Shadowing Practice: How Coffee Changed the World? | English podcast - Learn English Speaking with Video
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This is your Everyday English class.
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Hello, everyone.
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Welcome to English Cactus.
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My name is Anna.
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And my name is Brian.
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This podcast will help you practice your English in a fun
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and natural way while improving your listening skills and learning something new about the world.
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Did you know that one simple drink helped change the course of history?
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A drink that influenced business, politics, culture, and even the way people work today.
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Today, we're going to discover the incredible story of coffee,
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from its early history in Africa to the famous coffee houses of Europe and the modern cafes we know today.
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We know that understanding English conversations can sometimes be challenging, especially when people talk about history or unfamiliar subjects.
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But don't worry, we're here to help you.
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First, you'll listen to an interesting conversation between two friends.
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After that, we'll explain useful expressions, important vocabulary, and fascinating cultural facts to help you understand everything more clearly.
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So don't worry if you don't understand every word the first time.
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Just relax, listen carefully, and enjoy the story.
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Remember, every time you practice, your English gets a little better.
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And before we begin, don't forget to subscribe to English Cactus.
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Your support helps us continue creating free English lessons.
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And subscribing means you won't miss our next episodes.
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Also, tell us in the comments, where are you watching from?
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And do you prefer coffee or tea?
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We'd love to know.
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Now grab your favorite cup of coffee, get comfortable, and let's discover how coffee changed the world.
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Let's begin.
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Good morning, Daniel.
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Wow, you look tired today.
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Did you sleep well last night?
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Not really, Emma.
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I stayed up late working on something.
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I definitely need a good cup of coffee.
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Well, you're in the right place.
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This coffee shop has some of the best coffee in town.
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Perfect.
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I'll have a large black coffee, please.
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What about you?
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I'll get a cappuccino.
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You know, Daniel, have you ever wondered how coffee became so popular around the world?
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Actually, yes.
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It's interesting because people drink coffee almost everywhere.
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But where did it all begin?
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That's a great question.
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Coffee has a fascinating history.
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And believe it or not, it helped change the world.
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Change the world?
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Come on, Emma.
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It's just a drink.
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Oh, it's much more than that.
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Coffee influenced business, politics, culture, and even the way people work.
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Okay, now I'm curious.
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Tell me more.
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Well, let's start at the beginning.
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Coffee is believed to have originated in Ethiopia, in Africa.
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Ethiopia?
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I had no idea.
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How did people discover it?
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There's a famous legend about a goat herder named Kaldi.
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One day, he noticed that his goats became very energetic after eating some red berries.
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Wait, goats discovered coffee?
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That's hilarious.
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According to the legend, yes.
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Kaldi became curious and tried to understand why the berries had that effect.
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So did he make the first cup of coffee?
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Not exactly.
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The story is a legend, so we don't know if it really happened, but Ethiopia is strongly connected to coffee's early history.
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That's amazing!
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And how did coffee leave Africa?
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Coffee became an important drink in Yemen, on the Arabian Peninsula, around the 15th century.
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Why was it so popular there?
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Some Sufi communities used coffee to help them stay awake during long periods of prayer and religious activities.
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That makes sense.
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Coffee helps people stay awake even today.
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Exactly.
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From Yemen, coffee spread to other parts of the Middle East, including cities like Mecca, Cairo, and Istanbul.
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And I imagine people started opening coffee shops.
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That's right.
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Coffee houses became important places where people met, talked, exchanged ideas, and discussed important events.
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So coffee shops were like social media before the internet.
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That's actually a great comparison.
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People went there to hear news, share opinions, and learn what was happening around them.
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I love that.
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But did everyone welcome coffee?
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Not always.
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Some rulers worried about coffee houses because people gathered there to discuss politics and question authority.
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Really?
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So drinking coffee could be controversial?
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Yes.
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At different times, authorities tried to control or close coffee houses, but coffee continued to grow in popularity.
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That's surprising.
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I never thought a simple drink could make powerful people nervous.
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History is full of surprises, and things became even more interesting when coffee arrived in Europe.
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When did that happen?
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Coffee became… Increasingly popular in Europe during the 17th century, coffeehouses opened in cities like Venice, London, and Paris.
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Were European coffee shops similar to the ones we have today?
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In some ways, yes.
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People enjoyed coffee and conversation, but many coffeehouses were also important places for business and intellectual discussions.
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What do you mean by intellectual discussions?
