Shadowing Practice: Improve Your English Conversations with Slow English Shadowing Practice | Repeat After Me - Learn English Speaking with Video
Choose a practice mode
Each mode opens a full-screen practice room.
292 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
Hello everyone and welcome back to English Fluency Teacher.
2
Have you ever noticed that everyday conversations can sometimes be more difficult than English lessons?
3
In a lesson you usually know what topic you're going to talk about, you have time to think, you know which vocabulary you're practicing.
4
But real life doesn't work like that.
5
Someone suddenly changes the plan.
6
Something you need isn't available.
7
You're running late.
8
You forget something.
9
A simple task takes much longer than expected.
10
And suddenly, you need to explain yourself, make a decision, suggest another option, or respond naturally without preparing your sentence first.
11
That's what today's lesson is going to help you practice.
12
We'll work with complete B2 to C1 English sentences that you can use in normal everyday situations.
13
You'll practice English for thinking before you answer, making plans, running errands, talking about time,
14
handling small everyday problems, suggesting alternatives,
15
expressing preferences, reacting naturally, and reflecting on experiences.
16
We'll begin with a short speaking mindset practice, then we'll move into practical everyday English.
17
I'll say each sentence once, then you'll repeat it aloud once.
18
Don't focus only on individual words, listen to the complete thought.
19
Notice the rhythm, the sentence stress, the connected speech, and the emotion behind the sentence.
20
So first, you'll learn the patterns, then you'll create some English yourself.
21
And finally, you'll recognize those same patterns inside a realistic conversation.
22
Ready?
23
Let's start speaking.
24
Listen carefully, then repeat each sentence aloud after me.
25
I can keep speaking even when the perfect word doesn't come immediately.
26
I can keep speaking even when the perfect word doesn't come immediately.
27
Every sentence I say aloud makes English easier to access.
28
Every sentence I say aloud makes English easier to access.
29
I don't need to translate every thought before I speak.
30
I don't need to translate every thought before I speak.
31
I can make a mistake and still communicate my idea successfully.
32
I can make a mistake and still communicate my idea successfully.
33
I'm learning to trust the English I already know.
34
I'm learning to trust the English I already know.
35
The more often I speak, the more automatic my responses become.
36
The more often I speak, the more automatic my responses become.
37
I don't have to rush just because someone is waiting for my answer.
38
I don't have to rush just because someone is waiting for my answer.
39
I can focus on meaning instead of worrying about every grammar rule.
40
I can focus on meaning instead of worrying about every grammar rule.
41
Useful English becomes natural when I practice it in complete thoughts.
42
Useful English becomes natural when I practice it in complete thoughts.
43
I'm ready to use my English in situations that happen every day.
44
I'm ready to use my English in situations that happen every day.
45
Excellent!
46
Now let's move into practical English.
47
We'll start with expressions that help you think, respond and explain what is happening.
48
Give me a second to think about that.
49
Give me a second to think about that.
50
The thing is, I thought I had more time.
51
The thing is, I thought I had more time.
52
I hadn't really thought about it until you mentioned it.
53
I hadn't really thought about it until you mentioned it.
54
I'm not completely sure, but I think I know what happened.
55
I'm not completely sure, but I think I know what happened.
56
Let me make sure I've understood you correctly.
57
Let me make sure I've understood you correctly.
58
That's not exactly what I meant, so let me explain it differently.
59
That's not exactly what I meant, so let me explain it differently.
60
From what I can tell, everything is still under control.
61
From what I can tell, everything is still under control.
62
I can see why you'd think that, although I'm not fully convinced.
63
I can see why you'd think that, although I'm not fully convinced.
64
I'd rather think for a moment than give you a rushed answer.
65
I'd rather think for a moment than give you a rushed answer.
66
Very good.
67
Expressions like, the thing is, and from what I can tell, help you keep speaking while organising your thoughts.
68
Now let's move into errands, schedules and ordinary tasks.
69
Repeat each sentence aloud after me.
70
I was hoping to get this done before it got busy.
71
I was hoping to get this done before it got busy.
72
I'd rather get it done now than leave it until tomorrow.
