Shadowing Practice: SPANISH LOVE DECEPTION AUDIOBOOK [Chapter-1] 💕 - Learn English Speaking with Video

Chapter 1 I ll be your date to the wedding.

Words I had never not even in my wildest dreams, and trust me, I had a vivid imagination conceived of hearing from that deep and rich tone reached my ears.

Looking down at my co -ee, I squinted my eyes, trying to search for any signs of noxious substances oding around.

That would at least explain what was happening. But nope.

Nothing.

Just what was left of my Americano.

I'll do it if you need someone that badly, the deep voice came again.

Eyes growing wide, I lifted my head.

I opened my mouth and then snapped it closed again.

Rosie, I trailed oh, the word leaving me in a whisper.

Is he really there?

Can you see him?

Or did someone spike my co -ee without me noticing?

Rosie my best friend and colleague in Intech, the New York City -based engineering consulting company, where we had met and worked slowly nodded her head.

I watched her dark curls bounce with the motion, an expression of disbelief marring her otherwise soft features.

She lowered her voice.

Nope.

He's right there.

Her head peeked around me very quickly.

Hi.

Good morning, she said brightly before her attention returned to my face.

Right behind you.

Lips parted, I stared at my friend for a long moment.

We were standing at the far end of the hallway of the 11th or of the Intech headquarters.

Both our OCES were relatively close together, so the moment I had entered the building located in the heart of Manhattan, in the vicinity of Central Park,

I had gone straight to her OCE.

My plan had been to grab Rosie

and plop down on the upholstered wooden armchairs that served as a waiting sitting area for visiting clients, which were usually unoccupied this early in the morning.

But we never made it.

I somehow dropped the bomb before we ever sat down.

That was how much my predicament needed Rosie's immediate attention.

And then, then he had materialized out of nowhere.

Should I repeat that a third time?

His question sent a new wave of disbelief rushing down my body, freezing the blood in my veins.

He wouldn't.

Not because he couldn't, but because what he was saying did not make any freaking sense.

Not in our world.

One where we all write, any, he sighed.

You can take me.

He paused, sending more of that ice -cold weariness through me.

To your sister's wedding.

My spine locked up.

My shoulders stee and.

I even felt the satin blouse I had tucked into my camel slack stretch with the sudden motion.

I can take him.

To my sister's wedding.

As my, date.

I blinked, his words echoing inside my head.

Then, something unhitched inside of me.

The absurdity of whatever this was whatever perverse joke this man

I knew not to trust was trying to pull oh made a snort bubble its way up my throat

and reach my lips, leaving me quickly and loudly.

As if it had been in a rush to get out.

A grunt came from behind me.

What's so funny?

His voice dropped, turning colder.

I'm completely serious.

I bit back another burst of laughter.

I didn't believe that.

Not for a second.

The chances of him, I told Rosie, being actually serious are the same chances I have of having Chris Evans pop out of nowhere

and confess his undying love for me.

I made a show of looking right and left.

Non -existent.

So, Rosie, you were saying something about Mr. Frankel, right?

There was no Mr. Frankel.

Lena, Rosie said with that fake, toothy smile I knew she wore when she didn't want to be rude.

He looks like he's serious, she spoke through her freaky smile.

Her gaze inspected the man standing behind me.

Yep.

I think he might be serious.

Nope.

He can't be.

I shook my head, still refusing to turn around and acknowledge that there was a possibility my friend was right.

There couldn't be.

There was no way Aaron Blackford, colleague and well -established a iction of mine, would even attempt to oer something like that.

No. Way.

An impatient sigh came from behind me.

This is getting repetitive, Catalina.

A long pause.

Then, another noisy exhale left his lips, this one much longer.

But I did not turn around.

I held my ground.

Ignoring me won't make me disappear.

You know that.

I did.

But that doesn't mean I won't keep trying, I muttered under my breath.

Rosie leveled me with a look.

Then, she peeked around me again, keeping that toothy grin in place.

Sorry about that, Aaron.

We are not ignoring you.

Her grin strained.

We are, debating something.

We are ignoring him though.

You don't need to spare his feelings.

He doesn't have any.

Thanks, Rosie, Aaron told my friend, some of the usual coldness leaving his voice.

Not that he'd be nice to anybody.

Nice wasn't something Aaron did.

100

I didn't even think he was able to pull oh friendly.

101

But he had always been less, grim when it came to Rosie.

102

A treatment that had never been for me.

