Shadowing Practice: Monica Steals Phoebe’s Cold | Friends - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Before I start, I just want to say that I have a cold.
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So if I sneeze in the middle of a song, it's not on purpose.
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Oh, except the last verse of Pepper People.
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This chick sounds good.
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Smelly cat, smelly.
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Hey, Guthrie, be a good little boy, bring me a whiskey.
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My sticky shoes.
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My sticky, sticky shoes.
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Why you stick on me?
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B -baby.
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Thanks for the lights, honey.
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- There you go.
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- Whoa, baby.
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Cold makes you sound so brave.
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God, I love how sexy I am.
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So, I need to write some debunking.
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to go with my new bluesy voice.
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But nothing that sad has ever really happened to me.
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How about your mom dying?
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Or having to live on the streets when you were 14.
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Uh -huh.
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Oh, yeah, I could write about the time I hair did that woo -hoo thing.
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Yeah, I should go too, 'cause I'm playing in one hour.
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Hey!
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You guys should come hear me.
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Hear me?
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Oh!
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My sticky shoes.
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Ew!
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Ew!
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I lost my sexy phlegm.
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Oh, gosh.
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Maybe I think I caught your cold.
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You mean you stole it.
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Don't come at your mouth when you do that.
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Now, I don't eat chicken.
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So it's just noodle soup.
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And there's no chicken in the broth either.
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So it's really just noodle water.
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- Thank you so much, Phoebe.
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- Sure.
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What are you doing with those?
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I need your germs.
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I want my cold back.
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I miss my sexy voice.
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Sorry, Phoebe.
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Okay.
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How's the soup?
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Oh.
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- Mm.
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- I think it's a good question.
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Ow!
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No, sorry.
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Well, where's Amanda?
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Hey, Rach, could you get me some cough drops?
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I mean, you know, I'm thinking...
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You could bring her, and you guys could go up to your old room and not make out.
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-Gloss, a cough drop, please.
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-At least I know she's not going out with me to get into R -rated movies.
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Why don't you just marry her?
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Oh, no, wait a minute, you can't.
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I'm sorry, I forgot.
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She's not a lesbian.
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-See, Amanda and I have a very...
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-You have nothing!
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You're not even going out.
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You're her babysitter.
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You have a 12 -year -old girl's job.
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Oh, that is so sad.
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And what are you laughing at? this my keg -sucking boyfriend is stealing from me?
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Hey, so he stole a couple bucks from me.
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Big deal.
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At least he bought me something with it.
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That's mine!
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What you both...
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Please start acting like adults.
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Give me my golf drops.
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Fine.
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Sorry.
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- Yeah.
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Thank you.
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- Oh.
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At least I made 10 bucks in my relationship.
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TODAY.
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Lady goats are trading.
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Parading down the street.
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Parading, goats are parading.
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Leaving little treats.
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Does it even work without my sexy voice?
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I like it.
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- - Dunther, kiss me.
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What?

About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will practice your English speaking skills by engaging with a humorous scene from the popular TV show "Friends." This particular video features Phoebe and Monica, showcasing informal dialogue that is rich in idiomatic expressions and playful banter. By shadowing the characters, you'll be able to enhance your pronunciation, intonation, and overall fluency. It's a fun way to immerse yourself in real conversational English, making it ideal for those preparing for IELTS speaking practice or just looking to learn English with YouTube.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Cold: An illness characterized by a runny nose, cough, and often sneezing.
  • Sticky shoes: Shoes that make a noise or feel unpleasant due to sticking to the floor.
  • Sexy voice: A voice that is considered attractive or appealing.
  • Noodle soup: A common dish made from noodles and broth, often enjoyed when feeling unwell.
  • Germs: Microorganisms that can cause illness.
  • Debunking: The act of exposing false claims or ideas.
  • Playing in one hour: Refers to performing or participating in an event shortly.
  • Woo-hoo: An expression of excitement or joy.

Practice Tips

To make the most of this video for improving your English pronunciation and fluency, follow these tips:

  • Shadowing: Use a shadowing app to simultaneously listen to the dialogue and repeat it out loud. Try to mimic the speakers' speed and tone to capture the nuances of their speech.
  • Slow it down: If the pace is too quick, use video settings to slow down the playback speed. This can help you focus on pronunciation and intonation.
  • Focus on key phrases: Pay special attention to the informal phrases used by Phoebe and Monica. Repeat these phrases several times until you feel comfortable using them in your own conversations.
  • Record yourself: After shadowing, record your voice. Listening to your own pronunciation can help you identify areas for improvement.
  • Use humor: Don't be afraid to have fun with it! The humorous context can make practicing more enjoyable and memorable.

By integrating these techniques into your learning routine, you’ll be able to significantly improve your English speaking skills, boost your confidence for IELTS speaking practice, and enhance your overall communication abilities.

Grammar in this video

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

StructureIn the video
Advice with “should” should + verb — saying what is a good ideashould go · should come
Present continuous am/is/are + -ing — something happening right now or around nowI'm playing · I'm thinking · You're not even going
Obligation: must / have to / need to saying that something is necessaryneed to write · having to live

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 →