Shadowing Practice: Stop Sounding like a Textbook / Learn Real English Conversations - Learn English Speaking with YouTube
B1
Textbook English vs. Real English
290 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
Textbook English vs. Real English
2
Sure, I'd love to come.
3
Or, yeah, sounds good.
4
Oh, right.
5
I still sound like a textbook sometimes.
6
It happens.
7
Yesterday, my cousin said, I do not understand.
8
Let me guess.
9
Native speakers say, I don't get it?
10
Exactly.
11
I also learned I am very tired,
12
but people usually say I'm exhausted or I'm so tired.
13
Yep, and instead of I am going to sleep,
14
people often say I'm gonna sleep.
15
Spoken English is way shorter.
16
Definitely.
17
Another example.
18
Textbooks teach, how are you?
19
But friends usually say, what's up?
20
Or, how's it going?
21
True.
22
And instead of yes, people say yeah.
23
Exactly.
24
Or, nope, instead of no. I heard someone say, I'm kinda busy yesterday.
25
Yeah, kinda means kind of.
26
Native speakers shorten words all the time.
27
Common English mistakes beginners make.
28
I was speaking English at work today and I made so many mistakes.
29
Really?
30
Like what?
31
First, I said, he explained me the problem.
32
Ah, it should be, he explained the problem to me.
33
Exactly.
34
Then I said, I'm boring instead of I'm bored.
35
That's a super common one.
36
boring describes something
37
and bored describes how you feel English is weird sometimes true
38
I used to say people is instead of people are I also mix up prepositions when I speak English
39
Yesterday I said, I arrived to the office Native speakers usually say,
40
arrived at the office That's right,
41
I know Yesterday I was talking to a tourist and I said,
42
I'm here since three years That's a common mistake Yeah,
43
I realized later it should be,
44
I've been here for three years Exactly,
45
English tenses can be tricky sometimes Definitely,
46
I also confuse say and tell A lot of people do,
47
like you tell someone something,
48
but you say something
49
right another problem is grammar I still say things like she
50
go to work ah you mean she goes to work yep I noticed my mistakes after I speak don't worry
51
so much about mistakes you already speak really well.
52
Thanks!
53
I'm just trying to sound more natural.
54
The more conversations you have, the easier it gets.
55
Yeah, practice really helps a lot.
56
Stop saying very.
57
Better English words.
58
Your presentation was very good today.
59
Thanks, but native speakers usually avoid saying very good.
60
Really?
61
What should I say instead?
62
You can say great, excellent, or amazing.
63
Oh, that sounds much more natural.
64
Exactly.
65
Instead of very tired, say exhausted.
66
And instead of very hungry,
67
I can say starving, right?
68
Perfect!
69
Stronger words make your English sound more fluent.
70
I see.
71
So instead of very beautiful, I could say gorgeous.
72
Exactly!
73
That's how native speakers usually talk in everyday conversations.
74
How to Introduce Yourself Naturally in English Hi,
75
I don't think we've met before.
76
I'm David.
77
Nice to meet you, David.
78
I'm Julia. Where are you from?
79
I'm from Italy, but I live in London now.
80
What about you?
81
I'm from Canada.
82
So, what do you do?
83
I'm a student.
84
I study marketing at university.
85
That's interesting.
86
I work as a bank clerk.
87
Cool!
88
How long have you been in London? About two years now.
89
Do you like living here?
90
Yeah, I really like it.
91
London is busy, but there's always something interesting to do.
92
How to order food in English Hi,
93
welcome to Green Garden Cafe.
94
Hi, thank you.
95
Are you ready to order?
96
Yes, I'm trying to eat healthier these days.
97
What do you recommend?
98
Our grilled chicken salad is very popular.
99
And we also have a quinoa bowl with vegetables.
100
The quinoa bowl sounds good.
101
What's in it?
102
It comes with quinoa, avocado,
103
tomatoes, chickpeas, roasted sweet potatoes, and purple cabbage. That sounds perfect.
104
I'll take that.
105
Great choice.
106
Would you like anything to drink?
107
Just water, please.
108
Sure.
109
Still or sparkling?
110
Still water is fine.
