Shadowing Practice: How to Write a Cover Letter - Learn English Speaking with Video
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32 sentences
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This is my resume.
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And here's its best friend, the one -page cover letter, AKA, it's Wingman.
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Together they work wonders, because what the cover letter does is set up the resume by highlighting what makes you a great fit for the job.
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It shows your personality with three concise paragraphs that should be readable in around 10 seconds or less.
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So, how do you write a cover letter?
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Let me walk you through one, literally.
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Let's say you're applying for an engineer job.
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Don't forget your header.
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Date, name, address, contact info, all that jazz.
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Kick it off with a greeting to address the hiring manager.
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If you can, find out their name.
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If you can't, stick with this.
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The attention getter.
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The opening paragraph.
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Introduce yourself and enthusiastically tell the employer why you're applying for the job.
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Include why you're excited and how the job lines up with your career goals.
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Avoid sounding formulaic by adding keywords from the job posting.
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The middle paragraph.
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Dig into your most relevant experience and talk about the specific qualifications and skills that make you the perfect candidate.
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Oh, and feel free to pause and read when you need to.
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I've only got so long.
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Where was I?
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Right.
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Make connections between your previous accomplishments.
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Employers will likely have read your resume already, so avoid repeating the bullet points.
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Instead, deeply illustrate those highlights.
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To close the curtain, thank the employer.
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You can also make any clarifications, for example, any major gaps in employment history.
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Then, provide a complimentary close and signature that's friendly yet formal, followed by your name.
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Well, I think that's everything.
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Remember that the smallest moves are sometimes the smartest.
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This speaking lesson is built on the video “How to Write a Cover Letter”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: paragraph, resume, employer, letter, cover. This video has 32 sentences and 287 words to shadow. The speech runs for 1:43. The speaker talks at a natural 167 words per minute, close to everyday conversation. Only 81% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| employer noun | /ɪmˈplɔɪə/ | A person, firm or other entity which pays for or hires the services of another person. |
| resume verb | /ˈɹɛz.ə.meɪ/ | To start (something) again that has been stopped or paused from the point at which it was stopped or paused; continue, carry on. |
| paragraph noun | /ˈpæɹəɡɹæf/ | A passage in text that starts on a new line, the first line sometimes being indented, and usually marks a change of topic. |
| highlight verb | /ˈhaɪˌlaɪt/ | To make prominent; emphasize. |
| gap noun | /ɡæp/ | An opening in anything, made by breaking or parting. |
| formal adjective | /ˈfɔɹməl/ | In accordance with established forms. |
| deeply adverb | /ˈdi(ː)pli/ | To a deep extent or degree; very greatly. |
| 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. |
| hire verb | /ˈhaɪɹ/ | To obtain the services of in return for fixed payment. |
| introduce verb | /ˌɪntɹəˈdus/ | To cause (someone) to be acquainted (with someone else). |
| jazz noun | /d͡ʒæz/ | A musical art form rooted in West African cultural and musical expression and in the African American blues tradition, with diverse influences over time… |
| signature noun | /ˈsɪɡ.nə.t͡ʃə/ | A person's name, written by that person, used as identification or to signify approval of accompanying material, such as a legal contract. |
| bullet noun | /ˈbʊlɪt/ | A projectile, usually of metal, shot from a gun at high speed. |
| subscribe verb | /səbˈskɹaɪb/ | To write (one’s name) at the bottom of a document; to sign (one's name). |
| pause noun | /pɔːz/ | A temporary stop or rest; an intermission of action; interruption; suspension; cessation. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| find out verb | To discover, as by asking or investigating. | |
| set up verb | /ˌsɛt ˈʌp/ | To make ready for use. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- Let's say you're applying for an engineer job.
- If you can't, stick with this.
- I've only got so long.
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Superlatives the -est / the most … — the top or bottom of a group | its best · your most relevant · the smallest |
| Verb + -ing enjoy, keep, stop… + -ing — verbs that are followed by the -ing form | Avoid sounding · avoid repeating |
| Present continuous am/is/are + -ing — something happening right now or around now | you're applying |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 6 contractions and reduced forms, such as you're, can't, don't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: qualification /ˌkwɑlɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/, accomplishment /əˈkɑm.plɪʃ.mənt/, clarification /ˌklæɹɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
- Long words — get the stress right: qualification /ˌkwɑlɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/, accomplishment /əˈkɑm.plɪʃ.mənt/, clarification /ˌklæɹɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/, complimentary /ˌkɑmplɪˈmɛnt(ə)ɹi/, formulaic /ˌfɔɹmjəˈleɪ.ɪk/
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 employer, resume, paragraph.
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.