Shadowing Practice: How can I help you? - Learn English Speaking with Video

Buying a food processor.

Good afternoon.

How can I help you today?

Hi, I'm looking for a food processor.

I'd be happy to help.

What do you usually use a food processor for?

I cook almost every day.

I use it to chop vegetables,

grate cheese, mixed dough, and sometimes make smoothies.

In that case, I'd recommend this model.

It has a powerful 1,000-watt motor and comes with several attachments for slicing,

shredding, mixing, and kneading. That sounds useful.

Is the bowl large enough for a family of four?

Yes, it has a three-liter bowl, which is perfect for preparing family meals.

Is it easy to clean?

Absolutely!

The bowl, lid, and blades are dishwasher safe, so cleaning is quick and easy.

That's great!

Is it noisy?

It's quieter than most similar models, although you'll still hear the motor when it's running.

I understand.

How many speed settings does it have?

It has two speed settings and a pulse function.

How much does it cost?

It's on sale today for $179 instead of $219.

That's a good discount!

I think this is exactly what I'm looking for.

I'll take it!

Excellent choice!

Ordering a custom cake Good afternoon!

Welcome to Sweet Moments Bakery!

How can I help you today?

Hi!

I'd like to order a custom birthday cake for my daughter.

Wonderful!

When is the birthday party?

It's next Saturday, so I'd like to pick up the cake that morning.

That won't be a problem.

How many people will the cake serve? About 20 people.

Great!

Do you have a flavor in mind?

Yes, she'd like a chocolate cake with strawberry filling.

That's one of our most popular cakes.

What about the decoration?

She loves unicorns and pastel colors.

Could you decorate the cake with a unicorn and some flowers? Of course!

We can also write a message on the cake.

Yes, please.

I'd like it to say, Happy 10th birthday, Lily.

No problem.

Would you like candles as well?

Yes, please.

Ten candles.

Certainly.

Do you have any food allergies we should know about?

No, everyone can eat regular cake.

Perfect.

The total price is $65, including the decorations and the candles.

That's fine.

Do I need to pay today?

We ask for a $20 deposit, and you can pay the rest when you pick up the cake.

Sounds good Can I pay by card?

Yes, you can Great I'm really excited to see the cake We'll make sure it's beautiful.

Your cake will be ready for pick-up next Saturday at 10am.

Thank you very much!

You're welcome!

We look forward to seeing you next week!

Good afternoon.

How can I help you today?

Hi, I'm looking for a used car. Of course.

What kind of car are you looking for?

I want a small car that is reliable and doesn't use too much fuel.

I think this Toyota Corolla is a good choice.

It's four years old and in very good condition.

How many miles does it have?

It has 45,000 miles.

Has it had any accidents?

No, it has a clean history.

And our mechanics checked it before we put it up for sale.

That's good.

How much does it cost?

The price is $18,500. Can I look inside? Of course.

It has comfortable seats, air conditioning, Bluetooth, and a backup camera.

It looks very clean.

Can I take it for a test drive?

Certainly.

May I see your driver's license first?

Sure.

Here it is.

Thank you.

Let's go for a short drive.

So, how did you like the car?

I really liked it.

It was comfortable and easy to drive.

I'm glad to hear that.

Do you have any questions?

Yes.

Does it come with a warranty?

Yes, it comes with a six-month warranty.

100

Can you lower the price a little?

101

Yes, I can give you a $500 discount if you buy it today. That sounds fair.

102

I'd like to buy it.

103

Wonderful!

104

Would you like to pay in full or finance the car?

105

I'd like to finance it.

106

No problem.

107

We offer monthly payments over five years.

108

Let's fill out the paperwork.

109

Hiring a cleaning service.

110

Good morning!

111

Welcome to Sparkle Cleaning Services.

112

How can I help you?

113

Good morning!

114

I'd like to hire a cleaning service for my apartment. Of course!

115

How many bedrooms does your apartment have?

116

It has two bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen, and a living room.

117

Great!

118

We can certainly do that.

119

What would you like us to clean?

120

I'd like you to vacuum the floors, dust the furniture, clean the bathroom, and mop the kitchen floor.

121

No problem.

122

We also clean windows, change bed sheets, and empty the trash if you'd like.

123

Yeah, that sounds good.

124

Okay, we can add that to your service.

125

How long does the cleaning usually take?

126

For an apartment your size, it usually takes about two to three hours.

127

Do I need to provide the cleaning products?

128

No, our team brings all the cleaning supplies and equipment.

129

That's convenient.

130

How much does it cost?

131

It costs $95 per visit.

132

Okay, I'd like to book my first cleaning.

