Shadowing Practice: Learn English with Disney's THE PRINCESS DIARIES - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Today we are learning English with the Princess Diaries, a shy, awkward teenager who feels invisible at her high school in San Francisco.
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Oops, I'm sorry I didn't see you.
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Suddenly finds out that her father is the next king of Genovia,
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a small European kingdom.
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Her life takes a dramatic turn and since Mia is to become a princess, there are some certain rules she has to follow.
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In the clip we brought for you today, her grandmother, the queen, is helping Mia with a royal makeover and teaching her some princess manners.
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Mia isn't used to those fancy rules, so things get funny.
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And if you are new here or welcome aboard, please subscribe to this channel and hit the bell down below because every week we create lessons just like this one.
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help you understand your favorite movies and TV series without getting lost, without missing the jokes and without subtitles.
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Also, every lesson comes with an exclusive deck of flashcards featuring all the vocabulary you've covered.
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So expressions like take a turn or a makeover are already waiting for you.
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As soon as you finish watching the lesson using your phone, click on the link in the description under this video
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and you will be redirected to our real-life english app
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and start your vocabulary practice right away i will show you how it works later in the lesson
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and now let's watch the clip with the subtitles first then
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you will learn all of the most important vocabulary grammar and pronunciation
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and at the end of the lesson you'll take a short
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quiz by watching the clip one more time without subtitles and answering a few questions So please welcome Princess Mia. in these Bushman eyebrows.
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The neck is seemly, and you will wear stockings, not tights, not socks, and I never want to see those shoes again.
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When walking in a crowd, one is under scrutiny all the time.
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So we don't schlump like this.
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We drop the shoulders, we think tall, We tuck under and we transfer the weight from one foot to...
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Why don't you just tuck one ankle behind the other and place the hands gracefully on the knees.
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As a mother to a daughter, this scene worries me a little bit, as it may be misleading for young girls.
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So-called beauty standards and being judged by their looks can make girls doubt themselves and feel pressured to change, to fit in.
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Instead, I hope you take away a lesson in valuing individuality.
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For instance, when Clarice says Mia's eyes are lovely,
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it's a reminder that certain qualities are worth celebrating.
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Everyone has a unique quality to carry with pride, as we see later in the movie.
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Now, before we dive into today's lesson and learn some really great English expressions,
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I thought you might enjoy hearing Anne Hathaway's reflection on the film, looking back over her acting career.
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This was the film that changed my life.
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Like, it's so weird to watch it.
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I haven't seen this movie in maybe 20 years and I'm a little bit speechless with this one.
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This is, it's actually, it's very emotional to see it.
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She says she's speechless because the movie proved to be so important in her career that she finds herself overwhelmed with emotion,
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so it's hard to find words to express yourself.
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We will return to Anne Hathaway, but now let's learn English with Mia and her grandmother, the Queen.
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Amelia, circle slowly so I can evaluate the work to be done.
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Amelia, does your bad posture affect your hearing?
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Turn.
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Oh, sorry.
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No, no, no, slowly turn.
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Slowly.
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Thank you.
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I already used the word to judge earlier,
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and evaluate would be a more formal word to say that you want to judge or assess someone's looks,
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behavior, performance, or a situation in general.
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Hold up, you're evaluating us?
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Think about it, how do baseball teams get better?
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They evaluate performance.
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This is just an informal yet permanent record of who is contributing what.
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Yeah, why don't we evaluate you?
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Evaluate me?
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Yeah, you know what?
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I already did.
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Amelia, does your bad posture affect your hearing?
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Turn.
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Oh, sorry.
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No, no, no, slowly turn.
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Slowly.
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Thank you.
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Well, carriage, obviously.
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Posture is how you hold your body and like body language it can say a lot about a person, whether you are confident, shy or afraid of something.
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In this scene the word carriage is used as a more formal, somewhat old-fashioned word to refer to me as posture.
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Carriage is related to the word carry and the phrase to carry yourself is still in use in modern English,
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and it means how you present yourself in terms of confidence and elegance.
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It's an attitude, Greg.
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It's a confidence.
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It's the way you carry yourself that lets the world know that the buck stops with you.
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Hair style.
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Complexion.
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Stop!
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When you want to talk about someone's skin tone or texture, you will use the word complexion.
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The word complexion is often collocated with adjectives like clear, fair, dark, healthy, or glowing when referring to skin.
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Check out these examples.
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Any more information I should know?
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Yes, but not about this.
