Shadowing Practice: Learn English at the Restaurant 🍕 | Easy Conversation for Beginners - Learn English Speaking with Video
Choose a practice mode
Each mode opens a full-screen practice room.
510 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
English Academy Plus Podcast.
2
Your daily dose of simple English.
3
Hello, hello, hello.
4
Welcome back, my friends.
5
I have a question for you.
6
A very important question.
7
Ooh, I like important questions.
8
What is it, David?
9
Okay, imagine this.
10
You walk into a beautiful restaurant.
11
The food smells amazing.
12
You sit down.
13
The waiter comes to you and says, are you ready to order?
14
Oh, that moment!
15
I remember that feeling when I was learning English.
16
My heart was going boom, boom, boom!
17
Yes!
18
Boom, boom, boom!
19
You don't know what to say.
20
You don't know the words.
21
You feel a little nervous, maybe a little embarrassed.
22
Yes, exactly!
23
That is such a common feeling for English learners.
24
But today, today we are going to fix that!
25
Yes, after this video, you will know exactly what to say at a restaurant in English, from the moment you walk in to the moment you pay and leave.
26
Everything.
27
We will teach you everything, step by step, nice and slow.
28
And David, this is actually one of my favorite topics, because food!
29
Of course, Alice loves food.
30
This is not a surprise.
31
Okay, my friends, stay with us.
32
This video is going to be so useful for you.
33
We promise.
34
Oh, and before we start, if you are new here, welcome!
35
We are so happy you found us.
36
Yes, this channel is for you.
37
We make English easy, simple, and fun.
38
So if you like learning English this way, with real conversations, real-life topics, please click subscribe.
39
It's free and it really helps us.
40
And if this video helps you today, give it a like.
41
Just one little tap, it means a lot to us.
42
Okay, now let's go to the restaurant.
43
Are you ready?
44
I'm ready and I'm hungry.
45
Alice is always hungry.
46
Let's go.
47
Okay, Alice, let's imagine we are going to a restaurant together, you and me.
48
I love it.
49
What kind of restaurant?
50
A nice, simple restaurant.
51
Maybe burgers, pasta, salad, a casual place.
52
Perfect.
53
So we walk in through the door and then what?
54
The first thing that happens, someone greets you.
55
Maybe a waiter or a host.
56
They say hello, welcome, and then they ask you something very common.
57
What do they say?
58
They say, how many people?
59
Or sometimes, how many are in your party?
60
Oh, party.
61
That's a funny word here.
62
It doesn't mean a birthday party.
63
Right.
64
In a restaurant, party just means your group.
65
So if it's two people, you and me, you say, two people, please.
66
Or simply, a table for two, please.
67
Let's say it together, slowly.
68
Ready?
69
A table for two, please.
70
One more time.
71
Nice and clear.
72
A table for two, please.
73
Beautiful.
74
Now, what if you are alone?
75
Good question.
76
If you are alone, you say, a table for one, please.
77
Simple, right?
78
And if you are with four friends?
79
A table for four, please.
80
You just change the number.
81
Easy.
82
I love it when English is easy.
83
Me too.
84
Now, the host or waiter will often say, write this way or follow me, please.
85
That means, come with me.
86
I will show you your table.
87
And you just say, thank you.
88
Perfect. So simple.
89
You walk to the table, you sit down, and then what?
90
You look at the menu.
91
Yes, but wait.
92
Sometimes the waiter gives you the menu right away, and sometimes you have to ask for it.
93
So if they don't give it to you, you can say, Can we have the menu, please?
94
Say it slowly.
95
Can we have the menu, please?
96
Or even shorter, the menu, please, and you can smile and point.
97
That also works.
98
Yes, sometimes a smile is the best English.
99
Okay, so now you have the menu.
100
you are looking at it, maybe you are a little confused, there are many things, many words.
101
Yes, this happens to me.
102
Sometimes I open the menu and I see a word I don't know and I feel nervous.
103
Okay, so what do you do?