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People talked about science, philosophy, literature, politics, and new discoveries.
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Some writers and thinkers spent hours in coffeehouses.
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So instead of sitting at home, people gathered to exchange knowledge.
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Exactly.
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In England, some coffeehouses were even called penny universities.
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Penny universities?
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That's an interesting name.
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Why did people call them that?
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Because customers could buy coffee for about a penny and join conversations where they might learn something new.
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That's incredible.
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Imagine learning about science and politics for the price of a cup of coffee.
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And coffeehouses also helped create business connections.
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Merchants, traders, and investors often met there.
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Did any famous companies begin in coffeehouses?
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Yes.
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Lloyd's of London, which became famous for insurance, developed from a coffeehouse where people involved in shipping exchanged information.
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Wow.
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So coffee helped connect people who were doing business.
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Exactly.
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Coffee houses created spaces where information, ideas, and opportunities could move between people.
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Now I understand why you said coffee changed the world.
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But what about coffee and work?
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You mentioned that earlier.
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Well, coffee contains caffeine, which can make people feel more awake and alert.
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I can confirm that.
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Before my morning coffee, my brain barely works.
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I know what you mean.
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As coffee became popular in Europe, it offered an alternative to drinks like beer and wine.
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Wait, people used to drink beer during the day?
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Yes, alcoholic drinks were common in many places.
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Coffee gave people another option, especially in social and working environments.
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So did coffee help the Industrial Revolution happen?
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Some people connect coffee with changes in working habits and productivity.
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But we should be careful.
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The Industrial Revolution happened for many reasons. Of course.
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Machines, factories, technology, and new ways of producing things were important, too.
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Exactly.
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Coffee was part of a changing society, not the single reason everything changed.
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That makes sense.
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But how did coffee become popular in the Americas?
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European colonial powers introduced coffee cultivation to different tropical regions, including the Caribbean and South America.
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And Brazil became one of the biggest coffee producers, right?
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That's correct.
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Brazil eventually became the world's largest coffee producer, and coffee played a major role in its economy.
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I know Brazil has a strong coffee culture, but was this expansion always positive?
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Unfortunately, no. Coffee production was closely connected to colonialism, slavery, and forced labor in many places.
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That's an important part of history that people don't always talk about.
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Absolutely.
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When we enjoy coffee today, it's worth remembering that its history includes both innovation and human suffering.
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And what about coffee farmers today?
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Do they face challenges?
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Yes.
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Many farmers deal with unstable prices, changing weather, and difficult working conditions.
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So choosing coffee responsibly can make a difference.
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It can help.
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People can learn where their coffee comes from and support businesses that are transparent about their suppliers.
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Never imagined there was so much history behind my morning coffee.
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And we haven't even talked about modern coffee culture.
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Oh, that's my favorite part.
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Tell me.
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Think about all the different ways people drink coffee today.
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In Italy, espresso is very popular.
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In terpy, coffee has a traditional preparation method.
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And in the United States, you see people walking everywhere with large takeaway cups.
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Exactly.
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In countries like Sweden, people also enjoy a tradition called fika, which is a coffee break often shared with friends or co -workers.
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I like that idea.
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Taking a break, enjoying coffee, and spending time with people sounds wonderful.
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That's one of the most interesting things about coffee.
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It connects people across different cultures.
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And now coffee shops are also places where people study, work remotely, or meet friends.
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Yes.
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From historic coffee houses to modern cafes, coffee continues to create spaces for conversation and creativity.
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It's funny.
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We started talking because I was tired, and now I've learned hundreds of years of history.
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That's the beauty of curiosity.
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One simple question can teach you so much.
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You're right, and I think learning English works the same way.
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Every conversation is an opportunity to learn something new.
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Exactly.
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You don't need to understand everything immediately.
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Just stay curious, practice regularly, and keep going.
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Well, Emma, I have one final question.
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Sure.
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What's your question?
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After hearing all this history, do you think coffee really changed the world?
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I do.
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It connected cultures, encouraged conversations, supported businesses, and became part of everyday life for millions of people.
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I agree, but I think coffee has one more important power.
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Really?
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What's that?
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It makes Monday mornings a little easier.
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I can't argue with that.
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Anyway, thanks for the history lesson.
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I really enjoyed it.
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You're welcome.
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Now, shall we order another cup?
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Absolutely.
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But this time, it's on me.
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That's very kind of you.
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Thank you.
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My pleasure.
