Shadowing Practice: Real English Conversation Practice: Shadow This with Only 210 Words - Learn English Speaking with Video
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423 sentences
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1
You watch English videos every day.
2
You understand more than you used to.
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You don't need subtitles anymore.
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You can follow a fast conversation without pausing.
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That's real progress.
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But then, one day, you're actually talking to someone and they ask you something simple.
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Like, how have you been?
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What's new?
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And the words are right there in your head and nothing comes out.
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The problem is not your vocabulary.
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It's that you've never practiced saying these words out loud when the moment comes, your mouth doesn't know what to do.
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That's what we're gonna try and fix with this video.
13
It is a speaking session.
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You're gonna shadow a full, real conversation from start to finish.
15
You say the words out loud at full speed at the same time as the speakers.
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And here's the part I love about this one.
17
The whole conversation runs on about 200 words, not because it's a beginner video but because real friends, even when they talk about big things,
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use a surprisingly small set of words.
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Here's how it works.
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First, I'll show you the word list.
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Then, we'll go through the words that trip people up.
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Then you listen to the conversation once, and then we play it again and you shadow it.
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Today's conversation is between two old friends who reconnect after a long time apart.
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By the end of this video, you'll have said more English out loud than you probably have in weeks.
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If you're new here, welcome to Lingamarina.
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I moved to the US from Russia 11 years ago, I was 25 back then, and I know exactly how it feels when you freeze.
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Subscribe so you don't miss the next video in the series.
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And before we start, tell me in the comments, do you like talking on the phone with your friends or would you rather text?
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This is the list.
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Take a few seconds and read through it slowly.
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Almost every word here is one you learned in the first or second year of English.
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And yet, with just these words, two people are about to share big news, admit something hard, forgive each other, and make a plan to meet.
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That's the whole idea of this series.
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Fluency isn't about how many words you know, It's about how well you use the ones you already have.
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Before the conversation, let me walk you through the words and phrases that might trip you up, some because the spelling hides how they sound,
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and some because the meaning isn't quite what you'd guess.
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Let's start with pronunciation.
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First, honestly.
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The H is completely silent.
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You say honestly, not honestly.
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If you pronounce that H, it sounds unnatural to a native speaker.
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You'll hear Sam say, honestly, I was a little worried about you.
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Next are two small words that hide a silent letter, could and would.
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The L is silent in both.
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You'll hear Sam say, you could have called me.
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And Nina say, I would love that.
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Then there's favorite.
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Americans usually say it in two beats, not three.
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Favorite, not favorite.
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Listen for it when Sam says, I'll cook your favorite.
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Here's a fun one, beautiful.
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It's three syllables and there's a very American detail hiding inside it.
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That T in the middle isn't a heart T.
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Americans soften it into a quick D sound, so it becomes more like beautiful.
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You'll hear it when Sam says, the weather is beautiful.
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And the last pronunciation word is world.
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It's only one syllable, but that url, url, url, url, but that url ending is tricky.
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Let it sit.
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World.
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You'll hear Nina say it when Sam asks where her students are from.
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All over the world.
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Okay, now let's switch to words where the pronunciation is easy, But the meaning has a second layer most learners miss.
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The first one is left.
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It has two very different meanings.
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It's the past of leave and it's also a direction, the opposite of right.
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In our conversation, it's the first one.
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When Nina says, so I left, she means she left her job.
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She quit.
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Just don't mix it up with the direction.
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Next is still in conversation still means something is continuing from
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before it hasn't changed you'll hear nina say i'm still here
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same old place meaning she's right there where she's always been it's not stay still
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or don't move then there's kind of it means a little
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or somewhat and native speakers use it constantly to soften what they say.
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You'll hear Sam say, you kind of disappeared.
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A gentle way to say she went quiet.
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It has nothing to do with kind meaning nice.
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And here's a warm one.
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I could use the help.
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This isn't about using a tool.
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I could use something means I'd really welcome it.
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You'll hear Sam say, and I could use the help when he invites Nina to come and stay.
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And finally, A few whole phrases you can steal and use yourself.
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Each one shows up in the conversation, so listen for them.
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The first phrase is NO WAY.
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It means I can't believe it.
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Pure surprise.
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You'll hear Nina open with it, Sam, no way.
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Next, it's been forever.
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It simply means it's been a very long time since you last talked.
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You'll hear Nina say it right at the start.