104
I ask the waiter and in English you can say, excuse me, what is this?
105
And you point to the item on the menu.
106
Yes, that is so natural.
107
Excuse me, what is this?
108
Or you can say, what is in this dish?
109
That means what ingredients are in this food?
110
What is in this dish?
111
Let's say that one again.
112
What is in this dish?
113
Exactly.
114
Now, another very useful question.
115
If you have a food allergy, for example, you cannot eat nuts or gluten or dairy, you can say, I am allergic to nuts.
116
Does this have nuts?
117
That one is so important.
118
Please remember that one, everyone.
119
It's about your health.
120
I am allergic to.. and then say the food.
121
I am allergic to nuts.
122
I am allergic to gluten.
123
I am allergic to dairy.
124
Okay, so we understand the menu.
125
Now comes the big moment.
126
The order.
127
The waiter comes to the table.
128
He has a notepad.
129
He looks at you and says, are you ready to order?
130
And this is the moment.
131
Boom, boom, boom.
132
Boom, boom, boom.
133
We are ready now.
134
OK, the most important phrase for ordering food.
135
Listen carefully.
136
I would like.
137
I would like.
138
This is polite.
139
This is natural.
140
This is perfect.
141
For example, I would like the burger, please.
142
Or I would like the pasta, please.
143
You can also say, can I have the burger, please?
144
This is also very natural and polite.
145
Let's compare.
146
I would like the burger and can I have the burger?
147
Both are correct.
148
Both are polite.
149
Both are good.
150
I personally love can I have because it sounds very casual and friendly.
151
Yes, and if you are not sure yet, if you need more time, you can say can we have a few more minutes, please?
152
Can we have a few more minutes, please?
153
The waiter will smile and say of course.
154
Nobody will be angry.
155
Don't worry.
156
Take your time.
157
Okay, so let's do a little practice.
158
David, you be the waiter, I'll be the customer.
159
Okay, good evening.
160
Are you ready to order?
161
Yes, I would like the chicken sandwich, please.
162
Excellent choice.
163
And to drink?
164
Can I have a glass of water, please?
165
And maybe an orange juice? Of course.
166
Anything else?
167
No, thank you.
168
That's all for now.
169
Perfect.
170
Did you hear that?
171
Let's break it down.
172
First, I would like the chicken sandwich.
173
Second, can I have a glass of water?
174
Third, that's all for now.
175
That's all for now.
176
This means nothing else right now.
177
Thank you.
178
It's a very useful phrase.
179
Very natural.
180
Say it with me.
181
That's all for now.
182
Beautiful.
183
And don't forget to always say please and thank you.
184
It makes a big difference in English culture.
185
Yes.
186
In English, please and thank you are very important.
187
The waiter will love you.
188
Everyone loves polite people.
189
Okay, now let's talk about something else.
190
Sometimes you want to change something in your order.
191
You want to customize it.
192
Is that okay in a restaurant?
193
Yes.
194
In many English-speaking countries, like the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, it is very normal to make small changes.
195
For example, maybe you don't want onions.
196
You can say, can I have the burger without onions, please?
197
Without onions.
198
Very simple.
199
Or maybe you want extra cheese.
200
You say, can I have extra cheese, please?
201
Extra means more.
202
So extra cheese means more cheese.
203
I always want extra cheese.
204
Of course you do, David.
205
Or maybe you want something on the side.
206
For example, can I have the salad on the side, please?
207
On the side means separate from the main dish, not mixed in, just next to it.
208
These small phrases, without, extra, on the side, are so useful.
209
Let's say them one more time.
210
Without onions, extra cheese, on the side.
211
Perfect.
212
And one more.
213
If you are a vegetarian, someone who doesn't eat meat, you can say, do you have any vegetarian options?
214
Do you have any vegetarian options?
215
This is a great question.
216
The waiter will say yes or no, and maybe explain what they have.
217
Easy.
218
So now the food is here.
219
The waiter brings your food.
220
What do they usually say?
221
They often say, here you go, or enjoy your meal.
