Shadowing Practice: Podcast to Learn English | Conversations You Will Use in Real Life! - Learn English Speaking with Video
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This is Max and Mia Podcast.
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Hi everyone, welcome back to another episode of Max and Mia Podcast.
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I'm Max.
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And I'm Mia.
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It's so great to have you here with us today.
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So, what are we talking about today, Mia?
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Well, today we're going to listen to some everyday conversations.
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the kind you'll probably run into sooner or later when you have to speak English in real life.
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Exactly.
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And we're also sharing some vocabulary that we personally use all the time in our daily lives.
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This isn't the typical stuff you're used to, like ordering a coffee or asking for directions.
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We've all done that a hundred times, right?
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Right.
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Today we're going a bit further.
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You'll learn how to respond in situations that textbooks or school just don't prepare you for.
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And by the way, if you want to take your English to the next level, don't forget to join our membership community.
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There, you'll find exclusive content that's really useful, so you can get the most out of this new language you're learning.
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So get comfortable, and let's get started!
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Okay, so for our first conversation, this actually reminds me of something I went through myself.
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There was a moment when a close friend of mine was going through something tough,
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and I had to figure out how to give her advice without making things worse.
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Oh, I know that feeling.
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It's not easy to find the right words, whether you're talking about how you handled a situation,
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situation or telling someone what worked for you and what didn't.
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Exactly.
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And in this first conversation, you'll hear people sharing their experiences,
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giving advice, explaining how they got through something, and suggesting what to do and what not to do.
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This is a scenario you'll definitely run into, whether you're talking to a friend, a partner, or a co-worker.
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And knowing how to get your message across clearly is super important.
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In this first conversation, we're going to listen to Brandy and Eric pay close attention,
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because right after, we'll break the conversation down together.
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Ready?
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Let's go!
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Hey, Brandy.
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Do you have a minute?
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I kind of need some advice. Of course.
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What's going on?
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So, you know I've been in my job for like five years now, right?
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And lately, I just feel stuck.
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Like every day feels the same.
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Oh, I totally get that.
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I used to feel exactly the same way at my old job, actually.
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Really?
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What did you do?
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Well, for a while, I would just push through it, you know?
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I'd tell myself it was normal, that everyone feels like that sometimes, but it kept getting worse.
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Yeah, that's kind of where I'm at too.
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Honestly, I ended up talking to my manager about it first.
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I figured, what's the worst that could happen?
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And how did that go?
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It actually helped a lot.
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She gave me a new project to work on, and that changed everything.
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But if that hadn't worked, I was ready to look for something else.
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See, that's what scares me.
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The idea of starting over somewhere new.
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I know it sounds scary, but staying somewhere that makes you unhappy isn't great either.
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Trust me, I've been there.
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Yeah, I guess you're right.
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Can I ask, have you talked to your boss about how you feel?
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Not yet.
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I keep putting it off, to be honest.
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I get why.
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It's not an easy conversation to have, but keeping it all inside isn't going to help you feel better.
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True.
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I just don't want to come across as ungrateful, you know?
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Like, I have a good job.
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I just need something more.
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That makes total sense.
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You're allowed to want more.
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That doesn't make you ungrateful.
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My advice?
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Have an honest conversation with your boss first.
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Tell them exactly what you told me.
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And if that doesn't work?
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Then maybe it's time to think about other options.
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Update your resume, start looking around a bit.
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There's no harm in exploring what's out there.
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That's actually really helpful.
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I think I've just been avoiding the whole thing because I didn't want to deal with it.
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That's so normal, though.
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Nobody likes uncomfortable conversations.
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But trust me, once you get it off your chest, you'll feel so much lighter.
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Okay, okay.
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You've convinced me.
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I'll talk to her this week.
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That's the spirit.
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And hey, if it doesn't go the way you want, it's not the end of the world.
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You'll figure it out.
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You always do.
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Thanks, Brandy.
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I really appreciate you listening.
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Anytime.
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That's what friends are for, right?
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Just don't keep overthinking it.
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Sometimes you just have to take the leap and see what happens.
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Yeah, you're right.
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I'll let you know how it goes.
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Please do.
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I'm rooting for you.
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Okay, so what did you think, Mia?
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I loved it.
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There were some really useful grammar points in there.
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Did you catch the used to and would?
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Yeah, Brandy said.
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I used to feel exactly the same way, and I would just push through it.
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Both talk about past habits, but would works best when you're describing a repeated action, not a state.
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That's why she didn't say, I would feel.
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She said, I used to feel.
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Good catch.
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And what about end up?
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She said, I ended up talking to my manager.
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That's such a useful phrase when something happens as a final result, especially when it wasn't planned from the start.
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Exactly.
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And keep plus ing too, right?
