Shadowing Practice: Tactics for Listening Third Edition Expanding Unit 16 Phone Message - Learn English Speaking with Video

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270 sentences

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Listening One.

One.

Hey George, this is Sam calling.

I just wanted to say how happy I was to hear about your promotion.

That's great news.

You really deserve it.

Two.

Hi, Terry.

It's Paula.

I am so sorry I wasn't able to come to your party.

I heard it was really fun.

Unfortunately, I got food poisoning and I just couldn't make it.

3. Hello, this is Dr. Simpson's office calling for Mrs. Graham.

This is just to remind you that you have an appointment on Friday at 2 :30.

4. This is Mr. Kent from Washington High School.

I am calling about Tracy.

Unfortunately, she has been absent from school again.

Could you please call me back to confirm that she has an excuse to miss school?

5. Hey, it's Wendy.

It's Andrea's birthday on Friday.

I was thinking maybe we could organize a surprise party for her.

What do you think?

6. David.

This is Kayla.

How are you?

Are you doing anything on Saturday?

There's a great jazz group in town.

I know you're into jazz.

So I thought you might like to go.

Listening to 1.

Rob, this is Olivia calling.

It's 2 :30.

You said you'd meet me at 1 :30 in front of the restaurant.

Well, I'm not going to wait any longer.

And please don't bother calling me again.

2. Hi, this is Nathan from the computer store.

I've been trying to repair your hard drive, but unfortunately, I'm unable to fix it.

It looks like you're going to have to get a new hard drive or a new computer.

Let me know when you want to come in to pick up your laptop, and I can help you decide what to do next.

3. Paul, this is Anne.

It's 8 p .m and I'm still tied up at the office, so I don't think I'll be able to join you for dinner tonight.

I feel really bad about it, but we'll definitely have dinner tomorrow night, promise, bye.

4. This is Brandon King from apartment 1201.

Calling for Kelly.

I'm afraid I had a slight accident in the parking lot and did some damage to your car.

I'm really sorry about it but I'm sure that my insurance company will pay for the repairs.

Please give me a call when you get in.

You can reach me at 555 -4026.

5. Hi, Donna.

It's me, Emily.

You'll never guess where I am.

I'm at the airport with George and the kids.

All four of us are here this time.

Isn't that great?

Hope you've got enough room for us!

We'll be at your place by 6 o 'clock.

Don't worry about dinner.

We can just send out for some pizza.

Our treat!

6. Hello, I'm calling for the Burtons.

This is Mrs. Parker from across the street.

Your daughter got into my yard today and picked half my flowers.

I'd say it's going to cost about $250 to replace them not to mention my time and effort.

Call me as soon as you get this message.

The number is 916 -5741.

Listening to 1.

Rob, this is Olivia calling.

It's 2 :30.

You said you'd meet me at 1 :30 in front of the restaurant.

Well, I'm not going to wait any longer.

And please don't bother calling me again.

Two.

Hi, this is Nathan from the Computer Store.

I've been trying to repair your hard drive, but unfortunately, I'm unable to fix it.

It looks like you're going to have to get a new hard drive or a new computer.

Let me know when you want to come in to pick up your laptop, and I can help you decide what to do next.

3. Paul, this is Anne, it's 8 :00 PM and I'm still tied up at the office.

So I don't think I'll be able to join you for dinner tonight.

I feel really bad about it, but we'll definitely have dinner tomorrow night, promise.

Bye.

4. This is Brandon King from apartment 1201.

Calling for Kelly.

I'm afraid I had a slight accident in the parking lot and did some damage to your car.

I'm really sorry about it but I'm sure that my insurance company will pay for the repairs.

Please give me a call when you get in.

You can reach me at 555 -4026.

5. Hi, Donna.

It's me, Emily.

You'll never guess where I am.

I'm at the airport with George and the kids.

All four of us are here this time.

Isn't that great?

Hope you've got enough room for us!

We'll be at your place by 6 o 'clock.

Don't worry about dinner.

We can just send out for some pizza.

Our treat.

6. Hello, I'm calling for the Burtons.

This is Mrs. Parker from across the street.

100

Your daughter got into my yard today and picked half my flowers.

101

I'd say it's going to cost about $250 to replace them not to mention my time and effort.

102

Call me as soon as you get this message.

103

The number is 916 -5741.

104

Listening 3.

105

1. Hello?

106

Computer Technologies.

107

Hello, could I speak to Pamela Gordon, please?

108

I'm sorry, she's in a meeting right now and won't be available until this afternoon.

109

Can I take a message?

110

Yes, this is Julie calling from Dr. Beekman's office.

111

Is that J -U -T -O?

112

L -I -E?

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or J -U -N D -Y.

