Shadowing Practice: Sell me this pen - Wolf Of Wallstreet - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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If you're listening, it's easier than you think.
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65 sentences
1
If you're listening, it's easier than you think.
0:00.02 – 0:01.98 (2.0s)
2
Every person you're on the phone with, they want to get rich, and they want to get rich quickly.
0:02.04 – 0:06.04 (4.0s)
3
They all want something for nothing.
0:06.20 – 0:07.24 (1.0s)
4
There was just one time that I was selling pots to this Amy Stoodle.
0:07.26 – 0:09.82 (2.6s)
5
You know those guys who got, like, the beard with, like, no mustache or some bullshit?
0:09.82 – 0:13.34 (3.5s)
6
Well, he says that he only wants to make furniture.
0:13.96 – 0:16.88 (2.9s)
7
I don't understand.
0:18.34 – 0:19.40 (1.1s)
8
What's that got to do with anything?
0:18.44 – 0:19.60 (1.2s)
9
What the fuck are you talking about?
0:20.54 – 0:21.86 (1.3s)
10
I'm not putting words in your mouth or nothing, but you just said that everybody wants to get rich.
0:22.62 – 0:27.02 (4.4s)
11
Holy fuck, you did just say that.
0:27.70 – 0:29.28 (1.6s)
12
Yeah, you did just say that.
0:28.76 – 0:29.94 (1.2s)
13
What the fuck are you talking about?
0:30.80 – 0:32.48 (1.7s)
14
Yeah, I'm like Buddhists.
0:32.42 – 0:33.48 (1.1s)
15
They don't give a shit about money.
0:32.50 – 0:34.54 (2.0s)
16
They're wrapped in sheets.
0:34.54 – 0:35.48 (0.9s)
17
They're not buying shit.
0:34.50 – 0:36.34 (1.8s)
18
I'm not talking about Buddhists or Amish.
0:35.50 – 0:38.48 (3.0s)
19
I'm talking about normal people, working class, everyday people.
0:38.34 – 0:41.46 (3.1s)
20
Everyone wants to get rich.
0:40.50 – 0:42.54 (2.0s)
21
Am I crazy?
0:42.54 – 0:43.06 (0.5s)
22
There's no such thing as Amish Buddhists, I'm pretty fucking sure.
0:42.50 – 0:45.48 (3.0s)
23
No, I didn't.
0:44.74 – 0:46.40 (1.7s)
24
I didn't say Amish Buddhists.
0:45.56 – 0:49.24 (3.7s)
25
Do you guys not want to make money?
0:48.98 – 0:50.48 (1.5s)
26
I don't want to make some fucking money.
0:49.56 – 0:51.60 (2.0s)
27
I don't want to make some fucking money, okay?
0:52.00 – 0:53.70 (1.7s)
28
I could sell anything.
0:53.70 – 0:54.64 (0.9s)
29
Shit, I could sell Louis to a convent full of nuns to get them so horny that they'd be sick.
0:55.16 – 0:58.18 (3.0s)
30
There you go.
0:57.50 – 0:58.54 (1.0s)
31
That's the attitude.
0:59.00 – 1:00.22 (1.2s)
32
You can sell anything.
1:00.22 – 1:01.12 (0.9s)
33
Sell me this fucking pen right here.
1:00.50 – 1:02.76 (2.3s)
34
You can sell anything, sell that.
1:02.50 – 1:03.84 (1.3s)
35
Go ahead.
1:03.76 – 1:04.14 (0.4s)
36
Sell me that pen.
1:04.14 – 1:05.74 (1.6s)
37
Can I finish eating the first I need tonight?
1:06.42 – 1:08.28 (1.9s)
38
Brad, somehow it's done.
1:08.70 – 1:10.06 (1.4s)
39
Boom.
1:10.06 – 1:10.84 (0.8s)
40
Sell me that pen.
1:10.50 – 1:11.80 (1.3s)
41
Watch.
1:11.80 – 1:12.12 (0.3s)
42
Go on.
1:12.12 – 1:12.48 (0.4s)
43
Let me sell this fucking pen.
1:12.54 – 1:13.76 (1.2s)
44
That's my boy right there.
1:13.92 – 1:14.96 (1.0s)
45
This pen.
1:14.96 – 1:15.46 (0.5s)
46
I can fucking sell anything.
1:14.92 – 1:16.48 (1.6s)
47
Why don't you do me a favor?
1:15.64 – 1:17.48 (1.8s)
48
Why don't you name down that napkin for me?
1:16.58 – 1:19.20 (2.6s)
49
I don't have a pen.
1:19.70 – 1:20.48 (0.8s)
50
Exactly.
1:19.70 – 1:21.30 (1.6s)
51
Supply and demand, my friend.
1:21.30 – 1:22.48 (1.2s)
52
You know what I'm saying?
1:22.56 – 1:23.24 (0.7s)
53
He's creating urgency.
1:23.24 – 1:24.48 (1.2s)
54
You get him to want to buy the stuff.
1:24.94 – 1:26.48 (1.5s)
55
He makes him it's something that they need.
1:26.52 – 1:28.16 (1.6s)
56
And that's the thing.
1:28.00 – 1:29.24 (1.2s)
57
All nuns are lesbians.
1:29.24 – 1:31.20 (2.0s)
58
What the fuck are you talking about, Otter?
1:31.64 – 1:33.48 (1.8s)
59
Think about it.
1:33.10 – 1:34.00 (0.9s)
60
They can't keep a dude, so they're going to start...
1:34.00 – 1:35.84 (1.8s)
61
Four fucking times, Kimmy.
1:35.64 – 1:37.60 (2.0s)
62
Four times.
1:37.60 – 1:38.40 (0.8s)
63
He's not with us.
1:38.52 – 1:39.36 (0.8s)
64
He's not with us.
1:39.36 – 1:40.62 (1.3s)
65
Now she runs.
1:40.14 – 1:41.42 (1.3s)