222
And you say, thank you.
223
Simple, beautiful.
224
Always thank you!
225
Now, what if there is a problem?
226
What if your food is wrong, or maybe you ordered something and they brought the wrong dish?
227
This happens sometimes, and it's okay.
228
You can politely say, Excuse me, I think there's a mistake.
229
I ordered the chicken, not the fish.
230
I think there is a mistake.
231
This is polite.
232
You're not angry, you're just explaining.
233
The waiter will apologize and fix it.
234
No problem!
235
And what if your food is cold, or maybe not cooked the way you wanted.
236
You can say, excuse me, my food is cold.
237
Can you heat it up please?
238
Or, this is a little undercooked.
239
Can you cook it a bit more?
240
Undercooked means not cooked enough, and overcooked means cooked too much.
241
Exactly.
242
Two new words, undercooked and overcooked.
243
Let's say them slowly.
244
Under cooked, over cooked.
245
Great!
246
Now let's talk about something happy.
247
What if the food is delicious?
248
Oh, yes.
249
If the food is amazing, you can say to the waiter, this is delicious, or this is really good, or I love this.
250
And the waiter will feel so happy.
251
They work hard.
252
They love to hear that.
253
Yes, a little kindness goes a long way.
254
Okay, the main meal is finished.
255
You ate your burger, your pasta, your salad.
256
And then the waiter comes back and asks, Would you like to see the dessert menu?
257
Oh, I love this question.
258
My favorite question at any restaurant.
259
David loves dessert.
260
This is not a surprise.
261
I do!
262
Okay, so if you want dessert, you say, yes please, or sure, why not?
263
That means yes, but in a relaxed, friendly way.
264
And if you are full, if you ate too much, you can say, no thank you, I'm full.
265
I'm full means your stomach is full.
266
You don't want more food.
267
Or maybe you want something small, you can say, just a coffee please, or can I have a small dessert?
268
What do you recommend?
269
Oh, what do you recommend?
270
This This is a great question.
271
It means, what do you think is the best?
272
What is your favorite?
273
The waiter will tell you what is popular, what is good, and then you decide.
274
Let's say that phrase one more time.
275
What do you recommend?
276
What do you recommend?
277
Learn this one.
278
It's useful in restaurants and shops, everywhere.
279
Okay, my friends, the meal is finished.
280
The dessert is gone.
281
It's time to go home.
282
But first, you need to pay.
283
Yes.
284
How do you ask for the bill in English?
285
The most common phrase is, can we have the bill please?
286
In American English, people sometimes say check instead of bill.
287
So can we have the check please?
288
Both are correct.
289
The bill is more British English.
290
The check is more American English.
291
So you can say, can we have the bill please?
292
Or can we have the check please?
293
Or even shorter, the bill please.
294
And you can make a little writing gesture with your hand like you are signing something.
295
Waiters understand immediately.
296
Yes, the international sign for I want to pay.
297
It works everywhere.
298
Now, when the waiter brings the bill, you might hear, how would you like to pay?
299
This means cash or card.
300
And you say, by card, please, or in cash, please.
301
By card, that means credit card or debit card.
302
In cash, that means money, paper money.
303
And sometimes people split the bill.
304
That means each person pays for themselves.
305
Yes.
306
If you want to split, you can say, can we split the bill, please?
307
Or can we pay separately, please?
308
Separately means each person pays their own part.
309
And if one person wants to pay for everyone, maybe it's a birthday dinner.
310
You can say, I'll get this one.
311
Or it's on me.
312
It's on me.
313
This is a very natural, friendly phrase.
314
It means I will pay.
315
Don't worry.
316
Nice.
317
I want someone to
318
that to me one day david one day okay you paid
319
now you are leaving what do you say simple you say to the waiter thank you everything was wonderful
320
or thank you we really enjoyed the meal we enjoyed the
321
meal enjoyed means liked a lot past tense of enjoy
322
and the waiter might say thank you have a great evening or come back soon.
323
And you say, thank you, we will.
