Shadowing Practice: Real estate agents to disclose property prices as new laws come into effect | 9 News Australia - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Victoria's new under -quoting laws have come into effect, forcing agents to publish reserve prices at least a week before sale.
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While buyers are embracing the change, industry leaders say they weren't properly consulted.
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Niritai explains.
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Selling his country property to move to the big smoke has been a little daunting for Dion Ventries.
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It's been a lot for me to juggle and understand.
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But at least the guesswork will be taken out when it comes to budgeting.
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From today, real estate agents must disclose reserve prices at least a week before an auction or fixed date sale,
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published through a new document called the Property Price Statement.
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Transparency is great, as long as that indication's there
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and we can understand what the expectations are and what we're getting ourselves into.
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In an Australian first move, the Victorian government introduced a raft of laws to stamp out under quoting.
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We're excited at Ray White, we're embracing the transparency.
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The network is certainly ready to go.
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We've spent the last three weeks delivering probably about up to 30 hours of training.
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But not everyone is sold.
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I think that we'll see a lot more transactions taking place off market as opposed to on market, which is a pity because Melbourne's always been regarded as the auction capital.
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Not everything sells above the reserve and what's happening out there is a dynamic market.
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So it's really important, we believe, to have a balanced approach that gives vendors the necessary flexibility.
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Agents who don't comply with the law changes could face fines of up to $50 ,000
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or risk forfeiting their sales commission and fees.
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What we would like to see when the new government is formed late November is
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that there will be a very quick and thorough review of this system to see if it is working.
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Neary Thai, Nine News.

Why This Video Is Great for English Speaking Practice

This clip about Victoria's new real estate laws is a goldmine for english speaking practice. It blends casual and professional speech, with phrases like "a little daunting" and "stamp out under -quoting" that mirror real-life conversations. The mix of interviews and news reporting exposes you to different tones—from Dion's relatable hesitation to the industry leaders' confident arguments—making it perfect for mastering natural intonation. Plus, the topic is timely and specific, so you'll learn vocabulary you might actually use in discussions about housing or current events.

Breaking Down Natural Speech Patterns

Let's look at a few lines that sound authentic and why. First, "It's been a lot for me to juggle and understand." The phrase "a lot to juggle" is a common metaphor for managing multiple tasks, and the casual "and understand" at the end feels like how people speak off the cuff—no need for formal structure. Next, "Not everyone is sold." This idiom, meaning "not everyone agrees," is far more natural than saying "Not everyone accepts this." Finally, "We've spent the last three weeks delivering probably about up to 30 hours of training." The filler words "probably about up to" might seem messy, but they're how native speakers soften statements in real time. Notice these details, and your speech will sound less scripted.

A Simple Shadowing Routine for This Video

Try this shadowing technique to improve your pronunciation and fluency. First, watch the video once to get the gist. Then, pick a 10-second clip—like Dion's opening lines. Play the clip, pause, and repeat it immediately, mimicking the speed, tone, and stress. Record yourself, then compare. Did you stress "daunting" like the speaker? Did you pause after "juggle"? Repeat with a professional line, like the industry leader's "I think that we'll see a lot more transactions..." Focus on the rise in pitch at the end of "off market" to show emphasis. This shadow speak practice trains your mouth to move like a native and helps you internalize natural rhythm. Do this daily, and you'll notice your speech becoming more confident and natural.

Whether you're practicing shadowspeaks or just looking to improve english pronunciation, this video offers real-world language that sticks. Dive in, and let the dialogue guide your growth!

Grammar in this video

The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:

StructureIn the video
Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does itwill be taken · is sold · been regarded
Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters nowhave come · has been · We've spent

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.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →