Shadowing Practice: How to Be a More Interesting Person - Learn English Speaking with Video

Choose a practice mode

Each mode opens a full-screen practice room.

493 sentences

If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.

Welcome back to Excuse My Grandma.

It's Kim and my co-host.

Grandma Gail.

We were just talking because I actually got a compliment on my outfit from you before we started.

I love that.

I think you look so pretty in the shirt and I love pink on you.

This is like a Grandma Gail shirt.

I feel like you have this.

Everybody is showing button downs this fall.

I mean, every picture.

Like a pink linen button down is very you.

I like it.

But I always ask you what I think about my outfit almost every time that we film.

Yeah.

And you got my approval.

And most of the time you have my approval.

So a few things that are sometimes that I don't love.

Well, I don't always listen to you, which is proof that I do have like a good sense of self, I think.

You have your own, your own look.

Or I just want you to tell me that I look good.

Maybe.

Both.

A little of each.

But I thought we could talk about how to have a strong sense of self and like what actually makes someone interesting.

Okay.

So not their shirt.

No, not their shirt.

I think it goes deeper than that.

I thought what was like when I was thinking about what to chat about,

your generation wasn't constantly being told to like find themselves and what makes someone like,

you know, with our generation, I feel like it's a lot about branding and what's my personal brand.

And there's like a lot of thought that goes into it.

yet I feel like you and your generation are some of the most like recognizable people

and you know you know what you like you know you don't like you know where you want to go

and when you want to leave and what everyone should be wearing

and you basically like created your own branding without probably putting

that kind of thought into it but I feel like my generation has endless ways to express ourselves, but we can also still feel very unsure about who we are.

Well, I think you're, firstly, I'm going to take a little opposite feeling on this conversation about my generation.

First of all, my generation was the 50s and 60s, where we basically copied whatever was in the magazines.

Everybody wanted to look like so-and-so, whoever they might, whoever the latest star was that Hollywood was pushing out

or that was on the limited amount of TV that you watched.

So that was, women really didn't come into their own sense of style, I don't think until the late 60s,

when the women really went through a revolution.

So I think that's when you see, and a lot of women of my age really had to fight for that identity.

So Once they got the identity, they stuck with it and were very sure of themselves

because they knew that they were doing an uphill battle to create something that was individual to them.

Otherwise, they were like out of a pattern that Singer sewing machine used to send out.

Everybody looked the same.

Everybody dressed the same.

Everybody reacted the same.

So I think what's happened was

so we finally got there probably in the late 90s and then your whole generation was just coming into itself,

being born and creating, and you had all the self-doubt because basically you could be anything.

And when you have a choice of everything, I think you have more issues about what you should choose from.

It's like if you had eight flavors of ice cream in front of you, you become paralyzed, but you don't know which one you want.

Right.

It's freeing because you'll get to choose whichever one you want, but it's also more confusing or overwhelming.

Well, did you ever consciously think about the kind of person you wanted to be?

Like, when did you first know who you were?

Well, I think I always knew who I was in the sense that I liked certain things in my educational background.

I liked the idea that I enjoyed history.

So I knew that was where I wanted.

I thought I was going to do something in law, do something along those lines that didn't happen

but i liked it i liked i liked listening to my grandparents

and my parents discuss different ideas i mean we were always talking about ideas at the family gatherings um

so i sort of inherited that um inquisitiveness on topics um did we always follow them

because we had very very different viewpoints we all respected each other's viewpoints

but i grew up with two brothers who are completely different and had two different philosophies and how to live lives.

And I had a different philosophy.

So you can come from the same family,

the same background, and you all grow up with your own take on what the issue is and perspective.

Like we, I think we sometimes think that finding ourselves requires discovering something completely new, but I think a lot of the time it is going back to childhood.

And it's adapting how you want to see yourself to the standards

that have come through through your mother your father your sister your brothers your aunts your uncles

and i and your community yeah and of course it manifests in different ways

but i think when i'm kind of doing this exploration now

because like you know we have excuse my grandma

but also i do have my personal account

that i want to expand expand and like figure out what

that is and like some projects that i can do on my own

and you have to think a a lot about if people know this, if they're like in content creation about like, what is my personal brand?

