Shadowing Practice: Podcast To Learn English | Everyday English Conversations! - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Hey, everyone.
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Welcome back to the Max and Mia podcast.
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I'm Matthew.
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And I'm Rachel.
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And as you know, every Wednesday, we have our little space here on the channel.
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And today's episode is packed.
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Huge.
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We're talking about real, everyday conversations.
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The ones that actually come up in your life.
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Simple situations on paper.
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But if you're still learning English, they can feel surprisingly scary.
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Totally.
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And honestly, these are the moments that make or break your confidence.
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Not grammar tests, not vocabulary lists.
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Real conversations with real people.
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Exactly.
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And that's the difference with this episode.
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We're not just giving you words, we're giving you the exact phrases native speakers actually use, plus what not to say.
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And in case you're new here, we teach with chunks.
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A chunk is a ready -made phrase you learn as one piece, like, give me a hand.
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Native speakers don't build these word by word, they just say them, you know, automatically.
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So, by the end of this, you won't just understand English better, you'll sound more natural doing it.
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Now, before we start, one quick thing.
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Our first topic today was suggested by one of you.
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A listener sent us the idea, and honestly, it's a great one.
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We can't wait to dive in.
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So we want more of that.
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Right now, take a moment and drop a comment telling us which topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes.
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Anything goes.
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Job interviews, doctor appointments, dating, neighbors, whatever keeps you awake at night.
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We read every comment, and we really do pick our topics from them, so don't be shy.
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Seven scenarios today.
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Seven situations you'll probably face sooner or later.
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So, grab a coffee, get comfortable, and let's get into it.
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Let's do it.
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All right, our first topic.
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And remember, this one came from a listener, so thank you.
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Yes, thank you.
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And honestly, this is the perfect place to start, because I have a fresh wound.
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Oh no, what happened?
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Last week, my internet stopped working, right in the middle of an important video call.
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So I called the company, and I was on hold for 40 minutes.
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Forty!
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Ah, the music.
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The terrible music.
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The music.
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And when a real person finally answered, my mind went completely blank.
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I just said, my internet is dead.
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Fix it.
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Oh, wow.
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That's a very direct way to start a conversation.
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I know, I know.
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The agent was super kind, but it took us 10 minutes to understand each other.
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So today, let's make sure that doesn't happen to you.
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Because phone calls are harder than face -to -face talks.
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You can't see the person, you can't point at anything, and they often speak really fast.
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Exactly.
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Okay, vocabulary.
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First word is on hold.
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It means you're waiting on the phone while the company connects you to someone.
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For example, I've been on hold for 20 minutes.
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And the second word is reference number.
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That's the number the company gives you for your problem.
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So next time, they can find your case quickly.
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You can say, could I get a reference number for this call?
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Great tip.
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Always ask for it.
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Now our chunks.
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The first one is, I'm calling about.
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It's the best way to start a call.
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Like, hi, I'm calling about a problem with my internet connection.
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Clear, polite, and the agent knows exactly where to begin.
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The second chunk is, could you look into that for me?
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You use it when you want the company to investigate a problem.
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My bill looks wrong.
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Could you look into that for me?
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Way softer than fix it.
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Lesson learned.
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Now, common mistakes.
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Number one, a lot of learners say, I call for my Internet.
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It's better to say, I'm calling about a problem with my internet.
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The word about is the key here.
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Number two is word order in questions.
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People say, how I can cancel my plan.
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But in English, it's, how can I cancel my plan?
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The helping verb comes first.
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Good one.
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And number three, pretending you understood.
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When the agent speaks too fast, many learners say yes, yes, okay and then they're totally lost please don't do
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that say sorry could you speak a little more slowly
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or could you repeat that please agents hear those questions all day long
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so nobody gets annoyed seriously it's completely normal all right ready for the roleplay ready I'll be the customer
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and you'll be the agent okay everyone we're starting the roleplay now thank you for calling Brightline internet
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This is Matthew speaking.
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How can I help you today?
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Hi, Matthew.
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I'm calling about a problem with my internet.
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It keeps disconnecting every few minutes.
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I'm sorry to hear that.
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Could I have your account number, please?
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Sure.
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It's 4 -2 -7 -9 -1.
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Thanks.
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And have you already tried restarting the router, unplugging it for 30 seconds, and checking the cables behind it?
