Shadowing Practice: Personal work stories – B1 English Listening Test - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

B1
James I've been working as a sales executive for almost five years now.
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52 sentences
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James I've been working as a sales executive for almost five years now.
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It's a full-time job and can be quite hard at times.
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I often have to do overtime,
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especially when there's a big project.
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I'm in charge of a small team and it isn't always easy,
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but I enjoy the responsibility.
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I have recently applied for a promotion and if I get it,
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I'll have even more responsibility.
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Many people want the same promotion,
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but I have more experience than most, so I'm hopeful.
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I used to work in a car dealership,
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but after nearly six years,
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I decided to quit and pursue my passion for graphic design.
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Now, I'm self-employed, working as a freelance designer.
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I love the job, and being my own boss has its advantages.
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I can work from home and choose my schedule.
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However, it's not always easy.
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I don't have a steady income,
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and I need to find clients all the time, which can be stressful.
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Despite the challenges, working on creative projects and seeing my business slowly grow is rewarding.
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Carlos After years of working night shifts as a bartender,
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I finally decided to change.
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I got a part-time job at a bank,
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which has been a big step up.
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The work is less tiring,
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and I'm learning new skills that will help me in the future.
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I'm also studying part-time to get the necessary qualifications for a full-time position.
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Balancing work and studies is no easy task,
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but I know it's worth the effort.
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I was fired from my last job and now I'm between jobs.
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Getting sacked was a blow to my confidence,
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but I've been applying for jobs and trying to stay positive.
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In the meantime, I'm taking online courses to gain new qualifications and improve my resume.
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It's not easy to stay motivated during this time.
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Most job offers I see are for part-time or temporary jobs,
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but I'm determined to find something soon.
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Nadia I plan to retire next year after over 30 years of working as a nurse.
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I love my job, but I'm looking forward to spending more time relaxing and being with my family.
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I'm a grandmother now, and I want to have plenty of time to enjoy with my grandchild and help my daughter.
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Retirement will be a big change,
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but I'm ready to embrace this new phase of life and make the most of every moment,
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enjoying activities I love, like trekking, reading, or cooking.
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Ben.
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I've been working as a builder for over a decade now,
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and while the job can be physically demanding, I enjoy it.
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Every project is different, and I get to work on challenging tasks that keep me engaged.
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I often work overtime, especially during big projects,
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but the extra pay makes it worth it.
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I'm also considering starting my own business in the future,
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maybe opening a small construction firm.
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I've learned a lot on the job,
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and I think I could offer a quality service.

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Context & Background

In this engaging video titled "Personal work stories – B1 English Listening Test," viewers are introduced to individuals sharing their professional experiences. Each speaker discusses their journey through various jobs, the challenges they face, and their aspirations for the future. For example, James shares his transition from being a sales executive to pursuing his passion as a freelance graphic designer, while Carlos speaks about moving from bartending to banking. This diverse range of narratives provides invaluable insights into the working world, showcasing the importance of personal growth and adaptation in professional environments.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “I have recently applied for a promotion” - A key phrase for discussing career advancements and ambitions.
  • “I love the job, and being my own boss has its advantages” - Expresses the benefits of self-employment.
  • “I’m studying part-time to get the necessary qualifications” - Useful for talking about education and career development.
  • “Getting sacked was a blow to my confidence” - An honest way to discuss job loss and its emotional impact.
  • “I look forward to spending more time relaxing” - Highlights the importance of balancing work with personal time.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively utilize this video for English speaking practice, consider following these steps:

  1. Choose a shadowing app: Select a reliable app that allows you to listen and repeat audio in real-time, which helps in improving English pronunciation.
  2. Listen carefully: Watch the video without any distractions. Focus on how each speaker expresses their thoughts and the nuances in their speech.
  3. Repeat immediately: After listening to a segment, pause the video and repeat what you heard. Don’t worry about perfection—aim for rhythm and tone. This practice is essential for shadow speech.
  4. Record yourself: Use your phone or computer to record your voice while mimicking the speakers. Playing back your recording will help you identify areas for improvement.
  5. Practice consistently: Make this shadowing exercise a regular part of your learning routine. The more you learn English with YouTube content, the more fluent you will become.

By using this approach, you can engage deeply with the material, enhance your vocabulary, and develop a more natural speaking style. Embrace the challenge, and watch your confidence grow as you improve your English skills!

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.

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