324
And you walk out feeling happy and full.
325
The perfect end to a perfect meal.
326
Okay, my friends, now let's review.
327
Let's go through all the important phrases from today nice and slowly.
328
Alice, can you help me?
329
Of course, let's do it.
330
When you arrive at the restaurant, you say, a table for two, please.
331
Again, a table for two, please.
332
When you want the menu.
333
Can we have the menu, please?
334
Can we have the menu, please?
335
When you are ready to order.
336
I would like the burger, please.
337
Can I have the pasta, please?
338
When you need more time.
339
Can we have a few more minutes, please?
340
When you want to change your order.
341
Can I have it without onions, please?
342
Can I have extra cheese, please?
343
When you have a food allergy.
344
I am allergic to nuts.
345
When there is a problem.
346
Excuse me, I think there is a mistake.
347
When the food is good.
348
This is delicious.
349
When you want a recommendation.
350
What do you recommend?
351
When you want the bill.
352
Can we have the bill, please?
353
When you are paying.
354
By card, please.
355
Or in cash, please.
356
When someone offers to pay.
357
It's on me.
358
When you're leaving.
359
Thank you, everything was wonderful.
360
Perfect, Perfect.
361
You're all restaurant experts now.
362
Okay, let's put it all together now.
363
We will do a full conversation, a complete restaurant experience, from walking in to walking out.
364
Listen carefully.
365
This time I will be the customer and Alice will be the waiter.
366
Ooh, I love being the waiter.
367
Good evening.
368
Good evening.
369
Welcome.
370
How many people tonight?
371
A table for two, please. Of course.
372
Right this way.
373
Here is your table.
374
Can I get you something to drink to start?
375
Yes, please.
376
Can I have a glass of water?
377
And my friend will have an orange juice.
378
Perfect.
379
I'll be right back with your drinks.
380
Here are your menus.
381
Thank you.
382
Excuse me.
383
Yes?
384
Can we have a few more minutes, please?
385
We are not ready yet. Of course.
386
Take your time.
387
Are you ready to order now?
388
Yes.
389
I would like the grilled chicken sandwich, please.
390
Can I have it without tomatoes?
391
And can I have the fries on the side? Of course.
392
And for your friend?
393
She would like the pasta, please, with extra cheese.
394
Great choices.
395
Anything else?
396
Yes.
397
One more thing.
398
I am allergic to nuts.
399
Does the pasta have nuts?
400
No, it doesn't.
401
No nuts at all.
402
You are safe.
403
Perfect.
404
Thank you so much.
405
Later.
406
Here is your food.
407
Enjoy your meal.
408
Thank you.
409
Oh, this looks amazing.
410
A bit later.
411
How is everything?
412
Everything is delicious.
413
Really, really good.
414
Compliments to the chef.
415
I will tell him.
416
Can I get you anything else?
417
Actually, what do you recommend for dessert?
418
Our chocolate cake is very popular.
419
It's amazing.
420
I eat it every day.
421
In that case, yes, one chocolate cake, please.
422
Great.
423
Later.
424
Here you go.
425
One chocolate cake.
426
Oh, wow.
427
This is incredible.
428
Later.
429
Can I get you anything else?
430
No, thank you.
431
Can we have the bill, please? Of course.
432
Bringing the bill?
433
Here you are.
434
Thank you.
435
We will pay by card, please.
436
No problem.
437
Pause.
438
All done.
439
Have a wonderful evening.
440
Thank you so much.
441
Everything was perfect.
442
We will definitely come back.
443
I was a very good waiter, wasn't I?
444
You were amazing.
445
Five stars.
446
Top review.
447
Okay, my friends, now it's your turn to think.
448
We have some simple questions for you.
449
Try to answer in English.
450
Even just a few words, that's enough.
451
Question number one.
452
What is your favorite food to order at a restaurant?
453
Think about it.
454
Maybe you like pizza.
455
Maybe you like sushi.
456
Maybe you like a nice burger.
457
Say it in English.