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Um, sorry, that was fast.
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Could you repeat that, please? Of course.
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Have you tried restarting the router?
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Yes, twice.
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And honestly, I've been on hold for half an hour already.
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Could you look into that for me?
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Absolutely.
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I'm checking your line right now.
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Okay, I see a problem in your area.
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A technician can visit tomorrow morning. That works.
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Could I get a reference number for this call?
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Sure.
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It's BR -773.
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Is there anything else I can help with?
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No, that's everything.
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Thanks so much.
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All right, that's it.
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We're ending the role play there.
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Okay, that was much better than my real call.
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Did you notice how I opened with I'm calling about and asked him to repeat when I got lost?
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Yes, and nobody was upset.
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That's the point.
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Asking for help on the phone isn't a weakness.
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It's a skill.
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One more tip.
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Before you call, write down two or three key points on a piece of paper.
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Your name, your problem, and what you want them to do.
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It's like a tiny script.
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I love that.
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When your nerves kick in, you just read your notes and breathe.
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Totally.
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Now, speaking of everyday situations, there's one that all of us face every week.
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Haha, I know exactly what you mean.
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It's the place where we all wander around looking for one little jar.
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The grocery store.
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Let's go shopping.
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Okay, groceries.
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This one sounds easy, but trust me, it's full of little traps.
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Oh, yes.
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Tell them about the cheese thing.
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Do I have to?
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You absolutely do.
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Fine.
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When I was living abroad, I walked up to the deli counter and just said, Give me cheese.
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And the guy looked at me and asked which one, how much, sliced, grated, and I froze.
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I pointed at something and walked away with a cheese I didn't even like.
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A whole block of it.
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A whole block.
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Ugh, I ate it for weeks.
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So let's help you avoid my cheese tragedy.
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Vocabulary.
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First word, aisle.
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It's the long walkway between shelves in a store.
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You'll hear things like, the pasta is in aisle five.
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And the second word is ripe.
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It describes fruit or vegetables that are ready to eat.
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A ripe banana is yellow and soft.
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A banana that isn't ripe yet is green and hard.
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You can ask, are these avocados ripe?
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Very useful.
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Now chunks.
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The first one is, where can I find?
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For example, excuse me, where can I find the olive oil?
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It's friendly and natural.
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And the second chunk is, I'm in the mood for.
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It means you really feel like eating something.
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I'm in the mood for something spicy tonight.
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It's perfect when you're talking about food with friends or asking for ideas.
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Hmm, now I'm hungry.
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Okay, common mistakes.
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Number one, many learners say, where is the aisle of milk?
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But in English, we usually ask, where can I find the milk?
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We don't use aisle of.
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Number two is about hunger.
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Some learners say, I have hunger.
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In English, we say, I'm hungry.
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Same with thirst.
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I'm thirsty, not I have thirst.
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Classic.
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And number three is about diets.
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People say, I make a diet.
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But we say, I'm on a diet or I'm trying to eat healthier.
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Even better, you can say, I'm cutting back on sugar.
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Great.
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Ready for the role play?
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Ready we're two friends shopping for dinner okay everyone we're starting the role play now all right
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so what are we cooking tonight
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I'm in the mood for something light hmm how about a salad with grilled chicken we need tomatoes lettuce and avocados
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Good idea.
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Wait, these avocados feel hard.
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Are they ripe?
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Not at all.
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They're rock solid.
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We need better ones.
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You shop here every week, so where can I find the ripe avocados?
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Over in aisle three, next to the bananas.
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They put out a fresh batch every morning.
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Perfect.
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Let's go.
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Okay, what else?
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Dressing?
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Yes, and I'm on a diet this month, so something light, please.
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Since when are you on a diet? Since Monday.
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And it's already been a very long week.
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Okay, then let's skip dessert.
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Although, where can I find the chocolate?
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Rachel.
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What?
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It's for emergencies.
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All right, that's it.
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We're wrapping up the role play there.
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That was fun.
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You could really hear how where can I find and I'm in the mood for make the conversation sound so natural.
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And no cheese tragedy this time.
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Try them on your next grocery run and let us know how it goes.
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And here's a bonus tip for the deli counter.
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Say how much you want.
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Like, could I get half a pound of the cheddar sliced, please?
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Quantity first, then the details.