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It's been forever.
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That's huge.
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It means that's big, exciting news.
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You'll hear Nina say it when Sam tells her about the baby.
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Sam, that's huge.
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After that, good for you.
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It's a warm, sincere, I'm happy for you.
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A lot of Americans say that.
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You'll hear Sam say it when Nina tells him she changed jobs.
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Good for you.
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That takes guts.
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It means that's brave.
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It took real courage.
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Sam says it in the same breath.
106
Good for you.
107
That takes guts.
108
Next, it's a deal.
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Means, okay, we agree.
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It's settled, like a handshake, but in words.
111
You'll hear Sam say it when they planned the visit.
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It's a deal.
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And the last phrase is, this made my whole week.
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It means this made me really happy.
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You'll hear Nina say it near the end.
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Thank you, Sam.
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That made my whole week.
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By the way, before we get into the conversation, I want to tell you about something a lot of you will actually use.
119
If you understand a lot of English, but the words still freeze the moment you have to speak, exactly the thing we're practicing today,
120
that's who our course from elementary to intermediate is built for.
121
It's a seven-week challenge, short daily video lessons, real practice with feedback on your mistakes, a study buddy at your level,
122
and a weekly speaking club with a native speaker so you're actually talking out loud, not just watching more than 15 000 students have already finished it
123
and the best part is the teacher the lessons are taught
124
by venia who happens to be one of my closest friends we've known each other for years
125
and he's honestly one of the best teachers i've ever met
126
so because you're watching this video we're giving you a free class from
127
that course so you can meet venia
128
and see how he teaches i'm telling you after one lesson
129
you'll be hooked i don't think it's possible to watch venia teach and not fall in love with the way he teaches.
130
Use the code LINGUA MARINA for $20 off any plan.
131
The free class and the link are both in the description.
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Now let's get into the conversation.
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We'll go through this in two passes.
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The first time, just listen.
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Don't try to repeat anything yet.
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Get familiar with the story and the rhythm.
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Just listen.
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Hello?
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Nina?
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Hey, it's Sam.
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Sam!
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No way!
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It's been forever!
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I know.
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Way too long.
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How are you?
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I'm good.
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Really good.
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I was just thinking about you last week.
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No way.
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That's so funny.
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How's everything?
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Where are you these days?
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I'm still here.
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Same old place.
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Nothing too exciting.
157
What about you?
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We're good.
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Busy as always.
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But we have some big news.
161
Ooh.
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Tell me everything.
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We had a baby.
164
A little girl.
165
What?
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A baby?
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Sam, that's huge.
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Congratulations.
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Thank you.
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Her name is Mia.
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She's six months old now.
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Six months.
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I can't believe it.
174
You're a dad.
175
I know.
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It's a little crazy.
177
I'm tired all the time, but I love it.
178
Does she look like you or Emma?
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Everyone says she has my eyes and Emma's smile.
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Poor kid.
181
Ha!
182
That's the perfect mix.
183
She's beautiful, then.
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She really is.
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I'll send you some photos after this.
186
Please do.
187
Does she sleep through the night?
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Barely.
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But she's worth it.
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How's Emma?
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Is she doing okay?
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She's great.
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Tired too, but happy.
194
She says hi, by the way.
195
Tell her I say hi back.
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And how are your parents?
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Good, still in the same house.
198
Mom asks about you all the time.
199
Aww.
200
Tell her I miss her cooking.
201
I will.
202
So, what about you?
203
How's work?
204
Well, actually, I have some news too.
205
I changed jobs.
206
Really?
207
You were at that company for years.
208
I know, but I wasn't happy there anymore, so I left.
209
Good for you.
210
That takes guts.
211
What are you doing now?
212
I teach English online.
213
I work from home.
214
That's perfect for you.
215
You were always a great teacher.
216
Thanks.
217
It's hard some days, but I really like it.
218
Where are your students from?
219
All over the world.
220
I have one in Brazil who makes me laugh every class.
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That sounds wonderful.
222
You sound happy.
223
You sound like yourself again.
224
Again?
225
Yeah.
226
Honestly, I was a little worried about you.
227
You kind of disappeared for a while.
228
I know.
229
I'm sorry.
230
Last year was hard for me.
231
Hard how?
232
You can tell me.
233
After I left my job, I felt lost.
234
I didn't really talk to anyone.
235
Nina, you could have called me.
236
Anytime, day or night.