458
My favorite food is...
459
Question number two.
460
Do you prefer to eat alone or with friends?
461
I prefer to eat with friends.
462
Or, I like to eat alone sometimes.
463
Both are good answers.
464
Question number three.
465
How do you ask for the bill in English?
466
Do you remember?
467
We learned this today.
468
Say it.
469
Come on.
470
Can we have the bill, please?
471
Yes.
472
Perfect.
473
You are doing so well.
474
Really, we are proud of you.
475
Okay, my beautiful friends, that is the end of today's lesson.
476
And what a lesson it was.
477
Yes.
478
Today we learned everything you need for a restaurant in English, from the first hello to the last goodbye.
479
You learned how to ask for a table, how to order food, how to ask questions, how to handle problems, how to pay, how to leave politely.
480
You are ready.
481
The next time you go to a restaurant in English, you've got this.
482
I'm serious.
483
You really do.
484
And you know what?
485
The most important thing is, don't be afraid to try.
486
Even if you make a mistake, that's okay.
487
Everyone makes mistakes.
488
Even us.
489
We make mistakes too sometimes, and that's how we learn.
490
So be brave, open your mouth, use these phrases, and smile.
491
And now we want to hear from you.
492
Let's connect.
493
In the comments below, write this.
494
Write your name and answer this question.
495
What is your favorite food to order at a restaurant?
496
For example, I will start, my name is David and my favorite food is a cheeseburger with extra cheese.
497
Of course it is.
498
And I'm Alice, and my favorite is pasta with creamy sauce.
499
Now, tell us yours.
500
We read every single comment.
501
We love hearing from you.
502
And if this video helped you today, please give it a like.
503
It really helps us reach more English learners like you around the world.
504
subscribe if you haven't already.
505
We make new English lessons every week.
506
Simple, slow, and fun, just like today.
507
We will see you in the next video very, very soon.
508
Until then, keep practicing, keep smiling, and remember, English is easy, one step at a time.
509
Bye-bye everyone!
510
Goodbye, take care!
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
B11
Day 1: Present Simple | Master all the English Tenses in 12 days
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
How to Become the Best Version of Yourself | English Listening Practice (B1–B2)
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B11
You Don't Need More Vocabulary, You Need This | Improve Your English Fluency
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B2Talk About Social Anxiety in English | Easy English Conversation | B1-B2 English Podcast
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
Fix These English Mistakes Before They Become Habits | B1–B2 English Podcast
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B23
Train Your Ears to Understand Real English | 40-Minute Real English Podcast (B1-B2)
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
10 English Habits That Will Make You Fluent Faster | B1–B2 English Podcast
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A26
Day 1: Speak English in 30 Days | How to Introduce Yourself in English Confidently
KidsTeensDaily Conversation
B13
The Secret to Explaining Your Opinions in English | English Podcast For Daily Conversations
Business EnglishInterview EnglishDaily Conversation
B13
Stop Studying Grammar, Just Listen | Improve Your English Naturally Just by Listening
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B12
10 Daily Habits That Make You More Disciplined | Intermediate English Podcast
Daily ConversationUniversity Students
B12
Day 2: Present Continuous | Master all the English Tenses in 12 days
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B14
Still Translating Before You Speak English? Watch This
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
How to Think Positive Every Day | 50 Minutes of Real English Listening Practice (B1–B2)
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B1Morning routines, Food, Feelings, Health, Hobbies, Idioms, Travel,...| English listening practice
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B11
Why You Lose Motivation After a Few Days and How to Fix That | English Listening Practice
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B22
9 English Habits That Instantly Make You Sound More Natural | English Podcast(B1-B2)
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B22
Stop Wasting Your Time and Start Taking Control | English Listening Practice (B1–B2)
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B22
Life Lessons Everyone Learns Too Late | Learn English Through Conversation (B1-B2)
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B22
Day 5: American English vs British English — Key Differences | English Listening Practice (B1–B2)
Travel EnglishDaily ConversationHigh School Students
FOR YOU
Recommend Video
A24
266 sentences
Learn English at the Restaurant 🍔 Easy Conversation for Beginners | Mr. English Channel Podcast
KidsTravel EnglishTeens
A264
19 sentences
Easy English Speaking and Listening Lesson about Food!
