Shadowing Practice: How to Introduce Yourself? | 🎙️ 8 Minute English | Beginner - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Welcome back to 8 Minute English on the Learn English Podcast.
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I'm Nathan, and I'm happy to be here with you all.
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So picture this: you walk into a room full of new people.
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Your heart's racing, your mind's blank.
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And suddenly, Introducing yourself feels like the hardest thing in the world.
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Sound familiar?
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Yeah, we've all been there.
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But what if I told you that introducing yourself doesn't have to be awkward or stressful, In fact, it can be fun, easy, and even make people remember you.
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In today's episode, we're diving into the art of self -introduction.
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How to keep it simple?
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natural and engaging.
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We'll break down practical tips, share fun examples, and maybe even challenge you to rethink how you introduce yourself.
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So, Whether you're meeting new friends, networking, or just want to make a great first impression, This episode is for you.
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Up next, get ready to listen to a real -life conversation between two people meeting for the first time.
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No awkward pauses, no overthinking, Just a smooth, natural introduction.
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Let's see how they do it.
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And don't forget, We've prepared a free PDF to help you review everything we discussed today.
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So grab your favorite snack and drinks and let's get started.
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Hey there.
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Mind if I join you? Of course.
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I'm Lisa.
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Nice to meet you.
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Nice to meet you too, Lisa.
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I'm Jake.
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I just moved here a few months ago.
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Oh, where are you from?
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I'm originally from Chicago, but now I live here in Seattle.
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I work as a software developer.
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How about you?
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I live here in Seattle, too.
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I work in marketing, mostly social media and branding.
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That sounds interesting.
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Do you enjoy it?
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Yeah, I do.
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I love coming up with creative ideas and seeing how they connect with people.
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Plus, I get to work with some really cool brands.
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That's awesome.
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I've always been curious about marketing, I mean, I work in tech, but I know marketing plays a huge role in everything we do.
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Yeah, definitely.
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And software development is fascinating too.
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Do you specialize in anything?
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Yeah, I focus on web development, mainly front -end design.
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I love making websites look great and work smoothly.
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That's cool.
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So outside of work, what do you like to do for fun?
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Oh, I love hiking.
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Since moving here, I've been exploring different trails on the weekends.
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Last week I went to Rattlesnake Ledge, such an amazing view!
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I love hiking too.
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Rattlesnake Ledge is beautiful.
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Have you tried Mount C?
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Not yet, but I've heard great things.
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Is it tough?
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It's a little challenging, but totally worth it.
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We should plan a hike sometime.
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All right.
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How about you?
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Any hobbies or interests outside of work?
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Yeah, I love baking.
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Lately I've been experimenting with making macarons.
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Macarons.
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Wow, that sounds impressive.
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I've always wanted to try baking but I don't think I have the patience.
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It does take patience, but it's really rewarding when they turn out right.
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Maybe I'll bring some next time.
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I'd love that.
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So, do you usually come to events like this?
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Yeah, I try to.
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It's a great way to meet people and learn new things.
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What about you?
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Same here.
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I'm still new in town, so I'm trying to meet people and get involved in different circles.
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That's great!
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Well, welcome to Seattle, Jake.
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It was really nice chatting with you.
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Thanks, Lisa.
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I really enjoyed our conversation.
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Let's keep in touch.
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Maybe go for that hike or try some macarons.
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Absolutely!
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Here, let me give you my contact information.
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So what do you feel about the conversation?
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Does it provide tips that you need for self -introduction?
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If you haven't figured out, we will review the steps together.
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Step 1: Keep it simple.
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No need for long, awkward speeches.
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Just stick to the basics.
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your name, where you live, and what you do.
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Like, "Hey, I'm Sarah." I live in New York and I work as a graphic designer.
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There you go, easy.
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Try practicing sentences like this daily.
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Step two, Body language matters smile, make eye contact, stand up straight, You don't need to look like a superhero, just look welcoming.
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A warm smile can make things way less awkward.
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Step three, Adapt to the situation.
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Your introduction isn't one size fits all.
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Adjust it based on where you are and who you're talking to.
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at a party?
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Keep it casual.
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Hey, I'm Alex.
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I love hiking and trying new foods.
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fun and relatable.
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In a job interview?
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Stay professional.
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I have five years of experience in marketing and specialize in growing businesses.
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Clear and confident, same person, different settings, different introductions,
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You wouldn't introduce yourself the same way to your boss as you would to a new gym buddy, right?