133

Wonderful!

134

Are you available this Friday morning?

135

Yes.

136

Friday at 9 a.m is perfect.

137

Great.

138

May I have your name, please?

139

My name is David Brown.

140

Okay, Mr. Brown.

141

You're all booked for Friday at 9 a.m.

142

We'll see you then.

143

Thank you very much.

144

You're welcome.

145

Have a wonderful day.

146

Joining a wellness program.

147

Hello.

148

Welcome to Active Life Wellness Center.

149

How can I help you today?

150

Hi.

151

I want to join a wellness program.

152

Can you tell me more about it? Of course!

153

What would you like to improve?

154

I want to be healthier.

155

I don't exercise much.

156

I eat too much fast food.

157

And I often feel tired.

158

You're not alone.

159

We can help you build healthy habits.

160

What does the program include?

161

It includes fitness classes, healthy eating advice,

162

yoga, and weekly meetings with a wellness coach.

163

I've never been to a gym before.

164

Is that a problem?

165

Not at all.

166

Our program is perfect for beginners.

167

We start with easy exercises and increase the difficulty slowly. That sounds good.

168

How many times a week should I come?

169

We recommend coming three times a week.

170

How much does the program cost?

171

It's $50 per month and you can cancel any time.

172

That's a good price.

173

I'd like to sign up.

174

Wonderful!

175

Can you start next Monday?

176

Yes, I can.

177

Perfect!

178

Please fill out this form and we'll see you on Monday.

179

A Plumber's Visit Good afternoon!

180

I'm Daniel from Home Care Plumbing.

181

Oh, hello!

182

Please come in.

183

Thanks.

184

What seems to be the problem?

185

My toilet keeps running after I flush it.

186

And my water bill has gone up.

187

I see.

188

How long has this been happening? For about two weeks.

189

I hoped it would stop, but it didn't.

190

No problem.

191

Let me have a look.

192

I found the issue.

193

The flush valve inside the tank is worn out, so the water keeps flowing.

194

Is it difficult to fix?

195

Not at all.

196

I just need to replace the old valve with a new one.

197

It should take about 20 minutes.

198

That's good news.

199

Please do it.

200

Everything is finished.

201

Would you like to test it?

202

Sure.

203

It works perfectly.

204

The water stops after a few seconds now.

205

Excellent.

206

That should also help lower your water bill.

207

I hope so.

208

How much do I owe you?

209

The total is $95.

210

That includes the new part, the repair, and the service call.

211

Here you go.

212

Thank you.

213

Here's your receipt.

214

Thanks. Have a wonderful day.

215

Thanks.

216

You too.

217

At the Hair Salon Good morning!

218

Welcome to Style Studio.

219

How can I help you today?

220

Hi!

221

I have an appointment at 10 o'clock.

222

My name is Emily.

223

Great!

224

We've been expecting you.

225

Please follow me.

226

What would you like to do with your hair today?

227

I think it's time for a big change.

228

I've had the same hairstyle for years, and I'm ready for a completely new look.

229

I love hearing that.

230

What don't you like about your current hairstyle?

231

It's too long, outdated, and boring.

232

I want something modern and stylish.

233

Are you open to cutting it much shorter?

234

Yes, definitely.

235

I was thinking about a shoulder-length bob.

236

That would suit your face shape very well.

237

Have you thought about changing the color too?

238

Yes, I'd like to go light brown.

239

We could add some blonde highlights or some light brown highlights.

240

I like the idea of light brown highlights.

241

That's a great choice.

242

They'll add depth and brightness to your hair.

243

Perfect.

244

I also want my hair to have less volume.

245

My hair feels too thick and bulky.

246

No problem.

247

I'll thin it out a little and add some layers.

248

We're almost finished.

249

I'll style your hair so you can see the final result.

250

I think you're going to love it.

251

Wow, I can't believe that's me.

252

It looks amazing.

253

I'm so glad you like it.

254

I feel like a completely different person.

255

Thank you so much.

256

You're very welcome.

257

Sometimes a new hairstyle is the perfect way to start a new chapter.

258

Returning an item to an electronics store.

259

Good afternoon.

260

How can I help you today?

261

Hi.

262

I'd like to return these wireless headphones.

263

No problem.

264

Can I ask why you're returning them?

265

They don't work properly.

266

The sound keeps cutting out and the battery doesn't last very long.

267

I see.

268

When did you buy them?

269

I bought them about a week ago.

270

Do you have the receipt?

271

Yes, here it is.

272

Thank you.

273

Let me check your purchase.

274

Everything looks fine.

275

Since you bought them less than 30 days ago, you can choose a refund or an exchange.

