Shadowing Practice: How to talk about Salary Expectations in english| ✅ English podcast - Learn English Speaking with YouTube
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The English you need to work, communicate, and grow.
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The English you need to work, communicate, and grow.
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Hello and welcome to 20 Minutes English for Work podcast.
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My name is Liz.
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And my name is Tom.
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This podcast is for you who understand English,
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but sometimes freeze when you need to use it at work.
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Maybe you know what you want to say,
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but when it's time to talk to your boss, the words disappear.
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Maybe you worry about sounding unprofessional.
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Maybe you're afraid of making mistakes.
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Or maybe you think your English is not good enough.
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Let us tell you something important.
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You don't need perfect English to communicate well at work.
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What you need is simple, clear, real English.
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The kind people actually use in meetings,
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updates, and conversations with their managers.
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And that's exactly what we practice here in just 20 minutes.
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In today's episode, we're talking about something very real and very common,
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giving updates to your boss.
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How do you start the conversation politely?
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How do you explain progress?
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How do you talk about problems without sounding negative?
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And how do you ask for decisions or recommendations with confidence?
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First, you'll listen to a realistic dialogue,
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just like a conversation you could have at work tomorrow.
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Don't worry if you don't understand everything the first time.
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That's normal.
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After the dialogue, we'll explain the phrases step by step,
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talk about vocabulary, and share cultural tips from real work environments.
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So take a deep breath.
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Relax.
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You're not alone in this journey.
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Subscribe to the channel and practice English for real work situations with us every day.
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And tell us in the comments where you're listening from.
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We love reading your messages.
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Now, let's begin.
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Hi, Rachel.
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Do you have a few minutes?
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I'd like to give you an update on the project if now is a good time.
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Hi, Mark.
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Yes, this is a good time.
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Thanks for asking first.
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Please go ahead.
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Great, thank you.
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I'll try to be clear and keep it organized.
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I want to talk about our progress,
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a small challenge we're facing,
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and one decision we need to make.
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That sounds perfect.
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I appreciate structured updates.
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Let's start with the progress.
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Sure.
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So, overall, the project is moving forward as planned.
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The team completed the initial research phase,
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and we're now transitioning into the execution stage.
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That's good to hear.
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When was the research finalized?
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It was finalized yesterday afternoon.
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I reviewed the full report this morning before this meeting.
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And how does it look?
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Are you comfortable with the results?
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Yes, I am.
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The findings are consistent with what we expected.
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There are a few minor adjustments needed,
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mostly formatting and clarification, but nothing that affects the main conclusions.
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That sounds manageable.
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Do you need support from anyone else to finalize those adjustments?
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No, I think the team can handle it internally.
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I already shared my comments,
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and they're working on it now.
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Perfect.
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And in terms of timing,
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are we still aligned with the original schedule?
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For the most part, yes.
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We're still on track, but next week will be critical.
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Some tasks are very close together,
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so timing will be important.
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I see.
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Which tasks are you most concerned about?
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The design review is the main one.
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We're waiting for feedback from the client,
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and without that feedback, the team can't move forward.
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Have we already reached out to the client about this?
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Yes.
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I sent a follow-up email yesterday afternoon.
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I kept the tone polite and clear,
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asking if they could share their feedback by tomorrow.
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Good.
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And if they don't respond?
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If I don't hear back by tomorrow morning,
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I plan to call them directly.
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I think a quick call might speed things up.
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That's a good plan.
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Sometimes a call is more effective than emails.
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I agree.
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Emails are useful, but they can get lost or delayed.
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Exactly.
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Please keep me posted once you hear back from them. Of course.
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I'll get back to you as soon as I have any update,
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even if it's just to say we're still waiting.
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I appreciate that.
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Regular updates help a lot.
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That's my goal.
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I want to make sure there are no surprises later.
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And you're doing a great job with that.
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Keep going.
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Thank you.
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That means a lot.
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Now, let's talk about the budget.