103

Do you think you can tell Catalina to turn around?

104

I'd appreciate talking to her face and not to the back of her head.

105

His tone dropped back to minus zero degrees.

106

That is, of course, if this is not one of her jokes that I never seem to understand, much less nd funny.

107

Heat rushed up my body, reaching my face.

108

Sure, Rosie complied.

109

I think.

110

I think I can do that.

111

My friend's gaze bounced from that point behind me to my face, her eyebrows raised.

112

Lena, so, erm, Aaron would like you to turn around if this is not one of those jokes that thanks, Rosie.

113

I got that, I gritted out between my teeth.

114

Feeling my cheeks burn, I refused to face him.

115

That would mean letting him win whatever game he was playing.

116

Plus, he had just called me unfunny.

117

Him.

118

If you could, tell Aaron that I don't think one can laugh at, or much less understand, jokes when one lacks a sense of humor, please.

119

That would be great.

120

Thanks.

121

Rosie scratched the side of her head, looking pleadingly at me.

122

Don't make me do this, she seemed to ask me with her eyes.

123

I widened mine at her, ignoring her plea and begging her to go along.

124

She released a breath and then looked around me one more time.

125

Aaron, she said, her fake grin getting bigger, Lena thinks that I heard her, Rosie.

126

Thank you.

127

I was so attuned to him to this

128

that I noticed the slight change in his tone that signaled the switch to the voice he only used with me.

129

The one that was just as dry and cold but

130

that would now come with an extra layer of disdain and distance

131

The one that would soon lead to a scowl

132

I didn't even need to turn and take a look at him to know that

133

It was somehow always there when it came to me and to this thing between us

134

I'm pretty sure my words are reaching Catalina down there just na

135

But if you could tell her that I have work to do

136

and I cannot entertain this much longer I would appreciate it Down there?

137

Stupidly large man.

138

My size was average.

139

Average for a Spaniard, sure.

140

But average nonetheless.

141

I was ve foot three almost four, thank you very much.

142

Rosie's green eyes were back on me.

143

So, Aaron has work, and he would appreciate if I stopped myself when I heard the words sounding high -pitched and squeaky.

144

I cleared my throat and tried again.

145

If he is so busy, then please tell him to feel free to spare me.

146

He can go back to his O .C .E

147

and resume whatever workaholic activities he had shockingly paused to stick his nose in something that does not concern him.

148

I watched my friend's mouth open, but the man behind me spoke before a sound could come out of her lips, so, you heard what I said.

149

My OER.

150

Good.

151

A pause.

152

In which I cursed under my breath.

153

Then, what's your answer?

154

Rosie's face LED with shock one more time.

155

My gaze remained on her, and I could picture how the dark brown in my eyes was turning to red with my growing exasperation.

156

My answer?

157

What the hell was he even trying to accomplish?

158

Was this a new, inventive way of playing with my head?

159

My sanity?

160

I have no idea what he's talking about.

161

I heard nothing, I lied.

162

You can tell him that too.

163

Rosie tucked a curl behind her ear, her eyes jumping very bree to Aaron and then returning to me.

164

I think he's referring to the moment he o 'erred to be your date to your sister's wedding, she explained with a soft voice.

165

You know, right after you told me that things had changed and that you now needed to nd someone or anyone,

166

I think you said to go to Spain with you and attend that wedding because, otherwise...

167

You'd die a slow, painful death and I think I got it, I rushed out, feeling my face burn again from the realization that Aaron had heard all of that.

168

Thanks, Rosie.

169

You can stop with the recap.

170

Or I'd be dying that slow, painful death right about now.

171

I think you used the word desperate, Aaron chipped in.

172

My ears burned, probably ashing about V .E shades of radioactive red.

173

I did not, I breathed out.

174

I did not use that word.

175

You, sort of did, sweetie, my best friend no, former best friend as of right now conroomed.

176

Eyes narrowed, I mouthed, what the hell, traitor.

177

But both of them were right.

178

Fine.

179

So, I said that.

180

Doesn't mean I'm that desperate it.

181

That's what truly helpless people would say.

182

But whatever makes you sleep better at night, Catalina?

183

Cursing under my breath for the umpteenth time that morning, I closed my eyes Brie.

184

This is none of your business, Blackford, but I'm not helpless, okay?

185

And I sleep at night just any?

186

No, actually, I've never slept better.

187

What was one more lie to the pile I was hoisting around, huh?

188

Contrary to what I had just denied, I was truly, helplessly desperate to nd someone to be my date to that wedding.