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After all, we're not just drinking coffee.
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We're enjoying a little piece of history.
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I couldn't have said it better myself.
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Wow, Brian, what an interesting conversation between
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Emma and Daniel.
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I loved how they started with a simple cup of coffee and ended up talking about hundreds of years of history.
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Me too, Ana.
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And I think our listeners probably learned something surprising today.
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Coffee is not just a drink.
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It has a fascinating story, and it has influenced cultures, businesses, and everyday life around the world.
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Exactly.
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And now it's time for one of my favorite parts of our podcast.
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We're going to look at some useful English expressions from the conversation.
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But before we begin, we want to say something important.
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Here at English Cactus, we work hard to create interesting English lessons and share them with you for free.
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And if you enjoy our content and would like to support our work, you can subscribe to our channel.
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And of course, simply watching, liking, and sharing our videos is already a wonderful way to support us.
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Thank you for being part of our community.
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Now, let's get back to our lesson.
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We'll explain some expressions
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Emma and Daniel used, show you what they mean, and teach you how to use them in your own conversations.
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Remember, you don't need to memorize everything today.
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Listen carefully, repeat the expressions, and try to use one or two of them in your daily life.
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Let's begin with the first expression.
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Expression one, you're in the right place.
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At the beginning of the conversation, Daniel said he needed a good cup of coffee.
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Emma replied, well, you're in the right place.
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This is a very natural expression in English.
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We say, you're in the right place, when someone is exactly where they need to be to find something or get help.
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For example, imagine your friend says, I'm looking for a good place to eat pizza, and you're standing inside your favorite pizza restaurant.
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You can smile and say, you're in the right place.
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Or someone says, I really want to improve my English.
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You can answer, you're in the right place.
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Welcome to English cactus.
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I love that example.
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And notice that we use this expression in many different situations.
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It doesn't have to be a physical place.
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It can also mean someone has found the right person, group, or opportunity.
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Exactly.
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It's friendly, positive, and very common in everyday conversations.
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Expression two.
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Have you ever wondered...
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Next, Emma asks Daniel, have you ever wondered how coffee became so popular around the world?
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This is a fantastic expression for starting an interesting conversation.
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Have you ever wondered means have you ever thought about something because you were curious?
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We often use it when we want to introduce a surprising question or talk about something people don't usually think about.
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For example, have you ever wondered why the sky is blue?
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Or have you ever wondered how people lived a thousand years ago?
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You can even use it to start more personal conversations.
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For example, have you ever wondered what your life would be like in another country?
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That's a great question.
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And a natural response could be, actually, yes, I've thought about that many times.
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And if you've never thought about the subject before, you can simply say, no, I haven't, but now I'm curious.
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So remember this useful structure, have you ever wondered, followed by a question word like why, how, or what?
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Expression three, believe it or not.
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Here's another interesting expression.
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Emma said, And believe it or not, it helped change the world.
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Believe it or not is something we say before sharing surprising or unexpected information.
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Imagine telling your friend, Believe it or not, I used to hate coffee.
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This means the information might be difficult to believe, but it's true.
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Or you could say, Believe it or not, my grandmother is learning English at 70 years old.
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That's wonderful, and it shows us that it's never too late to learn something new.
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Absolutely.
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You can also use believe it or not when telling a funny story.
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For example, believe it or not, I met my best friend while waiting for a bus.
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It's a great expression because it makes the listener curious about what comes next.
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Expression four.
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I had no idea.
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When Daniel learned that coffee originated in Ethiopia, he said, Ethiopia?
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I had no idea.
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This is a perfect expression when someone tells you something you didn't know before.
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Instead of always saying, I didn't know that, you can say, I had no idea.
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It sounds very natural.
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Let's imagine I tell you, Anna, did you know that my brother speaks five languages?
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I could answer, really?
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I had no idea.
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That's amazing.
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Exactly.
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And you can make the expression more specific.
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For example, I had no idea you were interested in history.
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Or, I had no idea coffee had such an interesting past.
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Both are correct.
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And you can also say, I had no idea that coffee was so important to international trade.
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Notice how this expression helps us show genuine interest.
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That's very important when you're learning to have natural conversations in English.
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Expression 5.
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That makes sense.
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Another expression appeared when Emma explained that some communities used coffee to stay awake during religious activities.
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Daniel replied, that makes sense.
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We use that makes sense when we understand something and think the explanation is logical.
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For example, imagine your friend says, I always study English in the morning because I'm less tired.