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If I had known that, I would have saved myself weeks of eating one giant block.
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Alright, so we've talked about phone calls and food, but here's something that comes up at almost every dinner table and every party.
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Yes.
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The moment someone asks, so where are you from?
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And suddenly you have to explain an entire country in 30 seconds.
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This is one of my favorite topics because everyone has something amazing to share.
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Exactly.
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But, um, it's also hard.
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I once met a student at a language exchange event.
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Somebody asked him, what's your country like?
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And he answered, it's a country with many things.
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Many things.
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I know.
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He has this incredible culture, great food, music, mountains, and all he could say was many things.
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He told me later that he felt so frustrated.
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Ah, because he knew so much, but the English wasn't coming out.
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So let's fix that today.
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First word, customs.
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Customs are the usual ways people behave in a culture.
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For example, in my culture, one custom is to greet everyone with a kiss on the cheek.
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And the second word is a phrase, to be known for.
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It means something is famous for something.
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My city is known for its music festivals.
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Perfect.
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Now our chunks.
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The first one is where I'm from.
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You can start almost any description with it.
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Where I'm from, people usually have dinner very late.
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The second chunk is one thing people don't realize is.
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It's great for surprising your listener.
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One thing people don't realize is that my country has four different climates.
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I love that one.
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It makes the conversation more interesting right away.
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All right, common mistakes.
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Number one, learners often say, in my country is very hot.
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But English always needs a subject.
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So we say, it's very hot in my country.
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Number two is the order of adjectives.
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Some people say, we have a culture very rich.
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In English, the adjective goes before the noun, We have a very rich culture.
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Good one.
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And number three is people of my country are friendly.
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It's not terrible, but it sounds more natural to say people in my country are friendly or even better, where I'm from, people are really friendly.
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Great.
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All right.
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Role play time?
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Yes.
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We're two people at a dinner party and we just met.
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Okay, everyone.
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We're starting the role play now.
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So, Rachel, you have such an interesting accent.
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Where are you from originally?
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Oh, thanks.
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I'm from a small coastal town.
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It's known for its seafood and its summer festivals.
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That sounds amazing.
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What's it like growing up there?
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Honestly, it's wonderful.
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Where I'm from, everyone knows everyone, and neighbors share food all the time.
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That's so different from where I live.
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Is there anything about your culture that surprises visitors?
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Oh, definitely.
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One thing people don't realize is that we celebrate a festival with music
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and dancing in the streets that lasts for a whole week.
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A whole week?
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Wow, I need to visit.
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You should.
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One of our customs is that strangers are always invited to the party.
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Okay, you've convinced me.
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Where do I buy a ticket?
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Just show up.
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All right, that's it.
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We're ending the role play there.
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I could talk about my town for hours.
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Same.
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And notice how much more specific that was than a country with many things.
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A tiny trick.
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Choose one small detail instead of everything at once.
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A food, a festival, a family habit.
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People remember stories, not lists.
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Yes, and it gives the other person something to ask about next.
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Exactly.
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And remember, sharing your culture isn't just about answering questions.
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It's a way to connect with people.
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Okay, before we continue, let's do a quick recap.
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Good idea.
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So far we've covered customer service calls with I'm calling about, and could you look into that for me?
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Then grocery shopping, and I promise I've forgiven myself for the cheese.
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We learned where can I find, and I'm in the mood for.
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And we just finished talking about your country and culture with where I'm from, and one thing people don't realize is.
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Three scenarios down, four to go.
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And hey, if you're enjoying this so far, please give us a like.
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It really helps more learners find the podcast.
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And remember to leave a comment.
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Tell us which scenario has been the most useful, or which topic you want in a future episode.
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We read every single one.
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Okay, let's keep going.
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Next up, a topic that makes even native speakers sweat.
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Getting a quote.
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Yes.
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Okay, story time last year I wanted to renovate my bathroom I called a contractor
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and asked how much for everything oh no oh yes he said everything
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that depends on the size the tiles the plumbing I had no idea what to say
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so I just whispered okay thanks
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and hung up you hung up on a contractor I panicked honestly I didn't know how to ask for a price properly.
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And I definitely didn't know how to negotiate.
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So let's make sure you do.
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All right.
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Vocabulary.
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First word, quote.
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A quote is the price a company gives you for a specific job before you agree to it.
