Shadowing Practice: Professional English Conversation Practice | Giving Work Updates in English | Easy Communication - Learn English Speaking with Video
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English Dialogue Studio.
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Daily English conversations for learners.
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Hello everyone.
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Welcome back to English Dialogue Studio.
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I'm Emma.
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And I'm Daniel.
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We're so happy you're here with us again today.
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Today's topic is essential in any workplace.
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Yes, today we're talking about giving work updates.
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Whether in meetings, emails, or quick chats, updates keep everyone on the same page.
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Good updates are clear, concise, and honest.
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Questions like...
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How's that project coming along?
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What's the status on the report?
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Are you on track to meet the deadline?
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Can you give me an update?
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After today, you'll be able to give work updates with confidence.
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Let's start with the most common update situation.
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Giving a quick verbal update.
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The project is on track.
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I'm making good progress.
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I've finished the first draft.
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I'm about halfway through.
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We've hit a small delay, but we're handling it.
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Repeat.
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The project is on track.
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I'm making good progress.
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I've finished the first draft.
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I'm about halfway through.
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We've hit a small delay, but we're handling it.
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Now, let's have a conversation about giving updates.
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Emma, how do you usually give updates at work?
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We have weekly team meetings, so I give a quick status update then.
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Same, and I also send email updates for bigger projects.
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It helps everyone stay aligned.
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Great start.
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Now, let's talk about giving updates in meetings.
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In meetings, you might be asked to speak.
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Let's go around the room.
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Emma, can you start?
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How's your project coming along?
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Any updates from your team?
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What's the status on the marketing campaign?
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Repeat.
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Let's go around the room.
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Emma, can you start?
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How's your project coming along?
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Any updates from your team?
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What's the status on the marketing campaign?
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You can answer, we've completed the research phase and are moving into design.
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We're on track to meet the deadline.
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We've encountered a small issue, but we're working on a solution.
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I should have the report ready by Friday.
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Repeat, we've completed the research phase and are moving into design.
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We're on track to meet the deadline.
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We've encountered a small issue, but we're working on a solution.
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I should have the report ready by Friday.
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Let's practice giving an update in a meeting.
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Emma, how's the client presentation coming along?
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It's going well.
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The slides are almost done and I'm rehearsing the delivery.
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Great.
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When can we review it?
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Tomorrow afternoon would work.
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Clear and professional.
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Now, let's talk about giving updates via email.
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Email updates are common for remote teams or formal communication.
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Here's a quick update on the project.
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Just checking in to let you know where things stand.
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As of this week, we've completed the following tasks.
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Next steps include… Let me know if you have any questions.
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Repeat.
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Here's a quick update on the project.
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Just checking in to let you know where things stand.
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As of this week, we've completed the following tasks.
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Next steps include, let me know if you have any questions.
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Email updates should be clear and easy to scan.
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Let's practice an email update.
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Here's a quick update.
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The research is complete and I'm starting the analysis now.
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Should be done by Friday.
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Thanks for the update.
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Let me know if you need anything.
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Simple and effective.
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Now let's talk about giving updates on progress.
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You can say how far along you are.
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I'm 75% done.
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We are halfway through the project.
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I've finished the first two sections.
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The testing phase is complete.
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We're in the final stages.
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Repeat, I'm 75% done.
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We are halfway through the project.
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I've finished the first two sections.
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The testing phase is complete.
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We're in the final stages.
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You can ask, how far along are you?
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What's the progress so far?
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Have you started the next phase?
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When do you expect to finish?
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Repeat, how far along are you?
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What's the progress so far?
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Have you started the next phase?
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When do you expect to finish?
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Let's practice talking about progress.
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How's the website redesign going?
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Really well.
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We finished the mock-ups and are starting development.
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Great, keep me posted.
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Good progress.
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Now, let's talk about giving updates on delays or problems.
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Not everything goes smoothly.
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We've hit a small setback.
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We're running a bit behind schedule.
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We encountered an unexpected issue.
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The timeline has shifted slightly.
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We're working on a solution and we'll update you soon.
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Repeat.
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We've hit a small setback.
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We're running a bit behind schedule.
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We encountered an unexpected issue.
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The timeline has shifted slightly.
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We are working on a solution and we'll update you soon.
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It's better to be honest about delays than to miss a deadline without warning.
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Let's practice giving a delay update.
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I wanted to let you know that the report might be a day late.
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I'm waiting for some data.
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Thanks for letting me know.
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Keep me posted. Will do.
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Thanks for understanding.
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Honesty is appreciated.
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Now let's talk about giving updates on completed tasks.
