Shadowing Practice: How to ask someone where they got that... | Learn English | British Council - Learn English Speaking with Video
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30 sentences
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1
Hey, nice shoes.
2
Thanks.
3
I do a pair like that myself.
4
Oh really?
5
They're very comfortable.
6
Yeah, where'd you get them?
7
Just that place on the high street.
8
Oh yeah, I'll have to go and take a look sometime.
9
Hey.
10
What?
11
I've been looking for that book for ages.
12
Really?
13
Yeah, where'd you get it?
14
I bought it online.
15
I just did a search and found it, you know.
16
Really?
17
Yeah, it's not that difficult.
18
I'll have to have a look.
19
Hey.
20
What?
21
That's a tasty looking sandwich.
22
It's a tasty tasting sandwich too.
23
Where did you...
24
Where did I get it?
25
Yeah, that's exactly what I was going to say.
26
I made it myself.
27
Here, have it.
28
Eh?
29
Huh?
30
Thank you.
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This video has 30 sentences and 122 words to shadow. The speech runs for 0:51. The speaker talks at a steady 142 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing.
Key vocabulary in this video
8 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| sandwich noun | /ˈsæn(d).wɪd͡ʒ/ | A dish or foodstuff where at least one piece, but typically two or more pieces, of bread serves as the wrapper or container of some other food. |
| tasty adjective | /ˈteɪsti/ | Having a pleasant or satisfying flavor. |
| shoe noun | /ˈʃu/ | A protective covering for the foot, with a bottom part composed of thick leather or plastic sole and often a thicker heel, and a softer upper part made of… |
| sometime adverb | /ˈsʌmˌtaɪm/ | At an indefinite but stated time in the past or future. |
| comfortable adjective | /ˈkʌm(p)f.tə.bəl/ | Providing physical comfort and ease; agreeable. |
| search verb | /sɝt͡ʃ/ | To look in (a place) for something. |
| taste noun | /teɪst/ | One of the sensations produced by the tongue in response to certain chemicals; the quality of giving this sensation. |
| pair noun | /pɛə/ | Two alike or identical things taken together; often followed by of. |
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Future with “will” will + verb — a decision, promise or prediction | I'll have |
| Obligation: must / have to / need to saying that something is necessary | have to go · have to have |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 6 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'll, where'd, I've. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
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 sandwich, tasty, shoe.
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.