111
Would you like any dessert?
112
Do you have anything healthy?
113
We have Greek yogurt parfait with berries and granola.
114
Nice!
115
I'll take the yogurt parfait too.
116
Excellent!
117
You picked some very healthy options today.
118
Your order will be ready soon.
119
Thanks!
120
English slang words everyone uses.
121
Hey, did you watch the game last night?
122
Yeah, it was insane.
123
I know.
124
That last goal was sick.
125
Totally.
126
The whole match was awesome.
127
Honestly, I thought our team would lose.
128
Same here, but they really pulled it off. For real?
129
Everyone at my place was going crazy.
130
I bet.
131
By the way, are you going to Mike's party tonight?
132
Yeah, probably.
133
I heard it's going to be lit.
134
That's what everyone's saying.
135
Mike always throws good parties.
136
True.
137
Last time was wild. For sure.
138
Oh, and did you see Sarah's new car?
139
Yeah, it looks dope.
140
Right?
141
I'm kind of jealous.
142
Same.
143
I need a better job first, though.
144
Anyway, text me later if you're heading to the party. Will do.
145
English phrasal verbs you need every day.
146
Hey, are you still coming over tonight?
147
Yeah, but I need to finish a few things first.
148
Alright.
149
Don't forget to bring the movie I asked for.
150
I won't.
151
I already packed it up in my bag.
152
Perfect!
153
By the way, can you help me set up the new TV later?
154
Sure.
155
I'm pretty good with technology.
156
Thanks.
157
I tried to figure it out myself,
158
but I gave up after 20 minutes.
159
Don't worry.
160
I'll check it out when I get there.
161
Great!
162
Oh, and can you pick up some snacks on your way here?
163
Yeah, no problem.
164
What do you want?
165
Maybe some fruit and granola bars Got it I'll stop by the store in a few minutes Awesome!
166
Text me when you head out Will do Alright,
167
see you later See ya How to ask questions naturally in English
168
Hey, do you know what time the movie starts?
169
I think it starts at 7.30,
170
but I'm not completely sure.
171
Should we buy the tickets online first?
172
Yeah, that's probably a good idea.
173
Do you want me to do it?
174
Sure.
175
Also, where are we meeting?
176
How about in front of the cinema?
177
Sounds good.
178
By the way, have you seen the trailer yet?
179
No, not yet.
180
Is it good?
181
Yeah, it looks really exciting.
182
Nice.
183
By the way, do you know if the cinema has free parking?
184
Yeah, there's a parking lot behind the building.
185
Nice.
186
Is it usually crowded on weekends?
187
Sometimes, especially in the evening.
188
Should we get there a little earlier then?
189
Yeah, that's probably a smart idea.
190
All right.
191
And do you want anything from the snack bar?
192
Maybe popcorn and a Coke.
193
Perfect.
194
I'll get them before the movie starts.
195
Daily English Phrases Native Speakers Use Hey, Sophia.
196
What are you up to?
197
I'm just watching Netflix and trying to relax.
198
Any plans for today?
199
Not really.
200
I finished all my work early, so now I'm bored.
201
Same here. Are you free later?
202
Yeah, I'm down.
203
Do you want to hang out and grab some coffee?
204
Sure.
205
That sounds good to me.
206
Awesome.
207
There's a new cafe near my house.
208
Nice!
209
Just let me know what time.
210
Alright, I'll text you in an hour.
211
Perfect.
212
See you later.
213
English Phrases for Traveling Excuse me, can you help me? Of course.
214
What do you need?
215
I'm trying to get to the city center,
216
but I think I'm lost.
217
Oh, that's easy to get to.
218
You can take the number 12 bus from across the street.
219
How long does it take?
220
Around 15 minutes, depending on traffic.
221
Great.
222
Do I need to buy a ticket before getting on the bus?
223
Yes, there's a ticket machine next to the bus stop.
224
Thanks.
225
I appreciate it.
226
Oh, one more thing.
227
Can you recommend a good restaurant nearby?
228
Definitely!
229
There's a small Italian restaurant around the corner.
230
The pizza there is amazing!
231
Perfect!
232
Thank you so much for your help.
