Shadowing Practice: Talk about your day without a phone | Easy English Conversation for Beginners - Learn English Speaking with Video
Creating lesson...
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Hi everyone, welcome back to Everyday English Talk, the podcast where we help you practice simple English for daily life conversations.
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I'm Anna.
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And I'm Ben.
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Thank you for joining us again, we're so happy you're here, whether you're at home, on the bus, or out for a walk.
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Today's topic is something interesting, and maybe a little scary for some people.
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Yes, today we're going to imagine a day without my phone.
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That's right.
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Can you imagine waking up and suddenly no phone? no calls, no messages, no social media, No internet?
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No Google Maps, no music, no YouTube, no podcasts.
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We'll accept this podcast.
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Let's imagine we still have this one.
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Yes.
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So today we'll talk about what a day without our phones might look like, step by step.
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We'll describe our morning, afternoon, and evening, and how we might feel.
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And don't forget, at the end, we'll have a listening and speaking challenge for you.
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Alright, let's get started.
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All right, Anna.
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Let's start with the morning.
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Imagine, you wake up and your phone is not there.
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It's gone.
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No phone next to your bed.
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What happens first?
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Oh wow.
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That's already a big problem for me.
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Usually, my phone alarm wakes me up every day.
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I set it for 7am on weekdays but, on weekends I let myself sleep until around 8 :30.
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Same here, I actually have 3 alarms on my phone One at 6 :45, one at 7 :00 and a final one at 7 :10.
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Just in case I don't wake up.
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Wow, three alarms?
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You really don't want to be late.
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Exactly.
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But if there's no phone, there's no alarm at all.
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Right.
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So, I might wake up late, maybe at 9 or even 10 a .m., just because there's no sound to wake me up.
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And after waking up, what's the first thing you usually do with your phone?
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Honestly, I usually grab my phone immediately.
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Still lying in bed, I check my messages, look at WhatsApp, Instagram, and emails.
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Sometimes.
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I also scroll through TikTok for a few minutes or more before getting up.
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Me too, I usually check news updates as well, just to see what's happening in the world.
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But now, with no phone, I can't check anything.
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I wouldn't know the time, I wouldn't know the news, I wouldn't know if my friends messaged me.
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And let's not forget, I always check the weather app in the morning, to know if I should bring an umbrella or wear a jacket, That's true.
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But today, with no phone, I'd have to look outside the window and guess.
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Or just wait until I go outside and hope for the best.
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So just in the first 10 minutes after waking up, life already feels very different without a phone.
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First, alarm.
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It means a sound to wake you up.
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For example, my alarm rings at 7 a .m every morning.
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Second, wake up.
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It means to stop sleeping.
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For example, I wake up late if I don't set an alarm.
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Third, scroll.
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It means move up /down on a phone screen.
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For example, I like to scroll through Instagram in bed.
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Force, weather.
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It means the condition outside.
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For example, I check the weather app every morning.
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And finally, guess it means to try without being sure.
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For example, I can't check the forecast, so I'll guess what to wear.
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Okay, now imagine it's time to leave the house.
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You're getting ready, you grab your bag, and then you realize your phone isn't there.
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Oh no, that would feel so weird.
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I always, always carry my phone with me.
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It's like a part of me.
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I check to make sure I have my keys, wallet and phone before leaving.
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Same.
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I think most people do that, but today, we don't have it.
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So, first problem: no music.
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When I walk to the bus stop, I always listen to Spotify.
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I like starting my day with some happy songs.
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For me, I usually listen to a podcast on the way to work.
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Sometimes English podcasts, sometimes just funny shows.
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But now, the walk is silent.
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No music, no podcasts, just me and my thoughts.
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And when I get on the bus or train, it's even worse.
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I usually scroll through social media, read news, or just text friends during the ride.
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"Yes, but now with no phone I have to just sit, look out the window, or maybe look at other people.
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That sounds kind of awkward, but also, maybe peaceful?
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Maybe, but it would feel strange.
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And what about Google Maps?
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Imagine going to a new place today.
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Oh wow, without Google Maps, I'd feel nervous.
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I don't know street names very well.
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I'd probably get lost.
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Me too.
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I'd have to ask someone for directions.
