Shadowing Practice: How To Make Small Talk - Learn English Speaking with Video
Creating lesson...
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Have you ever been in an elevator only to realize you have nothing to say when your boss steps in?
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Before you hyperventilate, even thinking about it?
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Take into consideration these tips to become more conversational.
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Most opportunities spark from conversation.
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It's a free investment.
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You'll be recognized for taking the time to chat with that person that person.
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And a study from the University of Michigan showed
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that social interactions boost problem-solving skills by forcing you to read people's minds and take their perspective.
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First, look for someone approachable.
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Start with a smile and introduction.
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This puts everyone at ease.
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Communications expert Carol Fleming says to remember the acronym R.
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Anchor.
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Find something you have in common.
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This can be something you've experienced or something you're both experiencing in that moment.
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Reveal.
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Say something about yourself that relates to your anchor topic, creating trust and providing something for them to respond to.
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Encourage.
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This is your time to ask a question, prompting them to respond.
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Keep your questions open-ended.
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This allows for a more in-depth conversation.
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If you're stumped for a topic, stick to easy ones like their job, hobbies, and family.
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But always remember, stay away from controversial topics like politics.
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A compliment works well too, just be sure to transition the conversation afterward.
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Some people don't know how to handle them.
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Using the person's name in conversation will also yield good results.
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People appreciate the special attention.
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And remember to listen.
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People love to talk about themselves.
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Restate what you hear to show you are listening.
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Now is not the time to be shy.
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Get in that elevator, smile, and make small talk.
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This B1 speaking lesson is built on the video “How To Make Small Talk”. This video has 32 sentences and 279 words to shadow. The speech runs for 1:47. The speaker talks at a natural 156 words per minute, close to everyday conversation. 85% 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
The 15 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| elevator noun | /ˈɛləˌveɪtɚ/ | Anything that raises or uplifts. |
| anchor noun | /ˈæŋ.kəː/ | A tool used to moor a vessel to the bottom of a sea or river to resist movement. |
| acronym noun | /ˈækɹənɪm/ | Generally such abbreviations, including those pronounced as individual letters (initialisms such as "TNT"). |
| approachable adjective | /əˈpɹəʊ.t͡ʃə.bəl/ | Easily approached; easy to talk to. |
| conversational adjective | /ˌkɒnvə(ɹ)ˈseɪʃənəl/ | Easy in conversation, chatty. |
| hyperventilate verb | To breathe quickly and deeply, especially at an abnormally rapid rate. | |
| restate verb | to state again (without changing) | |
| prompt verb | /pɹɑmpt/ | To lead (someone) toward what they should say or do. |
| compliment noun | /ˈkɑmpləmənt/ | An expression of praise, congratulation, or respect. |
| hobby noun | /ˈhɑ.bi/ | An activity that one enjoys doing in one's spare time. |
| spark noun | /ˈspɑɹk/ | A small particle of glowing matter, either molten or on fire, resulting from an electrical surge or excessive heat created by friction. |
| yield verb | /jiːld/ | To give as a result or outcome; to produce or render. |
| controversial adjective | /ˌkɑn.tɹəˈvɝ.ʃəl/ | Arousing or likely to arouse controversy. |
| relate verb | /ɹɪˈleɪt/ | To tell in a descriptive way. |
| consideration noun | /kənˌsɪd.əˈɹeɪ.ʃən/ | The thought process of considering, of taking multiple or specified factors into account (with of being the main corresponding adposition). |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 5 contractions and reduced forms, such as you're, don't, you'll. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: conversational /ˌkɒnvə(ɹ)ˈseɪʃənəl/, controversial /ˌkɑn.tɹəˈvɝ.ʃəl/, consideration /kənˌsɪd.əˈɹeɪ.ʃən/, interaction /ˌɪn.təˈɹæk.ʃən/
- Long words — get the stress right: elevator /ˈɛləˌveɪtɚ/, approachable /əˈpɹəʊ.t͡ʃə.bəl/, conversational /ˌkɒnvə(ɹ)ˈseɪʃənəl/, controversial /ˌkɑn.tɹəˈvɝ.ʃəl/, consideration /kənˌsɪd.əˈɹeɪ.ʃən/
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 elevator, anchor, acronym.
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.