189

But that didn't mean I'd sure.

190

Ironically, out of all the damn words Aaron Blackford had said to the back of my head that morning, that one word was what made me break my stance to pretend I remained una -ected.

191

That sure, sounding all condescending and bored and dismissive and just so errant.

192

Sure.

193

My blood bubbled.

194

It was so impulsive, such a knee -jerk reaction to that four -letter word which,

195

uttered by anybody else, would have meant nothing that I didn't even realize my body was turning until it was too late.

196

Because of his unearthly height, I was welcomed by a bra chest covered in a pressed white button -down

197

that made me itch to st the fabric

198

and wrinkle it with my hands because who pranced through life so sleek and spotless all the damn time?

199

Aaron Blackford that was who?

200

My gaze trailed up rounded shoulders and a strong neck, reaching the straight line of his jaw.

201

His lips pressed at Lee, just like I had known they would.

202

My eyes traveled further up then, reaching his blue one's blue that reminded me of the depths of the ocean, where everything was cold and deadly and ending them on me.

203

One of his brows rose sure i hissed yes

204

that head topped with raven hair gave one single nod his

205

gaze not leaving mine i don't want to waste more time arguing about something you are too stubborn to admit

206

so yes sure this infuriating blue -eyed man who probably spent

207

more time ironing his clothes than interacting with other human beings

208

was not going to make me lose my temper this early in the morning Fighting to keep my body under control, I inhaled a long, deep breath.

209

I tucked a lock of chestnut hair behind my ear.

210

If this is such a waste of time, I genuinely don't know what you are still doing here.

211

Please don't stay on my or Rosie's account.

212

A noncommittal noise left Miss Trader's mouth.

213

I would have, Aaron admitted in a level tone.

214

But you still haven't answered my question.

215

That wasn't a question, I said, the words tasting sour in my tongue.

216

Whatever you said was not a question.

217

But that's not important because I don't need you, thank you very much.

218

Sure, he repeated, turning my exasperation one notch up.

219

Although I think you do.

220

You think wrong.

221

That brow rose higher.

222

And yet it sounded like you really do need me.

223

Then, you must be experiencing serious hearing issues because, yet again, you heard wrong.

224

I don't need you, Aaron Blackford.

225

I swallowed, willing some of the dryness away.

226

I could write it down for you if you want.

227

Send you an email, too, if that'd help at all.

228

He seemed to think about it for a second, looking uninterested.

229

But I knew better than to believe he'd let it go so easily.

230

Which he proved as soon as he opened his mouth again.

231

Didn't you say the wedding is in a month and you don't have a date?

232

My lips pressed in a tight line.

233

Maybe.

234

I can't recall exactly.

235

I had said that.

236

Word for word.

237

Didn't Rosie suggest that if you perhaps sat in the back and tried not to draw any attention to yourself?

238

Nobody would notice you were attending on your own.

239

My friend's head popped into my elder vision.

240

I did.

241

I also suggested to wear a dull color and not the stunning red dress that Rosie, I interrupted her.

242

Not really helping here.

243

Aaron's eyes didn't waver when he resumed his walk down memory lane.

244

Didn't you follow that by reminding Rosie

245

that you were the mother freaking your word mate of honor

246

and therefore everybody and their mother your words again would notice you anyway?

247

She did, I heard Miss Trader Khan ream.

248

My head whirled in her direction.

249

What?

250

She shrugged, signing her death sentence.

251

You did, honey.

252

I needed new friends.

253

ASAP.

254

She did, Aaron corroborated, drawing my gaze and attention back to him.

255

And did you not say that your ex -boyfriend is the best man and thinking of standing in the vicinity of him,

256

alone and lame and pathetically single those were your words again made you want to tear oh your own skin.

257

I had.

258

I had said that.

259

But I hadn't thought Aaron was listening, otherwise, I would have never admitted it out loud.

260

But he had been right there, apparently.

261

He knew now.

262

He had heard me openly admit that and had just thrown it at my face.

263

And as much as I told myself I didn't care

264

that I shouldn't care the pang of hurt was there all the same.

265

It made me feel all the more alone, lame, and pathetic.

266

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I averted my eyes, letting them rest somewhere close to his Adam's apple.

267

I didn't want to see whatever was in his face.

268

Mockery.

269

Pity.

270

I didn't care.

271

I could spare the knowledge of one more person thinking of me that way.

272

His throat was the one that worked then.

