Shadowing Practice: Opening a Bank Account: What Documents Do I Need? - Learn English Speaking with Video
Creating lesson...
1
Good morning! How can I help you today?
2
Hi! I'd like to open a bank account, please.
3
I start a new job next week,
4
and they need my account details for my salary!
5
Congratulations! Let's get you set up.
6
I'll need two things. First, some photo ID,
7
like a passport or a driver's license.
8
Sure, here's my passport.
9
Great. And second, proof of address.
10
Proof of address? Oh... I didn't know that.
11
I just moved into a new apartment.
12
I don't have any bills there yet.
13
Does that mean I can't open an account?
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Don't worry, there are other options.
15
Do you have a lease, or a letter from your new job?
16
Wait! My job offer was sent to my new address.
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I've got a copy right here on my phone.
18
Perfect, that works! I'll just print it.
19
Now, do you want a debit card with the account?
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Yes, please. Is there a monthly fee?
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Not with your salary paid in. It's free.
22
Your card will arrive by post in five days.
23
Five days? That's before my first day at work!
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Thanks so much. You made this really easy.
25
My pleasure. Good luck with the new job!
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This B1 speaking lesson is built on the video “Opening a Bank Account: What Documents Do I Need?”. This video has 25 sentences and 197 words to shadow. The speech runs for 1:15. The speaker talks at a natural 159 words per minute, close to everyday conversation. 85% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start. 7 of its 25 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 |
|---|---|---|
| salary noun | /ˈsæləɹi/ | A fixed amount of money paid to a worker, usually calculated on a monthly or annual basis, not hourly, as wages. Implies a degree of professionalism and/or… |
| passport noun | /ˈpæspɔɹt/ | An official document normally used for international journeys, which proves the identity and nationality of the person for whom it was issued. |
| congratulations | /kənˌɡɹæt͡ʃəˈleɪʃ(ə)nz/ | Expressing praise and approval, expressing approbation. |
| arrive verb | /əˈɹaɪv/ | To reach; to get to a certain place. |
| lease noun | /liːs/ | An interest in land granting exclusive use or occupation of real estate for a limited period; a leasehold. |
| litter noun | /ˈlɪt.ɚ/ | Straw, grass, and similar loose material used as bedding for people or animals. |
| debit noun | /ˈdɛb.ɪt/ | In bookkeeping, an entry in the left hand column of an account. |
| apartment noun | /əˈpɑɹt.mənt/ | A complete domicile occupying only part of a building, especially one for rent; a flat. |
| detail noun | /ˈdi.teɪl/ | A part small enough to escape casual notice. |
| pleasure noun | /ˈplɛʒɚ/ | A state of being pleased or contented; gratification. |
| print verb | /pɹɪnt/ | To produce one or more copies of a text or image on a surface, especially by machine. |
| license noun | /ˈlaɪ.səns/ | A legal document giving official permission to do something; a permit. |
| monthly adjective | /ˈmʌnθli/ | Occurring every month. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 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:
- How can I help you today?
- I'd like to open a bank account, please.
- Let's get you set up.
- I don't have any bills there yet.
- Does that mean I can't open an account?
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 8 contractions and reduced forms, such as don't, I'll, can't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: congratulations /kənˌɡɹæt͡ʃəˈleɪʃ(ə)nz/, pleasure /ˈplɛʒɚ/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like salary, passport, congratulations.
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.