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When you finish something, let people know.
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I've completed the report.
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The project is finished.
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I've sent the files to the client.
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We've wrapped up the testing phase.
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Everything is ready for review.
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Repeat, I've completed the report.
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The project is finished.
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I've sent the files to the client.
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We've wrapped up the testing phase.
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Everything is ready for review.
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You can ask, Is it finished?
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Have you completed the task?
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When can we expect it?
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Is everything ready?
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Repeat.
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Is it finished?
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Have you completed the task?
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When can we expect it?
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Is everything ready?
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Let's practice giving a completion update.
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Just wanted to let you know, the presentation is done and ready for the meeting.
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Great, thanks for letting me know.
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Done and communicated.
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Now, let's talk about giving updates on next steps.
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People want to know what's coming.
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Next, I'll be working on the analysis.
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The next phase is client review.
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I'll send the draft to you by Wednesday.
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Our next step is to gather feedback.
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After that, we'll move to implementation.
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Repeat.
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Next, I'll be working on the analysis.
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The next phase is client review.
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I'll send the draft to you by Wednesday.
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Our next step is to gather feedback.
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After that, we'll move to implementation.
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You can ask, what's next?
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What are the next steps?
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What happens after this?
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When will you start the next phase?
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Repeat.
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What's next?
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What are the next steps?
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What happens after this?
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When will you start the next phase?
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Let's practice talking about next steps.
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Once I finish the draft, I'll send it to you for review.
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Perfect.
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And after that?
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Then we'll incorporate feedback and finalize.
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Clear plan.
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Now let's talk about giving updates in one-on-one meetings.
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With your manager, updates can be more detailed.
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I wanted to update you on my progress.
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Here's what I've accomplished this week.
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I'm running into a challenge with.
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I could use some guidance on.
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I'm on track to meet all my deadlines.
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Repeat.
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I wanted to update you on my progress.
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Here's what I've accomplished this week.
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I'm running into a challenge with.
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I could use some guidance on.
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I'm on track to meet all my deadlines.
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One-on-ones are a good time to ask for help if needed.
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Let's practice a one-on-one update.
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This week, I finished the research and started the analysis.
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I'm on track.
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Great.
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Any challenges?
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The data's a bit messy, but I'm managing.
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Honest and brief.
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Now let's learn some important vocabulary for giving work updates.
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This time, we'll put each word in a sentence to help you remember.
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I'll send you an update by Friday.
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We're making good progress.
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What's the status of the project?
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We've reached a major milestone.
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The deadline is next week.
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Let's review the timeline.
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The project is on track.
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We're a bit behind schedule.
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We're ahead of schedule.
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The main deliverable is the report.
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We're in the final phase.
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The research phase is complete.
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Client approval is pending.
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The document is under review.
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I'm waiting for feedback.
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Let's discuss next steps.
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Our goal is to finish by Friday.
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The main objective is client satisfaction.
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I have several tasks to complete.
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The project is going well.
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Great vocabulary.
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These words will help you give work updates.
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Now let's fix some common mistakes.
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Mistake number one.
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I finished the report.
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Correct.
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I finished the report.
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Past.
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Or I will finish the report.
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Future.
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Mistake number two.
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The project is on track.
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This is correct.
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Good job.
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Mistake number three.
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I have update.
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Correct.
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I have an update or I have some updates.
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Mistake number four.
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We are behind of schedule.
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Correct.
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We are behind schedule.
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Let's practice.
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I finished the report this morning.
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The project is on track for Friday.
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I have an update on the client meeting.
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We're a bit behind schedule, but we're working on it on it.
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Perfect.
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Now here are some idioms about updates and progress.
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To keep someone in the loop.
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To keep someone informed.
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I'll keep you in the loop as things progress.
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To touch base.
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To make contact and update.
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Let's touch base next week.
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To be on the same page.
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To have the same understanding.
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We need to be on the same page about the timeline.
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To move the needle.
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To make progress.
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This new strategy will really move the needle.
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To be in the home stretch.
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To be near the end.
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We're in the home stretch now.
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Repeat.
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Keep someone in the loop.
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Touch base.
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On the same page.
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Move the needle.
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In the home stretch.
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Before we finish, let's review.
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We learned how to give quick verbal updates.
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The project is on track.
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We learned how to give updates in meetings.
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We've completed the research phase.
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We learned how to give updates via email.
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Here's a quick update on the project.
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We learned how to talk about progress.
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I'm 75% done.
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We learned how to report delays.
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We're a bit behind schedule.
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We learned how to report completed tasks.
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The project is finished.
