Shadowing Practice: Super Hans is Mark’s New Boss | Peep Show - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

B2
We do some very nice modern fittings.
⏸ Paused
89 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
We do some very nice modern fittings.
2
Clean lines, minimalist.
3
Yeah, we do want the bathroom to look very modern, but also very traditional.
4
Right, it is quite difficult to marry those very disparate styles.
5
Well, that's the look that we want.
6
I understand that.
7
I'm just not sure that it's a look that actually physically exists in the world.
8
You're looking for classic meets modern, yeah?
9
Yeah, that's right.
10
So, clawfoot bath with thin-lined cistern.
11
Fancy taps, but rainforest showerhead.
12
Exactly.
13
Can do, sir.
14
Can do!
15
And will do.
16
Sorry, Hans, this is my customer.
17
You can't just take my customer.
18
Yeah, I can, Mark, for two reasons.
19
One, he wants me to, don't you, mate?
20
Yes, please.
21
Fuck you, Dr.
22
Frankenbath.
23
And two, as of this morning, I'm your boss.
24
Grab us a large latte and a pan of raisin, would you, Mark?
25
Come on, fate.
26
This can't be right.
27
Don't fist me again fate Robert just Henna mark is super hands my boss now have you just promoted him well it depends a define boss in the normal way then yes he is super hands has become my boss this is insane Sean Ryder responsible for setting the libel rate your lunch couscous salad Dobby makes a big batch at the start of the week.
28
She puts little notes in it too.
29
Grains for your brains, that sort of thing.
30
Because I heart you.
31
That's today's.
32
Salad's fucking grim though.
33
I close my eyes, shove it in as fast as I can, open them and they're still the same amount.
34
Listen Mark, I'm sorry about earlier but I am going to have to be on your case pretty much permanently from now on.
35
Belittling you if needs be.
36
No hard feelings though, yeah?
37
In a way I'm pleased.
38
It's made me finally decide to do something.
39
There's still plenty to live for, mate.
40
You've got a kid.
41
Not suicide.
42
I'm not suicidal.
43
No?
44
No.
45
I'm finally going to do an MBA at evening class.
46
Maybe get a business of my own going.
47
That's us both moving up.
48
Since I've got prospects, I want to find the perfect partner.
49
See, I've been lucky enough to have shared relationships with some very creative, volatile, very intense women, but now I really want a normal one.
50
Hi.
51
I hear about the ballet shoes.
52
The ballet shoes?
53
Is she going to mention Jesus?
54
Sorry, have I got the right flats?
55
Sarah, yeah?
56
Come for the ballet shoes?
57
Yeah.
58
Just a minute.
59
I've worked out how to make the perfect woman, Mark.
60
Advertise on Freecycle.
61
Sort out the right combination of free stuff and you can engineer who comes round.
62
So if they want ballet shoes?
63
They'll have a conventional nature but with an adventurous love of the arts.
64
Perfect.
65
Plus, limber, if you receive me.
66
Where did you get ballet shoes?
67
From a dancewear boutique.
68
It cost me a fair bit, but it's an investment.
69
And why are you using my flat, exactly?
70
My place has got a bit of a men's hostel vibe.
71
It's a bit rank, a little bit seamany.
72
Hello again.
73
So, as new, my sister bought them and then just went right off ballet, got into bowling, different shoes.
74
And this is the Squarepusher CD.
75
Oh, can I just take the shoes?
76
The advert did say they go together.
77
Shoes, CD.
78
and this speed goes with it.
79
It's a package.
80
Right.
81
I don't want the CD or the speed, thanks.
82
Then I can't give you the shoes, love.
83
Sorry.
84
Bye.
85
She obviously wasn't right, Mark.
86
Might have to finesse the formula.
87
Do you want to buy some ballet shoes, do you, mate?
88
How much?
89
We'll see you next time.

Download App

Everything you need to speak fluently

AI PronunciationScore every sentence
IPA PracticeMaster every sound
VocabularyBuild your word bank
Vocab GameLearn while playing

Context & Background

In this excerpt from the popular show "Peep Show," we witness a humorous yet challenging interaction between Mark and his new boss, Super Hans. The dialogue reflects themes of workplace dynamics, interpersonal relationships, and the challenges of balancing modern and traditional aesthetics in design. As Super Hans takes charge, Mark grapples with his new reality, expressing a mix of frustration and resignation. This scene presents an opportunity to delve into conversational English, particularly in understanding and practicing modern business dialogue.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “Can do, sir. Can do! And will do.” - A confident affirmation to a request.
  • “This is insane!” - A reaction to an unexpected situation.
  • “I am going to have to be on your case pretty much permanently.” - A phrase indicating ongoing oversight or supervision.
  • “I finally want to do something.” - A statement expressing intent to change or improve one’s situation.
  • “That’s today’s salad’s fucking grim though.” - A colloquial way to express disappointment in food or a situation.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To enhance your English pronunciation and conversational skills through this transcript, follow these steps for effective shadowspeak practice:

  1. Listen Closely: Start by listening to the video's audio. Pay attention to the intonation, rhythm, and pronunciation of each speaker.
  2. Select Sentences: Choose sentences from the top 5 phrases and write them down. Breaking down dialogues will make the practice manageable.
  3. Use a Shadowing App: Utilize a shadowing app to help you listen and repeat phrases. This will allow you to practice shadow speech in real-time.
  4. Practice Aloud: Repeat the chosen phrases aloud, mimicking the speakers' emotions and accents as closely as possible. This helps to improve English pronunciation.
  5. Record Yourself: To track your progress, record your practice sessions. Listening to yourself will identify areas for improvement.

By engaging with the dialogue in this way, you can build confidence in your speaking abilities and gain a deeper understanding of modern English nuances. Not only will you practice practical phrases, but you’ll also refine your pronunciation skills through intentional repetition.

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