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For example, can I get a quote for painting my apartment?
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And the second one is a fun phrase, ballpark.
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If someone gives you a ballpark figure, Here it's a rough number, not exact.
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Can you give me a ballpark figure is a great way to ask for an approximate price.
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Now are chunks.
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The first one is, could you give me an estimate for?
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It's super polite.
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Could you give me an estimate for fixing my car?
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And the second chunk is, is there any wiggle room on the price?
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It's a friendly way to ask for a discount.
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Wiggle room just means flexibility ability.
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It sounds relaxed, not aggressive.
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Much better than make me a discount.
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Which brings us to common mistakes.
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Number one is exactly that.
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Learners say, make me a discount, but in English, you give a discount.
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Could you give me a discount?
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Number two is being too blunt.
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Some people say, it's too expensive.
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No. That can sound rude try that's a little more than i expected
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or that's higher than my budget and number three
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asking for a quote when you mean a budget you ask the company for a quote
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and you make a budget for yourself a quote is their
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price a budget is your plan great ready for the role play let's do it i'll be the contractor
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and you'll be the customer okay everyone we're starting the role play now Hi.
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Thanks for coming.
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As I said on the phone, I'd like to renovate my kitchen.
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Could you give me an estimate for the whole project?
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Sure.
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Let me take a look.
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Um, new cabinets, new floor, and painting the walls.
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Okay.
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Roughly, I'd say $12 ,000.
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Twelve thousand?
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Hmm.
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That's a little more than I expected.
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Could you break it down for me? Of course.
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Materials are about $7 ,000, and labor is about $5 ,000.
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I see.
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Could you give me a ballpark figure if I choose cheaper tiles?
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Probably around $11 ,000.
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That's better.
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Is there any wiggle room on the price if I book the work for next month?
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Ha, you drive a hard bargain.
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I can do ten and a half thousand if we start in the first week of the month.
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Deal.
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Could you send me the quote in writing, please?
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Absolutely.
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I'll email it today.
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All right, that's it.
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We're wrapping up the roleplay there.
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And I didn't hang up this time.
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Exactly.
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Notice how polite it stayed even while negotiating.
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A friendly tone usually gets you a better price than an angry one.
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One more thing.
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If you can, get at least three quotes.
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Then you can compare and you'll feel much more confident when you negotiate.
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And you can say, another company offered me a lower price, which is a very powerful sentence. So true.
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Now, let's switch gears from money to a more relaxed topic.
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Oh, I like where this is going.
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Parties.
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okay small talk two words that make
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so many people want to disappear honestly same tell them about your last birthday party
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so I went to a friend's birthday
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and I knew like two people my friend was busy
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so I stood next to the snack table for 20 minutes I ate
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so many chips and a girl finally came over smiled
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and said hi how do you know sam and i said hi chips chips chips i offered her chips
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my brain just stopped working
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it happens to everybody let's help them avoid the chip situation first word small talk
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it's light casual conversation about easy topics like the weather food, or the party itself.
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It helps people feel comfortable with each other.
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And the second word is to mingle.
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It means to walk around a party and talk to different people.
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I'm going to mingle for a bit.
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Now, our chunks.
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The first is, how do you know?
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It's the number one question at any party.
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So how do you know Sam?
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And the second chunk is, what brings you here?
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It's friendly and open.
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It works at parties, events, even in a cafe.
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Love it.
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Now, common mistakes.
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Number one, asking personal questions too soon.
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Things like how old are you or how much money do you make are usually too much for small talk.
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Yes, please don't.
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Number two is a tiny difference with a big effect.
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I'm boring and I'm bored.
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If you say I'm boring, you're saying you're a boring person.
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If you want to say you're not having fun, say, I'm bored.
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Very important.
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And number three is leaving the conversation too suddenly.
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Some people just say, bye, and walk away.
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A smoother way is, it was great talking to you.
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I'm going to grab a drink.
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Perfect.
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Ready for the role play?
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And please, if someone asks, how do you know
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Sam, answer with a story, not with snacks.
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Ready.
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We're two guests at a birthday party.
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Okay, everyone, we're starting the roleplay now.
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Hi.
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Sorry to interrupt.
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I don't think we've met.
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I'm Matthew.
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Oh, hi, Matthew.
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I'm Rachel.
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Nice to meet you.
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So, how do you know Sam?
