Shadowing Practice: Learn BRITISH ENGLISH with FOOTBALL Players - Learn English Speaking with Video
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First up, who was your footballing idol growing up?
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Footballing idol, I'd probably say David Beckham was the biggest one.
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I mean, he was England captain at the time.
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We're from the same area in Chinkford, so He's a great role model on the pitch, very successful, and he's a great role model off the pitch as well, so it's great to be able to look up to someone like that.
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In today's lesson, we are going to look at some British football players' accents.
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It's really important to listen to many different accents in English, especially if you plan to use your English to work, travel or study abroad.
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We'll be watching some short interview clips with these players and commenting on their accent and overall pronunciation.
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This is going to be a great opportunity for you to
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test your listening skills with the clips we've compiled for you today.
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But before we start, every week we release lessons to help intermediate
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and advanced learners like you to improve their English in a fun and dynamic way.
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without getting lost, without missing the jokes and without subtitles.
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So if you're new here, make sure you join our community of over 5 million learners by subscribing now.
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First, you'll watch the clips with subtitles.
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Pay special attention to the words in orange and how they are pronounced.
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Then you'll watch each clip again without subtitles.
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Ready?
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So let's begin.
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Multicultural London English has a mix of influences from immigrant groups that settled in London, mainly from the Caribbean.
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MLE has the glottal T like the Cockney accent, but also other sounds.
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For example, he drops the initial H at the start of words such as "his".
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Some examples of football players that have this type of accent include Raheem Sterling, Saka and Jaden Sancho.
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Jamaica and moved to London at the age of five.
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He plays for Manchester City and the English national team.
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In the clip we're going to see first, Sterling is explaining why he believes Manchester City, a local club, could beat England's national team.
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First, watch the clip with subtitles.
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For one, you're here every day.
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With the national team, there's seven to eight days, you've still got top players, but it's not the same.
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You don't get the same time.
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You don't get enough time with the manager.
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Of course, you get his ideas and you get his plans, but you know, if I was with England, every single day, it would kind of be different.
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and I think the team will play better.
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Now, watch it again without subtitles.
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For one, you're here every day.
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With the national team, there's seven to eight days, you've still got top players, but it's not the same.
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You don't get the same time, you don't get enough time with the manager.
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Of course, you get his ideas and you get his plans.
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But, you know, if I was with England, every single day it would kind of be different.
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And I think the team will play better.
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The Cockney accent is mainly spoken in London by the working class and originated in the east end of the city.
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RP or Received Pronunciation is the accent considered the standard British English.
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It's the typical accent that you hear when you watch the news, for example.
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The estuary accent is a mix of cockney and RP.
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Some examples of football players that have this accent include Luke Shaw and Declan Rice.
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One distinct characteristic of this accent is the replacement of the 'th' for the 'v' sound.
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Listen to this clip with Declan Rice and notice how he pronounces the word 'with'.
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I don't know, it seemed like the referee was against us all night to be honest with you.
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too many fouls given for them
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and for us pretty much the same situations with elbows and tackles that we didn't get so I can't say too much, but yeah, very frustrating.
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Now watch it again without subtitles.
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I've not seen it back yet.
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It seemed like the referee was against us all night to be honest with you.
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too many fouls given for them and for us, pretty much the same situations with elbows and tackles that we didn't get.
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I can't say too much, but yeah, very frustrating.
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This accent is known for having the TH fronting, F instead of TH.
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The U sound and the glottal T Also, the Y sound at the end of words is a short /ɪ / sound.
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Marcus Rashford plays for Manchester United and was also born in Manchester.
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Watch the next clip and notice how he pronounces the words "but" and "opportunity".
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Reading was just never part of my schedule growing up, but I Now that I have read, I want to make sure that the next generation have the opportunity to read.
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And that on the streets, as you put it, is really what is firing you up now, isn't it?
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Yeah, basically, I know a lot of kids that are in similar positions to me.
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Um...
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But if I can show them something where they can do something other than being on the streets, then whether they read it or not, it's up to them.
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but at least they have the opportunity to do it and it's the opportunity that I didn't have when I was
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when I was a kid.
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It was...
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Reading was just never part of my schedule growing up.
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Now that I have read, I want to make sure that the next generation have the opportunity to read.
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And that on the streets, as you put it.
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is really what is firing you up now, isn't it?
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Yeah, basically.
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I know a lot of kids that are in similar positions to me.
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But if I can show them something where they can do something other than being on the streets, then whether they read it or not, it's up to them.
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but at least they have the opportunity to do it and it's the opportunity that I didn't have when I was
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when I was a kid.
