Shadowing Practice: Giving directions – A2 English Listening Test - Learn English Speaking with Video

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1
Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to the library?
2
Sure.
3
Go straight along this street until you get to the river, then turn right and walk along Riverbank Street for three blocks.
4
You'll see a bridge on your left.
5
Go across the bridge and walk for one block.
6
The library will be on your left.
7
Excuse me, is there a pharmacy near here?
8
Yes.
9
There's one not far from here.
10
Take the first right and walk along the street for three blocks.
11
You'll see a park on your left.
12
Go past the park and there'll be a pharmacy on your left.
13
Excuse me, where's the nearest grocery store?
14
No problem.
15
Take the first left and walk along the street until you pass a park.
16
Stay on that street for three more blocks, then turn right.
17
Go across the bridge and walk straight ahead until you reach two buildings.
18
The grocery store will be the building on your right.
19
Excuse me, how can I get to the nearest bank?
20
Sure, no problem.
21
Take the first left and go to the end of the street.
22
Turn right, then take the first left.
23
Go straight ahead for three blocks and turn right again.
24
The bank will be on your right.
25
You'll see the river and a bridge from there.
26
Excuse me, where is the post office?
27
Take the first left and stay on the street until you reach a bridge.
28
Don't cross that bridge.
29
Turn right and continue along the street until you come to a second bridge.
30
Walk across the second bridge and go straight for one block.
31
You'll see the post office on your right.

About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will practice giving and understanding directions in English. This skill is essential for daily conversations, especially when navigating a new city or asking for help. You will learn the phrases and vocabulary that can be used when seeking guidance, as well as the cultural nuances associated with such inquiries. By engaging with this content, you will enhance your conversational skills and build confidence in your ability to communicate effectively in various situations, which is particularly beneficial for IELTS speaking practice.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Excuse me - A polite way to get someone's attention.
  • Go straight along - Follow the road without turning.
  • Turn right/left - A common phrase to indicate directional changes.
  • Walk along the street - To proceed on foot along a road.
  • Blocks - A unit of distance in urban areas, typically referring to the distance between intersections.
  • You'll see - A phrase used to indicate that the destination will be visible on arrival.
  • Cross the bridge - An action indicating to go over a bridge on one's path.
  • On your right/left - Used to describe the location of something relative to the direction one is facing.

Practice Tips

To maximize your learning from this video, consider applying the shadowing technique. This involves listening to the audio and repeating it simultaneously, which helps improve your pronunciation and intonation. As you practice, pay close attention to the speed of the speech; the directions are given at a clear and steady pace, making it ideal for shadow speech practice. You may also find it helpful to record yourself to assess your intonation and compare it with the original audio. By repeating this process, you will develop better fluency and comprehension skills essential for navigating real-world situations.

Additionally, engage in active listening. Focus on how directions are structured in English, and note the common phraseology used when giving assistance. Use these phrases in your daily practice, as they will enhance your conversational skills and prepare you for speaking tests like the IELTS.

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.