Shadowing Practice: Speak English Confidently in Real Conversations — Daily Shadowing Practice - Learn English Speaking with YouTube
B1
Everyone says the best way to practice English is to just talk to people.
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Everyone says the best way to practice English is to just talk to people.
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And that's true.
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But there is what nobody tells you.
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The moment someone looks at you and says,
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so tell me about yourself.
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That is actually one of the hardest things to do.
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Not just in the second language, in any language.
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Not because it's complicated.
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My name is, I'm from,
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I like, I do not like.
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You've known these sentences for years,
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but when there's a real person in front of you waiting for your answer, something happens.
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You have imagined this situation a hundred times,
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and in your head you were perfectly fluent.
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But what do I say to this particular person?
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Where should I start?
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When the moment actually comes and you either just stare at the person in silence,
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or something comes out but it sounds nothing like it did in your mind,
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that feeling is so common and so frustrating.
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So in this video, you're gonna practice exactly that situation.
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Two people meet on the first day at a language school.
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They don't know each other and they start talking and you're going to speak along with one of them,
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not after, at the same time.
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That is shadowing.
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It trains your mouth to produce natural English automatically, even under pressure.
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Today we're gonna practice it together.
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We will start with a few words you need to know,
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then we'll listen to the conversation together and then we do it again.
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But this time you speak along with one of the speakers out loud,
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not in your head.
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One thing I want to know before we start,
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what is your English level today?
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Is it A1?
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Is it A2?
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Is it B2?
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Tell me in the comments.
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I want to see.
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Now let's get to know a few words that you're gonna hear in this conversation.
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This will make it much easier when we listen.
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Our first word is hometown.
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Your hometown is the city or town where you were born or where you grew up.
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For example, my hometown is a small city in the south of Brazil. to move.
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To move means to go and start living in a different place.
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For example, I moved here three months ago.
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Then we have nervous.
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When you feel nervous, you feel worried or unsure about something that is about to happen.
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For example, I am a little nervous.
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It is my first day.
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Next dream job.
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Your dream job is the job you would love to have more than any other job in the world?
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For example, working with animals is my dream job.
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Then frustrating.
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Something is frustrating when it makes you feel annoyed because it is difficult.
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For example, forgetting words in the middle of a sentence is very frustrating.
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Next, to miss.
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To miss someone means to feel sad because that person is not with you anymore.
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For example, I miss my family a lot.
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Then, free time.
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Free time is the time when you are not working or studying.
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Time just for yourself.
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For example, in my free time,
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I like to cook and watch movies.
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Next, a hobby.
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A hobby is something you enjoy doing regularly when you are not working or studying.
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For example, my hobby is playing the guitar.
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Then to relax.
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To relax means to rest and stop thinking about work or problems.
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For example, reading helps me relax in the evening.
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Next, neighborhood.
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Your neighborhood is the area around your home,
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the streets and buildings near where you live.
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For example, my neighborhood is very quiet.
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I really like it.
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Then to eat out.
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To eat out means to go to a restaurant instead of cooking at home.
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For example, sometimes I am too tired to cook, so I eat out.
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Next, favorite.
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Your favorite thing is the one you like the most out of everything.
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For example, my favorite food is rice and beans.
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Then to order.
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To order means to ask for food or a drink in a restaurant or by phone.
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For example, when I am too tired to cook, I just order pizza.
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Next colleague.
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A colleague is a person you work with.
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For example, my colleagues talk very fast in meetings and sometimes I do not understand everything.
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Then to translate.
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Do translate means to change words from one language into another.
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For example, Right now, I translate everything in my head before I speak.
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It is very slow.
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Next, to get used to something.
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When you get used to something,
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you slowly start to feel comfortable with it.
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For example, I am getting used to the food here and I really like it now.
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Then to practice.
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To practice means to do something many times so you get better at it.
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For example, we can practice English together after class.
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Next, lazy.
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When someone is lazy, they do not want to work or move.
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For example, my cats are very lazy.
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They sleep all day long.
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Then similar.
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Similar means almost the same but not exactly.