237
I know.
238
I just wasn't ready.
239
But I'm better now.
240
Much better.
241
I'm really glad to hear that.
242
I missed you, you know.
243
I missed you too. So much.
244
Remember how we talked every day?
245
Every single day. For hours. About nothing.
246
The best kind of nothing.
247
I miss those days.
248
Then let's bring them back.
249
Come visit us.
250
Really?
251
You mean it? Of course.
252
Come in the spring.
253
The weather here is beautiful.
254
Stay for the weekend.
255
I would love that.
256
Are you sure it's not too much?
257
With the baby?
258
Are you kidding?
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She'll love you.
260
And I could use the help.
261
Ha!
262
Okay, okay.
263
Then I'll book a flight.
264
I can't wait.
265
Me neither.
266
I'll cook your favorite, remember?
267
Your pasta?
268
Oh, I'm coming now.
269
It's a deal.
270
And let's not wait this long ever again.
271
Never again.
272
I promise.
273
Good.
274
Call me this weekend, okay?
275
For real this time.
276
I will.
277
Thank you, Sam.
278
This made my whole week.
279
Mine too, Nina.
280
It's so good to hear your voice.
281
You too.
282
Talk soon.
283
Give me a kiss from me.
284
I will.
285
Bye, Nina.
286
Bye.
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Now, the most important part, everything you just did was preparation.
288
This is where the real practice happens.
289
The whole conversation from the beginning, no stopping, no slowing down.
290
Shadow Nina and Sam as they speak.
291
Don't wait for a pause.
292
Stay with their pace and match the feeling behind the words.
293
If you miss something, keep going.
294
This is what fluency actually feels like where it's coming up before your brain has finished thinking.
295
Same old place, nothing too exciting.
296
What about you?
297
We're good.
298
Busy as always.
299
But we have some big news.
300
Ooh, tell me everything.
301
We had a baby.
302
A little girl.
303
What?
304
A baby?
305
Sam, that's huge!
306
Congratulations!
307
Thank you.
308
Her name is Mia.
309
She's six months old now.
310
Six months.
311
I can't believe it.
312
You're a dad.
313
I know.
314
It's a little crazy.
315
I'm tired all the time, but I love it.
316
Does she look like you or Emma?
317
Everyone says she has my eyes and Emma's smile.
318
Poor kid.
319
Ha!
320
That's the perfect mix.
321
She's beautiful, then.
322
She really is.
323
I'll send you some photos after this.
324
Please do.
325
Does she sleep through the night?
326
Barely, but she's worth it.
327
How's Emma?
328
Is she doing okay?
329
She's great.
330
Tired too, but happy.
331
She says hi, by the way.
332
Tell her I say hi back.
333
And how are your parents?
334
Good, still in the same house.
335
Mom asks about you all the time.
336
Aww.
337
Tell her I miss her cooking.
338
I will.
339
So, what about you?
340
How's work?
341
Well, actually, I have some news too.
342
I changed jobs.
343
Really?
344
You were at that company for years.
345
I know, but I wasn't happy there anymore, so I left.
346
Good for you.
347
That takes guts.
348
What are you doing now?
349
I teach English online.
350
I work from home.
351
That's perfect for you.
352
You were always a great teacher.
353
Thanks.
354
It's hard some days, but I really like it.
355
Where are your students from?
356
All over the world.
357
I have one in Brazil who makes me laugh every class. That sounds wonderful.
358
You sound happy.
359
You sound like yourself again.
360
Again?
361
Yeah.
362
Honestly, I was a little worried about you.
363
You kind of disappeared for a while.
364
I know.
365
I'm sorry.
366
Last year was hard for me.
367
Hard how?
368
You can tell me.
369
After I left my job, I felt lost.
370
I didn't really talk to anyone.
371
Nina, you could have called me.
372
Anytime, day or night.
373
I know.
374
I just wasn't ready.
375
But I'm better now.
376
Much better.
377
I'm really glad to hear that.
378
I missed you, you know.
379
I missed you too. So much.
380
Remember how we talked every day?
381
Every single day. For hours. About nothing.
382
The best kind of nothing.
383
I miss those days.
384
Then let's bring them back.
385
Come visit us.
386
Really?
387
You mean it? Of course.
388
Come in the spring.
389
The weather here is beautiful.
390
Stay for the weekend.
391
I would love that.
392
Are you sure it's not too much with the baby?