273

I knew because it was the only part of him I allowed myself to look at.

274

You are desperate.

275

I exhaled, the air leaving my lips forcefully.

276

One nod that was all I gave him.

277

And I didn't even understand why I had done it.

278

This wasn't me.

279

I usually fought back until I was the one who drew blood RST.

280

Because that was what we did.

281

We didn't spare each other's feelings.

282

This wasn't new.

283

Then, take me.

284

I will be your date to the wedding, Catalina.

285

My gaze drew up very slowly, a strange mix of weariness and embarrassment washing over me.

286

Him witnessing all this was bad enough, but him somehow trying to use it to his advantage.

287

To get the better of me?

288

Unless he wasn't.

289

Unless perhaps there was an explanation, a reason, as to why he was doing this.

290

Oh, erring himself to be my date.

291

Studying his face, I pondered all these options and possible motivations, not coming to any kind of reasonable conclusion.

292

Not ending any possible answer that would help me understand why or what he was trying to accomplish.

293

Only the truth.

294

The reality.

295

We weren't friends.

296

We barely tolerated each other, Aaron Blackford and I.

297

We were spiteful to each other, pointed out each other's mistakes, criticized how de -errantly we worked, thought, and lived.

298

We condemned our de -errances.

299

At some point in the past, I would have thrown darts at a poster of his face.

300

And I was pretty sure he would have done the same because I wasn't the only one driving along Haight Boulevard.

301

It was a two -way road.

302

Not only that, but it had actually been him, the one causing our fallout.

303

I hadn't started this feud between us. So, why?

304

Why was he pretending to oer me help, and why would I humor him by even considering it?

305

I might be desperate to endia date, but I'm not that desperate, I repeated.

306

Just like I said.

307

His sigh was tired.

308

Impatient.

309

Infuriating.

310

I'll let you think about it.

311

You know you have no other options.

312

Nothing to think about.

313

I cut my hand through the air between us.

314

Then, I smiled my version of Rosie's fake, toothy grin.

315

I'd take a chimpanzee dressed in a tuxedo before taking you.

316

His eyebrows rose, amusement barely entering his eyes.

317

Now, come on, we both know you wouldn't.

318

While there are chimpanzees that would rise up to the occasion, it will be your ex standing there.

319

Your family.

320

You said you need to make an impression, and I will accomplish exactly that.

321

He tilted his head.

322

I'm your best option.

323

I snorted, clapping my hands once.

324

Smug blue -eyed pain in my ass.

325

You are my best nothing, Blackford.

326

And I have plenty of other options, I countered, shrugging a shoulder.

327

I'll ND someone on Tinder.

328

Maybe put out an ad in the New York Times.

329

I can ND someone.

330

In only a few weeks.

331

Highly unlikely.

332

Rosie has friends.

333

I'll take one of them.

334

That had been my plan all along.

335

It was the reason why I had grabbed Rosie so early in the day.

336

Rookie mistake on my part, I realized.

337

I should have waited to get a work and gotten Rosie to a safe, errand -free place to talk.

338

But after yesterday's call with Mama, yeah.

339

Things had changed.

340

My situation had denately changed.

341

I needed someone, and I couldn't stress enough that anyone would do.

342

Anyone who wasn't Aaron, of course.

343

Rosie had been born and raised in the city.

344

There had to be someone she knew.

345

Right, Rosie.

346

One of your friends must be available.

347

My friend's head popped in again.

348

Maybe Marty?

349

He loves weddings.

350

I shot a quick glance at her.

351

Wasn't Marty the one who got drunk at your cousin's wedding, stole the mic from the band, and sang My Heart Will Go On Until Your Brother Had To Drag Him O The Stage?

352

That would be him.

353

She winced.

354

Yeah, no. I couldn't have that at my sister's wedding.

355

She'd rip his heart out of his chest and serve it as dessert.

356

What about Ryan?

357

Happily engaged.

358

A sigh left my lips.

359

Not surprised.

360

Ryan is a total catch.

361

I know.

362

That's why I tried so many times to get you two together, but you I cleared my throat loudly, interrupting her.

363

We aren't discussing why I am single.

364

I quickly glanced back at Aaron.

365

His eyes were on me, narrowed.

366

How about.

367

Terry.

368

Moved to Chicago.

369

Dammit.

370

I shook my head, closing my eyes for an instant.

371

This was useless.

372

Then, I'll hire an actor.

373

Pay him to act as my date.