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so pay attention to the situation and adjust your intro to fit.
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Step 4: Be memorable.
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Add a fun fact.
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Instead of just saying, "I'm Alex, make it stick.
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I love baking and recently tried making macarons." Now you're not just Alex, you're the macaron person.
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Sharing something unique gives people an easy way to remember you and makes conversations flow naturally.
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Plus, it can lead to fun follow -up questions Like, Oh, what flavor did you make?
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Step 5.
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Confidence is key.
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You don't have to be perfect.
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Just clear and natural.
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Speak at a steady pace, don't rush, and avoid overthinking.
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A small pause is fine, Better than filling the space with "uh" and "um" And remember, People aren't judging you as harshly as you think.
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The more you practice, the more natural it will feel.
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Final tip.
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Keep the conversation going.
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A great introduction doesn't just end it sparks a conversation.
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Instead of stopping after your intro, turn it into a two -way street.
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Ask, what about you?
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What do you like to do for fun?
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This keeps things engaging, helps you find common interests, and prevents those dreaded awkward silences.
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the best introductions, lead to real connections.
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Now let's explore some interesting phrases from today's conversation.
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1. Work as a way to describe your job.
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Example: I work as a graphic designer at a marketing agency.
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2. come up with to think of an idea or solution.
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Example: we need to come up with a solution for the problem.
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3. Play a huge role to have a great impact or importance.
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Example Social media plays a huge role in modern marketing.
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Fourth, experiment with to try different ways of doing something.
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Example: I've been experimenting with new recipes lately.
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5. Keep in touch, to continue communicating with someone.
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Example: Let's keep in touch after graduation.
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And that's a wrap on today's episode.
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See?
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Introducing yourself doesn't have to be awkward or stressful.
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Keep it simple, add a personal touch, And most importantly, Be you.
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The more you practice, the easier it gets.
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So go out there, introduce yourself, and start some great conversations.
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You never know where a simple Hi, I'm might lead.
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Thanks for tuning in.
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If you found this helpful, Don't forget to subscribe and share it with a friend.
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Until next time, stay confident, stay curious.
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Why practice speaking with this video?
Introducing yourself can often feel intimidating, especially in unfamiliar settings. However, this 8 Minute English episode provides an excellent environment to practice speaking naturally. By engaging with this video, you will not only learn the essentials of self-introduction but also gain the confidence to express yourself in various social situations. The dialogue between Lisa and Jake serves as a perfect model, showcasing how to make connections and keep conversations flowing. As you listen and repeat, you can utilize a shadowspeaks technique—imitating the intonations and speech patterns present in the video. This practice can enhance your fluency and make introductions feel more effortless and enjoyable.
Grammar & Expressions in Context
In this episode, several key structures and phrases are highlighted that are crucial for effective self-introductions:
- “Nice to meet you.” - A simple yet warm phrase that is universally accepted when meeting someone new.
- “I just moved here…” - A great way to share relevant personal information that can serve as a conversation starter.
- “How about you?” - This phrase opens up the dialogue and shows that you’re interested in the other person, which is essential for building rapport.
- “What do you like to do for fun?” - Asking about hobbies not only expands the conversation but also makes it more engaging. This can facilitate deeper connections, enhancing your shadow speech.
By incorporating these expressions into your own self-introductions, you will find it easier to engage in discussions, whether socially or professionally. Consider practicing them through a shadowing app that will enable you to repeat phrases and enhance your speaking skills.
Common Pronunciation Traps
While introducing oneself, pronunciation can be a challenge. Here are a few words and phrases from the video that may pose difficulties:
- “Seattle” - Pay attention to the ‘t’ sound which might be subtle for non-native speakers.
- “Software developer” - This phrase combines fast speech that may require careful articulation, especially for learners focusing on learn English with YouTube.
- “Explore” - The ‘ex’ blend can sometimes trip up learners. Make sure to practice the 'x' sound before the 'pl' consonant cluster.
To strengthen your pronunciation, utilize repetition while practicing along with the video. This will undoubtedly help reinforce your speaking abilities in a natural context, ensuring that you can introduce yourself confidently in any situation.
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Present perfect continuous have/has been + -ing — an action that started earlier and is still going on | I've been exploring · I've been experimenting |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | We've prepared · I've always been · Have you tried |
| Verb + -ing enjoy, keep, stop… + -ing — verbs that are followed by the -ing form | love coming · love making · love hiking |
| Superlatives the -est / the most … — the top or bottom of a group | the hardest · the best |
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.