Shadowing Practice: Performance Review: Setting Goals for Next Year - Learn English Speaking with Video
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32 sentences
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1
Come in, Tom. Have a seat, and don't look so worried!
2
Sorry, I... always get a bit nervous about these.
3
Well, let's start with the good news, shall we?
4
Your work on the Harrison account was outstanding!
5
Really? I wasn't sure anyone had even noticed.
6
Oh, come on! The client asked for you by name.
7
They said you went above and beyond for them.
8
Wow, that genuinely means a lot. Thank you!
9
Now, there's one area I'd like us to work on.
10
A few deadlines slipped this year, didn't they?
11
To be fair, the client kept changing the brief!
12
I understand that, and I'm not blaming you.
13
The real problem was that I found out too late.
14
Hmm... that's fair. I tend to stay quiet and hope.
15
I don't like admitting that I'm falling behind.
16
That's completely normal, but flag it early next time.
17
Even a quick message saves everyone a lot of stress.
18
Actually, could I bring up something else?
19
I'd really love to lead a project next year!
20
Oh, I wasn't expecting that! Tell me more.
21
I've been shadowing Priya for months, and I feel ready.
22
I'd also like some budget for a project management course.
23
Hmm, budgets are quite tight this year, I'm afraid.
24
Oh. I see... so that's a no, then?
25
Not at all! Let's make it part of your goals.
26
If your deadlines improve by June, the course is yours.
27
That sounds more than fair. I'm in!
28
So, goal one: flag any delays at least two days ahead.
29
Goal two: lead the spring onboarding project.
30
And goal three: finish the course by September.
31
Exactly. Clear, measurable, and realistic. I love it.
32
Thanks, Sarah. I'm honestly excited about next year now!
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This B2 speaking lesson is built on the video “Performance Review: Setting Goals for Next Year”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: goal, fair, project. This video has 32 sentences and 285 words to shadow. The speech runs for 2:01. The speaker talks at a steady 142 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 82% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start. 5 of its 32 sentences are questions, so it is good practice for question intonation and short answers.
Key vocabulary in this video
The 15 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| deadline noun | /ˈdɛdˌlaɪn/ | A time limit in the form of a date on or before which something must be completed. |
| shadow noun | /ˈʃædəʊ̯/ | A dark image projected onto a surface where light (or other radiation) is blocked by the shade of an object. |
| delay noun | /dɪˈleɪ̯/ | A period of time before an event occurs; the act of delaying; procrastination; lingering inactivity. |
| slip verb | /ˈslɪp/ | To lose one’s traction on a slippery surface; to slide due to a lack of friction. |
| realistic adjective | /ˌɹɪəˈlɪs.tɪk/ | Expressed or represented as being accurate, practicable, or not idealistic. |
| genuinely adverb | /ˈd͡ʒɛn.ju.ɪn.li/ | In a genuine manner; truthfully, truly. |
| distress noun | /dɪˈstɹɛs/ | Physical or emotional discomfort, suffering, or alarm, particularly of a more acute nature. |
| onboard adjective | /ɒnˈbɔːd/ | Carried or used on or in a vehicle or vessel. |
| measurable adjective | /ˈmɛʒəɹəbəl/ | Able to be measured. |
| flag noun | /flæɡ/ | A piece of cloth, often decorated with an emblem, used as a visual signal or symbol. |
| client noun | /ˈklaɪ.ənt/ | A customer, a buyer or receiver of goods or services. |
| quiet adjective | /ˈkwaɪ̯.ət/ | With little or no sound; free of disturbing noise. |
| blame verb | /bleɪm/ | To assert or consider that someone is the cause of something negative; to place blame; to attribute responsibility (for something negative or for doing… |
| admit verb | /ədˈmɪt/ | To allow to enter; to grant entrance (to), whether into a place, into the mind, or into consideration. |
| tend verb | /ˈtɛnd/ | To look after (e.g. an ill person.) |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| bring up verb | To mention. |
| fall behind verb | To be late (for a regular event) |
| find out verb | To discover, as by asking or investigating. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- Well, let's start with the good news, shall we?
- I wasn't sure anyone had even noticed.
- I understand that, and I'm not blaming you.
- I don't like admitting that I'm falling behind.
- Actually, could I bring up something else?
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 14 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, I'd, don't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: shadow /ˈʃædəʊ̯/, measurable /ˈmɛʒəɹəbəl/
- Long words — get the stress right: genuinely /ˈd͡ʒɛn.ju.ɪn.li/, measurable /ˈmɛʒəɹəbəl/
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 deadline, shadow, delay.
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.