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You could answer, that makes sense.
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It's easier to concentrate when you have more energy.
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Or someone says, I stopped drinking coffee at night because I couldn't sleep well.
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And you respond, oh, that makes sense.
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This is a very useful expression because it shows that you're listening and understanding what another person is saying.
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Exactly.
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And here's another version.
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Now it makes sense.
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We often use this when we were confused before but suddenly understand something.
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For example, oh, so that's why the coffee shop is closed on Sundays.
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Now it makes sense.
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Expression six.
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What do you mean by...
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Later, Emma mentioned intellectual discussions, and Daniel asked, What do you mean by intellectual discussions?
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This is one of the most important expressions for English learners.
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Sometimes we understand most of a conversation, but one word or phrase is confusing.
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Instead of staying silent, we can politely ask, What do you mean by… and repeat the part we didn't understand.
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For example, if someone says, This coffee has a very strong flavor, you can ask, what do you mean by strong flavor?
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And the person might explain, I mean, the taste is very intense.
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Or during a work meeting, someone says, we need to improve our productivity.
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You could ask, what do you mean by productivity?
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Exactly.
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Asking questions is not something to be embarrassed about.
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It's one of the best ways to improve your English.
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And here's a little tip.
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You can also say, sorry, what do you mean by that?
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This is a very natural way to ask for clarification.
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Expression seven, I can confirm that.
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When Emma said coffee helps people feel more awake, Daniel joked, I can confirm that.
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I love this expression.
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We use, I can confirm that, when we have personal experience that supports what someone just said.
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For example, imagine someone says, learning a new language takes patience.
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And you answer, I can confirm that.
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I've been studying English for two years.
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Or someone says, traveling with children can be exhausting, and a parent laughs and says, oh, I can definitely confirm that.
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The expression is often used in a funny way, but you can also use it in more serious conversations.
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For example, working with international customers requires good communication skills.
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And someone with experience can answer, yes, I can confirm that.
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Expression 8.
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It's worth remembering.
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When they discussed the difficult history of coffee production, Emma said, it's worth remembering that its history includes both innovation and human suffering.
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This is a useful expression when we want to say that something is important and should not be forgotten.
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For example, it's worth remembering that learning English takes time.
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Or, it's worth remembering that different countries have different customs.
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You can also use a similar expression, it's worth trying.
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For example, this new coffee shop looks interesting, it's worth trying.
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And that's because worth helps us express that something deserves our time, attention, or effort.
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So you can say it's worth reading, it's worth visiting, or it's worth learning.
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Expression 9.
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I couldn't have said it better myself.
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Near the end of the dialogue, Daniel said they weren't just drinking coffee, they were enjoying a little piece of history.
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Emma answered, I couldn't have said it better myself.
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This expression means that someone has said something so well that you completely agree and couldn't express the idea any better.
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For example, imagine someone says, learning English is not about being perfect, it's about communicating with people.
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And I respond, I couldn't have said it better myself.
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It's a wonderful expression for showing strong agreement, especially when someone expresses an important idea.
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And if you want something simpler, you can just say exactly or I completely agree.
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Expression 10, it's on me.
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Finally, when Daniel offered to buy another cup of coffee, he said, but This time, it's on me.
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This is such a useful expression.
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It's on me means I'm paying for it.
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Imagine you're at a restaurant with your friend.
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When the bill arrives, you can say, don't worry, it's on me.
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Or maybe your friend bought you coffee yesterday.
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Today, you can say, you paid last time.
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This one's on me.
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And if someone offers to pay for you, you can answer, that's very kind of you.
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Thank you.
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You may also hear, my treat.
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It means almost the same thing.
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Excellent.
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These are the kinds of expressions that can make your English sound more natural and confident.
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And remember, you don't need to use all ten today.
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Choose your favorite three and practice saying them out loud.
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Small steps make a big difference.
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Keep practicing and you'll see how your English improves.
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And that brings us to the end of today's episode.
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Wow, Brian, who would have thought that something as simple as a cup of coffee could have such an incredible history?
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I know, Anna.
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Today, we discovered how coffee traveled from Africa to the Middle East, Europe, and eventually around the world.
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We learned how coffee houses became places where people shared ideas, discussed politics, and built important business connections.
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We also explored different coffee traditions around the world, from Italian espresso and Turkish coffee to Swedish fika and Brazilian cafezinho.
