it in the car!
40
Where's your bag?
41
Where's your other shoe?
42
And they spring things on you at the last minute.
43
The other day we were going to school,
44
we're nearly out the door.
45
My son's not quite well, actually.
46
He's got his pants on,
47
he's even got his jumper on,
48
He's holding his coat, he's got his bag.
49
We're nearly out the door.
50
He just looks at me and goes, Dad, it's Roman day.
51
What's Roman day?
52
Everybody has to go to school today dressed as something from the Roman Empire.
53
You're supposed to be at school in six minutes.
54
What exactly did you expect me to do at this point?
55
Oh, yes, when I was nine, I was a centurion.
56
I think I still have my armour here in the cupboard.
57
Let's not drive this morning,
58
I've been hiding a horse and chariot in the garage.
59
I'll arrive in style.
60
Feeding.
61
They will eat.
62
Children will eat.
63
They will eat rubbish.
64
They'll eat garbage.
65
They'll eat chocolate and sweets and ice cream till they're sick.
66
What they won't eat is things that are good for them.
67
We're trying to get them to eat vegetables,
68
fruit, things in the good room.
69
We aim very high, my wife and I, every single meal time.
70
All right, tonight.
71
There will be no ice cream,
72
children, unless you have all your peas,
73
all your broccoli, and all your carrots.
74
But, Dad, please, it's disgusting.
75
Please don't make me eat that.
76
Please, it's just disgusting.
77
Please, Dad, you can't force us.
78
You can't force us.
79
It's disgusting.
80
All right?
81
Fine!
82
I just want you to eat one carrot,
83
five peas, and this floret of broccoli.
84
But that is disgusting, please don't mean you hear that, please!
85
You can't force me, I hate it!
86
I hate it!
87
I'm fine!
88
Just stick out your tongue and let me wipe the broccoli across your face.
89
And then can I have ice cream?
90
Yes!
91
Washing every day, run the bath,
92
get in the bath, have you washed?
93
Have you brushed your teeth?
94
They lie to you, they lie to my face every single day.
95
Have you brushed your teeth?
96
Yes.
97
Okay, then breathe on me.
98
I have to get this jet of disgusting...
99
You haven't brushed your teeth, have you?
100
No, I haven't, Daddy.
101
But why didn't you say that?
102
The laziness.
103
Oh, and flush the.. you know...
104
Before I had children, I used to dream about what it was like.
105
My wife and I would discuss it.
106
I can't wait to have children.
107
It's going to be amazing.
108
You'll be such an amazing mum.
109
I used to dream of idyllic,
110
rosy-cheeked, beautiful children in dungarees,
111
running in fields, picking flowers.
112
Can we have our picnic now?
113
Can we have our picnic?
114
How did that fantasy become me,
115
almost on a nightly basis,
116
standing over the toilet going, Whose poo is this?
117
Lucas!
118
Is that your poo?
119
He puts on this whole facade,
120
he actually comes over and looks in the mood.
121
No, that's not my poo.
122
So Ozzy, it's your poo.
123
That is definitely not my poo.
124
Darling, don't you even.
125
Oh, hair wash night.
126
I don't know how much you're supposed to wash your children's hair,
127
but I've got it down to about once a fortnight now because of the drama.
128
Hair wash night.
129
No, Daddy, please.
130
Can we do it tomorrow?
131
Daddy, can we do it tomorrow?
132
We'll do it tomorrow.
133
It's going to go on my eyes.
134
It's going to go on my eyes.
135
Put your head back.
136
You have to hold the flannel.
137
They shake and...
138
It's going to go on my eyes.
139
Is it for it?
140
Is it for it?
141
God forbid, the shampoo actually goes a little bit in the eye.
142
AHHHHHHH!
143
AHHHHHH!
144
I need a towel!
145
I need a towel!
146
AHHHHH!
147
Oh!
148
Oh!
149
Why would you do that, siblings?
150
For God's sake, I'm just trying to wash your hair.
151
Bedtime, oh, bedtime, it's bedtime, go to bed.
152
Can I have a story?
153
Can I have a story?
154
The last thing you want to do at the end of a day of battles is read a nonsense, stupid story.
155
I don't know if you do this,
156
but I will scan the bookshelf for the shortest book that we own.
157
My son's always like, can we read The Hobbit?
158
No. I thought we could read this leaflet that came through the door.
159
It's for a local pizzeria.
160
You see there's a deal on it.
161
Now, goodnight.
162
Come on, darling.
163
This is what it is like.
164
It is a battle.
165
It is a daily battle every single day to do the basics.
166
There isn't a child on Earth who has ever not battled these things.
167
There's no kid in the history of children who's ever just gone,
168
Mum, Dad, listen, I'm exhausted tonight.
169
I'm just going to head up to bed, I think.
170
I managed to squeeze a shower in earlier,
171
Mum, while you were cooking that amazing dinner.
172
I don't know what you did with the broccoli.
173
Was it something different?
174
Because for me, it could have been a meal all unto itself.
175
Magnificent.
176
I didn't tell you guys it was Roman Day tomorrow,
177
because I wanted to surprise you with the outfit that I've made.
178
You're going to love it.
179
I'll see you by the door at about 5 to 8 in my shoes and pants,
180
and I'm going to wear my coat, because you never know.
181
I mean, it is quite chilly out there.
182
Oh, and...
183
Minty for Ash.
184
But that's never gonna happen.
185
That's a fantasy.
186
That's a fantasy.

Download App

AI scoring for every sentence you speak

TRENDING

Popular

Context & Background

In this engaging segment from Michael McIntyre's comedy routine, the challenges of parenting take center stage. McIntyre humorously describes the everyday struggles that parents face when it comes to performing essential tasks for their children, such as feeding, dressing, washing, and putting them to bed. This relatable content not only highlights the chaos of family life but also showcases the playful negotiation parents often undergo with their kids. The dialogue is filled with real-life scenarios that many can connect with, providing an excellent context for English learners to practice their speaking skills through humor and relatability.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • Put your clothes on. - A direct command that emphasizes readiness.
  • Where's your bag? - A common question that reflects parental concern.
  • Do your laces. - A casual reminder that highlights everyday tasks.
  • I don't like pants. - An expression that showcases a child's perspective.
  • Can I just take it? - A phrase that illustrates negotiation in family conversations.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively use this video for English speaking practice, particularly focusing on the shadowing technique, follow these steps:

  1. Watch the Video: Begin by watching the video attentively. Pay close attention to the intonation and rhythm of McIntyre's speech, which is filled with comedic timing.
  2. Listen and Repeat: Use the shadowspeak method by selecting short segments from the transcript, such as the phrases listed above. Repeat each phrase after McIntyre, mimicking his tone and speed. This will help improve your pronunciation and fluency.
  3. Pause and Practice: As you listen, pause after each sentence. Try to say it out loud without looking at the transcript. This practice will challenge your memory and speaking skills.
  4. Record Yourself: Use a voice recorder to capture your attempts. Listening back will help you identify areas where you can improve your clarity and expression.
  5. Engage in Dialogue: Finally, take the phrases you've learned and practice them in your daily life or discussions with friends. Incorporating them into your conversations will enhance your vocabulary and confidence in speaking.

Utilizing this approach when practicing with humor-filled content like McIntyre's routine will make your IELTS speaking practice more enjoyable and effective. Consider the reflections of familial challenges and turn them into lively shadow speaking opportunities to enrich your English skills!

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.

Buy us a coffee