Shadowing Practice: How to Spend Your Free Time Effectively? | 🎧 English on the Go! | Beginner - Learn English Speaking with Video
Choose a practice mode
Each mode opens a full-screen practice room.
102 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
Learn anywhere, speak everywhere.
2
Hello and welcome to the Learn English Podcast.
3
English on the go, learn anywhere, speak everywhere.
4
I'm your host Alex and I'm excited to have you with us today.
5
In this episode, we're going to talk about a topic that is very important for everyone, how to spend your free time effectively.
6
We all have free time, but how do we make the most of it?
7
Some people use their free time to relax, while others use it to be productive or learn new things.
8
Today, we'll explore different ways to use your free time effectively
9
and hear a conversation between Lisa and Clem about their ideas on this topic.
10
Before we dive into the conversation, let's think about a few questions to get you ready for what you'll hear.
11
Take a moment to consider these questions.
12
1. What do you think are some good ways to spend your free time?
13
2. Why might it be important to use your free time effectively?
14
3. How do you currently spend your free time?
15
Hey Clem, what do you usually do with your free time?
16
Hi, Lisa.
17
Well, I like to spend my free time doing various activities.
18
Sometimes I read books, sometimes I go for a walk, and other times I work on hobbies. That sounds great.
19
You think you use your free time effectively?
20
I try to, but sometimes I feel like I could do more.
21
I always end up watching TV or scrolling through social media, and I feel like I waste a lot of time.
22
I understand.
23
It can be easy to fall into those habits.
24
I've found that setting small goals helps me use my time better.
25
For example, I set aside some time each week to work on a new skill or project.
26
That's a good idea.
27
What kind of projects or skills do you work on?
28
Well, recently I've been learning to cook new recipes and practicing guitar.
29
It's nice to have something to look forward to and feel accomplished when I finish a project.
30
That's really inspiring.
31
I think I might try setting some goals for my free time, too.
32
Maybe I could pick up a new hobby or work on a personal project.
33
Absolutely.
34
It's all about finding a balance between relaxing and being productive.
35
Even just a little bit of time spent on something meaningful can make a big difference.
36
Thanks for the advice, Lisa.
37
I'll definitely give it a try and see how it goes.
38
You're welcome, Clem.
39
I'm sure you'll find it rewarding.
40
Now that we've heard some useful stories, let's talk about some key vocabulary related to our topic.
41
First up, effective.
42
It means producing a desired result.
43
For example, Lisa thinks it's important to use free time effectively.
44
Next is balance.
45
It means a state of having equal amounts or equal importance.
46
For example, finding a balance between relaxing and being productive is important.
47
The third word is recharge.
48
It means to regain energy.
49
For example, sometimes taking a break is the best way to recharge.
50
Another important word is accomplished.
51
It means successful or achieving something.
52
For example, spending free time on meaningful activities can make you feel accomplished.
53
Finally, we have motivated.
54
It means having a strong reason or desire to do something.
55
For example, Clem feels more motivated to make the most of his free time.
56
Now, listen to the conversation again, and this time, try to identify these words.
57
Hey Clem, what do you usually do with your free time?
58
Hi, Lisa.
59
Well, I like to spend my free time doing various activities.
60
Sometimes I read books, sometimes I go for a walk, and other times I work on hobbies. That sounds great.
61
You think you use your free time effectively?
62
I try to, but sometimes I feel like I could do more.
63
I always end up watching TV or scrolling through social media, and I feel like I waste a lot of time.
64
I understand.
65
It can be easy to fall into those habits.
66
I've found that setting small goals helps me use my time better.
67
For example, I set aside some time each week to work on a new skill or project.
68
That's a good idea.
69
What kind of projects or skills do you work on?
70
Well, recently I've been learning to cook new recipes and practicing guitar.
71
It's nice to have something to look forward to and feel accomplished when I finish a project.
72
That's really inspiring.
73
I think I might try setting some goals for my free time too.
74
Maybe I could pick up a new hobby.
75
or work on a personal project.
76
Absolutely.