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We're doctors, we like to give out health tips.
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You should wear sunscreen, even with your dark complexion.
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Nice save!
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Mm-hmm.
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More concealing cream?
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Your complexion is so fair.
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Now this has a touch of lavender in it.
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Has it happened to you
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that you got a chance to practice your English speaking by having a real conversation online or face-to-face,
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and that expression that you know you've learned before just doesn't come to you at the moment when you need it?
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I know how frustrating that feels.
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To be in a conversation and find yourself pausing frequently because you're forgetting all the useful words you know. That sucks.
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I've been there before.
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This feeling when you know what you want to say
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and you just want to be able to express your thoughts as easily as you can do it in your native tongue.
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This is exactly why we built RealLifeFab and that's exactly what it can help you with.
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As I mentioned, every lesson like this one comes with a deck of flashcards.
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By practicing just 10-15 minutes daily with them on our app,
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you'll be able to transfer these new words from your short-term into your long-term memory.
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Plus, with the spaced repetition software, you'll retain vocabulary more effectively by reviewing new words at carefully timed intervals,
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just when you're about to forget them.
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highly recommend you check it out.
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The app is free to download, just look for RealLife English in the App Store or Google Play or simply click the link in the description below.
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It's free to get started, so download it now.
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like her father.
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Her comment about Mia's eyebrows was not nice at all and not politically correct, so I would suggest that you avoid any comments like that.
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But let me explain what she means here.
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This is the Bushman people, also known as the Sam people, the indigenous hunter-gatherers traditionally living in southern Africa.
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When the queen says Mia has Bushman eyebrows, she means they are very thick.
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In everyday English we usually describe thick eyebrows as bushy, which comes from the word bush.
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Bushes are plants usually shorter than trees and often have a rounded thick appearance.
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Bushy can also describe thick messy hair or beard.
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What's that sir?
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A great big bushy beard come on let's have a mosey around the neck is seemly is like her father
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seemly is an uncommon word meaning appropriate or proper
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so she says Mia's neck is appropriate or presentable looking neat who has nails like these
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everybody well tomorrow I would like to see clean fingers
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and you will wear stockings not tights not socks
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and I never want to see those shoes again these are stockings tights
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and socks sometimes it's really hard to differentiate between socks
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and stockings right so just look at them again
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and try to remember interesting fact stockings were first used in medieval times
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when leg coverings were essential for both warmth and modesty and and they were worn by men and women.
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And this is a Christmas stocking.
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They can hold more candies and presents than socks, so maybe it helps you remember the difference.
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And I never want to see those shoes again.
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Let's break down the connected speech in this phrase.
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And I never want to see those shoes again.
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What happens here is we drop the D sound from AND and link three words together.
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And I never.
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And I never.
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want to see has a schwa sound want to want to see
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and it can even be reduced to wanna see wanna see
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listen to this part again those shoes again those shoes again you can't hear the zip sound from those
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because it merges into the shoot sound from shoes those shoes those shoes again the words shoes
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and again are linked together with a schwa sound from again again shoes again shoes again now listen again
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and repeat the whole phrase and I never want to see those shoes again
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And I never want to see those shoes again.
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And I never want to see those shoes again.
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When walking in a crowd, one is under scrutiny all the time.
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So we don't schlump like this.
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Under scrutiny means that someone's actions are being watched very closely, often to check if they're doing things right or if there are any mistakes.
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It's like having a spotlight on you, where people are paying extra attention to what you do.
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It is a wonder then that feet do not tire or,
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heaven forbid, trip under the scrutiny of all those attentive eyes keeping close watch indeed.
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So we don't schlump like this.
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The word schlump refers to a poor posture.
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It originates from Yiddish and is used primarily in American English, especially in casual or humorous settings.
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A more common word would be slump.
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It means to sit, lean or fall heavily, often due to tiredness, laziness or discouragement.
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So imagine you've had a very long day and you slump into your chair, too tired to even take off your shoes.
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He passed out over his arm and slumped onto the floor.
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To the boncho?
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We tuck under and we transfer the weight from one foot to...
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No, princesses never cross their legs in public.
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Why don't you just tuck one ankle behind the other and place the hands gracefully on the knees.
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Tuck under means to pull or position something close to the body, often to create a neat compact shape.
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It's straightening your posture.
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She then teaches Mia not to cross her legs, but to tuck one ankle behind the other.
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Here, tuck suggests making a small movement to keep the legs together in a graceful way.
