Shadowing Practice: IELTS listening practice Part 2: trip to an outdoor education center (answer+ transcript) - Learn English Speaking with Video

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Part 2
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you will hear a principal of a school talking to a group of parents about a three -day trip for pupils, to an outdoor education center.
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First, you have some time to look at questions 11 to 16.
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Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 16.
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Good evening.
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It's good to see so many parents here.
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Let me begin by explaining why we go to the Outdoor Education Centre.
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Well, by age 10, we feel the children are ready for a trip away from home
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but still in a safe environment and under the guidance of a familiar adult.
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At the school, we strongly believe children should be encouraged to try different things, and not give up when it gets difficult.
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And that's what the centre is all about, having a go.
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Anyway, To start with, The sleeping arrangements.
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For some children, this will be their first time in a tent and away from home so please prepare them.
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You can do this just by making sure they have some early nights before we go.
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Another thing, There's space for three children per tent so we can't guarantee your child will be in with their best friends.
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So do make them aware of this.
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Now, you should have received a list with the clothing the children will need in their backpack.
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but there are some extras Please provide a packet of biscuits or maybe fruit bars.
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but these need to go in the box in the school hall, not with the children.
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Actually, what we do need in the backpacks are bags for cleaning up, and for wet clothing, so plastic ones please.
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A torch is a good idea, But don't worry about putting money in because there's nothing to buy.
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While we're on the subject, let's talk about some other items.
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Cell phones are permitted, but they must be switched off at night, and also off during the teaching sessions.
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Also, for wood carving activities, Knives will be provided by the centre so children shouldn't bring them from home.
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Electronic games are banned, so rather than bring one of these, children should bring quiet board games.
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Turning to the question of parent attendance, in the past we've had too many volunteers, so we have written names on bits of paper and pulled them out of the box.
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But then some parents have changed their minds.
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So, if you're absolutely sure you can come, put your name down on the sign -up form and the first 10 will be asked to come.
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"Experience isn't required.
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We just want you to lend a hand." Now, I'm afraid the fee for the trip needs to be paid by the 15th.
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Payment to the centre is made by school, not by parents.
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and your teacher will be given your child a form with the school's bank account details
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if you want to use them to make payments.
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Otherwise, please leave payment in an envelope in the box at the school office.
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Before you hear the rest of the talk, you have some time to look at questions 17 to 20.
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Now listen and answer questions 17 to 20.
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Right.
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Let's have a look the center.
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I hope you all have Leaflet with a map on the back, and we'd like you to show this to your children before they go.
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Now, if you look at the map, you will see the entrance at the bottom.
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OK, so just through the entrance, you'll see reception.
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Now the wood carving studio.
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So you see where the main hall is located.
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Well, to the right of the hall and opposite the kitchen is the new barbecue area.
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and it's right next to that overlooking Forts Road.
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It's crucial that children know where the emergency meeting point is
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If you look to the top of the map and to north of Forest Road, That's the location.
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It is on the same side of river as the tents.
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There's a lot going on at the river, for example, the conservation centre, See the building marked Kayaks on right side riverbank?
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Well.
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The conservation centre is between the two bridges just below it.
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I should also mention that if your child is not a confident swimmer, There are life jackets hanging all along the riverbank.
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If your children likes drawing and painting, the arts and crafts room is to the right of the river a little further up from the kayaks.
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Okay, so are there any questions so far?
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That is the end of part two.
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You now have half a minute to check your answers.
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Liz.
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Good evening.
59
It's good to see so many parents here.
60
Let me begin by explaining why we go to the Outdoor Education Centre.
61
Well, by age 10, we feel the children are ready for a trip away from home, but still in a safe environment and under the guidance of a familiar adult.
62
At the school, we strongly believe children should be encouraged to try different things, and not give up when it gets difficult.
63
And that's what the centre is all about, having a go.
64
Anyway, to start with, the sleeping arrangements.
65
For some children, this will be their first time in a tent and away from home so please prepare them.
66
You can do this just by making sure they have some early nights before we go.
67
Another thing: there's space for three children per tent so we can't guarantee your child will be in with their best friends.
68
so do make them aware of this.
69
Now, you should have received a list with the clothing the children will need in their backpack.
70
but there are some extras Please provide a packet of biscuits or maybe fruit bars.
71
but these need to go in the box in the school hall.
72
not with the children.
73
Actually, what we do need in the backpacks are bags for cleaning up, and for wet clothing, so plastic ones please.
74
A torch is a good idea, But don't worry about putting money in because there's nothing to buy.
75
While we're on the subject, let's talk about some other items.
76
Cell phones are permitted, but they must be switched off at night and also off during the teaching sessions.
77
Also, for wood carving activities, Knives will be provided by the centre so children shouldn't bring them from home.
78
Electronic games are banned, so rather than bring one of these, children should bring quiet board games.
79
Turning to the question of parent attendance, in the past we've had too many volunteers, so we have written names on bits of paper and pulled them out of the box.
80
But then some parents have changed their minds.
81
So, if you're absolutely sure you can come, put your name down on the sign -up form, and the first ten will be asked to come.
82
Experience isn't required.
83
We just want you to lend a hand.
84
Now, I'm afraid the fee for the trip needs to be paid by the 15th.
85
Payment to the centre is made by school, not by parents.
86
and your teacher will be given your child a form with the school's bank account details
87
if you want to use them to make payments.
88
Otherwise, please leave payment in an envelope in the box at the school office.
89
Now listen and answer questions 17 to 20.
90
Right.
91
Let's have a look the center.
92
I hope you all have Leaflet with a map on the back, and we'd like you to show this to your children before they go.
93
Now, if you look at the map, you will see the entrance at the bottom.
94
OK, so just through the entrance, you'll see reception.
95
Now the wood carving studio.
96
so you see where the main hall is located.
97
Well, to the right of the hall and opposite the kitchen is the new barbecue area.
98
and it's right next to that overlooking Forts Road.
99
It's crucial that children know where the emergency meeting point is.
100
If you look to the top of the map and to north of Forest Road, That's the location.
101
It is on the same side of river as the tents.
102
There's a lot going on at the river, for example, the conservation centre, See the building marked Kayaks on right side riverbank?
103
Well, The conservation centre is between the two bridges just below it.
104
I should also mention that if your child is not a confident swimmer, There are life jackets hanging all along the riverbank.
105
If your children likes drawing and painting, the Arts and Crafts room is to the right of the river a little further up from the kayaks.
106
Okay, so are there any questions so far?
107
That is the end of part two.