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Any issues so far?
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So far, everything is under control.
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We're within the approved budget and expenses are aligned with our forecast.
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That's excellent.
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Do you expect any changes in the near future?
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Possibly.
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If the client requests additional changes after the design review,
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we may need extra hours from the team.
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I understand.
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That's often the case.
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Do you have an estimate of how much that could impact the budget?
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At this stage, it's hard to say.
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It depends on the scope of the changes.
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Small changes won't be a problem,
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but major revisions could require adjustments.
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Okay.
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In that case, let's monitor it closely and reassess if needed.
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That sounds good.
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I'll flag it early if I see any risk.
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Thank you.
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Proactive communication really makes a difference.
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I agree.
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It builds trust and helps with decision-making.
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Speaking of decisions, you mentioned earlier that there's something you need my input on.
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Yes, exactly.
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We need to decide between two options for the final delivery approach.
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All right.
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Can you explain the options again, slowly?
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Sure.
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Option A is faster and more cost-effective.
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It allows us to deliver on time with minimal effort,
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but it offers limited customization.
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Okay.
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And option B?
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Option B takes more time and requires more resources,
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but it gives the client more flexibility and a more tailored solution.
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I see.
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And based on your interactions,
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what do you think the client values more?
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Based on previous conversations, they usually value flexibility and customization.
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However, they've also mentioned concerns about deadlines.
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That's a tough balance.
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What's your professional recommendation?
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My recommendation would be option B,
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but with very clear communication about the timeline and expectations.
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That makes sense.
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Transparency is key in these situations.
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Exactly.
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If we explain the benefits clearly,
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the client can make an informed choice.
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I agree.
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Let's move forward with option B,
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but make sure the message is simple and direct.
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No problem.
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I can draft a short explanation and share it with you before sending it to the client.
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I'd appreciate that.
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I'd like to review it first. Of course.
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I'll send you a draft by the end of the day.
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Perfect.
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Is there anything else you'd like to discuss?
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Just one more thing.
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The team has been working extra hours this week,
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so I'm monitoring their workload to avoid burnout.
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I'm glad you mentioned that.
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How are they handling it?
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They're managing well for now,
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but I think we should be careful next week especially if deadlines become tighter.
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I agree.
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Let's prioritize tasks and avoid unnecessary pressure.
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That's a good idea.
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I'll review priorities with the team tomorrow.
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Excellent.
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Thanks for being attentive to both results and people.
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Thank you.
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I believe both are important.
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Absolutely.
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Thanks for the clear update, Mark.
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I really appreciate it.
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Thank you for your time, Rachel.
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I appreciate your guidance.
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Anytime.
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And remember, you're doing great work.
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Thanks.
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That motivates me a lot.
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I'll keep you updated.
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Sounds good.
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Talk to you soon.
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Talk to you soon.
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Hello, everyone.
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Welcome back to 20 Minutes English for Work podcast.
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Today, Tom and I are going to help you feel more confident
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when you need to give updates to your boss in English.
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That's right.
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We know this is a real challenge for many professionals.
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You want to sound clear, polite, confident, and professional.
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But sometimes the words don't come easily.
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So first, we'll review the main phrases from the dialogue.
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Then we'll explain important vocabulary,
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and after that, we'll talk about cultural tips from real work environments.
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Don't worry if you didn't understand everything in the dialogue the first time.
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That's normal.
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You're learning, and you're doing great.
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Let's take this step by step.
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Phrase 1.
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Do you have a few minutes?
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I'd like to give you an update.
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This is a very common and very polite way to start a conversation with your boss.
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You are asking for permission and showing respect for their time.
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When you say, do you have a few minutes,
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you are not demanding attention.
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You are giving your boss the option to say yes or suggest another time.
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Do you have a few minutes?
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I'd like to talk about the project status.
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This phrase works well in meetings,
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in the office, or even on a call.
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Another simple way to say this is,
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is now a good time to give you a quick update?