73
I'd rather get it done now than leave it until tomorrow.
74
I didn't realise how late it was until I checked the time.
75
I didn't realise how late it was until I checked the time.
76
Let's make a quick list so we don't forget anything.
77
Let's make a quick list so we don't forget anything.
78
I don't want to buy more than we actually need.
79
I don't want to buy more than we actually need.
80
I'll pick up a few things while I'm already out.
81
I'll pick up a few things while I'm already out.
82
We should probably do the important things first.
83
We should probably do the important things first.
84
I thought this would take 20 minutes at most.
85
I thought this would take 20 minutes at most.
86
By the time we finish here, it'll probably be dark outside.
87
By the time we finish here, it'll probably be dark outside.
88
Excellent!
89
These sentences may sound simple, but they're the kind of English people use constantly while shopping,
90
planning, commuting, cooking or organising their day.
91
Now, let's practice what happens when something small goes wrong.
92
Listen and then repeat aloud after me.
93
It looks like the thing we came for is out of stock.
94
It looks like the thing we came for is out of stock.
95
Let's see if there's something similar we can use instead.
96
Let's see if there's something similar we can use instead.
97
This isn't ideal, but it's not a serious problem either.
98
This isn't ideal but it's not a serious problem either.
99
There's no point in getting frustrated over something we can easily replace.
100
There's no point in getting frustrated over something we can easily replace.
101
If this option doesn't work, we'll come up with another one.
102
If this option doesn't work, we'll come up with another one.
103
This is taking longer than I expected.
104
This is taking longer than I expected.
105
I don't want one small problem to ruin the rest of the day.
106
I don't want one small problem to ruin the rest of the day.
107
We might as well make the best of the situation.
108
We might as well make the best of the situation.
109
Once we know what the problem is, it'll be easier to solve.
110
Once we know what the problem is, it'll be easier to solve.
111
Great work!
112
Notice the phrase, we might as well.
113
You can use it when the circumstances make one option seem sensible.
114
For example, we're already here so we might as well stay.
115
Now let's practice making and changing plans naturally.
116
Do you mind if we change the plan slightly?
117
Do you mind if we change the plan slightly?
118
I'd prefer something simple because I don't have much energy left.
119
I prefer something simple because I don't have much energy left.
120
As long as we get what we need, I'm not too worried about the details.
121
As long as we get what we need, I'm not too worried about the details.
122
We don't have to stick to the original plan if it no longer makes sense.
123
We don't have to stick to the original plan if it no longer makes sense.
124
Why don't we choose the easier option for once?
125
Why don't we choose the easier option for once?
126
I'm happy with either option, so I'll leave the decision to you.
127
I'm happy with either option, so I'll leave the decision to you.
128
I'd rather be flexible than make everything more stressful.
129
I'd rather be flexible than make everything more stressful.
130
In that case, let's forget the original idea and do something simpler.
131
In that case, let's forget the original idea and do something simpler.
132
It didn't go exactly as planned, but it worked out in the end.
133
It didn't go exactly as planned but it worked out in the end.
134
Looking back I probably made the situation more complicated than it needed to be.
135
Looking back I probably made the situation more complicated than it needed to be.
136
At least we managed to get everything important done.
137
At least we managed to get everything important done.
138
Sometimes the simplest option turns out to be the best one best one.
139
Sometimes the simplest option turns out to be the best one.
140
I was stressed at first but I eventually stopped worrying about it.
141
I was stressed at first but I eventually stopped worrying about it.
142
I'm glad we didn't let a small problem ruin the whole evening.
143
I'm glad we didn't let a small problem ruin the whole evening.
144
The situation was annoying at the time, but it's funny now.
145
The situation was annoying at the time, but it's funny now.
146
Next time I'll try to be a little more organised.
147
Next time I'll try to be a little more organised.
148
Not every ordinary day has to go perfectly to be enjoyable.
149
Not every ordinary day has to go perfectly to be enjoyable.
150
Excellent!
151
Now we're going to stop shadowing for a few moments.
152
I'll ask you a question and you create the answer yourself.
153
Try to use some of the English you've just practised.