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Like, excuse me, how do I get to Main Street?
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Good speaking practice, but still scary.
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And one more thing, if I see something beautiful like a flower or a sunset or even a cute dog, normally I'd take a photo.
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Same here, I take photos almost every day.
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But today, no photos, I just look at it and try to remember.
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Kind of nice, but I'd miss having pictures.
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Same.
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First, grab my bag.
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It means to take quickly.
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For example, I grab my bag and run out the door.
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2. Listen to music.
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It means to enjoy songs or sounds.
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For example, I always listen to music on the bus.
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Third, social media.
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It means apps like Facebook, Instagram.
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For example, I check social media during my commute.
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Fourth, get lost.
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It means to not know where you are.
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For example, without Google Maps I might get lost.
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And finally, take a photo.
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It means use a camera to save an image.
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For example, I want to take a photo of that sunset.
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Okay, now let's talk about communication.
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Big problem here.
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So, let's say it's afternoon now.
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Maybe I want to meet a friend for lunch.
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Normally, I just send a quick text.
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Hey, want to grab lunch today?
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Yes.
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Or, where are you?
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What time will you arrive?
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But today, no texting.
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No calling.
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Exactly.
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So, the only way to meet someone is to plan in advance, or just hope to see them somewhere.
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It feels like going back to the 1990s.
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Totally.
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Also, I usually check work emails on my phone during the day.
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But today, no emails.
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I'd have to wait until I get home and open my laptop.
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True.
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And, I'm in some group chats with my friends, we talk about weekend plans, funny memes, events happening in the city.
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Today, I'd miss all of that.
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Yeah, and with family too.
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I usually send a quick good morning to my mom, or my sister sends me photos of her cat.
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But today, silence.
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No messages, no photos, no funny cat videos.
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That would feel lonely.
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It really would.
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I'd probably start wondering.
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"Is everything okay?
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Did I miss something important?" Yes, that fear of missing out or as people say, FOMO.
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Exactly.
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First, text someone.
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It means send a short message.
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It means send a short message For example, I usually text my friend before lunch.
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Second, call someone.
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It means talk by phone.
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For example, "Can I call you after work?" Third, email.
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It means online message.
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For example, I read my emails on my phone.
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4 group chat.
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It means chat with many people.
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For example, we planned the party in a group chat, And finally, Message It means short note on phone.
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For example, I got a message from my sister this morning.
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Okay, now let's try to think positive.
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What's something good about not having a phone for a day?
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Hmm.
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Well, without my phone?
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I'd probably notice more things around me.
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Yes, like when walking, I'd notice the trees, the flowers, the people walking, dogs.
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And I might hear more sounds, like birds singing or just the general city noise.
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At work, I wouldn't feel the need to check my phone every five minutes.
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That's true.
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I often get distracted by notifications.
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Even during work meetings, sometimes I secretly look at my phone.
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Same here, but without my phone, I'd probably finish my tasks faster.
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And during lunch, instead of looking at Instagram, I might actually talk more with coworkers.
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Yes, real conversations.
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And when I get home, instead of lying on the couch and scrolling for an hour, I might pick up a real book.
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Or maybe go for an evening walk, just to clear my mind.
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Or do something creative, like drawing or writing in a journal.
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That sounds so healthy.
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Yes.
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So, even though it feels strange at first, maybe a phone -free day could be Good for us.
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I think so too.
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First, notice: it means to see or hear something.
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For example, I noticed the birds singing this morning.
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Bird It means a small flying animal.
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For example, a bird was sitting outside my window.
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3. Talk with someone It means to speak with another person.
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For example, I like to talk with co -workers at lunch.
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4. Book It means pages with writing to read.
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For example, I read a book before bed last night.
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And finally, Draw It means make pictures.
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For example, I like to draw on my free time.
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All right, now it's evening time.
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Dinner is finished.
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The sun is going down.
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And still no phone.
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Normally, after dinner, I sit on the sofa and watch Netflix on my phone.
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Me too.
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Or I watch YouTube videos.
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Sometimes for 30 minutes, sometimes 2 hours.
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Yes, sometimes I plan to watch for 10 minutes, and then it's suddenly midnight.