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Don't forget to subscribe to English Cactus and give this video a thumbs up if you learned something new today.
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Your support helps us continue creating free English lessons for people around the world.
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And share this episode with a friend who loves coffee or wants to improve their English.
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Maybe you can even enjoy a cup of coffee together while practicing some of today's expressions.
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Remember, learning English is a journey.
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You don't have to learn everything in one day.
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Just keep showing up, stay curious, and celebrate your progress.
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Thank you so much for spending this time with us.
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We hope you enjoyed learning about coffee as much as we enjoyed sharing its story with you.
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Keep practicing, keep learning, and never stop exploring the world around you.
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Take care, everyone, and we'll see you in the next episode of English Cactus.
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Bye for now, and enjoy your next cup of coffee.
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This speaking lesson is built on the video “How Coffee Changed the World?”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: coffee, expression, English, conversation, exactly. This video has 385 sentences and 3540 words to shadow. The speech runs for 22:06. The speaker talks at a natural 160 words per minute, close to everyday conversation. 87% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is easy to follow.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| curious adjective | /ˈkjʊɹ.i.əs/ | Tending to ask questions, or to want to explore or investigate; inquisitive; (with a negative connotation) nosy, prying. |
| confirm verb | /kənˈfɝm/ | To strengthen; to make firm or resolute. |
| connect verb | /kəˈnɛkt/ | To join (to another object): to attach, or to be intended to attach or capable of attaching, to another object. |
| lesson noun | /ˈlɛs.ən/ | A section of learning or teaching into which a wider learning content is divided. |
| awake verb | /əˈweɪk/ | To become conscious after having slept. |
| everyday adjective | /ˈɛvɹiˌdeɪ/ | Appropriate for ordinary use, rather than for special occasions. |
| intellectual adjective | /ˌɪntəˈlɛkt͡ʃʊəl/ | Pertaining to, or performed by, the intellect; mental or cognitive. |
| subscribe verb | /səbˈskɹaɪb/ | To write (one’s name) at the bottom of a document; to sign (one's name). |
| legend noun | /ˈlɛd͡ʒ.ənd/ | The life story of a saint (such stories are often embellished, but any kind is called a legend). |
| discover verb | /dɪˈskʌvə/ | To find or learn something for the first time. |
| productivity noun | /ˌpɹɒdʌkˈtɪvəti/ | The state of being productive, fertile, or efficient. |
| penny noun | /ˈpɛni/ | In the United Kingdom, a unit of currency worth ¹⁄₁₀₀ of a pound sterling, or a copper coin worth this amount. Abbreviation: p. |
| goat noun | /ɡoʊt/ | Any ruminant of the genus Capra. |
| carefully adverb | /ˈkɛɹf(ə)li/ | With care; attentively, circumspectly. |
| suffer verb | /ˈsʌfɚ/ | To undergo hardship. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| end up verb | To bring to a conclusion. |
| get back to verb | Return to (an activity) |
| show up verb | To appear, arrive, or attend, especially suddenly or erratically. |
| stay up verb | To remain awake; to not go to bed. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- Also, tell us in the comments, where are you watching from?
- Did you sleep well last night?
- I'll have a large black coffee, please.
- What do you mean by intellectual discussions?
- You could ask, what do you mean by productivity?
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| “Used to” used to + verb — a past habit or state that is no longer true | used to drink · used to hate |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | haven't even talked · I've learned · has influenced |
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | is believed · is strongly connected · were even called |
| Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thing | people who were · caffeine, which can · fika, which is |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 62 contractions and reduced forms, such as don't, you're, couldn't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “th” sounds: gather /ˈɡæðɚ/, grandmother /ˈɡɹæn(d)ˌmʌðɚ/, thumb /ˈθʌm/, thinker /ˈθɪŋ.kɚ/
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: innovation /ˌɪn.əˈveɪ.ʃən/, explanation /ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃən/, preparation /ˌpɹɛpəˈɹeɪʃ(ə)n/, controversial /ˌkɑn.tɹəˈvɝ.ʃəl/, patience /ˈpeɪ̯.ʃəns/
- Long words — get the stress right: intellectual /ˌɪntəˈlɛkt͡ʃʊəl/, productivity /ˌpɹɒdʌkˈtɪvəti/, innovation /ˌɪn.əˈveɪ.ʃən/, explanation /ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃən/, preparation /ˌpɹɛpəˈɹeɪʃ(ə)n/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like curious, confirm, connect.
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.