Context & Background

The vibrant dialogue from the "Sell me this pen" scene in the famous film "The Wolf Of Wall Street" encapsulates the intense drive and persuasive nature of salesmanship. The speaker exemplifies a confident approach to selling by emphasizing the universal desire for wealth and material success. This exchange captures the essence of everyday communication, filled with colloquialisms and a raw depiction of the negotiation process, offering a rich resource for English learners looking to enhance their conversational skills.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • "Sell me this pen." - A challenge that stimulates persuasive dialogue.
  • "I could sell anything." - Highlights confidence in one’s ability to persuade.
  • "What the fuck are you talking about?" - An informal way to express confusion or seek clarification.
  • "Can I finish eating?" - A polite way to request time before engaging.
  • "Boom." - An informal expression used to signify success or clarity in thought.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

Improving your speaking skills through shadowing can be incredibly effective. The following steps will guide you in using this technique with the video’s content:

  1. Watch the Video: Begin by viewing the video clip a few times. Focus on the speakers' tone, pace, and emphasis during the conversation.
  2. Listen Actively: Play small sections repeatedly, listening closely to how phrases are articulated. Pay attention to the emotions and expressions used, as these are key in persuasive communication.
  3. Start Shadowing: Use the shadowing technique to mimic what you hear. Repeat phrases immediately after hearing them. This can improve your fluency and help you internalize natural speech patterns.
  4. Record Yourself: As you practice, record your voice to compare your pronunciation and intonation to that of the speaker. This is crucial for IELTS speaking practice.
  5. Utilize a Shadowing App: Consider using a shadowing app to aid in this process, allowing you to track your progress and refine your skills over time.

This tailored approach with the shadowing technique will not only help with vocabulary but also enhance your ability to engage in persuasive discussions, an essential skill for everyday interactions and professional settings alike.

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.

How to Practice Effectively on ShadowingEnglish

  1. Choose your video: Pick a YouTube video with clear, natural English speech. TED Talks, BBC News, movie scenes, podcasts, or IELTS sample answers all work great. Paste the URL into the search bar. Start with shorter videos (under 5 minutes) and content you find genuinely interesting — motivation matters.
  2. Listen first, understand the context: On your first pass, keep the speed at 1x and just listen. Don't try to repeat yet. Focus on understanding the meaning, picking up new vocabulary, and noticing how the speaker stresses words, links sounds, and uses pauses.
  3. Set up Shadowing mode:
    • Wait Mode: Choose +3s or +5s — after each sentence plays, the video pauses automatically so you have time to repeat it out loud. Choose Manual if you want full control and press Next yourself after each repetition.
    • Sub Sync: YouTube subtitles sometimes appear slightly ahead or behind the audio. Use ±100ms to align them perfectly so you can follow along accurately.
  4. Shadow out loud (the core practice): This is where the real work happens. As soon as a sentence plays — or during the pause — repeat it out loud, clearly and confidently. Don't just mouth the words: mirror the speaker's exact rhythm, stress, pitch, and connected speech. Aim to sound like a shadow of the speaker, not just a word-by-word recitation. Use the Repeat feature to drill the same sentence multiple times until it feels natural.
  5. Scale up the challenge: Once a passage feels comfortable, push your limits. Increase speed to <code>1.25x</code> or even <code>1.5x</code> to train high-speed language reflexes. Or set Wait Mode to <code>Off</code> for continuous shadowing — the most advanced and rewarding mode. Consistent daily practice of 15–30 minutes will produce noticeable results within weeks.

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