77
It's all about finding a balance between relaxing and being productive.
78
Even just a little bit of time spent on something meaningful can make a big difference.
79
Thanks for the advice, Lisa.
80
I'll definitely give it a try and see how it goes.
81
You're welcome, Clem.
82
I'm sure you'll find it rewarding.
83
Now, let's see how well you understood the conversation by answering a few comprehension questions.
84
Listen carefully to these questions and think about the answers based on what you've heard.
85
What are some activities Clem enjoys during his free time?
86
2. How does Lisa suggest balancing relaxing activities with other activities?
87
3. What small goals does Lisa set for herself?
88
4. Why does Clem want to try setting goals for his hobbies?
89
Take a moment to reflect on these questions.
90
They will help you think about the main points from the conversation and how they relate to spending free time effectively.
91
After listening to the conversation and answering the comprehension questions, let's think about how this topic relates to your own life.
92
Here are some post -listening questions for you to reflect on.
93
1. Reflecting on the conversation, how do you plan to use your free time more effectively?
94
2. Can you think of a new activity or hobby you might want to try?
95
3. How do you balance relaxation and productivity in your daily life?
96
Consider these questions carefully.
97
They're meant to help you apply what you've learned to your own life
98
and make thoughtful decisions about how you spend your free time.
99
That's all for today's episode.
100
Remember, rest is not a luxury, but a necessity.
101
Practice taking small breaks and enjoy doing nothing.
102
Thanks for joining us and see you next time on English on the Go.
Download App
Everything you need to speak fluently
AI PronunciationScore every sentence
IPA PracticeMaster every sound
VocabularyBuild your word bank
Vocab GameLearn while playing
Same Channel
B14
Doomscrolling – Why Do We Love Bad News Before Bed? #english #dailyenglish #doomscrolling #imbrian
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B12
What 2025 Taught Me About Life #happynewyear2026 #everydayenglish #learnenglish #englishpodcast
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A23
#halloweenenglish #halloweenenglish #dailyenglish #english #learnenglish
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A21
Can You Survive a Day Without the Internet? | Easy English Conversation | English Podcast A2-A2+
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B11
Daily English - You Don’t Have to Be Perfect to Be Proud - Intermediate English Podcast
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A21
Talk About Where You Go to Relax | English Listening & Speaking Practice (A2)
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A29
Talk About Your Weekend Plans and Free Time in English | Easy English Conversation for Beginners
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B12
Waking up early can help you "think clearly." #wakeupearly #wakeup
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B13
A Day Without the Internet #everydayenglish #digitaldetox #englishpodcast #learnenglish
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A22
Where Do You Go to Relax? | Easy English Conversation | English Podcast A2-A2+
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A22
How to Talk About Picnics | Easy English Conversation for Beginners
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A23
Talking About Your Hometown | Easy English Conversation for Beginners | Daily English
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A22
How to Talk About Picnics | Easy English Conversation for Beginners
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A22
English Podcast: 20 English Phrases with "Smile" | Easy English for Beginners
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A22
Talking About Rainy Weather in English #everydayenglish #rainyday
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A24
#halloweenenglish #halloweenenglish #dailyenglish #english #learnenglish
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A22
Riding a Bike to Work #shorts #slowenglish #Eco-friendly #dailyenglish #englishbeginners #imbrian
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A22
Rainy Day English – Feelings, Activities & Funny Stories | Easy English Conversation for Beginners
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B13
How to Keep Mosquitoes Away From Your Garden | 5 Simple Life Hacks | Learn English
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A22
A Day in the Life | Easy English Conversation for Beginners
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
FOR YOU
Recommend Video
A28
77 sentences
How I Spend My Free Time | Easy English Podcast (A1–A2)#podcast #englishpodcast #podcastenglish
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A21
416 sentences