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Context & Background

In this engaging video titled "IELTS listening practice Part 2: trip to an outdoor education center," a school principal addresses parents about an upcoming three-day trip for students. The focus is on fostering children's independence while ensuring they are in a safe environment under the supervision of trusted adults. This context provides English learners with an excellent opportunity to practice listening skills while also gaining insights on communication that's practical in everyday contexts, such as attending school meetings or organizing trips.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “Please prepare them.” – This phrase highlights the need for parents to get children ready for new experiences.
  • “It’s crucial that children know…” – A phrase emphasizing the importance of safety and knowledge in unfamiliar settings.
  • “We can't guarantee your child will be with their best friends.” – A useful expression for addressing uncertainties in group settings or activities.
  • “Please provide a packet of biscuits or maybe fruit bars.” – Incorporates polite requests that can be applied in various situations.
  • “Experience isn't required. We just want you to lend a hand.” – A way to encourage participation regardless of previous knowledge, applicable in volunteer settings.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

For English learners keen to enhance their speaking skills through shadowing, this video offers a practical approach. Here’s a step-by-step guide to utilizing the video effectively:

  1. Watch the Video First: Familiarize yourself with the content and context. Take notes on any phrases that stand out to you.
  2. Use a Shadowing App: Play the video again, but this time utilize a shadowing app to help align your speech with that of the speaker. Focus on intonation, rhythm, and pronunciation of terms.
  3. Repeat Key Phrases: Select key phrases mentioned previously and practice them multiple times. This will help embed them into your active vocabulary.
  4. Record Yourself: Compare your spoken words with the video. Noticing differences can provide critical insights for improvement during your English speaking practice.
  5. Engage in Shadow Speech: Try to speak simultaneously with the principal in the video. This technique strengthens your fluency and confidence.

By following these steps and incorporating the phrases discussed, learners will greatly benefit from immersive experiences like this video, making it easier to learn English with YouTube and improve overall communication skills. Additionally, consider engaging with the shadowspeaks community to share progress and gather more practical resources.

Grammar in this video

The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:

StructureIn the video
Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does itshould be encouraged · are permitted · will be provided
Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters nowwe've had · have changed

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.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →