Shadowing Practice: Sick day - The Storytellers - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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Joe and Bella Stories Number 3 Sick Day One morning,
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Joe and Bella Stories Number 3 Sick Day One morning,
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Joe woke up with a sore elbow.
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He prodded it carefully with one finger.
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Ow!
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That really hurt!
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Joe climbed out of bed and put on his dressing gown very,
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very carefully so as not to joggle his bad elbow.
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Then he went downstairs.
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Mum was in the kitchen,
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searching for cereal in the cupboard.
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We're out of cornflakes again,
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she said, not looking round.
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Mum, Joe began, I think there's something wrong with my...
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But at that moment, Bella came into the kitchen.
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She was clutching her tummy.
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Mum, she cried, I'm very, very ill.
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Very ill indeed.
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"'My tummy hurts really, really bad.
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I'm far too sick to go to school.' Mum was worried.
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She felt Bella's forehead.
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"'You do feel hot, but you were fine yesterday.' "'I'm not fine now,' said Bella.
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Please, Mum, can I go back to bed?
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Bella didn't even want breakfast.
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Joe tried to tell Mum about his elbow,
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but Mum was too worried about Bella.
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Please just get dressed, Joe,
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or you'll be late for school.
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Mum stayed home to look after Bella.
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Dad gave Joe a lift to school,
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and Joe tried to explain about his elbow.
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I was playing football yesterday and I banged it and it still hurts, he said.
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Probably just a bruise, said Dad.
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I hope Bella is better soon.
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She looked a bit feverish to me.
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It's always about Bella, thought Joe crossly.
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At school, Joe had to be very careful of his elbow.
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He had to keep it really still.
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Luckily, he could still write with his other hand.
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At home, Mum was looking after Bella.
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She put her back to bed and tucked the covers round her.
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She brought her a glass of water to sip slowly.
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She stroked her head and read her a story.
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How do you feel now? she asked.
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Would you like to try a little breakfast?
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I can't eat a thing, said Bella.
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Mum was worried.
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It wasn't like Bella not to eat anything.
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She leaned over to pick Bella's teddy bear off the floor.
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As she did so, she caught sight of something under the bed.
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A huge pile of sweet wrappers and an empty box.
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Bella, Mum cried.
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Are those the sweets that Aunt Jackie sent you and that you were supposed to save for your birthday?
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Bella turned very red.
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I woke up early and felt hungry,
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she said in a small voice.
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But Bella, said Mum, no wonder you've a bad tummy.
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You've eaten every one.
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An hour later, Mum and Bella were walking into school.
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Bella's tummy was better, and Mum wanted to get back to work.
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Mrs. Smales, the headteacher, came running to meet them.
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Oh good, you're here, she said.
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I think you need to go straight to hospital.
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Hospital, said Mum.
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She's only eaten too many sweets.
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I'm not talking about Bella, said Mrs. Smails.
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I'm talking about Joe.
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Didn't you notice that he'd broken his elbow?
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What? said Mum.
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At the hospital, Mum and Joe had to sit in the waiting room until Joe could have his x-ray.
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Why didn't you tell me?
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Mum said.
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I did try, said Joe But you wouldn't listen Then my teacher noticed I couldn't move my arm
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At the hospital they were very kind to Joe They took an x-ray of his arm
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And the doctor showed him the picture of the crack in his bone
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A nurse wrapped up Joe's elbow in a bandage Then they put his arm in a sling
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Joe was sad that he wouldn't be able to play football for a few weeks
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so mum bought him a box of sweets from the hospital shop to cheer him up.
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I hope Bella doesn't steal any,
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said Joe, opening the box.
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I don't think she will, said mum, smiling.
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I think she's had enough sweets to last her a long time.

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About This Lesson

In this lesson, learners will practice their English speaking skills through an engaging story titled "Sick Day." The narrative revolves around Joe and Bella, siblings dealing with illness and the dynamics of their family. By focusing on the dialogue and descriptive elements, you will enhance your listening comprehension and speaking abilities. As you immerse yourself in the story, you will not only expand your vocabulary but also practice pronunciation by mimicking the natural flow of conversation. This exercise is excellent for those who wish to learn English with YouTube and improve English pronunciation through effective shadowspeak methods.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Sore elbow - a painful area on the arm joint.
  • Dressing gown - a loose garment worn at home for comfort.
  • Tummy hurts - a common way to say stomach pain.
  • Feverish - feeling hot, often due to illness.
  • Tucked in - to neatly arrange bedding around someone.
  • Glass of water - a container of drinking water.
  • Sweet wrappers - the packaging for candies.
  • Very ill - feeling seriously unwell.

Practice Tips

To maximize your learning experience with this video, consider the following shadowing techniques:

  • Slow Playback: Start by watching the video at reduced speed to catch every word and intonation. This will help you grasp the subtleties of how Joe and Bella communicate, making it easier to mimic their speech accurately.
  • Pause and Repeat: After listening to a sentence, pause the video and repeat what you heard. Pay close attention to the pronunciation and emotion conveyed. This practice enhances your fluency and helps embed new vocabulary into your memory.
  • Record Yourself: Use a recording device to capture your voice while you practice. Listening back allows you to critique your pronunciation and adjust your speaking pace, contributing to an improved command of English.
  • Emotional Connection: Try to connect with the feelings expressed in the story. Whether it’s concern for ill family members or the need for care, expressing emotion while speaking can make your practice feel more authentic and enjoyable.
  • Regular Practice: Incorporate this video into your weekly routine. Consistent shadow speaking and listening to English stories will significantly aid in your journey to improve English pronunciation and overall language fluency.

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.

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