Shadowing Practice: Networking at a Conference: Breaking the Ice - Learn English Speaking with Video
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29 sentences
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1
Excuse me, are you in line for coffee?
2
Oh, no, go ahead! I'm still choosing a tea.
3
Thanks! These breaks always feel way too short, don't they?
4
Tell me about it! I've barely had a sip all morning.
5
So, what brings you to the conference?
6
I'm in marketing for a small travel company.
7
We're trying to figure out how AI could help us.
8
Really? That's funny, I build chatbots for travel websites!
9
No way! Then you're exactly the person I need.
10
Ha, I'm Mark, by the way. Nice to meet you.
11
I'm Rachel. Have you been to this conference before?
12
Yes, this is my third year. It keeps getting bigger.
13
Did you catch the talk on customer service this morning?
14
I did! I thought the second speaker was amazing.
15
Me too. Although, honestly, the slides went on forever.
16
Ha, I almost fell asleep near the end!
17
Oh no! I'm so sorry, I just knocked over your coffee!
18
It's fine, really! It only got on my sleeve.
19
Here, take some napkins. I feel terrible.
20
Don't worry about it. These things happen.
21
Um, this is a bit embarrassing, but...
22
could you remind me of your name again?
23
Ha! It's Rachel. I forget names all the time too.
24
Rachel, right. I promise I won't forget it now!
25
I'd love to hear more. Do you have a business card?
26
Sure, here you go. My email's on the back.
27
Great. Could we set up a quick call next week?
28
Of course! Does Tuesday morning around ten work for you?
29
Perfect! I'll send an invite. Just keep the coffee away!
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This B1 speaking lesson is built on the video “Networking at a Conference: Breaking the Ice”. This video has 29 sentences and 264 words to shadow. The speech runs for 1:46. The speaker talks at a steady 149 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 84% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start. 10 of its 29 sentences are questions, so it is good practice for question intonation and short answers.
Key vocabulary in this video
The 13 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| remind verb | /ɹəˈmaɪnd/ | To cause one to experience a memory (of someone or something); to bring to the notice or consideration (of a person). |
| asleep adjective | /əˈsliːp/ | In a state of sleep; also, broadly, resting. |
| knock verb | /nɑk/ | To rap one's knuckles against something, especially wood. |
| invite verb | /ɪnˈvaɪt/ | To ask for the presence or participation of someone or something. |
| slide noun | /ˈslaɪ̯d/ | An item of play equipment that children can climb up and then slide down again. |
| sleeve noun | /sliv/ | The part of a garment that covers the arm. |
| chatbot noun | /ˈtʃætbɑt/ | A computer program that holds conversations through a chat room. |
| embarrass verb | /ɪmˈbæɹəs/ | To disrupt someone's composure or comfort with acting publicly or freely. |
| napkin noun | /ˈnæpˌkɪn/ | A serviette; a (usually rectangular) piece of cloth or paper used at the table for wiping the mouth and hands for cleanliness while eating. |
| customer noun | /ˈkʌs.tə.mə/ | A person or company who purchases or receives a product or service from a business or merchant or intends to do so. |
| excuse verb | /ɪksˈkjuz/ | To forgive; to pardon; to overlook. |
| barely adverb | /ˈbeɹ.li/ | By a small margin. |
| speaker noun | /ˈspikɚ/ | One who speaks. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| figure out verb | To come to understand; to discover or find a solution; to deduce. | |
| go ahead verb | /ˌɡoʊ əˈhɛd/ | To proceed with; to begin. |
| knock over verb | To bump or strike something in such a way as to tip it. | |
| set up verb | /ˌsɛt ˈʌp/ | To make ready for use. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- Excuse me, are you in line for coffee?
- I'm still choosing a tea.
- Have you been to this conference before?
- Do you have a business card?
- Could we set up a quick call next week?
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 13 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, don't, I'd. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like remind, asleep, knock.
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.