374

That's probably expensive, Aaron said atly.

375

And actors aren't exactly lying around, waiting for single people to hire and parade them as their plus ones.

376

I pinned him with an exasperated look.

377

I'll get a professional escort.

378

His lips pressed in that tight, almost hermetic way they did when he was extremely irritated.

379

You'd take a male prostitute to your sister's wedding before taking me.

380

I said, an escort, Blackford.

381

Poor Dios, I muttered, watching his eyebrows bunch and turn into the scowl.

382

I'm not looking for that kind of service.

383

I just need a companion.

384

That's all they do.

385

They escort you to events.

386

That's not what they do, Catalina.

387

His voice was deep and icy.

388

Covering me in his frosty judgment.

389

Haven't you watched any romantic comedies ever?

390

I watched the scowl deepen.

391

Not even the wedding date.

392

No answer, just more of that arctic staring.

393

Do you even watch movies?

394

Or do you just, work?

395

There was a possibility that he didn't even own a television.

396

His expression didn't change.

397

God, I don't have time for this. For him.

398

You know what?

399

Not important.

400

I don't care.

401

I threw my hands up and then clasped them together.

402

Thank you for this.

403

Whatever it was.

404

Great input.

405

But I don't need you.

406

I think you do.

407

I blinked at him.

408

I think you are annoying.

409

Catalina, he started, making my irritation grow with the way he uttered my name.

410

You are delusional if you think you can ND someone in such a short amount of time.

411

Once more, Aaron Blackford wasn't wrong.

412

I probably was a little delusional.

413

And he didn't even know about the lie.

414

My lie.

415

Not that he'd ever do.

416

But that didn't change the facts.

417

I needed someone, anyone, but not him, not Aaron, to why to Spain with me for Isabel's wedding. Because, a.

418

I was the bride's sister and maid of honor.

419

420

My ex.

421

Daniel, was the groom's brother and best man.

422

And as of yesterday, I had learned that he was happily engaged.

423

Something that my family had been hiding from me.

424

See, if you didn't count the few and pretty unsuccessful dates I had gone on, I had been technically single for roughly six years.

425

Ever since I had left Spain and moved to the States, which had happened shortly after my one and only relationship exploded in my face.

426

Something that every single attendee because there were no secrets in families like mine

427

and much less in small towns like the one I had come from knew about and pitted me for.

428

And, d, there was my lie.

429

The lie.

430

The one I had sort of fed my mother

431

and consequently the whole Martine clan because privacy and boundaries did not exist when it came to us.

432

Hell, by now, my lie was probably on the announcements page of the local newspaper.

433

Catalina Martine, Nally, not single.

434

Her family is happy to announce that she will bring her American boyfriend to the wedding.

435

Everyone is invited to come and witness the most magical event of the decade.

436

Because that was what I had done.

437

Right after the news of Daniel's engagement had slipped past my mother's lips

438

and reached my ears through the speaker of my phone, I had said that I'd be bringing someone too.

439

No, not just someone.

440

I'd said lied, deceived, falsely announced that I'd be bringing my boyfriend.

441

Who technically did not exist. Yet.

442

Okay, any, or ever.

443

Because Aaron was right.

444

Finding a date in such a short amount of time was perhaps a little optimistic.

445

Believing I'd nd someone to pretend to be my made -up boyfriend was probably delusional.

446

But accepting that Aaron was my only choice and taking him up on his OER?

447

That was straight -up insanity.

448

I see its nally seeping in.

449

Aaron's words brought me back to the present, and I found his blue eyes aimed at me.

450

I'll let you come to terms with it on your own.

451

Just let me know when you do.

452

My lips pursed.

453

And when I felt my cheeks burn again because how lame was I for him, Aaron Blackford, who had never even liked me a tiny little bit,

454

to pity me enough to oer himself to be my date, I crossed my arms over my chest and averted my eyes from those two icy and ruthless spots.

455

Oh, and, Catalina.

456

Yeah.

457

The word left my lips weakly.

458

Ugh, pathetic.

459

Try not to be late to our ten o 'clock meeting.

460

It's not cute anymore.

461

My gaze shot to him, a who stuck in my throat.

462

Jerk.

463

I swore right then and there that one day, I'd end a ladder high enough, climb it, and chuck something really hard at his infuriating face.

464

One year and eight months.

465

That was how long I had endured him.

466

I had been counting, biding my time.

467

Then, with nothing more than a nod, he turned around, and I watched him walk away.