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Macom is the informal nickname for people from Sunderland, a city in North East England which is also close to Newcastle.
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Jordan Henderson is a good example of a football player that has this accent.
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Henderson currently plays for Liverpool and the English national team.
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Watch this clip next and notice how he pronounces the word my as well as the u sound in words.
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Yeah, football has been everything in my life ever since I could walk really.
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Love of the sports, loved sports at school.
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But football was the number one right from when I can remember.
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Sure.
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And was Sunderland your team?
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Yeah.
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Always.
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Always.
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That's where I'm from.
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My dad used to teach us to the games at Roker Park.
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I can't really remember that well because I was quite young but then stealing my light
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And Worked my way through the academy at Tunnelland from the age of seven.
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and finally got into the first team and made my debut at 18.
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Yeah, football was...
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There's been everything in my life ever since I could walk really.
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Love of the sport, loved sports at school.
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But football was the number one right from from when I can remember.
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- Sure.
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Was Sunderland your team?
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Yeah.
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Always.
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Always.
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That's where I'm from.
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Yeah.
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My dad used to take us to the games at Roker Park.
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I can't really remember that well because I was quite young but then steady my life.
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Um, Worked my way through the academy at Sunland from the age of seven.
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and finally got into the first team and made my debut at eating.
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As you can see English is full of different dialects that's
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why you need to have a lot of exposure to many different ways of speaking English, both native and non -native.
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With the RealLife English app, you can have short conversations with people from all over the world at the touch of a button.
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You can also improve your listening skills with our podcast, which comes with transcripts and vocabulary notes for you to follow along.
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Download it for free in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
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You can also find a link up here and one down in the description below.
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Join the global conversation and download the app now.
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Do you have any bad habits?
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Yeah, the missus hates it as well, just not putting my clothes away.
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mainly when I'm good at bed, you know, you're just getting undressed for bed.
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I'll just, I'll put the clothes in a nice neat pile just at the side of the bed.
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And in my head, I've got it worked out perfect that I'll wake up in the morning, pick them up, put them in the wash basket.
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And yeah, you wake up in the morning, you just completely forget.
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you Do you have any bad habits?
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Yeah, the missus hates it as well, just not putting my clothes Mainly when I'm good at bed, you know, you're just getting undressed for bed.
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I'll just...
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I'll put the clothes in a nice neat pile just at the side of the bed.
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And in my head, I've got it worked out perfect that I'll wake up in the morning, pick them up, put them in the wash basket.
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and yeah, you wake up in the morning, you just completely forget.
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Where is the Brummie accent from?
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Bath?
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Birmingham For myth: Bye.
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Located in the West Midlands, Birmingham is one of the United Kingdom's major cities.
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Jack Brealish plays for Manchester City but was born in Birmingham and played for Aston Villa until recently.
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Listen to how he pronounces the vowels U, A and O.
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What are your three must -have items when you're on a holiday?
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Besides your phone and your wallet.
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Suncream.
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Suncream?
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because I got burned, but...
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Okay.
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My passport Good shout.
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- I'm a hairspray.
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- Your hairspray?
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- Yeah.
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What are your three must -have items when you're on a holiday?
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Besides your phone and your wallet?
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Sun cream because I got burned and they're bad.
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Okay.
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My passport.
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Good shout.
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- Yeah.
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And my hairspray.
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Your hairspray.
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If you want to hear more of the Birmingham accent, you might want to check out the British TV series Peaky Blinders.
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The Yorkshire accent is another variation of a Northern accent.
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Notice how Harry Maguire pronounces the letter "U".
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you will see that it sounds a bit closed and it almost sounds like an "O" instead.
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Also, look out for the TH sound that he uses in 'Ruthless'.
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Two.
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axle I would put up there, always in the gym, always doing pull -ups, very strong and I'd also put Nemanja as well,
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I think he's got that ruthlessness.
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He looks after our finds as well, so he's quite strong with it.
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I'm alongside him, so I'm happy he's alongside me.
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You like his bodyguard when he goes up to collect the money?
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Well, to be fair, he doesn't need a bodyguard, to be fair to him.
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Axle I would put up there, always in the gym, always doing pull -ups, very strong and I'd also put Nemanja as well,
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I think he's got that ruthlessness.
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He looks after our finds as well, so he's quite strong with it.
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I'm alongside him, so I'm happy he's alongside me.
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You like his bodyguard when he goes up to collect the money?
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Well, to be fair, he doesn't need a bodyguard, to be fair to him.
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The Glaswegian accent comes from Glasgow in Scotland.
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Andrew Robertson is a Scottish footballer who plays for Liverpool.