114

It's Julie.

115

J -U -L -I -E.

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Got it.

117

Great.

118

Please let her know that we'd like to change her appointment on Thursday from 9 :45 to 10 :30.

119

"All right.

120

Needs to change appointment time and your phone number, please?" It's 834 - 5627.

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5 -6.

122

27. That's right.

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Okay.

124

I'll pass along the message.

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Two.

126

Good afternoon, First National Bank.

127

Yes, is Jane Taylor there, please?

128

I'm sorry, she's at lunch right now.

129

Could I leave a message for her?

130

Yes, of course.

131

This is Brian from Jimmy's Shoes.

132

Alright, can I have your phone number?

133

It's 477 -3316.

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477 -3316.

135

That's right.

136

Please tell her that the shoes she ordered are in, and she can pick them up anytime.

137

Okay, Brian.

138

Got it.

139

I'll give her the message just as soon as she gets back from lunch.

140

Thank you.

141

3. Hello, Chicago Language Center.

142

Yes, can I speak to Mr. Garcia, please?

143

He's teaching a class right now.

144

Would you like to leave a message?

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Sure.

146

My name is Jeff Lee.

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I'm in his 7 .30 Spanish class, but I'm not going to be able to make it tonight.

148

Hold on, is that spelled L -E -E?

149

Actually, it's L -E -I -G -H.

150

Ah, okay.

151

And my number is 627 -6082. Is that 627 -6082?

152

That's right.

153

Anyway, I can't come to Spanish class tonight because I have to work late.

154

Can you tell Mr. Garcia that, please?

155

Sure.

156

Thanks.

157

4. Hello, Benny's Cafe.

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Hi.

159

Is Benny there?

160

No, he just stepped out to the bank.

161

O. Could you give him a message please?

162

Sure.

163

This is Jessica Brown from PitWorld.

164

Did you say Pet World?

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That's right.

166

And I'm Jessica Brown.

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The number here is 867 -5309 867 -5309.

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Right.

169

He was talking about bringing his cat in for a shampoo and haircut.

170

Please tell him he can come on Saturday morning around 11 o 'clock.

171

Okay.

172

Come on Saturday morning, 11 a .m., shampoo and haircut.

173

That's for Benny's cat and not for Benny, right?

174

Correct.

175

I'll tell him as soon as he gets back from the bank.

176

Thanks a lot.

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Listening 3.

178

One.

179

Hello?

180

Computer technologies.

181

Hello, could I speak to Pamela Gordon, please?

182

"I'm sorry.

183

She's in a meeting right now and won't be available until this afternoon." Can I take a message?

184

Yes, this is Julie calling from Dr. Beekman's office.

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Is that J -U -L -I -E?

186

or J -U -D -Y.

187

It's Julie.

188

J -U -L -I -E.

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Got it.

190

Great!

191

Please let her know that we'd like to change her appointment on Thursday from 9 .45 to 10 .30.

192

Alright, needs to change appointment time and your phone number please?

193

It's 834 - 5627.

194

5 6.

195

Two seven.

196

That's right.

197

Okay.

198

I'll pass along the message.

199

Two.

200

Good afternoon, First National Bank.

201

Yes, is Jane Taylor there, please?

202

I'm sorry, she's at lunch right now.

203

Could I leave a message for her?

204

Yes, of course.

205

This is Brian from Jimmy's Shoes.

206

Alright, can I have your phone number?

207

It's 477 -3316.

208

477 -3316 That's right.

209

Please tell her that the shoes she ordered are in, and she can pick them up anytime.

210

Okay, Brian.

211

Got it.

212

I'll give her the message just as soon as she gets back from lunch.

213

Thank you.

214

3. Hello, Chicago Language Center.

215

Yes, can I speak to Mr. Garcia, please?

216

He's teaching a class right now.

217

Would you like to leave a message?

218

Sure.

219

My name is Jeff Lee.

220

I'm in his 7 .30 Spanish class, but I'm not going to be able to make it tonight.

221

Hold on, is that spelled L -E -E?

222

Actually, it's L -E -I -G -H.

223

Ah, okay.

224

And my number is 627 -6082. Is that 627 -6082?

225

That's right.

226

Anyway, I can't come to Spanish class tonight because I have to work late.

227

Can you tell Mr. Garcia that, please?

228

Sure.

229

Thanks.

230

4. Hello, Benny's Cafe.

231

Hi!

232

Is Benny there?

233

No, he just stepped out to the bank.

234

O. Could you give him a message please?

235

Sure.

236

This is Jessica Brown from PitWorld.

237

Did you say Pet World?

238

That's right.

239

And I'm Jessica Brown.

240

The number here is 867 -5309 867 -5309.