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We work together.
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She's the funniest person in our office.
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What about you?
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We were roommates in college.
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Wow, that feels like a hundred years ago.
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That must have been a wild time.
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And what brings you here tonight?
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Besides the cake, obviously.
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Honestly, the cake is 90 % of the reason.
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But I'm also trying to meet more people since I just moved to the city.
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Oh, nice.
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You should try the lemon cake.
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It's amazing.
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I will.
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I'm going to grab a slice.
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It was great talking to you, Rachel.
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You too.
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Let's catch up later.
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All right.
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That's it.
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We're ending the role play there.
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Wow, no chips needed.
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Never again.
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And notice how I ended the chat politely so it didn't feel awkward.
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And if you ever feel stuck, remember the safe topics.
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Food, music, weather, travel, and of course, the cake.
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Always the cake.
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People love talking about what they love.
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Now, let's talk about something a little less fun, but definitely more important.
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Oh, the dreaded grown -up errands.
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Banks, yes.
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Let's get through it together.
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Banking is one of those things where a tiny misunderstanding can cause a big problem.
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Oh, absolutely.
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Did you ever have a bank story? Of course.
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When I opened my first account abroad, I walked up to the desk and said, I want to put money.
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And the employee said, put money where?
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I didn't know how to say make a deposit.
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I think I just waved my wallet around.
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Poor guy.
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He probably felt you wanted to donate to the bank.
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Probably.
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So let's fix that.
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First word, balance.
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It's the amount of money in your account.
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I'd like to check my balance, please.
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And the second word is transfer.
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It means to send money from one account to another.
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I need to transfer money to my landlord.
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Now our chunks.
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First, I'd like to open an account.
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It's polite and clear.
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You can add details.
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I'd like to open a savings account.
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And the second chunk is, is there a fee for...
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Banks love fees, so it's smart to ask.
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Is there a fee for international transfers?
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Always ask about the fees.
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All right, common mistakes.
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Number one, my cheese -level mistake.
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I want to put money.
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The correct phrase is, I'd like to make a deposit.
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Number two is retire money when you mean withdraw money.
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In English, retire is what people do when they stop working.
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If you take money out of your account, you withdraw it.
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Imagine telling the bank, I want to retire $200.
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Congratulations, you're free.
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Number three is word order again.
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How much I have in my account should be what's my balance or how much money do I have in my account.
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Great.
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Ready for the role play?
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Ready.
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I'm the customer, and you're the bank employee.
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Okay, everyone, we're starting the role play now.
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Good morning.
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Welcome to First City Bank.
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How can I help you today?
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Hi, good morning.
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I'd like to open an account, please. Of course.
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Would you like a checking account or a savings account?
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A savings account, please.
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Is there a fee for keeping it open?
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There's no monthly fee, as long as your balance stays above $500.
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That's fine and I'd like to make a deposit today.
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Sure.
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How much would you like to deposit?
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$2 ,000 in cash.
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Oh, and one more thing.
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Is there a fee for transferring money to another bank?
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Domestic transfers are free.
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International ones cost $15.
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Okay, good to know.
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Could you check my balance after the deposit?
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Sure.
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Your balance is $2 ,000.
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Welcome to the bank.
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Thank you so much.
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All right, that's it.
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We're wrapping up the role play there.
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And look at that.
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Nobody waived a wallet.
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Progress.
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The key is to ask clearly and politely and to ask about the fees always.
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And one serious tip.
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Never share your PIN or your password with anyone, even if they say they work for the bank.
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A real employee will never ask for it.
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Good reminder.
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Slow down, check everything, and don't be afraid to ask, could you explain that again?
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Always.
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Now, we've got one scenario left, and it's a serious one.
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Yeah, it's not the easiest topic, but it's an important one, so let's take it slowly.
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Okay, so this last topic is a heavy one.
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Sometimes, when you live or travel in a new country, you'll face uncomfortable moments in public.
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Right.
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It could be a simple misunderstanding.
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It could be someone being rude.
563
And sometimes, sadly, it could be something worse, like racist comments or harassment.
564
Nobody should have to deal with that.
565
But preparing a few phrases can help you stay calm and protect yourself.
566
I want to share a story.
567
A student of mine was waiting at a bus stop, and a man yelled, Hey, you cut in line.
568
She didn't.
