Shadowing Practice: Please Be POLITE in English! - Learn English Speaking with Video
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20 sentences
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1
Don't say, I would like to order.
2
You can say, I'll do.
3
I'll do the chicken masala.
4
So yes, you can say this.
5
This is correct.
6
There are native speakers who say, I'll do blah, blah, blah.
7
I'll just have blah, blah, blah.
8
But I personally recommend turning it into a question.
9
If you ask a question in English, it sounds more polite, more respectful.
10
I always say, can I have or could I have?
11
Can I get?
12
Could I get?
13
There are variations, but the point is we're asking a question.
14
It sounds much better than just saying what you want, what you'll have.
15
Even people in the South will say like, may I have?
16
That's like next level.
17
I don't really do that.
18
I'm from the North.
19
But the point is they're asking a question.
20
It sounds more polite.
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This speaking lesson is built on the video “Please Be POLITE in English!”. This video has 20 sentences and 141 words to shadow. The speech runs for 0:48. The speaker talks at a natural 175 words per minute, close to everyday conversation. 4 of its 20 sentences are questions, so it is good practice for question intonation and short answers.
Key vocabulary in this video
9 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| polite adjective | /pəˈlaɪt/ | Well-mannered, civilized. |
| variation noun | /ˌvɛəɹiˈeɪʃn̩/ | The act of varying; a partial change in the form, position, state, or qualities of a thing. |
| respectful adjective | /ɹɪˈspɛkt.fl̩/ | Marked or characterized by respect |
| masala noun | /məˈsɑːlə/ | Any of many blends of spices used in Indian cuisine, most often containing cardamom, coriander, mace together with pepper, nutmeg, fennel seeds, jeera etc. |
| native adjective | /ˈneɪtɪv/ | Belonging to one by birth or ancestry. |
| recommend verb | /ˌɹɛkəˈmɛnd/ | To bestow commendation on; to represent favorably; to suggest, endorse or encourage as an appropriate choice. |
| personally adverb | /ˈpɜː.sə.nə.li/ | In a personal manner. |
| speaker noun | /ˈspikɚ/ | One who speaks. |
| correct adjective | /kəˈɹɛkt/ | Free from error; true; accurate. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- Don't say, I would like to order.
- You can say, I'll do.
- I'll do the chicken masala.
- I'll just have blah, blah, blah.
- I always say, can I have or could I have?
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Future with “will” will + verb — a decision, promise or prediction | I'll do · I'll just have · you'll have |
| Present continuous am/is/are + -ing — something happening right now or around now | we're asking · they're asking |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 10 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'll, don't, I'm. 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.
- 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 polite, variation, respectful.
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.