And I've been struggling with that, but then I'm like, okay, I've always loved storytelling.

Like when I was little, even like we did that book together, like you came over and like, we illustrated a little book that we made up.

And I always loved watching old movies.

And like, I had my dad, my dad always tells this story.

Like we, there was no such thing as like Googling a screenplay.

And I loved Mary Martin's Peter Pan and we would play it on the VHS and then I would be like, I couldn't write.

So I'd be like, pause.

Now write that down in the computer.

And so we could like recreate the screenplay.

I don't know why, I guess just so I could look at it.

So like stories and dialogue and all these things.

Well, you would be a great teacher.

So you would be very interesting.

It feels late for that.

Maybe not.

Oh, I don't think so.

I don't think it's never too late.

Yeah, that's true.

100

But you would really be a very good teacher.

101

You were a very good mentor to people when you were in high school and you would, and your creativity is very,

102

very needed to help young people really see their goals.

103

I think, I really think that's a, could be something for you.

104

Maybe.

105

I mean, I always had my diaries that I'd write in.

106

And then in high school, I loved creative writing.

107

In college, I did a lot of poetry writing.

108

I joined like a slam poetry club for a hot minute.

109

And then obviously after school, working in like media, news, it's all storytelling.

110

It's all storytelling.

111

It's very, very much the same thing.

112

Yeah.

113

And podcasting wasn't something I randomly invented.

114

Like, obviously, the format was new, but there was an instinct there, like, OK, I want to document and perform in some way.

115

And it's been there the whole time.

116

So I think you talked about, like, things that when you were young, you saw in yourself.

117

And then, like, are there things you can you return to now?

118

Well, not really.

119

You know, you try to impart wisdom to people around you that you've learned through the years.

120

but can I, I can't really give somebody my experience.

121

My experience was really singular to me.

122

I mean, how you have a relationship with perhaps your brother or your grandmother, like we have, that's an individual relationship,

123

but you can give other people the, some hints on how to develop it and how to stay with it

124

so that other people can develop what their strong suit is.

125

Not everybody has the same strong suit.

126

I always said, wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to paint or create something beautiful?

127

Well, I had absolutely no talent.

128

So it was no point in doing that.

129

But I used to do a lot of needlepoint, other creative things that I was good at.

130

But do you think having a strong sense of self means having like a passion?

131

I don't know if you need a passion.

132

I think you need to know where your life is going.

133

You know, you can't be all over the place.

134

Nobody, unless you're Elon Musk, and even he's not so good at most things, except for his brilliance.

135

But I'm trying to think of even Einstein.

136

You know, they all had faults.

137

They all have foibles.

138

They're not perfect people.

139

They're geniuses in their own area.

140

So I think if you stay focused on what you enjoy doing, and if you do it well, that's where you should follow.

141

That's a path, a path to either personal success or financial success or however you want it.

142

If you're a very good salesman, the best thing is go sell something, whether it be a house or a dress or a car.

143

Certain people have the knack of doing certain things.

144

You have a knack of storytelling and writing about it.

145

And it will be one day I'm sure you will write a book and discuss things, how you did your career.

146

You can't be all things.

147

and what people get frustrated is you can't be so-and-so.

148

You can't be an heir to Elizabeth Taylor or Audrey Hepburn.

149

They had their own distinctive style.

150

So you have to be an heir to yourself.

151

And however that comes across, that's your style.

152

So it's like having a very strong point of view.

153

Yes, a point of view that's strictly yours.

154

Whether it be right or wrong, It's your point of view.

155

But open to listen to others for advice.

156

That's what I was kind of going to say.

157

Because I think when people think about you, they think, oh, you have a very strong personality in a great way.

158

People find you very interesting.

159

And I think it's because you are outspoken about that point of view.

160

You're not afraid to share it.

161

But I wonder if that, can you be an interesting person and have a point of view that you keep private? it?