569
She had been there for ten minutes.
570
But in the moment, she was so shocked she couldn't find any words.
571
She just stood there with her heart racing.
572
That feeling of being frozen is so real.
573
So let's prepare.
574
First word, misunderstanding.
575
It's when people don't understand each other correctly.
576
It was just a misunderstanding.
577
And the second word is to back off.
578
It means to move away or stop bothering someone.
579
You can say it firmly, please back off.
580
Now, chunks.
581
The first is, I think there's been a misunderstanding.
582
It's calm, polite, and powerful, especially when someone accuses you of something unfair.
583
The second chunk is, please don't talk to me like that.
584
It sets a clear limit without shouting.
585
It works if someone is being disrespectful.
586
Okay, common mistakes.
587
Number one, learners often say, I know did nothing.
588
The correct sentence is, I didn't do anything.
589
Clear grammar sounds confident, especially under pressure.
590
Number two is, leave me.
591
It sounds incomplete.
592
The natural phrase is, leave me alone.
593
And number three is not a language mistake.
594
It's a strategy.
595
Try not to shout back.
596
A calm, steady voice almost always protects you better than an angry one.
597
That's key.
598
And one more thing, a safety note.
599
You don't owe anyone a long explanation.
600
If you feel unsafe, walk away.
601
Go to a public place with other people and call the local emergency number if you need to.
602
Your safety always comes first.
603
Yes.
604
And if someone insults you because of where you're from or how you look,
605
You can also report it to the police or a local organization that supports people in your situation.
606
All right, let's do the role play.
607
It'll be a calmer example so you can hear the structure.
608
Okay, we're two strangers on the street.
609
I'm going to play someone who's being rude, and Matthew, you stay calm.
610
Okay, everyone, we're starting the role play now.
611
Hey, you bumped into me.
612
Watch where you're going.
613
Oh, I'm sorry.
614
I think there's been a misunderstanding.
615
I didn't see you.
616
And why do you talk like that?
617
Can't you speak properly?
618
Please don't talk to me like that.
619
I'm just trying to get to work.
620
I'm just saying if you live here, you should speak better.
621
I understand you're upset, but that comment isn't okay.
622
I'd like to end this conversation, please.
623
Hmm.
624
Okay.
625
Fine.
626
Sorry.
627
I had a bad morning.
628
No problem.
629
Have a good day.
630
All right.
631
That's it.
632
We're ending the role play there.
633
Okay.
634
That felt tense, even though we were acting.
635
Yeah.
636
But notice how I stayed calm, used clear phrases, and set a limit without insulting anyone.
637
Exactly.
638
And remember, it won't always end that nicely.
639
If a situation feels dangerous, leave first and explain later.
640
You're never required to stay.
641
And afterward, it's okay to talk to someone you trust about what happened.
642
Those moments can stay with you, and you don't have to carry them alone.
643
Absolutely.
644
Your feelings are valid, and you deserve respect everywhere you go.
645
Well said.
646
That was a heavy one, but it's important.
647
It really is.
648
Okay, so let's do the full recap.
649
We started with a customer service call with I'm calling about, and could you look into that for me?
650
And Rachel, how long was your hold?
651
40 minutes.
652
I still hear the music.
653
Then we went grocery shopping with Where Can I Find and I'm in the Mood For and Ugh, My Cheese Tragedy.
654
Then we talked about your country and culture with where I'm from and one thing people don't realize is.
655
After that, we learned how to get
656
and negotiate a quote with could you give me an estimate and is there any wiggle room on the price?
657
Then small talk at a birthday party.
658
How do you know and what brings you here?
659
And no more chips as an opening line, please.
660
Please.
661
Then banking.
662
I'd like to open an account, and is there a fee for?
663
And finally, the hard one.
664
Problems on the street, with, I think there's been a misunderstanding, and please don't talk to me like that.
665
Seven scenarios, 14 chunks, and honestly, I think we'd both relived some embarrassing memories today.
666
Especially the cheese, and the chips, and the contractor, I hung up on. So many.
667
But I hope all of this helps you feel a bit more ready for the real world.
668
That's the goal.
669
Little by little, these small phrases add up and make you sound more confident.
670
And speaking of helping, if this episode was useful to you, please give us a like.
671
It really helps more learners find the podcast.
672
And if you're not subscribed yet, now's a great time.