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We learned how to talk about next steps.
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Next, I'll be working on the analysis.
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We learned how to give updates in one-on-ones.
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Here's what I've accomplished this week.
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We learned important vocabulary with example sentences.
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And we fixed common mistakes.
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That's everything you need for giving work updates.
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Here's your challenge for today.
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Think about a current project or task.
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Practice giving an update out loud.
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I'm working on the quarterly report.
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I finished the data collection and I'm starting the analysis.
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I should be done by Friday.
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Perfect.
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Practice saying it out loud.
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Now go to the comments.
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Tell us about a work update you recently gave.
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What was it?
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How did it go?
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For example, I told my team that we're ahead of schedule on the project.
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They were happy.
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That's always good news.
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Or I had to tell my boss that the report would be late.
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He was understanding.
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Honesty is best.
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Share your update stories with us.
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And if this episode helped you, please subscribe to English Dialogue Studio.
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Hit the notification bell so you never miss a lesson.
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We post new English conversations every day.
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Next time we'll talk about another everyday topic.
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You'll have to come back to find out.
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Until next time, keep practicing, keep learning, and keep speaking English.
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Thanks for joining us at English Dialogue Studio.
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Bye everyone!
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See you soon!
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This B1 speaking lesson is built on the video “Professional English Conversation Practice”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: update, project, giving, phase, finished. This video has 325 sentences and 1905 words to shadow. The speech runs for 12:06. The speaker talks at a natural 158 words per minute, close to everyday conversation. 86% 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
The 15 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| deadline noun | /ˈdɛdˌlaɪn/ | A time limit in the form of a date on or before which something must be completed. |
| halfway adverb | /ˌhæfˈweɪ/ | Half of the way between two points. |
| timeline noun | /ˈtaɪmˌlaɪn/ | A graphical representation of a chronological sequence of events (past or future). |
| encounter verb | /ɪnˈkaʊntɚ/ | To meet (someone) or find (something), especially unexpectedly. |
| feedback noun | /ˈfiːdˌbæk/ | Critical assessment of a process or activity or of their results. |
| 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. |
| needle noun | /ˈniː.dəl/ | A long, thin, sharp implement usually for piercing as in sewing, embroidery, acupuncture, tattooing, body piercing, medical injections, sutures, etc; or a… |
| accomplish verb | /əˈkɑm.plɪʃ/ | To finish successfully. |
| loop noun | /luːp/ | A length of thread, line or rope that is doubled over to make an opening. |
| setback noun | /ˈsɛtbæk/ | An obstacle, delay, disadvantage, or blow (an adverse event which slows down, or prevents progress towards a desired outcome). |
| verbal adjective | /ˈvɜː.bəl/ | Of or relating to words. |
| honesty noun | /ˈɑ.nɪ.sti/ | The act, quality, or condition of being honest. |
| wrap verb | /ɹæp/ | To enclose (an object) completely in any flexible, thin material such as fabric or paper. |
| unexpected adjective | /ʌnɪkˈspɛktɪd/ | Not expected, anticipated or foreseen. |
| gather verb | /ˈɡæðɚ/ | To collect normally separate things. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| come along verb | To accompany. |
| go around verb | To move or spread from person to person. |
| wrap up verb | To cover or enclose (something) by folding and securing a covering entirely around it. |
| find out verb | To discover, as by asking or investigating. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- Can you give me an update?
- Emma, how do you usually give updates at work?
- How's your project coming along?
- Any updates from your team?
- You can ask, what's next?
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 finished · We've hit · we've completed |
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | might be asked · Should be done · is appreciated |
| Verb + -ing enjoy, keep, stop… + -ing — verbs that are followed by the -ing form | practice giving · practice talking · Practice saying |
| Advice with “should” should + verb — saying what is a good idea | should have · should be |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 86 contractions and reduced forms, such as we're, I'm, we've. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “th” sounds: gather /ˈɡæðɚ/, smoothly /ˈsmuːðli/
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: accomplish /əˈkɑm.plɪʃ/, presentation /ˌpɹɛzn̩ˈteɪʃn̩/, implementation /ˌɪmplɪmənˈteɪʃən/, notification /ˌnoʊtɪfɪˈkeɪʃn̩/, satisfaction /sætɪsˈfækʃən/
- Long words — get the stress right: vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/, unexpected /ʌnɪkˈspɛktɪd/, implementation /ˌɪmplɪmənˈteɪʃən/, deliverable /dɪˈlɪvɹəbəɫ/, incorporate /ɪŋˈkɔɹ.pɚ.eɪt/
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 deadline, halfway, timeline.
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.