162

Well, you have to have some, it's like going to a dinner party or to somebody's house.

163

And if you don't bring something to the table, you're a boring guest and you're a boring partner.

164

So I think you have to develop whatever it is that your interest is.

165

You have to know and have some knowledge behind you.

166

Can't just blabber.

167

You should have some knowledge backing your point of view, but do something that makes you interesting.

168

That makes you stand out.

169

Because my thing is like, I feel like I ask you questions a lot and can be quite indecisive about things.

170

But I also think at the same time, like my friends would definitely say I have a very strong opinions about kind of anything.

171

I think we both do.

172

But I think I maybe am more like selective on when I share those opinions.

173

You can't start criticizing everybody and giving everybody your opinion on every single thing.

174

Whether you like somebody's shoes or dress or hair.

175

Because it's like, who gives you the authority?

176

Exactly.

177

I mean, you know, if somebody says, do you like my dress?

178

Then give your opinion.

179

But I don't think anybody wants a constant conversation of your opinion.

180

Right.

181

So I therefore think you have to be a little careful in that.

182

But you can express your own opinions on what the world is.

183

Sometimes I do worry that I don't have enough to provide in a conversation when it comes to like my hobbies.

184

For instance, if people say like, oh, what did you get up to?

185

I can't just be like, I watched movies and went out for dinner.

186

Well, that was pretty boring.

187

Yeah, but it's the truth sometimes.

188

So, you know, I also are running a media company.

189

Sure.

190

But like other than like sometimes people have specifically said other than your job.

191

And I'm like, well, I start, like, my job is different in that, like, I'm kind of doing it 24-7 and trying to, like, create something.

192

But at the same time, like, you have cards, you play with your friends, you have golf that you do a little bit less now.

193

And I happen to love to go to art museums and things like that.

194

I mean, and I guess I have that, too.

195

I think you have that, too.

196

And you have the theater.

197

I mean, there are lots of things that you do that you don't even realize that you're doing.

198

That's true.

199

That makes you more of an interesting person.

200

Like, you think that it's normal, but you don't realize that not everyone does something.

201

Exactly.

202

Exactly.

203

So, I mean, we're living in a very privileged world that we have theater, we have arts right at our doorsteps.

204

And we can just walk into a gallery where sometimes people

205

would have to drive hours to see what we can see in about 10 minutes.

206

Totally.

207

I also feel like there's a lot of people maybe around

208

my age who are trying out some new hobbies at this point in their life.

209

A lot of them are having children and a lot of them are, you know, just starting out in their marriage.

210

So that's a whole other step.

211

A lot of them should be taking psychology classes

212

because all of a sudden you're living together with people for the first time on a serious uh level

213

and that takes a lot of effort and time and understanding

214

so i think it doesn't always have to be outside sometimes you have to look within your own

215

a small context of living space

216

and see you know what can i do to improve this what can i do to make even

217

if it's a recipe oh i saw a recipe i'm going to try it out

218

and you know make a few of those things.

219

Get yourself interested in things that would please your partner and you.

220

I've been trying cooking.

221

At one point, I like tried needlepoint for a day and then that quickly failed.

222

That's our big problem.

223

The thing is like, I loved the aesthetic of it.

224

And then when it came down to the practice of it, I was like not interested.

225

And so I was wondering like how you can tell whether you genuinely like a hobby versus like the appearance of something.

226

And I think a good question to ask is like, would you still care if nobody around you knew?

227

Like if you weren't posting it on social media and telling people about it, like, would you still enjoy doing it at the end of the day?

228

And it's hard to find something that is like a passion like that.

229

Have you ever pretended to like something?

230

Oh yeah.

231

All the time.

232

Like what?

233

I pretended in a restaurant.

234

Oh, I thought the food was good because I didn't want to hurt somebody's feelings.

235

It could either be the other people I was with or my husband.

236

Sometimes I'll even say the show was good when I know the show is horrible.

237

Yeah.

238

Like you did on your third date with Poppy.