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For example, we have a similar problem.
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We both find speaking difficult.
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And our last word for today is to promise.
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When you promise something, you say that it is definitely true or will definitely happen.
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For example, the first months are hard, but it gets better.
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I promise.
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Before we listen, I want to tell you about something quickly.
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If you're watching this video,
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you are probably at the very beginning of your English journey.
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Or maybe you have been studying for a while,
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but things still feel unclear and you're not sure why.
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Our elementary to intermediate course was made for exactly that stage.
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Vinay is one of my best friends and one of the most amazing English teachers I know.
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The course covers the things that stay confusing for a long time.
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Articles, tenses, pronunciation, everyday vocabulary, phrasal words.
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And the whole point is that you practice using all of that,
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not just memorizing rules.
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Vanya's lessons feel nothing like school.
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Real examples, humor, explanations that actually stick from a relatable person.
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You also get a study partner,
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homework that is checked, and a certificate you can put on your resume.
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Over 10,000 people have taken it.
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The link is in the description.
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Now, let's listen to the conversation.
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Just listen and get familiar with it.
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Do not try to speak yet.
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Just follow along.
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Hi, is this seat taken?
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No, please sit down.
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I am Priya.
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Nice to meet you.
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Nice to meet you.
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I am Alex.
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Is this your first day too?
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Yes, I am a little nervous, to be honest.
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Me too.
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But I think it is good to be nervous.
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It means we really want to learn.
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Huh, that is a nice way to think about it.
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Where are you from, Alex?
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I am from Brazil, from Sao Paulo.
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It is a very big city. And you?
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I am from India, from a city called Pune.
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It is in the west of India.
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Oh, I know India.
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I always wanted to visit.
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It looks so beautiful.
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It is.
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You should come one day.
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How long have you been here?
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Almost one year.
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I came here to study,
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but now I work here too. And you?
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Only three months.
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I moved here for work.
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Everything is still very new for me.
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I understand.
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The first months are hard.
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But it gets better, I promise.
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That is good to hear.
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What do you do for work?
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I work in a coffee shop.
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It is not my dream job, but I like it.
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The people are very nice.
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What about you?
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I work in an office.
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I do a lot of writing and emails.
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My English is OK for writing,
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but speaking is hard for me.
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Same for me.
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When I speak, I forget words.
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It is very frustrating.
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Yes, exactly.
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That is why I am here.
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Do you have family here?
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No, just me.
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My family is in Brazil.
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My mom, my dad, and my younger sister.
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I miss them a lot.
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I understand.
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I miss my family too.
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I call my mom every single day.
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Every day.
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That is really sweet.
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I call my family maybe three times a week.
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My sister sends me many photos.
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That is so nice.
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Do you have any pets at home in Brazil?
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Yes, we have a dog.
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His name is Bolinha.
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I miss him so much.
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Do you have pets?
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We have two cats.
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They are very lazy.
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They sleep all day long.
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Ha!
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That sounds like a wonderful life.
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What do you like to do in your free time, Priya?
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I love to cook.
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It is my favorite hobby.
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I make Indian food.
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Rice, lentils, vegetables.
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It makes me feel at home.
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What about you?
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I love music.
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I play the guitar a little.
209
Not very well, but I really enjoy it.
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And I love to watch football.
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Brazilian football.
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Football?
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My brother loves football, too.
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He watches every game on TV.
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Do you watch sports?
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Not really.
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I prefer to read books.
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I read in the evening.
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It helps me relax after work.
220
That is a good habit.
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Do you read in English or in your own language?
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Both.
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Right now I am reading a simple book in English.
224
It takes a long time,
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but it is good practice.
226
That is a great idea.
227
Maybe I should try that too.
228
What is your neighborhood like?
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Where do you live?
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I live near the center.
231
My apartment is small, but I like it.
232
There is a nice park near my building.
233
I go there on weekends. And you?
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I live about 30 minutes from here by bus.
235
My neighborhood is very quiet.
236
There are many families there.
237
I like it a lot.
238
Do you cook at home or do you eat out?