233
You're welcome!
234
Enjoy your trip!
235
English Small Talk Conversations Hey, Chris!
236
It's been a while.
237
How have you been?
238
I've been doing well, thanks.
239
Just busy with work and family life.
240
What about you?
241
Pretty much the same here.
242
How's your family doing?
243
Everyone's good, thanks.
244
The kids have been keeping us really busy lately.
245
I can imagine.
246
How old are they now?
247
Emma just turned six, and Noah is already three.
248
Wow, time flies.
249
Seriously, it feels like they were babies yesterday. Are they enjoying school?
250
Emma loves it.
251
She talks about her teacher nonstop.
252
That's adorable.
253
Yeah, but mornings are still chaotic at our house.
254
I bet.
255
Getting kids ready for school is never easy.
256
Exactly.
257
There's always someone who can't find their shoes.
258
Sounds familiar.
259
English Expressions for Work and Business Hey,
260
do you have a minute?
261
Sure.
262
What's up?
263
I wanted to talk about the new project.
264
Did you look over the client's email?
265
Yeah, I went through it this morning.
266
They want us to make a few changes before Friday.
267
That's what I saw too.
268
Honestly, the deadline is pretty tight.
269
I know, but I think we can handle it if everyone stays on schedule.
270
True.
271
By the way, can you take care of the presentation slides?
272
Yeah, no problem.
273
I'll work on them this afternoon.
274
Perfect.
275
I'll focus on the budget report then.
276
Sounds good.
277
Oh, and the manager asked for a quick update before the meeting tomorrow.
278
All right, I'll send her a summary later today.
279
Great.
280
Also, did you hear back from the marketing team yet?
281
Not yet.
282
I'm still waiting for their response.
283
Hopefully they get back to us soon.
284
Yeah, otherwise we might fall behind.
285
Don't worry too much.
286
We're actually making good progress.
287
I guess you're right.
288
Anyway, let me know if you need help with anything.
289
Thanks, I appreciate it.
290
No problem.
Download App
AI scoring for every sentence you speak
TRENDING
Popular
Context & Background
In the journey of learning English, many learners face the challenge of using textbook language in everyday conversations. The focus of this video revolves around the differences between formal textbook English and the informal phrases used by native speakers. The speaker shares personal anecdotes and common mistakes that reflect how native conversations are often delivered in a more relaxed and casual manner. This understanding is crucial for learners who wish to engage in real-life dialogues without sounding overly formal or robotic.
Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication
- “What's up?” - A casual way to ask how someone is doing.
- “I'm gonna sleep.” - A shortened form of “I am going to sleep,” commonly used in relaxed settings.
- “Kinda busy.” - A more informal way to say “kind of busy,” showcasing how native speakers often condense their words.
- “I don't get it.” - A more natural response than saying “I do not understand,” making conversations feel more genuine.
- “I'm bored.” - Instead of saying “I am boring,” this expression accurately reflects the speaker's feelings.
Step-by-step Shadowing Guide
To truly grasp the nuances of everyday English communication, utilizing the shadowing technique can be immensely beneficial. Here’s a step-by-step guide to applying this method with the dialogue from the video:
- Watch the Video: Begin by watching the video without distractions. Pay attention to how phrases are used in context.
- Listen and Repeat: Play the video again and focus on the speaker's intonation and pronunciation. Use the shadowspeak practice by repeating phrases immediately after hearing them.
- Slow it Down: Use the playback speed control to slow down the video if you're struggling with certain phrases. This will help you to accurately mimic the sounds.
- Record Yourself: Use your phone or computer to record your voice while you shadow the speaker. Pay attention to your pronunciation compared to the original.
- Focus on Key Phrases: Concentrate on the top phrases mentioned earlier. Use them in various contexts to make them part of your daily vocabulary.
By consistently practicing speaking in this way, you can significantly improve your English pronunciation and confidence when engaging in real-life conversations. Embrace the dynamics of learn English with YouTube and make each shadowing session a step closer to 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.
☕ Buy us a coffee
ShadowingEnglish remains 100% free thanks to your support. Server and AI costs are high — your coffee keeps us going! 🙏