239

He almost dumped you.

240

But that's would have been perfect.

241

But the truth is that's, that's, but I spoke my mind.

242

I didn't know that.

243

That's the thing.

244

Like that was a strong sense of self.

245

And I think.

246

Well, when I was 20, nobody felt, I had no filter.

247

I think I have more of a filter now.

248

Stop.

249

Yes.

250

How could you have been worse?

251

I could be.

252

Wow.

253

Okay.

254

Well, so then you were like that then, because it seems like from my perspective, in every environment you're in, you are yourself the same.

255

Do you think having a strong sense of self is the same thing as being confident?

256

Yes.

257

Yes.

258

Because if you're confident, if you have a strong sense of self.

259

Right.

260

But it could look a little bit different because, again, the outspoken thing, like I always come think of this, but when we were doing the Dancing with the Stars carpet,

261

I was like, I just want to talk to Alex Earl.

262

Like, I think I'm a confident person, but I was like, if you weren't there, I would have been too nervous to make that happen.

263

Kimmy, don't forget you are starstruck.

264

There are certain things that, I mean, you, I get excited.

265

You get excited.

266

You want to, these are people who you put up higher than you.

267

But you just walk up to be, you walk up to her.

268

I really didn't care.

269

You know what?

270

I don't even know who the woman was.

271

I really didn't care.

272

And I pulled her in.

273

Also, I'm thinking about like dinner parties that I go to, or whenever I meet new people, like who do I think is interesting?

274

Like when I leave and I'm like, oh, that was a really interesting person.

275

And I actually think a lot of the time it's the people who act interested in me.

276

Like, I think it's a really interesting quality to be interested.

277

And like someone who asks questions, it goes both ways.

278

Like if both people in a conversation are asking each other questions and want to know more, it's so much better than like a one-sided, one-way conversation.

279

So I think another way to be, like, if you don't know what to say about yourself, like to go into situations and like ask people questions and be curious about other people.

280

I think that's a great first step to becoming interesting yourself.

281

And I always like when people put people together who are not the same, because then you have a varied conversation at a dinner table or at a restaurant.

282

If you're four of us, the give and take then is such that, you know, if you're all the same,

283

you're all coming from the same kind of slant and the same conversation it gets sort of boring.

284

Yeah.

285

It doesn't matter.

286

But if somebody's talking about economics, if somebody's talking about the theater, if somebody's talking about education, you're hearing different conversations.

287

And that's interesting.

288

Yeah.

289

I think the way to be more interesting is to let yourself evolve

290

and to actually like have a stronger identity when you hear other people's opinions, you either change yours, you strengthen yours, whatever.

291

Like that is a good way to find yourself because it's like a continual lifelong project of finding yourself.

292

Yes, exactly.

293

And you don't find yourself forever.

294

You're constantly in search of truth, no matter what age you are.

295

Yeah.

296

Okay.

297

Let's play a game.

298

Nobody asked, but.

299

So let's see how strong our sense of self is here.

300

We'll see if we have a hot take on each.

301

Okay.

302

Going to the movies alone.

303

I used to love that.

304

Hate.

305

Okay.

306

I liked it because I used to eat my Twizzlers by myself and nobody judged you have to share.

307

And also I could go see what I wanted.

308

I wouldn't do it at night.

309

I used to go like, I used to go like five o'clock in the afternoon.

310

Okay.

311

And I enjoyed it.

312

Birthday weeks when it's like more than just you're celebrating your birthday for more than just a day.

313

You make like a whole week or a month out of it.

314

Well, I think for a special occasion, for a special birthday, big birthday.

315

I don't think every birthday we have to raise a flag.

316

I mean, it's a nice day.

317

Hopefully you celebrate with people you love and you blow out the candles and that's it.

318

But if it is a milestone, a 30th, a 50th, a 75th, an 80th, a 90th, a 100th,

319

you know, then those are worth a few days to say the least.

320

You put your stuff in and you deserve a little bit of celebration.

321

One is with your family.

322

Okay.

323

Okay.