154
Don't worry about sounding perfect, focus on communicating a complete idea.
155
Question 1.
156
What errands do you usually have to do during the week?
157
Question 2.
158
Do you normally make a shopping list or do you decide what to buy when you arrive?
159
Question 3.
160
What do you usually do when something you want to buy is out of stock?
161
Question 4.
162
Do you get frustrated when plans suddenly change?
163
Why or why not?
164
Question 5.
165
Would you rather prepare dinner at home or order food after a busy day?
166
Question six.
167
Tell me about a recent day that didn't go exactly as you expected.
168
Excellent!
169
Those answers came from you!
170
Shadowing trains you to imitate useful English, but independent speaking teaches you to take those patterns,
171
combine them and communicate your own experience.
172
Now let's finish with today's real-life conversation.
173
You've already practiced several sentences you're about to hear.
174
repeat during this section, just listen,
175
follow the story and notice how familiar patterns appear naturally alongside completely new sentences.
176
You're still at home?
177
I thought you were going shopping an hour ago.
178
I was.
179
The thing is, I thought I had more time.
180
What happened?
181
I started answering a few messages, then I cleaned the kitchen and suddenly the afternoon disappeared.
182
That happens to me more often than I'd like to admit.
183
I didn't realize how late it was until I checked the time.
184
Are you still going out?
185
Yes.
186
I'd rather get it done now than leave it until tomorrow.
187
What do you actually need?
188
Mostly things for dinner, plus a few basics for the next couple of days.
189
Then let's make a quick list so we don't forget anything.
190
Good idea.
191
I always think I'll remember everything, and then I come home without the one thing I actually needed.
192
I'll come with you if you want.
193
Are you sure?
194
I thought you were going home.
195
I was, but I've got nothing urgent to do.
196
All right, but I don't want to buy more than we actually need.
197
I'll remind you of that when you reach the smack aisle.
198
That's exactly where I'll need supervision.
199
You've been staring at that shelf for nearly a minute.
200
It looks like the thing we came for is out of stock.
201
The pasta sauce?
202
Yes, that's the one I always use.
203
Let's see if there's something similar we can use instead.
204
I know that makes sense, but I had the whole dinner planned around this.
205
You're making pasta, not launching a spacecraft.
206
Thank you for putting my crisis into perspective.
207
You're welcome.
208
Maybe we could use these tomatoes and make the sauce ourselves.
209
That would probably taste better anyway.
210
Maybe.
211
Although it means more cooking.
212
There's no point in getting frustrated over something we can easily replace.
213
You're annoyingly reasonable today.
214
I have my moments.
215
Fine.
216
Let's get the tomatoes.
217
Anything else?
218
Bread, milk, vegetables, and I think that's everything.
219
You said that ten minutes ago.
220
This is taking longer than I expected.
221
That's because you keep comparing six versions of everything.
222
I like making informed decisions.
223
You're choosing yogurt.
224
An important decision.
225
Do you mind if we change the dinner plan slightly?
226
What are you suggesting?
227
Instead of making everything from scratch, why don't we buy fresh pasta and just make the sauce?
228
Actually, that's not a bad idea.
229
You look exhausted.
230
I am.
231
As long as we get what we need, I'm not too worried about the details.
232
That's a surprisingly relaxed thing for you to say.
233
Don't get used to it.
234
I have to admit, this smells much better than the original plan.
235
I was thinking the same thing.
236
Do you still regret buying the tomatoes?
237
Not anymore.
238
See?
239
Sometimes being forced to change the plan works in your favor.
240
It didn't go exactly as planned, but it worked out in the end.
241
And we still managed to get everything you needed.
242
Almost everything.
243
What did you forget?
244
The milk.
245
You're joking.
246
Unfortunately, no. We made a list.
247
Apparently, making a list only works if you actually look at it.
248
That's a useful discovery.
249
Looking back, I probably made the situation more complicated than it needed to be.
250
Definitely.
251
You agreed with that far too quickly.
252
You gave me an easy question.
253
Still, sometimes the simplest option turns out to be the best one.
254
Exactly.
255
We changed one ingredient and ended up with a better dinner.