393
Are you kidding?
394
She'll love you, and I could use the help.
395
Ha!
396
Okay, okay.
397
Then I'll book a flight.
398
I can't wait.
399
Me neither.
400
I'll cook your favorite, remember?
401
Your pasta?
402
Oh, I'm coming now.
403
It's a deal, and let's not wait this long ever again.
404
Never again, I promise.
405
Good.
406
Call me this weekend, okay?
407
For real this time.
408
I will.
409
Thank you, Sam.
410
This made my whole week.
411
Mine too, Nina.
412
It's so good to hear your voice.
413
You too.
414
Talk soon.
415
Give me a kiss from me.
416
I will.
417
Bye, Nina.
418
Bye.
419
And that's a full conversation in English built from just 200 words.
420
And you just said every word of it out loud.
421
If you want more practice with real feedback, our from elementary to intermediate course is in the description.
422
Free class is right there and code LINGUA MARINA for $20 off is waiting for you right there.
423
See you in the next video and bye bye!
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This B1 speaking lesson is built on the video “Real English Conversation Practice: Shadow This with Only 210 Words”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: Sam, word, nina, hear, conversation. This video has 423 sentences and 2524 words to shadow. The speech runs for 17:17. The speaker talks at a steady 146 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 87% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is easy to follow.
Key vocabulary in this video
The 15 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| guts noun | /ɡʌts/ | The entrails or contents of the abdomen. |
| phrase noun | /ˈfɹeɪ̯z/ | A short written or spoken expression. |
| excite verb | /ɪkˈsaɪt/ | To stir the emotions of; to cause to feel excitement. |
| pronunciation noun | /pɹəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/ | The formal or informal way in which a word is made to sound when spoken. |
| disappear verb | /dɪsəˈpɪɹ/ | To vanish. |
| fluency noun | /ˈfluːənsi/ | The quality of smoothness of flow. |
| soften verb | /ˈsɑfən/ | To make something soft or softer. |
| syllable noun | /ˈsɪl.ə.bəl/ | A unit of human speech which often forms words corresponding to one opening of the mouth; a vowel and its surrounding consonants. |
| pasta noun | /ˈpɑ.stə/ | Dough made from wheat and water and sometimes mixed with egg and formed into various shapes; often sold in dried form and typically boiled for eating. |
| pause noun | /pɔːz/ | A temporary stop or rest; an intermission of action; interruption; suspension; cessation. |
| intermediate adjective | /ɪn.tə(ɹ)ˈmi.di.ət/ | Being between two extremes, or in the middle of a range. |
| freeze verb | /ˈfɹiːz/ | Especially of a liquid, to become solid due to low temperature. |
| anytime adverb | At any time. | |
| feedback noun | /ˈfiːdˌbæk/ | Critical assessment of a process or activity or of their results. |
| handshake noun | /ˈhæn(d)ˌʃeɪk/ | The grasping of hands by two people when greeting, leave-taking, or making an agreement. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| go through verb | To travel from one end of something to the other. | |
| come out verb | /ˌkʌm ˈaʊt/ | To be discovered; to be revealed. |
| come up verb | To emerge or become known, especially unexpectedly. | |
| read through verb | To thoroughly read something to check or proofread it. | |
| slow down verb | To decelerate. | |
| talk out verb | To resolve (a problem) by talking about it. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- Where are you these days?
- What are you doing now?
- Where are your students from?
- Are you sure it's not too much?
- I'll cook your favorite, remember?
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 | have you been · you've never practiced · hasn't changed |
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | is left · is built · are taught |
| Superlatives the -est / the most … — the top or bottom of a group | the best · my closest · the most important |
| Present continuous am/is/are + -ing — something happening right now or around now | you're actually talking · is continuing · we're practicing |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 85 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, you'll, I'll. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “th” sounds: rhythm /ˈɹɪð.əm/, breathe /bɹiːð/
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: pronunciation /pɹəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/, handshake /ˈhæn(d)ˌʃeɪk/, preparation /ˌpɹɛpəˈɹeɪʃ(ə)n/
- Long words — get the stress right: pronunciation /pɹəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/, intermediate /ɪn.tə(ɹ)ˈmi.di.ət/, vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/, surprisingly /səˈpɹaɪzɪŋli/, preparation /ˌpɹɛpəˈɹeɪʃ(ə)n/
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 guts, phrase, excite.
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.