468

Dismissed until further notice.

469

Okay, that was, Rosie's voice trailed O, not ending the statement.

470

Maddening.

471

Insulting.

472

Bizarre.

473

I O aired, bringing my hands to my face.

474

Unexpected, she countered. And interesting.

475

Looking at her between my engers, I watched the corners of her lips tug up.

476

Your friendship has been revoked, Rosalind Graham.

477

She chuckled.

478

You know you don't mean that.

479

I didn't, she'd never get rid of me.

480

So, Rosie linked her arm with mine and ushered me down the hallway.

481

What are you going to do?

482

A shaky exhale left my mouth, taking all my energy with it.

483

I I don't have the slightest idea.

484

But I knew something for sure, I was not taking Aaron Blackford up on his OER.

485

He wasn't my only option, and he surely wasn't my best one either.

486

Hell, he wasn't my anything.

487

Especially not my date to my sister's wedding.

488

Thank you.

489

Thank you.

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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

This video has 489 sentences and 4403 words to shadow. The speech runs for 29:52. The speaker talks at a steady 147 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. Only 77% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding.

Key vocabulary in this video

15 less common words from the video, with pronunciation and meaning:

lip /lɪp/ (noun) — Either of the two fleshy protrusions around the opening of the mouth.
gaze /ɡeɪz/ (verb) — To stare intently or earnestly.
desperate /ˈdɛs.p(ə.)ɹɪt/ (adjective) — In dire need (of something); having a dire need or desire.
throat /ˈθɹoʊt/ (noun) — The front part of the neck.
tone /ˈtəʊn/ (noun) — A specific pitch.
ignore /ɪɡˈnɔː/ (verb) — To deliberately not listen or pay attention to.
rush /ɹʌʃ/ (verb) — To hurry; to perform a task with great haste, often not properly or without thinking carefully.
spare /spɛɚ/ (adjective) — Being more than what is necessary, or what must be used or reserved; not wanted, or not used; superfluous.
grin /ɡɹɪn/ (noun) — A smile in which the lips are parted to reveal the teeth.
ear /ˈɪə̯/ (noun) — The organ of hearing, consisting of the pinna or auricle, auditory canal, eardrum, malleus, incus, stapes and cochlea.
pretend /pɹəˈtɛnd/ (verb) — To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.
nope /noʊp/ — No.
accomplish /əˈkɑm.plɪʃ/ (verb) — To finish successfully.
escort /ˈɛs.kɔɹt/ (noun) — A group of people or vehicles, generally armed, who go with a person or people of importance to safeguard them on a journey or mission.
sigh /saɪ/ (verb) — To inhale a larger quantity of air than usual, and immediately expel it; to make a deep single audible respiration, especially as the result or involuntary…

Phrasal verbs you will hear

turn around (verb) — To physically rotate (usually around a vertical axis) for a half turn (180 degrees), a whole turn (360 degrees), or an indefinite amount.
come from (verb) — To have as one's origin, birthplace or nationality.
look at (verb) — To observe or watch.
think about /ˈθɪŋk əˌbaʊt/ (verb) — To ponder.
chip in (verb) — To make a contribution; help in a small way; especially, to pay for a part of something.
close together (adjective) — Near each other in time or space.
come on /ˌkʌm ˈɒn/ — Come along with me; join me in going.
come with (verb) — To join and come along.

Pronunciation to watch

The speaker uses 100 contractions and reduced forms, such as didn't, don't, wasn't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.

The “th” sounds: throat /ˈθɹoʊt/, pathetic /pəˈθɛtɪk/, nonetheless /ˌnʌnðəˈlɛs/
The “sh” and “zh” sounds: rush /ɹʌʃ/, accomplish /əˈkɑm.plɪʃ/, delusional /dɪˈluːʒənəl/, shake /ˈʃeɪk/, impatient /ɪmˈpeɪʃənt/
Long words — get the stress right: delusional /dɪˈluːʒənəl/, technically /ˈtɛk.nɪˌkəl.i/, vicinity /vəˈsɪnəti/, explanation /ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃən/, unexpected /ʌnɪkˈspɛktɪd/

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 lip, gaze, desperate.

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	was left · were usually unoccupied · was welcomed
Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thing	clients, which were · man who probably · one who drew
Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now	I've never slept · haven't answered · has been revoked

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 →

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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

Key vocabulary in this video

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Pronunciation to watch

How to practise with this video

Grammar in this video

What is the Shadowing Technique?