256
And somehow, what should have been a quick grocery trip became an entire evening.
257
At least it was entertaining.
258
That's true.
259
And you didn't completely lose your patience.
260
I'm glad we didn't let a small problem ruin the whole evening.
261
Same here.
262
Next time, though, I'm doing the shopping in the morning.
263
And checking the list?
264
Let's not expect too much progress all at once.
265
Fair enough.
266
Excellent work today.
267
You began by practicing complete English sentences individually.
268
Then you created your own answers.
269
And finally, you heard many of those same sentence patterns inside a natural, everyday conversation.
270
That's important.
271
because a sentence becomes much more useful when you understand not only what it means, but what situation makes someone say it.
272
For example, you practiced, there's no point in getting frustrated over something we can easily replace.
273
Inside the conversation, Emma used that sentence when Sophia couldn't find the ingredient she wanted.
274
But you could use the same pattern in many other situations.
275
There's no point in worrying about something we can't change.
276
That's an extremely useful way for describing everyday experiences.
277
Maybe your trip changed.
278
Maybe dinner didn't go according to plan.
279
Maybe a meeting was difficult.
280
Maybe you made a mistake but still achieved the result you wanted.
281
One useful pattern, many different situations.
282
Before you leave, choose a few sentences from today's lesson that you could genuinely use in your own life.
283
Repeat them later.
284
Then change one part of each sentence and create your own version.
285
And if you completed today's entire practice, write, I'm turning useful sentences into real English.
286
If you enjoyed today's lesson, like the video, subscribe to English Fluency Teacher and turn on notifications for more English shadowing,
287
speaking and real-life conversation practice.
288
Keep listening.
289
Keep repeating.
290
Keep creating your own sentences.
291
And most importantly, keep speaking English.
292
I'll see you in the next lesson.
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
A25,977
English Speaking and Listening Practice for Beginners
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A2364
English Conversation Practice about travel experiences in English!
Travel EnglishWorking Adults
B11
Improve Your English Listening Skills by Shadowing Conversation | Repeat After Me
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B11,783
B1 English Listening Practice - Improve English Language
Travel EnglishDaily ConversationWorking Adults
A21
The Secret to English Fluency: Emotional Slow English Shadowing Practice
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A2293
Improve English Skills by Shadowing English Speaking Practice
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A21,025
Improve Your English Speaking - English Shadowing Practice For Beginners
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A2641
What is your hometown like? Learn English Speaking
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A243
Improve Your English Listening and Speaking Skills - Shadowing Practice
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A130
Improve Your English Speaking with Shadowing Practice!
KidsTeensDaily Conversation
A111
English Conversation Practice - English Speaking and Listening Practice
TeensDaily ConversationHigh School Students
A225
Improve Your English Listening & Speaking - Listen and Repeat
KidsTeensDaily Conversation
A2106
Improve Your English Listening and Speaking with Daily Life Routine
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A215
English Listening and Speaking Practice with Shadowing Technique
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B118
Daily Routine English Shadowing Practice | Speak English Naturally
TeensDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B198
Improve Your English with Shadowing English Speaking Practice
Travel EnglishDaily Conversation
B24
Improve Your English Speaking with B2 English Shadowing | Repeat After Me
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B11
How to Talk About Your Life in English (Past, Present, Future) | Slow English Shadowing
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B112
Improve English Speaking English by Shadowing Polite Questions & Answers in English
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
C16
Improve Your English Speaking with (B2–C1) Shadowing Practice | Repeat After Me
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
FOR YOU
Recommend Video
B26
461 sentences
Improve Your English Fluency with 3 Real life English Conversations Shadowing | Repeat After Me
Business EnglishTravel EnglishDaily Conversation
B146
6 sentences
Shadowing Practice: How to Speak English Without Fear 🌟 #Shorts #shadowingenglish