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But today, with no phone, I can't watch anything.
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Maybe I'd turn on the TV if I have one, or listen to the radio.
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Or play board games with family, or even call a friend using the house phone if I still have one.
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A house phone.
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That feels so old now.
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Or maybe, I'd spend time cleaning my room or organizing my closet.
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Good idea. And...
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Probably, without my phone I'd go to bed earlier.
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Yes, no scrolling through Instagram, no watching short videos until my eyes hurt.
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So, by 10 or 10 :30 PM, I might already be asleep.
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That sounds like a healthy change.
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So, evening without a phone feels quiet, maybe a little boring.
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But also peaceful.
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Exactly.
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First, dinner, it means evening meal.
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For example, we had pasta for dinner.
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Second, watch videos.
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It means look at videos on screen.
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For example, I watch videos on YouTube every night.
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Sofa It means soft seat.
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For example, I sat on the sofa and relaxed.
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4. Go to bed.
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It means go to sleep.
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For example, I usually go to bed at 10 :30, And finally, clean room.
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It means make tidy.
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For example, I need to clean my room this weekend.
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Alright, let's do a quick summary of today's topic.
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Yes, so today we imagined a full day without our phones.
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In the morning, we had no alarm clock, no messages, no social media, and no weather app.
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During the day, no music, no Google Maps, no camera for photos, and no texting friends.
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In the afternoon, we felt disconnected, but also more focused.
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We noticed our surroundings more and had more real conversations.
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And in the evening, no Netflix, no YouTube, no TikTok.
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Instead, we could read, write, listen to the radio, or go to bed early.
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And here are some useful English phrases from today's episode.
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Wake up without an alarm.
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Check social media.
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Feel disconnected.
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Pay attention to surroundings Focus on work.
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fall asleep earlier.
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No notifications.
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Enjoy real life moments.
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You can use these phrases to describe your own day without technology.
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Or when talking about taking a break from your phone.
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Now it's time for your listening challenge.
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We invite you to listen to this episode again from the beginning.
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While listening, try to find the moments where we talked about Waking up without an alarm?
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not checking messages, No Google Maps?
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feeling disconnected.
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focusing better Going to bed early.
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You can pause the episode, repeat the sentences out loud, or write the phrases in your notebook.
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Also, here's your speaking challenge.
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Try to say three to five sentences in English about what would your day be like without your phone.
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For example, I wake up late because I have no alarm.
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I can't check my messages I feel bored on the bus, I read a book in the evening.
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Or if you want, write a short paragraph.
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My day without a phone would be very quiet.
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I would focus on my work more, but I would miss listening to music.
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That's a great idea.
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And if you like, send us your sentences.
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We love hearing from our listeners.
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all right anna let's start with the morning imagine you wake up and your phone is not there It's gone.
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No phone next to your bed.
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What happens first?
257
Oh wow.
258
That's already a big problem for me.
259
Usually, my phone alarm wakes me up every day.
260
I set it for 7am on weekdays but, on weekends I let myself sleep until around 8 :30.
261
Same here, I actually have 3 alarms on my phone One at 6 :45, one at 7 :00 and a final one at 7 :10.
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Just in case I don't wake up.
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"Wow, three alarms?
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You really don't want to be late." Exactly.
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But if there's no phone, there's no alarm at all.
266
Right.
267
So, I might wake up late, maybe at 9 or even 10 a .m., just because there's no sound to wake me up.
268
And after waking up, what's the first thing you usually do with your phone?
269
Honestly, I usually grab my phone immediately.
270
Still lying in bed, I check my messages, look at WhatsApp, Instagram, and emails.
271
Sometimes.
272
I also scroll through TikTok for a few minutes or more before getting up.
273
Me too, I usually check news updates as well, just to see what's happening in the world.
274
But now, with no phone I can't check anything.
275
I wouldn't know the time, I wouldn't know the news, I wouldn't know if my friends messaged me.
276
And let's not forget.
277
I always check the weather app in the morning, to know if I should bring an umbrella or wear a jacket, That's true.
278
But today, with no phone, I'd have to look outside the window and guess.
279
Or, just wait until I go outside and hope for the best.
