Shadowing Practice: Taking a Phone Message for a Colleague - Learn English Speaking with Video
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35 sentences
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1
Good afternoon, Northgate Design, Tom speaking.
2
Hello, could I speak to Rachel Hughes, please?
3
I'm afraid she's in a meeting until 4. Can I take a message?
4
Yes, please. That would be really helpful.
5
Sure. Could I start with your name?
6
It's Siobhan Fairclough, from Brightwell Logistics.
7
Um, sorry, could you spell your first name?
8
Ha, everyone asks! It's S-I-O-B-H-A-N.
9
Really? I'd have spelled it with a V!
10
It's Irish. And Fairclough is F-A-I-R-C-L-O-U-G-H.
11
Got it. And what's the best number to reach you on?
12
My mobile is 07700 900 573.
13
Or she can call my office on extension 2041.
14
Was that 2014 or 2041?
15
2041. Two, oh, four, one.
16
And may I ask what it's regarding?
17
It's about invoice INV-3398. It still hasn't been paid.
18
Honestly, I've been chasing it for three weeks!
19
Oh, I'm really sorry about that. I'll make sure she sees it.
20
Thanks. Also, our meeting needs to be moved.
21
It was Tuesday the 11th, but can we do Thursday the 13th?
22
Thursday the 13th... at the same time?
23
No, a bit later. Let's say 2:15.
24
Okay, let me read that back to you.
25
Siobhan Fairclough, mobile 07700 900 537...
26
Sorry — 573, not 537!
27
Oh, my mistake! 573.
28
And the meeting's on Thursday the 13th, at 2:15.
29
Perfect. Thanks so much, Tom.
30
Hi, Tom! Did anyone call while I was out?
31
Yes, Siobhan Fairclough. And no, it's not spelled how you think!
32
Ha! So what did she want?
33
She said that invoice 3398 still hadn't been paid.
34
And she's asked to move your meeting to Thursday at 2:15.
35
Oh no, I forgot about that invoice! I'll call her now.
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This B2 speaking lesson is built on the video “Taking a Phone Message for a Colleague”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: Fairclough, Thursday, invoice, Siobhan, Tom. This video has 35 sentences and 270 words to shadow. The speech runs for 2:38. The speaker talks slowly, about 102 words per minute, so there is time to copy every sound. Only 76% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding. 12 of its 35 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 |
|---|---|---|
| spell noun | /spɛl/ | Words or a formula supposed to have magical powers. |
| extension noun | /ɪkˈstɛnʃən/ | The act of extending; a stretching out; enlargement in length, breadth, or time; an increase. |
| chase verb | /t͡ʃeɪs/ | To follow at speed. |
| helpful adjective | /ˈhɛlp.fl̩/ | Furnishing help; giving aid; useful. |
| invoice noun | /ˈɪnˌvɔɪs/ | A bill; a commercial document issued by a seller to a buyer indicating the products, quantities and agreed prices for products or services that the seller has… |
| mistake noun | /mɪˈsteɪk/ | An error. |
| regarding | /ɹɪˈɡɑɹdɪŋ/ | Concerning, respecting. |
| mobile adjective | /ˈmoʊ.bəl/ | Capable of being moved, especially on wheels. |
| message noun | /ˈmɛs.ɪdʒ/ | A communication, or what is communicated; any concept or information conveyed. |
| reach verb | /ɹiːt͡ʃ/ | To extend, stretch, or thrust out (for example a limb or object held in the hand). |
| afternoon noun | /ˌæf.tɚˈnun/ | The part of the day from noon or lunchtime until sunset, evening, or suppertime or 6pm. |
| hello | /hɛˈloʊ/ | A greeting (salutation) said when meeting someone or acknowledging someone’s arrival or presence. |
| afraid adjective | /əˈfɹeɪd/ | Impressed with fear or apprehension; in fear. |
| honestly adverb | /ˈɑ.nɪst.li/ | In an honest manner. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- Can I take a message?
- Could I start with your name?
- And what's the best number to reach you on?
- And may I ask what it's regarding?
- Did anyone call while I was out?
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 | been paid · be moved |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | have spelled · hasn't been paid |
| Future with “will” will + verb — a decision, promise or prediction | I'll make · I'll call |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 8 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'll, I'm, hadn't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
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 spell, extension, chase.
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.