324

Wait, actually.

325

And then with your friends?

326

I think minimum three.

327

Oh my gosh.

328

One is with your family, One is with your significant other and one is with your friends.

329

Okay.

330

I think.

331

That's fine.

332

I think they could vary in size.

333

They could all be in the same day?

334

No, I think like.

335

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner?

336

Back to it.

337

Like one on your birthday and then one the day before or after.

338

All right.

339

Minimum.

340

All right.

341

And then if it's a milestone, you can add.

342

All right.

343

That's my hot tip.

344

I think that's good.

345

I like it.

346

Okay, last one.

347

Flip-flops in New York City.

348

You know, I used to love to wear flip-flops, but I think New York City is not the right place to wear them because none of the pavements are level.

349

And you have to be there.

350

The only time I would ever say wear flip-flops is if you're going for a pedicure because you will,

351

and then you better look down because nothing is flat and you will absolutely kill yourself.

352

Plus the fact the city's pretty dirty.

353

Yeah.

354

That was my point.

355

You're not in the country at the country or at the beach or wherever else you are on a farm, you can wear flip-flops every minute of the day.

356

But the city is really nasty.

357

And I wouldn't trust the streets to my clean feet.

358

Yeah.

359

Because the thing is like, even if you think, oh, well, why would my feet touch the floor?

360

Like someone near you is going to step in a puddle and it's going to splash on you.

361

And like your feet, do you get gross?

362

I forget water.

363

There's lots of stuff on the street.

364

Yeah, but I do think like an elevated sandal, anything with your toes exposed gets a little wonky.

365

But I feel like I've been wearing during the summer in the city.

366

Oh, the summer you have to.

367

It's so hot.

368

Yeah, like those sandal heels at night.

369

And like you're getting in and out of a car or walking a few blocks.

370

Yeah, but if you're going to walk a lot in the city, put your sneakers on or your regular shoes that are closed.

371

So I think all in all, when it comes to like point of view, how to be an interesting person, how to have a sense of self.

372

Like, I think it's still okay to ask questions to people around you.

373

Like, I'm still going to ask you for all the outfit advice.

374

Well, that doesn't make you any more interesting.

375

Oh, that's interesting.

376

That makes you cuter.

377

Oh, thanks.

378

But I thought maybe that might be like, oh, I don't have an opinion myself because I need to like outsource that.

379

But I think that sense of self kind of shows up in other ways.

380

Like, it's what I return to.

381

It's what I've loved since being a kid.

382

It's what genuinely interests me.

383

It's the people who I surround myself with.

384

And it's not exactly just knowing who you are.

385

I think it's also just like trusting who you are.

386

Yeah.

387

Knowing you're going to make good decisions, which you do.

388

Thanks.

389

And I hope everybody else out there gets the confidence, whether it be now, soon, or in the near future.

390

Build on your own self and make yourself confident that you are going to do the right thing.

391

You're going to be a good person.

392

You're going to help your family.

393

You're going to help your community.

394

And that's what we wish for you.

395

so a few pop culture headlines

396

and then we could say goodbye dolly parton oh it's so sad

397

and she was a you see that's a person who was

398

born in a in a one room shed who created she

399

was one of 12 children i think she creates she was

400

a genius wrote over a thousand songs collaborated with everybody had one husband

401

that she always loved always in the background he never came out with her in showbiz.

402

She left a mark and she wanted people to love each other.

403

That's the message.

404

Love each other.

405

Be kind to one another.

406

I think she's opening like a new museum.

407

They'll open it.

408

The family will open it or the company will open it.

409

She's left a tremendous amount of goodwill and people who are going to handle all her business.

410

It's a tremendous thing.

411

It was her theme park.

412

And she did great things.

413

And she always left you with a smile.

414

I still think about that nine to five movie.

415

And she was just so fabulous.

416

And she was great.

417

She's just, she was terrific in whatever venue she was in.

418

And it just showed you the most important thing to her, which was her philanthropy side, was reading and education.

419

Because she says her father was illiterate.