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Both versions are polite and professional.
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You should avoid starting with updates without checking first, especially with managers.
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Phrase 2.
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I'll try to be clear and keep it organized.
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This phrase shows professional awareness.
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You are telling your boss that you respect their time and that your update will be structured.
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It also helps you feel calmer because you are setting expectations.
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I'll keep it brief and clear.
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You can also say, I'll go straight to the main points.
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This is very useful when your boss is busy or when the meeting is short.
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Phrase 3.
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Overall, the project is moving forward as planned.
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This is a classic sentence for updates.
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The word overall helps you give a general picture before details.
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It's a great way to start positive.
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Overall, everything is progressing well.
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You could also say, in general, we're on track.
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Simple, clear, and professional.
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Phrase 4.
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We're still on track, but next week will be critical.
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This is a perfect example of balanced communication.
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You share good news and a potential challenge at the same time.
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but helps you prepare your boss for a possible issue.
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Another way to say this is,
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we're on schedule, but we'll need to be careful next week.
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This shows responsibility, not panic.
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Phrase 5.
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We're waiting for feedback from the client.
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This sentence is very common in professional environments.
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It clearly explains why something is delayed without blaming anyone.
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You could also say, we can't move forward until we receive client feedback.
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This is direct but still professional.
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I'll get back to you as soon as I have an update.
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This is an excellent phrase to show reliability.
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You are not guessing.
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You are promising communication.
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Another option is, I'll keep you posted.
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Very common in emails and meetings.
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Phrase 7.
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What do you recommend?
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This phrase is powerful because it shows respect for experience.
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You're asking for guidance, not giving up responsibility.
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You can also say, what's your suggestion here?
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Simple and effective.
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Phrase 8.
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I'd recommend option B, with clear communication about the timeline.
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This sentence shows confidence and professionalism.
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You are giving your opinion with reasoning, not just an opinion.
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Another version could be, my suggestion would be option B,
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as long as we explain the timeline clearly.
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Phrase 9, I'll draft a message and share it with you before sending.
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This phrase shows teamwork and respect for hierarchy.
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You are involving your boss in the decision.
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You could also say, I'll prepare a draft and send it to you for review.
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Phrase 10.
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Please keep me posted.
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This is a polite way to say,
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tell me when something changes.
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Very common alternatives include, let me know if anything changes.
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Now let's move on to the main vocabulary from today's episode.
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These are words you will hear all the time in meetings,
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emails, and conversations with your boss.
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And remember, you don't need to memorize everything at once.
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Listen, repeat, and try to use one or two words in your next work conversation.
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You're doing great.
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Vocabulary 1.
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Update.
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Let's start with the word update.
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An update means new information about progress,
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changes, or the current situation of a task or project.
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In the workplace, giving updates is essential.
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Managers don't want surprises.
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They want to know what's happening,
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even if nothing has changed.
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For example, you can say,
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I'd like to give you an update on the project.
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Or, in a shorter way, here's a quick update.
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Giving updates regularly builds trust and shows professionalism.
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An antonym for update could be delay when progress is slower than expected.
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Vocabulary 2. On track.
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The expression on track means something is going according to plan.
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This is a very positive expression to use with your boss.
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For example, we're on track to meet the deadline or everything is still on track.
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If something is not going well,
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the opposite would be behind schedule.
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Knowing both helps you explain good and bad situations clearly.
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Vocabulary 3.
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The word feedback refers to opinions,
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comments, or suggestions about your work.
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Feedback can come from your boss,
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your team, or your client.
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Example, we're waiting for feedback from the client.
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Or, I'd appreciate your feedback on this draft.
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Feedback helps improve quality and alignment.
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Vocabulary 4.
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Deadline.
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A deadline is the final date or time when something must be completed.
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Deadlines are very important in professional environments.
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Example, the deadline for this task is Friday.
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If you think a deadline might be at risk,
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it's better to communicate early.