239
I cook at home most days.
240
I love Brazilian food, so I try to make it myself.
241
Rice, beans, chicken, simple things.
242
But sometimes I am too tired and I just order pizza.
243
Ha!
244
Me too.
245
Some evenings I am just too tired to cook.
246
What is your favorite food here?
247
Not from home, but from this country.
248
I really love the pasta here and the bread.
249
The bread is amazing.
250
What about you?
251
I love the salads here.
252
So many different vegetables.
253
I am slowly getting used to the food and I really like it now.
254
That is great.
255
So why did you decide to take this English class?
256
I want to speak better at work.
257
My colleagues talk very fast and sometimes I do not understand everything.
258
It makes me feel bad.
259
I understand completely.
260
I want to speak more naturally.
261
Right now, I feel like I translate everything in my head first.
262
It is so slow.
263
Yes, me too.
264
I hope this class helps.
265
I am really happy I sat next to you today, Alex.
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It is always nice to know one person on the first day.
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Me too, Priya.
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Maybe we can practice English together after class sometimes.
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I would really like that.
270
Yes, let us do that.
271
Great.
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I think the teacher is coming.
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Are you ready?
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I think so.
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Good luck, Alex.
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Good luck, Priya.
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We can do this.
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Now we do it again.
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This time, speak at the same time as the speakers.
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Match the rhythm.
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Match the speed.
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Out loud.
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Here we go.
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Hi.
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Is this seat taken?
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No. Please sit down.
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I am Priya.
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Nice to meet you.
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Nice to meet you.
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I am Alex.
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Is this your first day too?
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Yes.
293
I am a little nervous, to be honest.
294
Me too.
295
But I think it is good to be nervous.
296
It means we really want to learn.
297
Huh.
298
That is a nice way to think about it.
299
Where are you from, Alex?
300
I am from Brazil.
301
From Sao Paulo.
302
It is a very big city. And you?
303
I am from India, from a city called Pune.
304
It is in the west of India.
305
Oh, I know India.
306
I always wanted to visit.
307
It looks so beautiful.
308
It is.
309
You should come one day.
310
How long have you been here?
311
Almost one year.
312
I came here to study,
313
but now I work here too. And you?
314
Only three months.
315
I moved here for work.
316
Everything is still very new for me.
317
I understand.
318
The first months are hard.
319
But it gets better, I promise.
320
That is good to hear.
321
What do you do for work?
322
I work in a coffee shop.
323
It is not my dream job, but I like it.
324
The people are very nice.
325
What about you?
326
I work in an office.
327
I do a lot of writing and emails.
328
My English is okay for writing,
329
but speaking is hard for me.
330
Same for me.
331
When I speak, I forget words.
332
It is very frustrating.
333
Yes, exactly.
334
That is why I am here.
335
Do you have family here?
336
No, just me.
337
My family is in Brazil.
338
My mom, my dad, and my younger sister.
339
I miss them a lot.
340
I understand.
341
I miss my family too.
342
I call my mom every single day.
343
Every day.
344
That is really sweet.
345
I call my family maybe three times a week.
346
My sister sends me many photos.
347
That is so nice.
348
Do you have any pets at home in Brazil?
349
Yes, we have a dog.
350
His name is Bolinha.
351
I miss him so much.
352
Do you have pets?
353
We have two cats.
354
They are very lazy.
355
They sleep all day long.
356
Ha!
357
That sounds like a wonderful life.
358
What do you like to do in your free time, Priya?
359
I love to cook.
360
It is my favorite hobby.
361
I make Indian food.
362
Rice, lentils, vegetables.
363
It makes me feel at home.
364
What about you?
365
I love music.
366
I play the guitar a little.
367
Not very well, but I really enjoy it.
368
And I love to watch football.
369
Brazilian football.
370
Football?
371
My brother loves football too.
372
He watches every game on TV.
373
Do you watch sports?
374
Not really.
375
I prefer to read books.
376
I read in the evening.
377
It helps me relax after work.
378
That is a good habit.
379
Do you read in English or in your own language?
380
Both.