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You can often hear the phrase tuck in your shirt, meaning to neatly place the bottom of your shirt inside your pants or skirt,
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so it looks tidy and doesn't hang loosely.
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Like here in this example.
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Oh, thank you.
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Well, I don't tuck in that much.
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See, golf makes me tuck in.
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I'm rarely tucked in.
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No, princesses never cross their legs in public.
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Why don't you just tuck one ankle behind the other and place the hands gracefully on the knees?
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The word gracefully relates to elegance.
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It's commonly used with verbs that reflect movement, behavior or response.
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For example, move gracefully, speak gracefully.
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And you can picture a pair of swans swimming gracefully on the lake.
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And finally, there's some grammar structure I wanted to comment on.
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The queen says, why don't you tuck one ankle behind the other?
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That sounds different from her more direct instructions like, we don't schlump like this or princesses never cross their legs.
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If you want to give instruction or advice while sounding friendly and polite, start your sentence with this phrase.
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Why don't you?
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And if it is a suggestion rather than a question, we don't always need a question mark at the end.
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Why don't you just tuck one ankle behind the other?
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You can also practice the connected speech with this phrase.
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The combination of the letters T plus y gives us a CHU sound.
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Why don't you?
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Why don't you?
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Listen and repeat.
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Why don't you just talk?
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Why don't you just talk?
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In this next scene, you'll see a humorous makeover session where Paolo, the stylist, is helping Mia to get ready for a state dinner.
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Let the work begin.
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Ah, of course.
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Where is the beautiful girl?
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My granddaughter, Amelia.
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Ah!
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She is gorgeous.
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Let us take a closer look.
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Bizzy, busy, dizzy.
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In the best sense.
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Oh.
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He's all right.
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Do you wear contact lens?
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Well, I have them, but I don't really like to wear them that much.
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Now you do.
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I love your eyebrows.
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We'll call them Frida and Kahlo.
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You want to know a big secret?
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Tell me.
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The cucumber does nothing.
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This is something we make up.
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Majesty.
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A princess. So Paolo is Italian.
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You can hear he uses the wrong pronunciation of the word gorgeous.
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You may want to repeat after me.
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gorgeous gorgeous means very beautiful
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and attractive freezy busy dizzy it may sound like gibberish a random set of words
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but actually it's a playful rhyming phrase used by paolo to describe mia's untamed hair untamed means wild uncontrolled
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or not managed it often describes something
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natural or rough that hasn't been shaped groomed or organized
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so let's break down these words one by one frizzy
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when said about hair it means wild curly
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or untamed i need you what should we do about my hair
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that lady called it frizzy your hair is flawless busy normally means having a lot to do
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but here it likely refers to her hair being messy
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or full of texture as if there is a lot going on And finally, Dizzy describes feeling a lightheaded,
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that sensation of spinning around and losing one's balance.
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But here, it humorously suggests her hair is chaotic or out of control.
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Do you wear contact lenses?
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Well, I have them but I don't really like to wear them that much.
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Now you do.
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You broke my glasses.
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You broke my brush.
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You see Mia wearing glasses.
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When you have poor eyesight, an alternative to wearing glasses could be wearing contact lenses.
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Transparent plastic lenses worn on the surface of the eye.
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I love your eyebrows.
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We'll call them Frida and Kahlo.
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Paolo humorously names Mia's eyebrows Frida and Kahlo, referencing Frida Kahlo's iconic look.
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Frida Kahlo was a Mexican painter known for her deeply personal and surreal self-portraits.
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Now I promised you to come back to Anne Hathaway.
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Here's how she commented on this part of the clip.
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So he really had to break the brush in this.
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They pre-broke the brush and it was supposed to break kind of easily, but it didn't quite happen.
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So that's me and Larry.
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I'm kind of improv-ing trying to get it to go.
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And I don't remember if the owl was real or if I was just buying him some time.
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To buy some time means to create a delay, to give some extra time somebody needs for something.
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Like in this case, they had to improvise to save the scene and actually break the brush.
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You want to know a big secret?
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The cucumber does nothing.
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This is something we make up.
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Make up means to create or invent something, especially a story or an idea that didn't happen or isn't true.
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Majesty, Paolo is exhausted.
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Because, Majesty, only Paolo can take this and this and give you a princess.
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When you are exhausted, you're extremely tired or worn out, with no energy left.
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Do you remember the word you can use to describe collapsing onto the couch when you are completely exhausted?
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Let's find out because now it's time for a test.
