Shadowing Practice: HOW TO DESCRIBE PICTURES LIKE A PRO ;) | tips for speaking exams | how to English - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

B2
Hi, in some speaking exams you have to describe a picture and today I will show you how to nail it.
⏸ Paused
81 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
Hi, in some speaking exams you have to describe a picture and today I will show you how to nail it.
2
Okay, first the most important thing.
3
Don't be afraid or ashamed if you don't understand something during the exam.
4
Say it and if you're not sure what to do, ask.
5
Could you repeat?
6
What do you mean?
7
I'm sorry, I didn't understand that.
8
I'm not sure what to do to do?
9
Should I start?
10
And sometimes you can say,
11
I'm sorry, I'm really nervous and it might help you.
12
And remember, you don't need to know all the words for the things you can see in the picture.
13
If you don't know the exact word,
14
just describe what you see.
15
The main thing you see.
16
I would start describing this picture by saying,
17
in the picture I can see five people.
18
There are two men and three women.
19
There are no children in the picture.
20
And remember we say in the picture, not on the picture.
21
There is a plant in the picture.
22
There is a plant on the picture.
23
To describe actions we use present continuous.
24
The people in the picture are not sitting at their desks.
25
They are standing and raising their hands.
26
They are all smiling.
27
They are all wearing similar colours.
28
The woman on the right is wearing glasses.
29
Focus on the details.
30
In front of the people there is a desk.
31
On the desk there are two notebooks,
32
some papers and a plant.
33
In the background I can see a notice board.
34
Behind the woman on the right there is another plant.
35
What do you think?
36
Based on the fact that they are smiling I believe
37
that they like their job or maybe one of them has just told a joke and that's why everybody looks so happy.
38
I guess they are good friends and that they like each other.
39
Because of the clothes that the people are wearing, I think it's Friday.
40
Their clothes are not entirely formal and many offices have casual Fridays,
41
which allows their employees to dress casually.
42
I like this picture because everybody in it is very relaxed and they seem to be a good team.
43
It reminds me of my parents' office,
44
where the people are very friendly and helpful and I think I'd like to have colleagues like that in the future.
45
And now I will describe two more pictures for you.
46
In the picture I can see two boys.
47
I guess they are both six or seven years old.
48
On the left side of the picture there is a globe
49
and on the right side of the picture there are some books.
50
The boys are in the middle of the picture.
51
They are both sitting and smiling.
52
The boy on the left is wearing a red t-shirt and the boy on the right is wearing a black t-shirt.
53
They are sitting next to each other and they are reading a book.
54
I believe this is a geography book because of the globe that is standing next to the boys.
55
Judging by the fact that there are a lot of books and no toys in the picture,
56
I think the boys are at school.
57
It seems that they like it because they look quite happy.
58
I guess they are best friends and that's why they are sitting together.
59
It reminds me of my school friends and how we used to learn and play together.
60
In the picture I can see a couple,
61
a man and a woman.
62
They are in the foreground and in the background there are some trees.
63
There is also a really big tree on the left side of the picture.
64
They are in the park.
65
I think it's springtime because all the leaves are green,
66
the sky looks bright and they are wearing light jackets which are perfect for spring.
67
Based on the look on the woman's face, I think she's angry.
68
Even though she is in a beautiful park,
69
she's not smiling, she doesn't seem to enjoy it and I think she wants to go away.
70
It seems that the man is following her.
71
He is stretching his arms as if he wanted to say sorry.
72
I suppose they have been arguing,
73
maybe he has done something wrong and it made her furious.
74
I guess that whatever the man did it was rather serious because people don't normally argue in parks.
75
I hope that they will be able to talk about it
76
and that he will get the chance to make things right again.
77
Okay now let's practice what you've just learned.
78
Okay, that's it for today.
79
Thank you for watching.
80
Give this video a like if you enjoyed it and I'll see you next time.
81
Bye!

Download App

AI scoring for every sentence you speak

Scan To Download
Scan To Download
Download on theApp Store
Get it onGoogle Play
TRENDING

Popular

Context & Background

In some speaking exams, particularly in tests like the IELTS, you may be required to describe images or pictures. This task can often feel daunting, especially when under pressure. However, the key to success lies in using simple yet effective communication strategies. In the video, the speaker shares valuable tips on how to articulate your observations confidently and clearly, turning a potentially intimidating situation into an opportunity to showcase your language skills. Remember, understanding and describing visuals is not just about vocabulary; it's about conveying your thoughts coherently.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “In the picture, I can see…” - A great way to start your description and focus the listener's attention.
  • “There is/are…” - Use this phrase to describe objects and details clearly.
  • “The people in the picture are…” - This helps to introduce actions and states effectively.
  • “I believe that…” - Use this to share personal insights or interpretations of the image.
  • “It reminds me of…” - A perfect phrase for expressing personal connections, which adds depth to your description.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To master the art of describing images, consider using a shadowing app to practice. Shadowing involves listening to native speakers and mimicking their pronunciation and intonation while speaking. Here’s a step-by-step guide to tackle this particular video’s insights:

  1. Watch the video multiple times: Focus on the presenter’s tone and pacing. Notice how they transition between ideas.
  2. Practice shadow speech: Repeat phrases immediately after the speaker while imitating their rhythm and stress. This will enhance your fluency and confidence.
  3. Use visuals: Find random images online and practice describing them using the structure learned from the video. Start with basic observations, then build up to personal interpretations.
  4. Record yourself: Listen to your recordings to identify areas of improvement. This will help you track progress in your IELTS speaking practice.
  5. Engage in discussions: Discuss the images you describe with friends or language partners. This will encourage spontaneous speech and enhance your communication skills.

By integrating these strategies and regularly practicing through shadowing exercises, you’ll not only improve your ability to describe pictures but also boost your overall English speaking skills. Whether for exams or daily conversations, the ability to describe visuals can open new avenues for expression and clarity.

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.

☕ Buy us a coffee