Shadowing Practice: Information day Training courses for workers in the hospitality industry - Learn English Speaking with Video

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Now turn to Section 2.
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Section 2: You will hear a talk by the organizer of an Information Day about training courses for workers in hotels,
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restaurants and other parts of the hospitality industry.
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First, you have some time to look at questions 11 to 15.
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Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 15.
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Morning everyone, my name is John.
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I've worked in the hospitality industry for 20 years, here and all around the world.
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I've done it all.
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Washing dishes and cafes, waiting tables, hotel work.
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I've been better at some of these roles than others, to be honest.
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But what I've always loved is the incredible variety of workmates I've had over the years.
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Today, I want to introduce some of the training courses available here at the college.
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program.
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This morning there will be short presentations about different hospitality jobs.
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Then, this afternoon, there will be workshops where you can explore these ideas in more detail.
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So, your first presentation is on restaurant service.
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Another session focuses on kitchen assistants who help the cooks in the kitchen.
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This is a great way to learning cooking skills.
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learn.
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You'd be surprised how many top chefs in expensive restaurants started out as a kitchen assistant.
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But be warned, kitchen assistants arrive at work first and leave last, so think hard about whether you can cope with the commitment.
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The session about porters, cleaners, and dishwashers is a popular one.
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These positions are good for students especially because they require no have to work late into the evening.
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No surprises there.
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A porter's role is more important than many people realize
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because guests' first impression are formed by the staff they meet on arrival.
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Cleaners will usually be doing shift work, which may or may not suit you depending on your situation.
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Another popular session looks at the role of the receptionist.
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This is a key role.
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You have to deal every part of the hotel.
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So, having reception work on your CV
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or resume is often a good way of moving your career forward in the long run.
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But having said that, they can be challenging, you know.
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Dealing with people from all around the world, you have to already be good at working under a lot of pressure.
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You can't work out how to do it on the job.
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For any of these jobs, you'll usually have an interview.
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So there's also a session on interview skills.
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Now, frankly, for the less skilled roles, the interview will be pretty quick.
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But for some of the jobs I've mentioned, the interview is just as important as it is in other types of employment.
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Basically, the key to coming across well is the same today as it was when I started 20 years ago.
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And the good thing is, it's not too difficult to develop these skills with a little training and rehearsal.
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Before you hear the rest of the talk, you have some time to look at questions 16 to 20.
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Now listen and answer questions 16 to 20.
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Okay, then this afternoon we'll have the workshops.
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They'll be held in various classrooms around the college.
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So if you have a look at your college plan, I'll tell you where they're going to be.
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Now, at the moment we're in the hall.
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You'll see it at the bottom of your plan.
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So if you want to go to the workshop on restaurant service, go out of the hall and turn right.
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Walk along to the office and it's the classroom immediately next door to that.
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classrooms.
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You want the one on the left.
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Now, porters, cleaners, and dishwashers.
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You want to find a block of classes on the northern side of the college.
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There's a long block of classrooms and you want the one at the eastern end.
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For the receptionist workshop, turn right out of the hall and go past the office.
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Then head up north between the two sets of classrooms.
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You'll come to the first -in room on your left, and it's the classroom directly opposite that.
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For those of you who are wanting to brush up on your interview skills, there's an interview skills workshop.
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You see that on the western side of the square, there's a single large classroom.
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That's in there.
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Okay, now let's move on to look at...
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That is the end of Section 2.
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You now have half a minute to check your answers.

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About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will practice essential English listening and speaking skills based on a presentation about training courses in the hospitality industry. You will gain insights into various job roles, including restaurant service, kitchen assistants, receptionists, and more. This content is particularly valuable for individuals looking to enhance their professional English vocabulary and improve their chances of securing a job in the hospitality field. By focusing on real-life scenarios and terminology, you will develop your ability to understand and communicate effectively in an English-speaking environment.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Hospitality industry: The sector that includes hotels, restaurants, and other services related to customers' needs.
  • Kitchen assistant: A worker who supports chefs and cooks by handling basic kitchen duties.
  • Receptionist: A front-desk employee who greets guests and manages inquiries at hotels.
  • Interview skills: The abilities required to perform well in job interviews.
  • Shift work: A work schedule that may require employees to work at various times, including evenings and weekends.
  • Porter: A person responsible for carrying luggage and helping guests at hotels.
  • Commitment: The dedication required to fulfill job responsibilities, particularly in demanding roles.

Practice Tips

To effectively improve your English pronunciation and engage in English speaking practice, follow these tips while using the transcript as a shadowing tool:

  • Listen carefully: Start by listening to the transcript at a slower speed to catch key phrases and vocabulary.
  • Shadow speech: Once you feel comfortable with the words, repeat them aloud immediately after hearing them. This technique is a core element of shadowing that aids in pronunciation.
  • Focus on intonation: Pay attention to the speaker's tone and pitch. The hospitality industry can involve high-pressure interactions, so practicing this can help you sound more natural when communicating.
  • Record yourself: Use audio recording tools to capture your voice as you practice. Listen back to evaluate your pronunciation and clarity.
  • Engage in role play: Pair up with a language partner for role-playing exercises based on the different hospitality job roles mentioned. This will immerse you in practical speaking scenarios.

Utilizing these methods on a dedicated shadowing site or in a structured learning environment can significantly enhance your language skills, making you more competitive in the hospitality sector. Don't forget to practice regularly to see continual improvement in your English! With the right dedication, you can master the necessary language skills for success in your chosen career.

Grammar in this video

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

StructureIn the video
Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters nowI've worked · I've done · I've been
Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does itbe warned · are formed · be held

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 →