Shadowing Practice: Learn English With Shruti Haasan - Learn English Speaking with Video

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And I also know someone I'm reacting on the verge of tears.
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I'm on the verge of graduation.
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Like I'm on the verge of just blowing up.
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She was on the verge of discovery.
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Actually you're on the verge of being suspended.
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On the verge means something is about to happen.

Learn English with Shruti Haasan: Real-Life Phrases for Fluent Speaking

In the video, Shruti Haasan shares relatable examples that bring everyday English to life, making it easy to grasp practical phrases. Her conversational style mirrors real-world interactions, making this content perfect for english speaking practice and even IELTS speaking practice, as it focuses on natural expression.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • "On the verge of tears": Describes being close to crying (e.g., "She was on the verge of tears after the news").
  • "On the verge of graduation": Means about to graduate (e.g., "I’m on the verge of graduation—finally!").
  • "On the verge of blowing up": Refers to being ready to get angry or become popular (context-dependent; e.g., "The band is on the verge of blowing up").
  • "On the verge of discovery": Indicates a breakthrough is near (e.g., "Scientists are on the verge of discovery").
  • "On the verge of being suspended": Means suspension is imminent (e.g., "He’s on the verge of being suspended for missing class").

All these phrases use "on the verge of" to signal something about to happen—an essential structure for clear, dynamic communication.

Step-by-Step Shadowing Guide to Master the Dialogue

Shadowing (or shadowspeaks) is a proven technique to improve pronunciation and fluency. Here’s how to use it with this video:

  1. Listen first: Watch the video once to understand the context and rhythm.
  2. Repeat immediately: Pause after each phrase and mimic Shruti’s tone, speed, and stress. Focus on how she emphasizes "verge" to convey urgency.
  3. Record yourself: Compare your recording to the video. Note differences in intonation—this helps with natural delivery, key for IELTS speaking practice.
  4. Practice daily: Use a shadowing app to slow down the audio if needed, then gradually match the original speed. Aim for 10 minutes a day to build muscle memory.
  5. Apply in conversations: Use "on the verge of" in daily talks (e.g., "I’m on the verge of finishing my project"). This turns practice into real skill.

By combining shadow speak with these phrases, you’ll quickly sound more natural and confident in English. Start today—consistency is key!

Grammar in this video

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

StructureIn the video
Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does itbeing suspended
Present continuous am/is/are + -ing — something happening right now or around nowI'm reacting

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →