Shadowing Practice: Get ready for FLYERS track 04 - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Listening 4.
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Holly and Harry are getting ready for school.
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Where are their things?
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Listen and write the things under each place.
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Holly, Harry, time for school.
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OK.
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Do you know where my brush is, Mum?
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Is it on the shelf in your bedroom, Holly?
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No. Oh, it's OK.
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I've got it now.
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It was on my bed under the blanket.
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Good.
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But I need a letter for the teacher.
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Where did I put that?
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Well, it was on the kitchen table.
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I know, but it isn't there now.
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Oh, look.
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I put it in my rucksack.
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OK, I'm ready now.
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Great.
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Now, where did I put my keys? keys.
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They're in the kitchen, next to the cooker.
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No they aren't Mum, they're on the fridge, look.
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Oh yes, thanks Harry.
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Oh Harry, look at your hair, go and comb it, you can't go to school like that. But Mum...
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Do it now please Harry.
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But I don't know where my comb Oh, Harry, it's on the shelf in the hall, I think.
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No, it isn't, Mum.
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I saw it on the shelf in the bathroom, next to the shower.
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Right.
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Well, can we go now, please?
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OK, Mum.
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Oh, Mum, our teacher said we've got to be early today.
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Oh, dear.
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You're really very late.
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Let's run.
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Thank you.

Boost Your English Speaking with This Daily Routine Dialogue

What You'll Learn

This lively conversation between Holly, Harry, and their mum is perfect for building everyday speaking skills! You'll practice asking and answering questions about where things are—super useful for real-life situations like getting ready for school or work. Plus, you'll learn how to respond naturally when you can't find something, and how to give quick, clear directions. These are the kinds of skills that make english speaking practice feel practical and rewarding.

Listen For These Sounds

Pay attention to connected speech in the dialogue! Notice how "I've got it now" flows smoothly—"I've" and "got" link together, making it sound like "I'vegot it now." You'll also hear reductions like "Where did I put that?" which often sounds more like "Whered I put that?" when spoken quickly. These small sound changes are key to understanding native speakers, and practicing them will make your own speech sound more natural. Try shadow speech—repeat the lines right after the speakers—to get used to these patterns.

Say It Like a Native

To mirror the speaker's rhythm and stress, focus on the important words in each sentence. For example, in "It was on my bed under the blanket," stress "bed" and "blanket" to highlight where the brush is. The mum's urgent tone in "You're really very late. Let's run!" uses rising intonation to show urgency—copy that to convey emotion in your own speech. Shadowspeak is a great way to master this: play a short clip, pause, and repeat it, matching the speed and tone. This technique isn't just for IELTS speaking practice—it works for any level looking to sound more confident. With a little practice, you'll be navigating daily conversations like a pro!

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.