Shadowing Practice: IELTS Speaking test sample - Part 3 (Monika, Band 8) - Learn English Speaking with Video

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We've been talking about hobbies and I'd like to discuss with you one or two more general questions related to this.
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Let's consider first of all current and future hobbies.
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What do you think are the most popular types of hobby in Germany?
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For male Germans it's probably football.
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And for females it might be shopping, I don't It could be shopping.
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But many people are actually doing sports, so they will go jogging in their spare time.
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Why do you think these hobbies are so popular?
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Because I think you need balance in life.
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The working life is quite hard, and nowadays in Germany with the economic situation, etc., everybody needs an anchor point or a balance to their struggle during their working hours.
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So I guess just to have relaxation and to calm down and as a stress relief, I think sports is a good way to do so.
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And I think that's why many Germans are doing it.
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It's probably worldwide the case.
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Let's pick up on that point of leisure time.
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You mentioned that the work leisure balance in Germany is perhaps a little bit out of balance.
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Can you tell me more about that?
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Yeah, I mean the regular working hours would be eight to nine hours a day, but nowadays competition is quite big because of the unemployment.
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So everybody's really putting a lot of overtime in their work and most of the time probably don't get paid for it.
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And leisure time is increasingly of course getting less and less
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and so people are definitely looking forward to the holidays or their weekends to enjoy family life.
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But I think family life isn't that what it was before
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because everybody is to focus on their careers and to keep their jobs
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and have a good income and survive basically in the system.
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Do you think this will continue in the future?
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Well, probably the next 10 years till the economy again is picking up
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and our social welfare system is getting better again because it was quite good years ago.
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But the last 10 years I would say it really declined a bit.
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I see.
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Let's move back a moment on hobbies and think about the social benefits of hobbies.
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What do you think of the social benefits of having a hobby?
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Well, it's depending on what your hobby is.
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If you would, for example, do a hobby where you don't meet anybody, if you're hiking or climbing alone, there's not a big social
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factor in that I would say but
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if you do it in a community like for example soccer
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or rugby or whatever then you in a way share time with people
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and have the opportunity to get to know each other better
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and closer and exchange ideas and and opinions so I think for
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that reason a hobby is very very important because usually you find
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that people who are not at your work working environment it's they are not part of your family
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so they come from different backgrounds and so I think you get a quite good insight into other people's opinions.
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So you get to know them in a different way.
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Yeah, in a different way because everybody's also relaxed.
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In your working environment, for example, I mean everybody's quite formal and tries to do the proper thing,
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obviously, but if you are doing sports together, it's more casual, everything, and I think you would open up yourself more to the other person.
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So you think it influences the way we behave at work subsequently?
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Well, it could be, but I don't think that it necessarily has to.
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It could be if you would have a hobby.
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I mean, it's just hypothetically now.
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But it could be if you have a hobby
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and have good experience with other people and are quite relaxed with other people
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that it would have a good influence in your work, in the relationships you hold at your working place.
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But that's quite hypothetically now from my point of view.
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Do you think there are any dangers in spending too much time on hobbies?
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If you would neglect your family, yes.
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If the hobby is more important than your family life and your working life maybe, then yes, there could be a danger
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that you lose track with what is going on in your relationship with your partner and children, etc. Thank you very much.
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That's the end of the speaking test.

Context & Background

The video titled "IELTS Speaking test sample - Part 3 (Monika, Band 8)" features a conversational dialogue where the speaker discusses hobbies, the balance between work and leisure, and the social benefits of engaging in hobbies. This context is essential for English learners preparing for the IELTS speaking test, as it reflects typical themes and questions that may arise during the exam. Monika emphasizes the importance of hobbies for relaxation and social interaction, offering insights into German cultural perspectives on life balance and leisure activities.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • "You need balance in life." - A crucial reminder about the importance of balancing work and leisure.
  • "Leisure time is increasingly getting less." - Highlights the challenges of finding free time in a busy schedule.
  • "Hobbies are important for social interaction." - Suggests the role of hobbies in building connections with others.
  • "You get a good insight into other people's opinions." - Emphasizes the value of sharing experiences with others.
  • "It could have a good influence on your work relationships." - Points out how personal interests might enhance professional dynamics.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively utilize this video for IELTS speaking practice and enhance your English speaking practice, here’s a structured approach:

  1. Watch once for comprehension: First, watch the video without pausing. Focus on the overall context and the flow of conversation.
  2. Identify key words and phrases: Pay close attention to the top five phrases mentioned above. Write them down if needed, as they are useful for your daily conversations.
  3. Pause and repeat: Play the video again, but this time, pause after each sentence or phrase. Try to repeat what you hear out loud. This will help improve your English pronunciation and internalize the rhythm and intonation of the language.
  4. Practice shadowing: Use the technique of shadow speech. Mimic Monika’s speech as closely as possible. Focus not just on words but also on her tone and speed. This method is effective in developing fluency.
  5. Engage in discussion: Find a partner to practice discussing hobbies or similar topics. Use the phrases you learned to express your ideas clearly and confidently.

By following this shadowing guide, you will not only practice your speaking skills but also gain insights into the cultural significance surrounding hobbies and balance in life, which is beneficial for both IELTS preparation and daily communication.

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.