420

And she grew up with the fact that her, that was really the only way you could get ahead.

421

And she gives, oh my gosh, hundreds of millions of books out to little children so

422

that they can learn to read and find reading to be something beautiful.

423

So she really is.

424

We're going to miss her.

425

Iconic from the 1980s to today.

426

Like that's such a long time to be.

427

She's more than that.

428

She had 60 years.

429

That's nuts.

430

And like her fashion and like just being such a.

431

It was her genius.

432

Specific.

433

she wrote so she wrote jolene and

434

and um what was the other one uh

435

that whitney houston sang all in one day um what's the song

436

that whitney houston was so famous for

437

that she re-sang i will always love you i'll always love

438

you okay those two songs she wrote them one day i

439

mean how can somebody's genius come back yeah barely write a paragraph to me in a week

440

so i mean you know those are the things we're going to remember her for and her smile.

441

And I also love that she worked in, into her turning 80.

442

Like that's, we love that.

443

She was planning and she was planning to keep going right.

444

It's great.

445

We wish her well.

446

There'll be a star in heaven.

447

We know it's her.

448

The other thing is, you know, Love Island ended and I'm like sad.

449

So I've been looking for a show.

450

So I'm like testing everything out.

451

There was this cute show that Mindy Kaling wrote that someone suggested not suitable for work on Hulu.

452

and it's about like post-grad people living in Murray Hill and like cute workplace dynamics, like really easy, digestible, whatever.

453

So I watched it in the day and I'm like super cute, whatever.

454

When's season two going to be?

455

See, that's the thing.

456

I get a notification yesterday that Hulu is not renewing.

457

They didn't get enough audience.

458

No, and I was like, after all that

459

And so many people online are actually kind of outraged

460

because they were like – So maybe somebody else will pick it up.

461

That's what they're saying, that maybe another streamer now is going to do it.

462

They will.

463

Which is so interesting that – like what does it take?

464

Because I feel like with a show like this where 30-minute comedy,

465

only nine episodes, like you can't really attach on to people.

466

Like I feel like you need at least two seasons.

467

All right.

468

Well, so maybe it'll come back somewhere else.

469

Just keep an eye out.

470

Yeah.

471

And it's just kind of interesting that it's like, or is there enough interest out there for like these young adult kind of stories?

472

You would think so because there's been a lot doing well.

473

I think so.

474

There's all those rom-coms do well.

475

Right.

476

All those new ones.

477

They'll be picked up by Hallmark or one of those things.

478

I think that'd be a step down.

479

I think if they get picked up, they don't care who picks them up.

480

I don't know.

481

She kind of has her choice.

482

Okay.

483

But that was my update.

484

Speaking of fall, we just tried all the new Starbucks pumpkin spice drinks and they're delicious, but I'm just not ready for fall.

485

So I don't want to talk about it yet.

486

It was good.

487

We posted a little try on our social media.

488

So go check that out.

489

Excuse my grandma.

490

My personal is Kim Merstein.

491

Doing a lot of fun things.

492

So definitely make sure to follow along and we will see you soon.

493

Bye.

Download App

Everything you need to speak fluently

AI PronunciationScore every sentence

IPA PracticeMaster every sound

VocabularyBuild your word bank

Vocab GameLearn while playing

Scan QR

Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play

FOR YOU

Recommend Video

39 sentences

Tell Me About Yourself in English | Easy English Conversation for Beginners | Mr. English Podcast

Interview EnglishTeensDaily Conversation

122 sentences

Why people have Good social skills.

Business EnglishTeensDaily Conversation

593 sentences

finding comfort in yourself, advice session

Business EnglishTeensDaily Conversation

Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

This video has 493 sentences and 4965 words to shadow. The speech runs for 25:38. The speaker talks fast, about 194 words per minute, so expect linked and reduced sounds. 86% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start.