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It kept getting worse.
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I keep putting it off.
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That shows something is continuing or repeating.
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Definitely worth practicing those three.
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But honestly, grammar aside, what I really liked was how Brandy gave advice.
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Oh, yeah.
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Tell me more.
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She didn't just jump in and say, you should do this.
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She shared her own experience first.
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So Eric didn't feel judged.
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That makes such a big difference.
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True.
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And she asked questions, too, like, Have you talked to your boss instead of just telling him what to do?
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That keeps the conversation two-sided.
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Exactly.
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So if you're ever in Eric's situation or Brandy's, remember that.
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Share, ask, and listen.
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Don't just lecture.
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Great advice.
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All right, now let's move on to our next scenario.
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This next one is uncomfortable.
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Really uncomfortable.
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Haha, fair warning.
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We're talking about those awkward comments or questions people make.
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Usually people we're not very close to.
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Maybe a distant relative, an acquaintance, or someone at work you don't know that well.
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And because we don't trust them much, it makes it even harder to speak up or let them know we're uncomfortable.
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Exactly.
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So in this next conversation, we'll listen to...
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Summer and Roy handle exactly that kind of situation.
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Let's listen in.
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Roy, I didn't know you'd be here too.
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Small world.
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Ah, yeah, I guess so.
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How have you been?
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Good, good.
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Busy with work, you know how it is.
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This place looks great, by the way.
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Have you been here before?
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A couple of times, yeah.
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Their coffee's really good.
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Oh, nice.
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I'll have to try it.
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So, speaking of work, how's the new position going?
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I heard you got promoted.
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Oh, it's going well, thanks.
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Definitely a lot to learn, but I'm enjoying it so far.
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That's great.
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So what's the pay like over there?
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I've always wondered how much people in your department make.
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Oh, um, it's decent, I guess.
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Enough to get by.
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Come on, give me a number.
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I'm just curious.
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Honestly, I'd rather not get into specific numbers if that's okay.
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It's kind of a personal thing for me.
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Fair enough, fair enough.
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I didn't mean to pry.
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Anyway, how's your family doing?
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Your mom still working at the hospital?
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Yeah, she's still there, keeping busy as always.
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She actually just got back from a trip to Portugal.
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Oh, that's amazing.
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I'd love to go there someday.
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Anyway, are you seeing anyone these days?
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Last I heard you'd broken up with what's her name?
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Yeah, that ended a while back.
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I'm just focused on other things right now.
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So no one knew?
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Come on, there has to be someone.
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Not really.
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I've just been keeping to myself lately.
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Figuring things out, you know?
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That makes sense.
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Well, take your time with that stuff.
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There's no rush.
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Oh, speaking of relationships, did you hear about Jessica and Mark?
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Apparently, they're not doing so well.
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Oh, I hadn't heard that.
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That's too bad.
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Yeah, someone told me they're basically not even talking anymore.
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Isn't that crazy?
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I wonder what happened between them.
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Hmm, I'd rather not talk about that kind of thing, to be honest.
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It feels a bit like it's not really my business, you know?
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Oh, come on, it's just between us.
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I get that, but I just don't feel comfortable getting into other people's stuff like that.
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No offense.
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No, no, that's fair.
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I didn't mean to put you on the spot.
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It's all good.
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I just try to stay out of that kind of thing.
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I've learned it's better not to get caught up in it.
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Totally get it.
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Honestly, that's probably a good habit to have.
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So back to you then.
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Any plans this weekend?
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Just relaxing, honestly.
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Nothing too exciting.
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Maybe catch up on some shows.
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Sounds nice.
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I might just do the same, to be honest.
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This week has worn me out.
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Yeah, I hear you.
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Well, it was really nice running into you.
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You too.
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And hey, before you go, I hope that came across okay, about the salary and the gossip stuff.
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I didn't mean to make things awkward.
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No, don't worry at all.
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I appreciate you understanding.
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I just try to keep certain things to myself, that's all.
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No, I get it completely.
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I probably ask too many questions sometimes.
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My bad.
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It's fine, honestly.
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I just think it's better that way for everyone involved.
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Totally agree, actually.
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All right, see you around.
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See ya.
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Take care.
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Okay, that one hit close to home.
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We've all had a summer in our lives, right?
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Oh, for sure.
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Let's start with the grammar.
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Did you catch I'd rather?
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Yeah, Roy said it twice.
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I'd rather not get into specific numbers.
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and I'd rather not talk about that kind of thing.
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It's such a polite way to say no without sounding rude.
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Exactly.
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I'd rather plus a verb is perfect for setting boundaries without starting a conflict.
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Super useful phrase to have ready.
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There were some nice phrasal verbs too.