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Amelia, circle slowly so I can evaluate the work to be done.
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Amelia, does your bad posture affect your hearing?
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Turn.
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Oh, sorry.
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No, no, no, slowly turn.
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Slowly.
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Thank you.
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What is a posture?
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The way you hold your body, how fast you move, Your tone of voice, your energy level.
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Well, carriage, obviously.
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Hairstyle, complexion...
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Stop!
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Eyes, lovely.
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But hidden beneath Bushman eyebrows.
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What would be the opposite of bushy eyebrows?
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Thin eyebrows?
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Sparse eyebrows?
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Thick eyebrows?
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Bushy eyebrows?
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The neck is seemly. Is...
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Like her father.
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Really?
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They are?
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Oh my!
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Who has nails like these?
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Everybody?
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Well, tomorrow I would like to see clean fingers, and you will wear stockings, not tights, not socks, and I never want to see those shoes again.
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When walking in a crowd, one is under scrutiny all the time.
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What does it mean to be under scrutiny?
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To be under scrutiny means being closely watched or examined, often to check for mistakes or problems.
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Let the work begin.
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Ah, of course.
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Where is the beautiful girl?
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My granddaughter Amelia.
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No!
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She is gorgeous.
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Let us take a closer look.
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Carlo, we have a limited number of days before the state dinner.
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What does gorgeous mean?
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Very beautiful or attractive, graceful like a swan, calm and peaceful, very unattractive.
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You want to know a big secret?
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Tell me.
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The cucumber does nothing.
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This is something we make up.
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In this context, what does the phrasal verb make up mean?
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Use cosmetics.
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Use it for eating.
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Invent something.
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That's it for today!
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Good job, guys!
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Remember to practice new words and expressions you learned in the lesson with the flashcards on our RealLife English app.
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You'll find a special link right in the description below.
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Just use your smartphone to get started.
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It's the easiest way to make these words stick with you forever.
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And if you're staying with us on YouTube, give this video a like and subscribe to our channel.
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This way you help other learners find these videos as well.
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Together we build a strong community of real-life English students.
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And here's another great lesson for you to watch next.
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No, not about Cresta.
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The friendship was already souring, but this caper may be the final straw.
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I should hope so.
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I suppose it would be nonsensical for you to have befriended her if you knew, considering everything she's written.
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Who Will Love This English Learning Video?
If you’re a beginner or intermediate learner who wants to practice real-life English while having fun, this video is for you. It’s perfect if you struggle with understanding casual conversations or want to learn how to use everyday phrases in context. Whether you’re into movies, love stories about self-discovery, or just need a break from boring textbooks, this lesson helps you pick up new words and grammar without feeling like you’re studying. Plus, it’s great for anyone working on shadow speak—repeating lines to mimic pronunciation and flow.
Words & Idioms Worth Stealing
The dialogue is packed with useful expressions. Let’s break down a few:
- Take a dramatic turn: When a situation changes suddenly and drastically. Example: “Her life took a dramatic turn after she found out she was a princess.”
- Schlump: To slouch or move in a lazy, unkempt way. The queen tells Mia, “We don’t schlump like this,” so it’s a fun word to describe bad posture.
- Evaluate: A formal way to say “judge” or “assess.” The queen uses it when checking Mia’s makeover: “Amelia, circle slowly so I can evaluate the work to be done.”
- Speechless: Unable to speak, often from surprise or emotion. Anne Hathaway says she’s “speechless” watching the movie again, which is a relatable feeling.
How to Get the Accent Right
The queen’s formal tone and Mia’s casual speech offer great practice for different accents. For the queen, focus on clear, precise pronunciation—she stresses words like “seemly” and “scrutiny” to sound royal. Mia, on the other hand, uses a more relaxed, American accent with short phrases like “Oops, I’m sorry I didn’t see you.” To mimic them, try shadow speech: pause the video, repeat the line immediately, and match the speed and intonation. A shadowing app can help you record yourself and compare it to the original, so you’ll notice when you’re rushing or slurring. Pay attention to how the queen “thinks tall” with her voice—her sentences rise slightly to show authority—while Mia’s voice drops when she’s nervous. These small details make your English sound more natural.
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | will be redirected · being judged · be done |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | you've covered · haven't seen · Has it happened |
| Possibility with “might / may” might/may + verb — something that is possible but not certain | may be · might enjoy · may want |
| Advice with “should” should + verb — saying what is a good idea | should know · should wear · should we do |
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.