381
Right now I am reading a simple book in English.
382
It takes a long time,
383
but it is good practice.
384
That is a great idea.
385
Maybe I should try that too.
386
What is your neighborhood like?
387
Where do you live?
388
I live near the center.
389
My apartment is small, but I like it.
390
There is a nice park near my building.
391
I go there on weekends. And you?
392
I live about 30 minutes from here by bus.
393
My neighborhood is very quiet.
394
There are many families there.
395
I like it a lot.
396
Do you cook at home or do you eat out?
397
I cook at home most days.
398
I love Brazilian food, so I try to make it myself.
399
Rice, beans, chicken, simple things.
400
But sometimes I am too tired and I just order pizza.
401
Ha!
402
Me too.
403
Some evenings I am just too tired to cook.
404
What is your favorite food here?
405
Not from home, but from this country.
406
I really love the pasta here and the bread.
407
The bread is amazing.
408
What about you?
409
I love the salads here.
410
So many different vegetables.
411
I am slowly getting used to the food and I really like it now.
412
That is great.
413
So why did you decide to take this English class?
414
I want to speak better at work.
415
My colleagues talk very fast and sometimes I do not understand everything.
416
It makes me feel bad.
417
I understand completely.
418
I want to speak more naturally.
419
Right now, I feel like I translate everything in my head first.
420
It is so slow.
421
Yes, me too.
422
I hope this class helps.
423
I am really happy I sat next to you today, Alex.
424
It is always nice to know one person on the first day.
425
Me too, Priya.
426
Maybe we can practice English together after class sometimes.
427
I would really like that.
428
Yes, let us do that.
429
Great.
430
I think the teacher is coming.
431
Are you ready?
432
I think so.
433
Good luck, Alex.
434
Good luck, Priya.
435
We can do this.
436
That's it for today.
437
You made it to the end,
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which already puts you ahead of most people.
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A lot of learners watch,
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but not many actually speak along.
441
So genuinely, good work.
442
If you want more practice like this,
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we have a whole playlist of shadowing videos right here on this channel.
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You can see it on your screen right now.
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Just click and pick the one you want to watch next.
446
See you there.
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About This Lesson
In this lesson, you will practice speaking English confidently in real conversation scenarios through an engaging technique known as shadow speech. This method involves listening to a conversation between two individuals as they meet for the first time at a language school. You will participate actively by shadowing—speaking along with one of the speakers in real-time. This approach helps internalize natural speech patterns, making it easier to respond spontaneously when conversing with others. By the end of this practice, you'll feel more prepared to share about yourself in English, a common challenge for many learners.
Key Vocabulary & Phrases
- Hometown: The city or town where you were born or raised. Example: "My hometown is a small city in the south of Brazil."
- Move: To go and start living in a different place. Example: "I moved here three months ago."
- Nervous: Feeling worried or unsure about an upcoming event. Example: "I am a little nervous. It is my first day."
- Dream job: The job you desire the most. Example: "My dream job is to become a professional photographer."
- Conversation starter: A prompt to begin a discussion, often about personal interests.
- Fluency: The ability to speak a language smoothly and effortlessly.
Practice Tips
To make the most of this shadowing session, here are some tips:
- Stay focused: While shadowing, concentrate on both the audio and your pronunciation. Understanding the context of the conversation will help you respond better.
- Repeat multiple times: Don't hesitate to go over the shadowing exercise several times. Each repetition will reinforce your speaking skills and build your confidence.
- Use the pause button: If you find the speed challenging, pause the video and practice the phrases on your own before continuing. This will enhance your comfort level with the material.
- Engage with the content: After shadowing, try to create your own sentences using the key vocabulary. For example, describe your own hometown or what your dream job is.
- Utilize shadowing apps: Explore additional shadowing apps or sites that can supplement your practice. These resources often offer varied tones and speaking speeds, aiding your learning journey.
Practicing with shadow speech enhances your ability to communicate in English authentically. So, dive into this shadowing site with dedication and make significant strides towards fluency in everyday conversations. Let’s learn English with YouTube together!
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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