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Get by, meaning to have just enough, and figuring things out.
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When Roy talked about being single.
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Don't forget, put you on the spot.
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That's when you make someone feel uncomfortable by asking them something directly, usually in front of others.
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Good one.
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But honestly, what I want people to notice most is how Roy handled the whole thing.
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Yeah, tell me more.
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At first, he kept his answers pretty vague.
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It's decent.
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Enough to get by.
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He didn't lie, but he also didn't give Summer what she wanted.
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Right, and it wasn't until later that he actually said it directly.
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I just don't feel comfortable getting into other people's stuff.
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Polite, but clear.
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Exactly, and that's the balance we're going for.
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You don't have to explain yourself right away.
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Sometimes a vague answer is enough.
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But if the person keeps pushing, it's okay to be direct, respectfully.
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Great takeaway.
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All right, let's move on to our last conversation for today.
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This next one is something almost everyone deals with if they ever move to an English-speaking country.
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Finding a place to live.
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Let's say you're going to see a house you want to rent.
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You've got to know what questions to ask, how to respond, what to look out for.
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It's a big moment.
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So here's the real question.
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Do you think you're ready for that moment?
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Well, let's find out.
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In our last conversation for today, we'll listen to Charles and Charlotte having exactly that conversation.
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Let's get into it.
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Hi there.
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You must be Charlotte.
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Thanks for coming to see the place.
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Hi, Charles.
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Thanks for having me.
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The house looks great from the outside.
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Thank you.
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Come on in.
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I'll show you around.
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So this is the living room.
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Nice and bright, as you can see.
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Oh, I love all the natural light.
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How long has this place been on the market?
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About two weeks now.
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We had a few people interested, but nothing's fallen through yet, so it's still up for grabs.
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Good to know.
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Can I ask, what's included in the rent?
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Are utilities covered?
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Water's included, but electricity and internet are on you.
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Should run you around $80 a month, give or take.
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That's not bad at all.
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And what about the deposit?
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How much would I need up front?
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It's one month's rent as a deposit, plus the first month.
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So you need that ready when you sign.
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Got it.
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And if I decide to move out early, what happens with that?
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As long as you give us 30 days notice, you'll get your deposit back, no problem.
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Just make sure the place is in good shape.
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That's fair.
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Oh, one more thing.
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Is this place pet friendly?
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I've got a small dog.
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Good question.
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Some people forget to ask that one until it's too late.
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Yes, pets are welcome here.
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No extra fee either.
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That's a relief.
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That would have been a deal breaker for me, honestly.
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I figured.
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Let me show you the kitchen now.
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Fully equipped.
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Fridge, stove, everything's included.
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Oh, this is lovely.
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Nice amount of counter space, too.
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Is the fridge new or has it been here a while?
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Pretty new, actually.
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We replaced it a few months ago, along with the stove.
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Nice.
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That's good to hear.
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What about parking?
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Is there a spot for tenants?
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Yep.
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There's one spot in the back, included with the rent.
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If you ever need a second one, we could probably work something out.
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Perfect.
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That works for me.
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What's the neighborhood like?
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Would you say it's pretty quiet?
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For the most part, yeah.
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There's a school nearby, so it gets a bit busy in the mornings.
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But other than that, it's pretty calm.
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Sounds ideal, honestly.
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Is it easy to get around without a car?
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I don't drive.
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Definitely.
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There's a bus stop just around the corner.
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And most stores are within walking distance, too.
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That's great to know.
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That makes things a lot easier for me.
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How long is the lease, by the way?
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Standard is 12 months, but we could talk about a six-month lease if that works better for you.
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I think 12 months would be fine.
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So if I wanted to move forward, what would be the next step?
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I just need some paperwork from you, proof of income, an ID, and then we can get the lease ready for you to sign.
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Great.
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I can get that over to you by tomorrow.
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When would move in be possible?
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If everything checks out, you could move in as early as next week.
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That's perfect timing for me, actually.
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Thank you so much for showing me around. Of course.
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I'll get back to you once I've looked over your paperwork.
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Thanks for coming by.
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Thank you.
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Talk soon.
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Okay, that one's super practical.
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I feel like everyone needs this vocabulary at some point.
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Totally.
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Let's start with up for grabs.
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Charles said the house was still up for grabs, meaning it's still available.
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Good one.
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And fallen through when he said, nothing's fallen through yet.
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That means a deal didn't happen after all, like it fell apart.
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Right.
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And did you notice the present perfect?
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How long has this place been on the market?
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And has it been here a while?
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We use that when something started in the past and is still relevant now.
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Great examples.
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Also loved deal-breaker, when Charlotte said the pet policy would have been a deal-breaker.
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That's something that makes you say no immediately if it's not okay.