How Self-Study Can Make You Successful! | Easy English Podcast Conversation in Daily Life
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A23
482 sentences
Don’t Waste Your Life | English Podcast for Easy Conversation in Daily Life | Learn English Fast
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A21
268 sentences
Easy Podcast for English Speaking & Fluency | Slow Podcast A1 & A2 for Conversation and Speaking
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B11
96 sentences
How to STOP Spending Too Much Money? | 💖 Healing podcast | Intermediate
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A2317 sentences
How to Focus on Yourself | Easy English Conversation for Beginners | English Podcast
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B11
35 sentences
Make Your Time Count #readingeanglish #english #education
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B15
303 sentences
Practice Real English Conversation | Should Your Hobby Make Money? (A2–B1) | English Podcast
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A14,628
67 sentences
A1 English Listening Practice - Language Learning
American AccentDaily ConversationWorking Adults
B17
72 sentences
How Small Talk Can Improve Your English Speaking | Mr English Podcast Ep. 45
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This speaking lesson is built on the video “How to Spend Your Free Time Effectively?”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: Clem, Lisa, effectively, questions, project. This video has 102 sentences and 1061 words to shadow. The speech runs for 7:25. The speaker talks at a steady 143 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 84% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start. 17 of its 102 sentences are questions, so it is good practice for question intonation and short answers.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| hobby noun | /ˈhɑ.bi/ | An activity that one enjoys doing in one's spare time. |
| relax verb | /ɹɪˈlæks/ | To make something loose. |
| topic noun | /ˈtɑpɪk/ | A subject; a theme; a category or general area of interest. |
| skill noun | /skɪl/ | A capacity to do something well; a technique, an ability, usually acquired or learned, as opposed to abilities that are regarded as innate. |
| productive adjective | /pɹəˈdʌk.tɪv/ | Capable of producing something, especially in abundance; fertile. |
| accomplish verb | /əˈkɑm.plɪʃ/ | To finish successfully. |
| reflect verb | /ɹɪˈflɛkt/ | To bend back (light, etc.) from a surface. |
| meaningful adjective | /ˈmiː.nɪŋ.fl̩/ | Having meaning, significant. |
| guitar noun | /ɡɪˈtɑɹ/ | A stringed musical instrument, of European origin, usually with a fretted fingerboard and six strings, played with the fingers or a plectrum (guitar pick). |
| carefully adverb | /ˈkɛɹf(ə)li/ | With care; attentively, circumspectly. |
| reward noun | /ɹɪˈwɔɹd/ | Something of value given in return for an act. |
| habit noun | /ˈhæb.ɪt/ | An action performed on a regular basis. |
| relate verb | /ɹɪˈleɪt/ | To tell in a descriptive way. |
| recipe noun | /ˈɹɛs.ɪ.pi/ | Any set of instructions for preparing a mixture of ingredients. |
| inspire verb | /ɪnˈspaɪə(ɹ)/ | To infuse into the mind; to communicate to the spirit; to convey, as by a divine or supernatural influence; to disclose preternaturally; to produce in, as by… |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| end up verb | To bring to a conclusion. | |
| look forward to verb | To anticipate, expect, or wait for, especially with a feeling of approval or pleasure; to be excited or eager to. | |
| pick up verb | To lift; to grasp and raise. | |
| set aside verb | /sɛt.əˈsaɪd/ | To separate and reserve something for a specific purpose. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- Why might it be important to use your free time effectively?
- How do you currently spend your free time?
- You think you use your free time effectively?
- What kind of projects or skills do you work on?
- I'm sure you'll find it rewarding.
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 learning |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | I've found · we've heard · have motivated |
| Possibility with “might / may” might/may + verb — something that is possible but not certain | might try · might want |
| Verb + -ing enjoy, keep, stop… + -ing — verbs that are followed by the -ing form | suggest balancing · Practice taking |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 21 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, I've, you'll. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: accomplish /əˈkɑm.plɪʃ/, comprehension /ˌkɑmpɹɪˈhɛnʃn̩/, luxury /ˈlʌk.ʃə.ɹi/, relaxation /rᵻˌlækˈseɪ.ʃən/
- Long words — get the stress right: productivity /ˌpɹɒdʌkˈtɪvəti/, necessity /nɪˈsɛsəti/, vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/
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 hobby, relax, topic.
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.