276

I'd like to exchange them for another pair of the same model.

277

Certainly.

278

We have another pair available.

279

Great!

280

Can I test them before I take them home? Of course.

281

That's a good idea.

282

Here you go!

283

Everything is working perfectly.

284

I'll take these.

285

Perfect!

286

Please sign here to confirm the exchange.

287

Thank you!

288

Here's your new receipt and your replacement headphones.

289

Thank you for your help.

290

You're welcome.

291

Have a great day!

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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

This B1 speaking lesson is built on the video “How can I help you?”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: cake, cleaning, welcome, perfect. This video has 291 sentences and 1691 words to shadow. The speech runs for 17:21. The speaker talks slowly, about 97 words per minute, so there is time to copy every sound. 83% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start. 61 of its 291 sentences are questions, so it is good practice for question intonation and short answers.

Key vocabulary in this video

The 15 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
wellness noun	/ˈwɛl.nɪs/	The quality or state of being in good health (sometimes emphasizing both health and safety); mental and physical soundness.
hairstyle noun		The style in which someone's hair has been cut and arranged.
processor noun	/ˈpɹɑˌsɛsɚ/	A person or institution who processes things (foods, photos, applications, etc.).
candle noun	/ˈkæn.dəl/	A light source consisting of a wick embedded in a solid, flammable substance such as wax, tallow, or paraffin.
receipt noun	/ɹɪˈsiːt/	The act of receiving, or the fact of having been received.
highlight verb	/ˈhaɪˌlaɪt/	To make prominent; emphasize.
unicorn noun	/ˈju.nɪ.kɔɹn/	A mythical, horselike creature with a horn on its forehead, supposed to be very rare and to be drawn to virgins and other chaste maidens.
warranty noun	/ˈwɔɹ.ən.ti/	A guarantee that a certain outcome or obligation will be fulfilled; security.
flush verb	/ˈflʌʃ/	To cleanse by flooding with generous quantities of a fluid.
decoration noun	/ˌdɛkəˈɹeɪʃən/	The act of adorning, embellishing, or honoring; ornamentation.
headphones noun	/ˈhɛdfoʊnz/	A pair of cushioned speakers worn over or in the ears so only the wearer can hear the sound.
valve noun	/ˈvælv/	A device that controls the flow of a gas or fluid through a space, such as a pipe, manifold, or plenum.
decorate verb	/ˈdɛkəɹeɪt/	To furnish with decorations.
dishwasher noun	/ˈdɪʃˌwɑʃɚ/	A machine for washing dishes.
pastel noun	/pæsˈtɛl/	Any of several subdued tints of colors, usually associated with pink, peach, yellow, green, blue, and lavender.

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
pick up verb		To lift; to grasp and raise.
fill out verb	/fɪl ˈaʊt/	To complete a form or questionnaire with requested information.
cut out verb		To refrain from (doing something, using something etc.), to stop or cease (doing something).
go up verb		To move upwards.
look forward to verb		To anticipate, expect, or wait for, especially with a feeling of approval or pleasure; to be excited or eager to.
sign up verb		To add a name to the list of people who are participating in something.
wear out verb		To cause (something) to become damaged, useless, or ineffective through continued use, especially hard, heavy, or careless use.

Sentences worth repeating

Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:

How can I help you today?
What do you usually use a food processor for?
May I see your driver's license first?
What don't you like about your current hairstyle?
Can I ask why you're returning them?

Grammar in this video

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

Structure	In the video
Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now	I've never been · has gone
Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it	is worn · is finished
Advice with “should” should + verb — saying what is a good idea	should know · should I come · should take
Verb + -ing enjoy, keep, stop… + -ing — verbs that are followed by the -ing form	keeps running · keeps flowing · love hearing

Pronunciation to watch

The speaker uses 53 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'd, I'm, you're. Say them the short way, as you hear them.

The “sh” and “zh” sounds: flush /ˈflʌʃ/, decoration /ˌdɛkəˈɹeɪʃən/, dishwasher /ˈdɪʃˌwɑʃɚ/, stylish /ˈstaɪlɪʃ/
Long words — get the stress right: decoration /ˌdɛkəˈɹeɪʃən/, electronics /ɪˌlɛkˈtɹɑ.nɪks/

How to practise with this video

Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like wellness, hairstyle, processor.

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 →

Shadowing Practice: How can I help you? - Learn English Speaking with Video

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[B1] Ordering Fast Food at a Drive-Thru | English Conversation Practice

Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

Key vocabulary in this video

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Sentences worth repeating

Grammar in this video

Pronunciation to watch

How to practise with this video

What is the Shadowing Technique?