Shadowing Practice: Registering with a Temp Agency: Mac or Mc? - Learn English Speaking with Video
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32 sentences
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1
Hi there, come and sit down. You're here to register?
2
Yes, um, hi. I'm Callum, I'm booked in for 10:00.
3
Lovely. Let's get you set up on our system.
4
Could I take your surname first, please?
5
It's McKenzie. M-C-K-E-N-Z-I-E.
6
Right, so that's M-A-C-K-E-N-Z-I-E.
7
Sorry, it's actually just M-C. There's no A.
8
Oh, I'm so sorry! Most people I register spell it M-A-C.
9
Ha, don't worry. It happens all the time.
10
And what's the best email address to reach you on?
11
It's [email protected].
12
So, [email protected]?
13
Sorry, not an underscore. It's a hyphen, a short dash.
14
Got it! Hyphen, not underscore. Thanks for checking.
15
And what's your mobile number, please?
16
It's 07700 900 718.
17
Lovely. I'll also need your National Insurance number.
18
Hold on, let me check my card... QQ 12 34 56 C.
19
QQ 12 34 56 C. Perfect, that's all been saved.
20
So, when would you be available to start?
21
From the 3rd of November, once my contract finishes.
22
Brilliant. We've got an admin role paying £14.50 an hour.
23
£14.50? I thought the advert said £15.40.
24
Hmm, let me check... Actually, you're both right.
25
It's £14.50 on weekdays and £15.40 at weekends.
26
Oh, I see. Could I be put down for weekends too?
27
Of course! I'll add weekend shifts to your profile.
28
Will my profile be sent to clients before the 3rd?
29
Don't worry, you'll get an email from us by Friday.
30
And I promise I'll spell your name right!
31
Ha! M-C, no A. Thanks so much for your help!
32
My pleasure, Callum. Good luck with it all!
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This B2 speaking lesson is built on the video “Registering with a Temp Agency: Mac or Mc?”. This video has 32 sentences and 268 words to shadow. The speech runs for 2:42. The speaker talks slowly, about 99 words per minute, so there is time to copy every sound. Only 72% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding. 9 of its 32 sentences are questions, so it is good practice for question intonation and short answers.
Key vocabulary in this video
The 14 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| spell noun | /spɛl/ | Words or a formula supposed to have magical powers. |
| dash noun | /ˈdæʃ/ | Any of the following symbols: ‒ (figure dash), – (en dash), — (em dash), or ― (horizontal bar). |
| admin noun | /ˈædˌmɪn/ | Administration, or administrative work. |
| hyphen noun | /ˈhaɪ̯.f(ə̯)n̩/ | The symbol "‐", typically used to join two or more words to form a compound term, or to indicate that a word has been split at the end of a line. |
| underscore noun | /ˈʌn.dɚˌskoɹ/ | A line drawn or printed beneath text; the character _. |
| advert verb | /ædvˈɝt/ | To take notice, to pay attention (to). |
| surname noun | /ˈsɝˌneɪm/ | The portion of a person's name that is generally hereditary or treated as an indicator of a person's family, which may be shared with other members of the… |
| weekday noun | /ˈwiːkdeɪ̯/ | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, but not Saturday or Sunday. |
| email noun | /ˈiˌmeɪl/ | A system for sending messages and datas by means of a computer network, primarily the Internet, using the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol and the Internet… |
| register noun | /ˈɹɛd͡ʒ.ɪ.stə/ | A formal recording of names, events, transactions, etc. |
| pleasure noun | /ˈplɛʒɚ/ | A state of being pleased or contented; gratification. |
| shift noun | /ˈʃɪft/ | A movement to do something, a beginning. |
| brilliant adjective | /ˈbɹɪl.jənt/ | Shining brightly. |
| client noun | /ˈklaɪ.ənt/ | A customer, a buyer or receiver of goods or services. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| put down for verb | To record that someone has offered to help, or contribute something. |
| sit down verb | To assume a sitting position from a standing position. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- You're here to register?
- Let's get you set up on our system.
- Could I take your surname first, please?
- And what's your mobile number, please?
- Could I be put down for weekends too?
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | been saved · be put · be sent |
| Future with “will” will + verb — a decision, promise or prediction | I'll also need · I'll add · Will my |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 12 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'll, I'm, don't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: dash /ˈdæʃ/, pleasure /ˈplɛʒɚ/, shift /ˈʃɪft/
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 spell, dash, admin.
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.