241

Right.

242

He was talking about bringing his cat in for a shampoo and haircut.

243

Please tell him he can come on Saturday morning around 11 o 'clock.

244

Okay.

245

Come on Saturday morning, 11 a .m., shampoo and haircut.

246

That's for Benny's cat and not for Benny, right?

247

Correct.

248

I'll tell him as soon as he gets back from the bank.

249

Thanks a lot.

250

Pronunciation.

251

One.

252

I'm not gonna wait any longer.

253

2. We're going to go to the mall.

254

Three.

255

I'm not gonna be able to make it to class tonight.

256

4. Do you want to come over?

257

5. Let me know when you want to come in.

258

6. I don't want to bother him.

259

Dictation Hi Michelle, this is Sam.

260

Can I speak with Ben?

261

"Hi Sam.

262

No, I'm sorry.

263

He's not home right now." Do you know when he'll be back?

264

He's gonna be out for several hours.

265

Do you want to leave a message?

266

Yeah, thanks.

267

I'm supposed to meet Ben at Cafe Joan for lunch at noon tomorrow, but I have a doctor's appointment, so I'm gonna be a few minutes late.

268

Do you know what time you're gonna be there?

269

I'll try to get there as soon as I can.

270

I should be there by 12 .30.

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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

This B1 speaking lesson is built on the video “Tactics for Listening Third Edition Expanding Unit 16 Phone Message”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: message, calling, tonight. This video has 267 sentences and 1722 words to shadow. The speech runs for 15:37. The speaker talks at a steady 110 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 82% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start. 45 of its 267 sentences are questions, so it is good practice for question intonation and short answers.

Key vocabulary in this video

The 14 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
shampoo noun	/ʃæmˈpuː/	A traditional Indian and Persian body massage given after pouring warm water over the body and rubbing it with extracts from herbs.
haircut noun	/ˈhɛə(ɹ)kʌt/	The act of cutting of the hair, often done professionally by a barber, hair stylist, or beautician.
shoe noun	/ˈʃu/	A protective covering for the foot, with a bottom part composed of thick leather or plastic sole and often a thicker heel, and a softer upper part made of…
anytime adverb		At any time.
slight adjective	/slaɪt/	Minor; small in amount
laptop noun	/ˈlæp.tɑp/	A laptop computer.
jazz noun	/d͡ʒæz/	A musical art form rooted in West African cultural and musical expression and in the African American blues tradition, with diverse influences over time…
dictation noun	/dɪkˈteɪʃən/	Dictating, the process of speaking for someone else to write down the words.
pronunciation noun	/pɹəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/	The formal or informal way in which a word is made to sound when spoken.
organize verb	/ˈɔɹɡənaɪz/	To arrange in working order.
absent adjective	/ˈæb.sn̩t/	Being away from a place; withdrawn from a place; existing but not present; (sometimes) missing.
poison noun	/ˈpɔɪ.zən/	A substance that is harmful or lethal to a living organism when ingested.
noon noun	/nun/	The time of day when the Sun seems to reach its highest point in the sky; solar noon.
mall noun	/mɔːl/	A pedestrianised street, especially a shopping precinct.

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Word	Meaning
pass along verb	To deliver a message or item to its intended recipient.
pick up verb	To lift; to grasp and raise.
send out for verb	To make an order for something to be delivered, especially takeaway food.
come over verb	To affect in a sudden, unprecedented or surprising manner; to overwhelm a person's ordinarily contrary impulse.

Sentences worth repeating

Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:

Can I take a message?
Could I leave a message for her?
Alright, can I have your phone number?
Would you like to leave a message?
Do you know what time you're gonna be there?

Grammar in this video

The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:

Structure	In the video
Present perfect continuous have/has been + -ing — an action that started earlier and is still going on	I've been trying
Past continuous was/were + -ing — an action in progress at a moment in the past	was thinking · was talking
Future with “going to” be going to + verb — a plan or something you can see coming	I'm not going to wait · you're going to have · it's going to cost
Future with “will” will + verb — a decision, promise or prediction	I'll be · we'll definitely have · will pay

Pronunciation to watch

The speaker uses 82 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, I'll, don't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.

The “sh” and “zh” sounds: shampoo /ʃæmˈpuː/, shoe /ˈʃu/, dictation /dɪkˈteɪʃən/, pronunciation /pɹəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/

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 shampoo, haircut, shoe.

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 →

Shadowing Practice: Tactics for Listening Third Edition Expanding Unit 16 Phone Message - Learn English Speaking with Video

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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

Key vocabulary in this video

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Sentences worth repeating

Grammar in this video

Pronunciation to watch

How to practise with this video

What is the Shadowing Technique?