KidsTeensDaily Conversation
A23
416 sentences
🍽️ Dining at a Restaurant | Easy English Story
KidsTravel EnglishTeens
A27
35 sentences
5-Minute English Conversation Practice: Ordering at a Restaurant
KidsTravel EnglishTeens
A21
642 sentences
How to Talk At The Restaurant in English | English Podcast for Speaking Fluency
KidsTravel EnglishTeens
A22
366 sentences
Simple English In The Kitchen | Easy Daily English For Beginners | Daily English Conversation
KidsTravel EnglishTeens
A232
419 sentences
Cafe Vocabulary - Slow and Easy English For Beginners
KidsTravel EnglishTeens
A23
65 sentences
🍽️ Daily English: How Do You Order Food at a Restaurant? #LearnEng#RestaurantEnglish #SpeakEnglish
KidsTravel EnglishTeens
A22
28 sentences
Learn English | Listening Practice - At an American Restaurant
KidsTravel EnglishTeens
A22
391 sentences
🍳 American Diner Vocabulary: Ordering Breakfast | Slow and Easy English Story for Beginners
KidsTravel EnglishTeens
A22
15 sentences
Polite Restaurant Conversation in English | Customer and Waiter Dialogue | Everyday English Lab
KidsTravel EnglishTeens
A28
267 sentences
🍽️ Learn English at the Restaurant | Easy Conversation for Beginners | listen
KidsTravel EnglishTeens
Why practice speaking with this video?
Learning English, especially in real-life situations like dining in a restaurant, can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. This video provides a perfect scenario for beginners to practice crucial restaurant vocabulary and conversation skills. By engaging in this context, learners can build confidence in their speaking abilities and prepare for authentic interactions. The structured approach helps you know exactly what to say, easing the anxiety many feel when faced with ordering food or asking questions. By frequently practicing with this video, you can improve your fluency and become more comfortable in social situations.
Grammar & Expressions in Context
Here are some key grammatical structures and expressions highlighted in the video that you can incorporate into your English learning:
- Question Forms: The waiter’s question, “Are you ready to order?” helps you practice forming questions in the present simple tense, a basic yet essential skill for any conversation.
- Expressions of Desire: Phrases like "I’m hungry" and "I would like to order..." are incredibly useful for expressing what you want. Learning these phrases enhances your ability to communicate effectively.
- Descriptive Language: Descriptive words such as "beautiful" and "amazing" allow you to express thoughts and preferences more vividly, making conversations enjoyable and engaging.
- Polite Requests: Using polite language, such as “Could I have...?” will not only help you sound more courteous but also improve your overall interaction with English speakers.
Common Pronunciation Traps
When practicing English, particularly in the context of dining, you might encounter several pronunciation challenges:
- Words with Similar Sounds: Terms like “order” and “border” may sound similar, so be mindful of your pronunciation to ensure clarity.
- Intonation: The way you say “Are you ready?” can change the meaning. Practice the rising intonation at the end of questions.
- Contractions: Phrases like “I’d like” or “You’re having” should be practiced to achieve a more natural flow in conversation.
Incorporating the shadowspeak technique can help you master these nuances. Using a shadowing app can assist in hearing and repeating phrases, which is essential for IELTS speaking practice. By engaging in shadow speech exercises, you can quickly overcome these barriers and improve your language skills.
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Superlatives the -est / the most … — the top or bottom of a group | the best · the most important · The most common |
| Verb + -ing enjoy, keep, stop… + -ing — verbs that are followed by the -ing form | love being · love hearing · keep practicing |
| Past continuous was/were + -ing — an action in progress at a moment in the past | was learning · was going |
| Possibility with “might / may” might/may + verb — something that is possible but not certain | might hear · might say |
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.