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Let's watch a clip from him.
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Knowing which came first, the chicken or the egg?
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Ah.
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What a hell of a question that is.
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How did the first chicken just appear?
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It must have been an egg.
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and then the chicken came out the egg.
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So where did the egg come from?
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I wish I never asked it now though because I'm baffled by it.
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The chicken or the egg?
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Knowing which came first, the chicken or the egg?
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Huh?
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What a hell of a question that is.
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How did the first chicken just appear?
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It must have been an egg.
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And then the chicken came out the egg.
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So where did the egg come from?
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I wish you never asked it now though because I'm baffled by it.
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The chicken or the egg.
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Now test your knowledge on some of the things you learned today about British accents.
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estuary accent
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The Cockney accent is mainly spoken in London by the working class and originated in the east end of the city.
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RP or Received Pronunciation is the accent considered the standard British English.
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It's the typical accent that you hear when you watch the news, for example.
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The estuary accent is a mix of cockney and RP.
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Some examples of football players that have this accent include Luke Shaw and Declan Rice.
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What does RP stand for?
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Received pronunciation, rhotic pronunciation, relaxed pronunciation.
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Macom is the informal nickname for people from Sunderland, a city in North East England which is also close to Newcastle.
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Jordan Henderson is a good example of a football player that has this accent.
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Henderson currently plays for Liverpool and the English national team.
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Mackham is the informal nickname for people from Birmingham, Manchester, Sunderland.
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The Glaswegian accent comes from Glasgow in Scotland.
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Andrew Robertson is a Scottish Liverpool.
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Where is the Glaswegian accent from?
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England?
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you Wales Scotland.
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Go, go, go.
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I hope you enjoyed today's lesson.
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To keep learning, check out this lesson we made on the hardest British accents to understand.
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Let's watch a clip from that.
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But there's also a more modern version of it called Modern RP, which is like the accent Emma Watson has.
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English guys are like very well put together and they dress really well and they're like very well mannered.
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But they're also very restrained.
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I'm such a family person.
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I love spending time with them.
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I love being with them.
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So, you know, sometimes I go back to Birmingham and especially At this time of the year, you know, Christmas just reminds me so much of, you know, family.
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Could you understand that Birmingham, or as we like to shorten it, Brummie accent?
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Let's give it another listen, this time with subtitles.
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About This Lesson
In this engaging lesson, you will explore various British football players' accents while enhancing your English listening and speaking skills. By watching short interview clips, you'll gain insight into different dialects while practicing pronunciation and comprehension. This lesson is particularly beneficial for intermediate and advanced learners who aim to refine their skills for work, travel, or academic purposes. Expect to encounter challenges as you listen without subtitles and observe how native speakers express their thoughts. Make the most of this opportunity to improve your English and engage with the captivating world of football!
Key Vocabulary & Phrases
- Footballing idol - A player admired or looked up to as a role model.
- Accents - Distinct ways of pronouncing words based on regional or social identity.
- Glottal T - A pronunciation feature where the 't' sound is dropped, common in some British accents.
- Initial H dropping - A pronunciation characteristic where the 'h' sound at the beginning of words is omitted.
- Estuary accent - A blend of Cockney and Received Pronunciation, prevalent in southeastern England.
- Frustrating - A feeling of annoyance or disappointment due to perceived injustices or difficulties.
- Subtitles - Text displayed on the screen to provide a written translation of spoken words.
- Fouls - Infractions in a sport that can lead to penalties for the offending player.
Practice Tips
To effectively utilize the shadowing technique with the clips provided in this lesson, follow these simple yet effective steps. First, watch the clips with subtitles to familiarize yourself with the content and identify key phrases, especially those highlighted in orange. Take note of the pronunciation and rhythm of the players’ speech. Aim to replicate the accent and tone of the speakers as you begin the shadow speech exercise.
Next, rewatch the clips without subtitles. This is where your IELTS speaking practice comes into play. Try to repeat what you hear immediately after listening, focusing on the intonation and natural flow of conversation. The goal is to mimic not just the words, but the rhythm and expression of the speakers. This exercise helps solidify your understanding of British accents and improves your pronunciation.
Lastly, take advantage of our shadowing site resources to further refine your skills beyond this lesson. Consistent practice with various accents will enhance your listening capabilities and make you more comfortable in real-life conversations. Remember that mastering a new accent takes time, so be patient with yourself. Happy learning!
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| “Used to” used to + verb — a past habit or state that is no longer true | used to teach · used to take |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | we've compiled · I've not seen · have read |
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | are pronounced · is known · was also born |
| Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thing | England which is |
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.