Key vocabulary in this video

15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
grandma noun	/ˈɡɹænmɑː/	Grandmother.
genius noun	/ˈd͡ʒin.jəs/	Someone possessing extraordinary intelligence or skill; especially somebody who has demonstrated this by a creative or original work in science, music, art…
flip verb	/flɪp/	To throw so as to turn over.
bore verb	/boɹ/	To inspire boredom in somebody.
storytelling noun		The act and skills of presenting stories and tales.
flop verb	/flɑp/	To fall heavily due to lack of energy.
passion noun	/ˈpæʃən/	A true desire sustained or prolonged.
theater noun	/ˈθi(ə)tɚ/	A place or building, consisting of a stage and seating, in which an audience gathers to watch plays, musical performances, public ceremonies, and so on.
outfit noun	/ˈaʊtfɪt/	A set of clothing (with accessories).
hobby noun	/ˈhɑ.bi/	An activity that one enjoys doing in one's spare time.
whoever	/huˈɛvɚ/	Who ever: an emphatic form of who.
poetry noun	/ˈpoʊ.ə.tɹi/	Literature composed in verse or language exhibiting conscious attention to patterns and rhythm.
expand verb	/ɪkˈspænd/	To change (something) from a smaller form or size to a larger one; to spread out or lay open.
pretend verb	/pɹəˈtɛnd/	To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.
filter noun	/ˈfɪltɚ/	A device which separates a suspended, dissolved, or particulate matter from a fluid, solution, or other substance; any device that separates one substance from…

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Word	Meaning
come back verb	To return to a place.
pick up verb	To lift; to grasp and raise.
blow out verb	To extinguish something, especially a flame, especially by means of a strong current of air or another gas.
come across verb	To change sides; to cross over to work for the opposition.
come down to verb	To reach by moving down or reducing.
come out with verb	To say (something) unexpectedly.
come over verb	To affect in a sudden, unprecedented or surprising manner; to overwhelm a person's ordinarily contrary impulse.
come through verb	To come into a room or other space through a door or passageway.

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 do · used to love · used to eat
Present perfect continuous have/has been + -ing — an action that started earlier and is still going on	I've been struggling · I've been trying · I've been wearing
Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now	have come · I've always loved · it's been
Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thing	people who you · people who act · someone who asks

Pronunciation to watch

The speaker uses 116 contractions and reduced forms, such as you're, don't, I'm. Say them the short way, as you hear them.

The “th” sounds: theater /ˈθi(ə)tɚ/, gathering /ˈɡæð.ɚ.ɪŋ/, grandmother /ˈɡɹæn(d)ˌmʌðɚ/, strengthen /ˈstɹɛŋ(k)θən/, aesthetic /ɛsˈθɛ.tɪk/
The “sh” and “zh” sounds: passion /ˈpæʃən/, shoe /ˈʃu/, gosh /ɡɑːʃ/, occasion /əˈkeɪ̯ʒən/, delicious /dɪˈlɪ.ʃəs/
Long words — get the stress right: genuinely /ˈd͡ʒɛn.ju.ɪn.li/, economics /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪks/, psychology /saɪˈkɑ.lə.d͡ʒi/, celebration /ˌsɛl.ɪˈbɹeɪ.ʃən/, exploration /ˌɛkspləˈɹeɪʃən/

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 grandma, genius, flip.

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 to Be a More Interesting Person - Learn English Speaking with Video

Choose a practice mode

Download App

HOW TO BE SOCIAL - HOW TO NEVER RUN OUT OF THINGS TO SAY

In 2011 Taylor Swift told 60 Minutes she feels like an outsider

23.Talking about fashion

[B1] How to Describe Your Personality | English Listening & Speaking Practice

Romanticizing my life

for those who are constantly lonely

☾ PILLOW TALK 4 / Failures, Rejections + Parent Expectations ✧

How to tell if you are a FASHION NPC (and how to grow from it)

My Advice To Young Women

Tell Me About Yourself in English | Easy English Conversation for Beginners | Mr. English Podcast

Why people have Good social skills.

finding comfort in yourself, advice session

Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

Key vocabulary in this video

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Grammar in this video

Pronunciation to watch

How to practise with this video

What is the Shadowing Technique?