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And checks out, right?
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Charles said if everything checks out.
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That means if everything is confirmed to be correct or true.
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Exactly.
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But beyond the vocabulary, I think what stood out most here is how Charlotte asked her questions.
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Yeah, she covered pretty much everything, utilities, deposit, pets, parking, the neighborhood, all in a natural way.
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Not like she was reading off a list.
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Exactly.
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And that's the goal.
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When you're seeing a place, you want to sound curious and prepared, not like you're interrogating someone.
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So, next time you're checking out a place to rent, you'll know exactly what to ask.
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Well, that's it for today's episode.
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Let's do a quick recap of everything we covered.
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We started with Brandy and Eric, and how to give advice or share our own experience in a way that feels genuine, not like a lecture.
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Then we moved on to Summer and Roy, and how to handle awkward questions or comments, using vague answers when needed,
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and being politely direct when someone keeps pushing.
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And finally, Charles and Charlotte showed us how to handle a house viewing like a pro, asking the right questions about rent,
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deposit, pets, and the lease.
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Plus, we picked up some great vocabulary along the way.
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Used to, would, end up plus, ing, keep plus ing.
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I'd rather, present perfect, and a bunch of idioms and phrasal verbs too.
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So hopefully next time you're in one of these situations, you'll feel a lot more prepared.
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If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like it and subscribe so you never miss a new one.
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And remember, if you want to keep leveling up your English, come join our membership community.
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There's exclusive content there just for you.
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Thanks so much for listening, and we'll see you in the next episode.
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Take care, everyone!
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See you next time.
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Bye, everyone.
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This video has 407 sentences and 3004 words to shadow. The speech runs for 20:05. The speaker talks at a natural 150 words per minute, close to everyday conversation. 87% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is easy to follow.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| deposit noun | /dɪˈpɑ.zɪt/ | Sediment or rock that is not native to its present location or is different from the surrounding material. Sometimes refers to ore or gems. |
| uncomfortable adjective | /ʌnˈkʌm.fɚ.tə.bl̩/ | Not comfortable; causing discomfort. |
| lease noun | /liːs/ | An interest in land granting exclusive use or occupation of real estate for a limited period; a leasehold. |
| vocabulary noun | /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/ | A usually alphabetized and explained collection of words e.g. of a particular field, or prepared for a specific purpose, often for learning. |
| pet noun | /pɛt/ | An animal kept as a companion or otherwise for pleasure, rather than for some practical benefit or use. |
| awkward adjective | /ˈɔk.wɚd/ | Lacking dexterity in the use of the hands, or of instruments. |
| grammar noun | /ˈɡɹæm.ə(ɹ)/ | A system of rules and principles for the structure of a language, or of languages in general. |
| vague adjective | /veɪɡ/ | Not clearly expressed; stated in indefinite terms. |
| verb noun | /vɝb/ | A word that indicates an action, event, or state of being. |
| breaker noun | /ˈbɹeɪkɚ/ | Something that breaks (something else). |
| membership noun | The state of being a member of a group or organization. | |
| curious adjective | /ˈkjʊɹ.i.əs/ | Tending to ask questions, or to want to explore or investigate; inquisitive; (with a negative connotation) nosy, prying. |
| lately adverb | /ˈleɪt.li/ | Recently; not long ago; of late; not long since. |
| decent adjective | /ˈdiː.sənt/ | Appropriate; suitable for the circumstances. |
| phrase noun | /ˈfɹeɪ̯z/ | A short written or spoken expression. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| check out verb | To record the departure or withdrawal of someone or something (such as guests, employees, books, etc.). |
| end up verb | To bring to a conclusion. |
| fall through verb | To be unsuccessful, come to nothing; to be cancelled; not to proceed. |
| come across verb | To change sides; to cross over to work for the opposition. |
| go through verb | To travel from one end of something to the other. |
| push through verb | To force (legislation or a plan) to be passed or agreed to or a decision to be reached. |
| come on in verb | Synonym of come in (“to enter”). |
| fall apart verb | To disintegrate, to break into pieces. |
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| “Used to” used to + verb — a past habit or state that is no longer true | used to feel |
| Present perfect continuous have/has been + -ing — an action that started earlier and is still going on | I've just been avoiding · I've just been keeping |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | I've been · You've convinced · have you been |
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | wasn't planned · is confirmed |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 111 contractions and reduced forms, such as you're, don't, didn't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- Long words — get the stress right: uncomfortable /ʌnˈkʌm.fɚ.tə.bl̩/, vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/, utility /juːˈtɪlɪti/, electricity /ɪˌlɛkˈtɹɪsɪti/, interrogate /ɪnˈtɛɹəɡeɪt/
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 deposit, uncomfortable, lease.
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.