Daily ConversationHigh School StudentsUniversity Students
B2104
127 sentences
Let's Practice English Speaking With Shadowing! (B2 Level)
Business EnglishDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B210
401 sentences
400 English Sentences Daily Life Conversation Shadowing Practice | English Speaking Practice
Business EnglishDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B26
73 sentences
Listen & Shadow: Listening to English and SHADOWING
American AccentBusiness EnglishDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B14
154 sentences
The Fastest Way to Improve Your English Speaking Skills,,Stop Learning English the Hard Way |
Business EnglishDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B27
726 sentences
English Podcast for Learning English Conversation | Stop Thinking Start Talking | Daily Life English
Business EnglishDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B256
257 sentences
Improve Your English Listening by Shadowing B2 English Conversation | Repeat After Me
Business EnglishDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B26
153 sentences
Stop Shadowing: Try This Instead
British AccentBusiness EnglishDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B13
30 sentences
Shadowing and Repeat-After-Me Pronunciation Practice: Speak English with Confidence
American AccentBusiness EnglishDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B16
117 sentences
7 Habits To Speak English Better In 30 Days
Business EnglishInterview EnglishDaily Conversation
B14
138 sentences
Easy to Learn English Speaking with Shadowing English Conversation Practice
Business EnglishDaily ConversationHigh School Students
Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This video has 292 sentences and 2637 words to shadow. The speech runs for 30:10. The speaker talks slowly, about 87 words per minute, so there is time to copy every sound. 84% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| everyday adjective | /ˈɛvɹiˌdeɪ/ | Appropriate for ordinary use, rather than for special occasions. |
| lesson noun | /ˈlɛs.ən/ | A section of learning or teaching into which a wider learning content is divided. |
| aloud adverb | /əˈlaʊd/ | With a loud voice, or great noise; loudly; audibly. |
| ruin noun | /ˈɹuː.ɪn/ | The remains of a destroyed or dilapidated construction, such as a house or castle. |
| naturally adverb | /ˈnæt͡ʃ.(ə.)ɹə.li/ | In a natural manner. |
| rush verb | /ɹʌʃ/ | To hurry; to perform a task with great haste, often not properly or without thinking carefully. |
| communicate verb | /kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪt/ | To impart or transmit (information or knowledge) to someone; to make known, to tell. |
| complicated adjective | /ˈkɑm.plɪˌkeɪ.tɪd/ | Difficult or convoluted. |
| shadow noun | /ˈʃædəʊ̯/ | A dark image projected onto a surface where light (or other radiation) is blocked by the shade of an object. |
| ordinary adjective | /ˈɔɹdɪnɛɹi/ | Having regular jurisdiction; now only used in certain phrases. |
| pasta noun | /ˈpɑ.stə/ | Dough made from wheat and water and sometimes mixed with egg and formed into various shapes; often sold in dried form and typically boiled for eating. |
| tomato noun | /təˈmeɪ.toʊ/ | A widely cultivated plant, Solanum lycopersicum, having edible fruit. |
| practical adjective | /ˈpɹæk.tɪ.kəl/ | Relating to, or based on, practice or action rather than theory or hypothesis. |
| successfully adverb | /səkˈsɛs.fə.li/ | In a successful manner; with success; without failing. |
| ideal adjective | /aɪˈdi(ə)l/ | Pertaining to ideas, or to a given idea. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| look back verb | To think of (past events) in retrospect (in hindsight). |
| come up with verb | To manage to produce, deliver, or present (something) by inventing, creating, thinking of, or obtaining it. |
| pick up verb | To lift; to grasp and raise. |
| go out verb | To leave, especially a building. |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 124 contractions and reduced forms, such as don't, I'm, I'll. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: rush /ɹʌʃ/, shadow /ˈʃædəʊ̯/, patience /ˈpeɪ̯.ʃəns/, emotion /ɪˈməʊ.ʃən/, shelf /ʃɛlf/
- Long words — get the stress right: naturally /ˈnæt͡ʃ.(ə.)ɹə.li/, communicate /kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪt/, complicated /ˈkɑm.plɪˌkeɪ.tɪd/, ordinary /ˈɔɹdɪnɛɹi/, successfully /səkˈsɛs.fə.li/
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 everyday, lesson, aloud.
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Conditional sentences if + clause, will/would + verb — a condition and its result | If this option doesn't work, we'll come |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | Have you ever noticed · I've understood · you've just practised |
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.