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Vocabulary 5.
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Prioritize.
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To prioritize means to decide what is more important and what should be done first.
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This word is very useful when you have many tasks.
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Example.
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We need to prioritize urgent tasks.
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Good prioritization shows organization and maturity at work.
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Vocabulary 6.
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Manageable.
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The word manageable means something is possible to handle without too much stress.
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This is often used when talking about workload.
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Example, the workload is manageable right now.
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The opposite of manageable is overwhelming,
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when something feels too heavy or stressful.
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Now let's really dive into cultural tips,
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because this is where many professionals feel insecure,
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even when their English is good.
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That's true.
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In the workplace, communication is not just about words.
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It's about expectations, tone, and behavior.
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One important cultural point is that managers usually expect regular updates,
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not only when there is a problem problem.
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Yes.
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Many people think, if everything is fine,
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I don't need to say anything.
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But in many companies, silence can create worry.
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Saying something simple like, everything is on track,
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already helps your boss feel calm and informed.
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Another cultural aspect is structure.
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Updates should not be random.
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A good update usually has three parts.
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What's done, what's in progress, and what needs attention.
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When you organize your update this way,
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you sound professional, even with simple English.
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Tone is also extremely important.
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Even when there's bad news,
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your tone should stay calm and respectful.
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Instead of saying, we have a big problem,
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it's better to say, we're facing a challenge and we're working on a solution.
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That shows responsibility instead of panic.
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Deadlines are another strong cultural element.
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Missing a deadline without communication can damage trust.
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Many managers prefer hearing bad early rather than hearing excuses later.
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Exactly.
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Saying, the deadline may be at risk,
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is much better than staying silent.
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Another cultural habit is asking for input.
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Some learners think asking questions makes them look weak.
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But in reality, asking, what do you recommend, shows collaboration and respect.
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It also shows that you value experience and teamwork.
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Let's also talk about meetings.
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In many cultures, meetings are about alignment, not perfection.
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You don't need perfect English.
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You need clarity.
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Short, clear sentences are better than long, confusing ones.
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And finally, updates are about trust.
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When your boss knows you communicate clearly, they trust you more.
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And trust often leads to more responsibility and growth.
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So remember, simple English, clear structure, calm tone.
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You can do this.
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Keep going, study English every day, and learn something new.
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Now that you've listened to the dialogue,
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reviewed the main phrases, learned the vocabulary,
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and understood the cultural context,
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it's time for something very practical.
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Yes, this part is all about using English in real work situations,
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especially when you feel nervous,
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under pressure, or unsure about your words.
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We'll share complete model sentences that you can use in meetings, calls, or emails.
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And for each situation, we'll also give you shorter versions for moments when your mind goes blank.
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As you listen, imagine yourself at work.
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Picture your boss, your desk, your meeting.
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This makes learning much easier.
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Situation 1.
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Starting an update politely.
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Let's start with the beginning.
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Many professionals struggle with how to start an update.
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A good start shows respect and professionalism.
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Here's a complete sentence you can use.
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Do you have a few minutes?
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I'd like to give you an update on my current tasks.
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This sentence is polite, clear, and very natural.
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If you feel nervous, you can use a short version.
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Do you have a minute?
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Or even quick update?
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Short sentences are not rude.
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They're often very normal at work.
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Situation two.
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Explaining general progress.
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After starting, you usually give a general overview.
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A very useful full sentence is,
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Overall, everything is moving forward as planned.
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This reassures your boss immediately.
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Another complete option is, In general,
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the project is progressing well.
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And if you're nervous, you can say, Everything is on track.
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Simple, clear, professional.
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Situation 3.
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Talking about tasks in progress.
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Now let's talk about tasks that are not finished yet.
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This is very common in updates.
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Full sentence example.
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I'm currently working on the report,
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and I expect to finish it by tomorrow.
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Another option.
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This task is still in progress,
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but there are no major issues.
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Short versions.
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I'm working on it.
