Shadowing Practice: Paying Back a Friend: Sort Codes and Spelling Siobhan - Learn English Speaking with Video

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28 sentences
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1
Hey, did you pay me back for the cottage?
2
Oh no, I totally forgot! Sorry, Siobhan.
3
It's been 3 weeks, Ben!
4
I'll do it right now. How much was it?
5
Your share was £86.50.
6
£86.50? I thought it was £68!
7
No. The cottage was £346, split 4 ways.
8
Hmm... okay, you're right. 86.50 it is.
9
Right. What's your sort code?
10
It's 20-45-77.
11
20-45-77. And the account number?
12
30186624.
13
30186624. Done.
14
Now it wants your full name. How do you spell Siobhan?
15
Ha! Everyone asks. It's S-I-O-B-H-A-N.
16
Really? Where's the "v" sound?
17
There isn't one. It's Irish!
18
S-I-O-B... H-A-N. Okay.
19
And my surname is Kelly, K-E-double L-Y.
20
Uh-oh. The app says "Name doesn't match".
21
Hmm, did you type two L's?
22
Ugh, I typed one. Hold on.
23
There. "Name matches." Sending now!
24
Yay! Did it work?
25
Yes! £86.50, paid. Reference: Cornwall.
26
Got it! Thanks, Ben.
27
Next holiday, you're paying!
28
Nice try!

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About This Lesson

You're practicing English with "Paying Back a Friend: Sort Codes and Spelling Siobhan" using the Shadowing technique — a method originally developed for professional interpreter training.

Focus on sounding like the speaker — not just repeating words. With 15–30 minutes of daily practice, you'll build real-world speaking confidence.

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 →