673
We post new episodes every week, always practical, always real.
674
And one more time, please leave a comment.
675
Tell us which scenario hit Quesista Home and which topics you'd like us to cover next.
676
We read everything, and your ideas are what make this podcast better.
677
Remember, our first topic today came from a listener.
678
It really did.
679
So thank you to everyone who shares ideas with us.
680
All right.
681
I think that's everything for today.
682
Keep practicing.
683
Keep having these little conversations, even the awkward ones.
684
It's Especially the awkward ones.
685
That's how you learn the most.
686
True.
687
Until next time, everyone.
688
This has been the Max and Mia podcast.
689
See you next week.
690
Bye, everyone.
691
To keep taking your English to the next level, click on the next video or explore the others we've made for you.
692
Thank you.
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This speaking lesson is built on the video “Podcast To Learn English”. This video has 692 sentences and 5104 words to shadow. The speech runs for 35:30. The speaker talks at a steady 144 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 84% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| chunk noun | /t͡ʃʌŋk/ | A part of something that has been separated; a generally squat, thick, irregular piece of something, e.g. wood or stone. |
| topic noun | /ˈtɑpɪk/ | A subject; a theme; a category or general area of interest. |
| chip noun | /t͡ʃɪp/ | A small piece broken from a larger piece of solid material. |
| phrase noun | /ˈfɹeɪ̯z/ | A short written or spoken expression. |
| mood noun | /muːd/ | A mental or emotional state, composure. |
| scenario noun | /sɪˈnɛəɹioʊ/ | An outline or model of an expected or supposed sequence of events. |
| ripe adjective | /ɹaɪp/ | Of a fruit, vegetable, seed, etc., ready for reaping or gathering; having attained perfection; mature. |
| discount noun | /ˈdɪskaʊnt/ | A reduction in price. |
| 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. |
| podcast noun | /ˈpɑdˌkæst/ | A program, especially an audio program, produced on a regular basis, delivered over the Internet in a compressed digital format and designed for playback on… |
| bore verb | /boɹ/ | To inspire boredom in somebody. |
| polite adjective | /pəˈlaɪt/ | Well-mannered, civilized. |
| aisle noun | /aɪ̯l/ | A wing of a building, notably in a church separated from the nave proper by piers. |
| custom noun | /ˈkʌstəm/ | Frequent repetition of the same behavior; way of behavior common to many; ordinary manner; habitual practice; method of doing, living or behaving. |
| estimate noun | /ˈɛs.tɪ.mət/ | A rough calculation or assessment of the value, size, or cost of something. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| wrap up verb | To cover or enclose (something) by folding and securing a covering entirely around it. | |
| back off verb | To move backwards away from something. | |
| grow up verb | To mature and become an adult. | |
| walk away verb | To withdraw from a problematic situation. | |
| add up verb | To take the sum of; to total. | |
| catch up verb | To pick up suddenly. | |
| come out verb | /ˌkʌm ˈaʊt/ | To be discovered; to be revealed. |
| come over verb | To affect in a sudden, unprecedented or surprising manner; to overwhelm a person's ordinarily contrary impulse. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- Could you look into that for me?
- How can I help you today?
- Could I have your account number, please?
- Could you repeat that, please?
- Somebody asked him, what's your country like?
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | I've been · have you already tried · Have you tried |
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | was suggested · be known · is known |
| Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thing | price, which is · everyone who shares |
| Verb + -ing enjoy, keep, stop… + -ing — verbs that are followed by the -ing form | stopped working · keeps disconnecting · finished talking |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 157 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, we're, don't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “th” sounds: withdraw /wɪðˈdɹɔ/, thirst /θɝst/, breathe /bɹiːð/, thirsty /ˈθɝs.ti/
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: negotiate /nəˈɡəʊ.ʃi.eɪt/, shout /ʃaʊt/, shock /ʃɔk/, explanation /ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃən/, congratulations /kənˌɡɹæt͡ʃəˈleɪʃ(ə)nz/
- Long words — get the stress right: negotiate /nəˈɡəʊ.ʃi.eɪt/, vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/, explanation /ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃən/, congratulations /kənˌɡɹæt͡ʃəˈleɪʃ(ə)nz/, investigate /ɪnˈvɛs.tə.ɡeɪt/
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 chunk, topic, chip.
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.