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Or, it's in progress.
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Situation 4.
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Mentioning a small problem or risk.
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This part scares many learners.
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Yes, but remember, mentioning a problem early is professional.
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Full sentence.
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There's a small challenge we need to consider regarding the deadline.
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Or, there's a potential risk I'd like to flag early.
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Short versions for stressful moments.
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There's a small issue.
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Or quick concern.
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Your tone matters more than perfect grammar here.
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Situation six.
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Explaining a delay clearly.
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Sometimes things don't go as planned, and that's okay.
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What matters is how you explain it.
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Full sentence.
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We're slightly behind schedule because we're waiting for client feedback.
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Another option.
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The delay is related to external feedback, not internal issues.
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Short versions.
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We're waiting for feedback.
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Or simply, client feedback pending.
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Your tone matters more than perfect grammar here.
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Situation 7.
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Asking for guidance or a decision.
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Asking for input shows maturity.
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Full sentence.
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I'd like to get your input before moving forward.
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Another option.
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What do you recommend in this situation?
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Short versions.
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Any suggestions?
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Or, what do you think?
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We've reached the end of today's episode,
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and you've just practiced something very important for your professional life.
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Today, you learned how to give updates to your boss using simple,
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clear, and professional English.
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You practiced how to start an update politely,
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how to explain progress, how to talk about challenges,
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and how to ask for decisions.
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You also learned useful vocabulary,
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common expressions, and cultural habits from real work environments.
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Most importantly, you saw that you don't need perfect English to communicate well.
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What you need is clarity,
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structure, and confidence, and those things come with practice.
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Think about your next meeting,
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your next email, or your next conversation with your manager.
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Which sentence from today can you use tomorrow?
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Tell us in the comments.
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We'd love to know.
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If this episode helped you,
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please subscribe to the channel and share it with a colleague or a friend.
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Study English every day, even if it's just a little.
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Keep going.
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You're doing great.
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Thank you for spending these 20 minutes with us.
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See you in the next episode.
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Bye for now.
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About This Lesson
In this lesson, you will focus on how to discuss salary expectations and workplace updates in English. The ability to express your thoughts clearly and professionally in job-related conversations is crucial, especially when negotiating salary or giving your boss an update on a project. By practicing realistic dialogues and common phrases, you will gain confidence in presenting your ideas without the fear of making mistakes. This not only enhances your vocabulary but also equips you with the skills to navigate conversations that can impact your career growth.
Key Vocabulary & Phrases
- I'd like to give you an update - A polite way to start a conversation about project developments.
- If now is a good time - A phrase to check if it's an appropriate moment to speak.
- Structured updates - Organized information that makes it easier for the listener to understand your message.
- Facing a challenge - A phrase to describe difficulties encountered in a project.
- We need to make a decision - This indicates that a choice or action is required soon.
- I appreciate your feedback - A courteous way to thank someone for their input.
- Clear and organized - Essential traits for effective communication in professional settings.
Practice Tips
To improve your English speaking skills, particularly through the concept of shadowspeak, try the following approaches while listening to the podcast:
- Shadowing Technique: Listen to the conversation a few times and attempt to imitate the speakers, focusing on their speed and tone. This practice helps with improving English pronunciation and fluency.
- Slow it Down: Use a shadowing app to slow down the audio. This allows you to catch all the nuances in the dialogue, making it easier to replicate.
- Repetition: After listening, pause and repeat sections of the dialogue. This aids in memorizing effective phrases and builds your confidence.
- Practice with a Partner: Find a language partner interested in IELTS speaking practice or workplace English. Role-play dialogues to enhance your conversational skills.
- Record Yourself: Record your voice while practicing the dialogues. Listening to your recordings will help you identify areas for improvement and track your progress over time.
Remember, effective communication is a skill that can be acquired through consistent practice. Engage with the content actively, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes as you learn. With perseverance, you'll find yourself communicating more confidently in any professional setting.
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.
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