280
So just in the first ten minutes after waking up, Life already feels very different without a phone.
281
Okay, now imagine it's time to leave the house.
282
You're getting ready, you grab your bag, and then you realize your phone isn't there.
283
Oh no, that would feel so weird.
284
I always, always carry my phone with me.
285
It's like a part of me.
286
I check to make sure I have my keys, wallet and phone before leaving.
287
Same.
288
I think most people do that, but today, we don't have it.
289
So, first problem: no music.
290
When I walk to the bus stop, I always listen to Spotify.
291
I like starting my day with some happy songs.
292
For me, I usually listen to a podcast on the way to work.
293
Sometimes English podcasts, sometimes just funny shows.
294
But now, the walk is silent.
295
No music, no podcasts, just me and my thoughts.
296
And when I get on the bus or train, it's even worse.
297
I usually scroll through social media, read news, or just text friends during the ride.
298
Yes.
299
But now with no phone I have to just sit, look out the window, or maybe look at other people.
300
That sounds kind of awkward, but also, maybe peaceful?
301
Maybe, but it would feel strange.
302
And what about Google Maps?
303
Imagine going to a new place today.
304
Oh wow, without Google Maps, I'd feel nervous.
305
I don't know street names very well.
306
I'd probably get lost.
307
Me too.
308
I'd have to ask someone for directions.
309
Like, excuse me, how do I get to Main Street?
310
Good speaking practice, but still scary.
311
And one more thing, if I see something beautiful like a flower or a sunset or even a cute dog, normally I'd take a photo.
312
Same here, I take photos almost every day.
313
But today, no photos, I just look at it and try to remember.
314
Kind of nice, but I'd miss having pictures.
315
Same.
316
Okay.
317
Now let's talk about communication.
318
Big problem here.
319
So, let's say it's afternoon now.
320
Maybe I want to meet a friend for lunch.
321
Normally, I just send a quick text.
322
"Hey, want to grab lunch today?" Yes.
323
Or, where are you?
324
What time will you arrive?
325
But today, no texting.
326
No calling.
327
Exactly.
328
So, the only way to meet someone is to plan in advance, or just hope to see them somewhere.
329
It feels like, going back to the 1990s.
330
Totally.
331
Also, I usually check work emails on my phone during the day.
332
But today, no emails.
333
I'd have to wait until I get home and open my laptop.
334
True.
335
And, I'm in some group chats with my friends, we talk about weekend plans, funny memes, events happening in the city.
336
Today, I'd miss all of that.
337
Yeah, and with family too.
338
I usually send a quick good morning to my mom, or my sister sends me photos of her cat.
339
But today, silence.
340
No messages, no photos, no funny cat videos.
341
That would feel… lonely.
342
It really would.
343
I'd probably start wondering.
344
"Is everything okay?
345
Did I miss something important?" Yes, that fear of missing out or as people say, FOMO.
346
Exactly.
347
Okay, now let's try to think positive.
348
What's something good about not having a phone for a day?
349
Hmm.
350
Well, without my phone, I'd probably notice more things around me.
351
Yes, like when walking, I'd notice the trees, the flowers, the people walking dogs.
352
And I might hear more sounds, like birds singing or just the general city noise.
353
At work, I wouldn't feel the need to check my phone every five minutes.
354
That's true.
355
I often get distracted by notifications.
356
Even during work meetings, sometimes I secretly look at my phone.
357
Same here, but without my phone, I'd probably finish my tasks faster.
358
And during lunch, instead of looking at Instagram, I might actually talk more with coworkers.
359
Yes, real conversations.
360
And when I get home, instead of lying on the couch and scrolling for an hour, I might pick up a real book.
361
Or maybe go for an evening walk just to clear my mind.
362
Or do something creative, like drawing or writing in a journal.
363
That sounds so healthy.
364
Yes.
365
So, even though it feels strange at first, maybe a phone -free day could be...
366
Good for us.
367
I think so too.
368
All right, now it's evening time.
369
Dinner is finished.
370
The sun is going down.
371
And still no phone.
372
Normally, after dinner, I sit on the sofa and watch Netflix on my phone.
373
Me too.
374
Or I watch YouTube videos.
375
Sometimes for 30 minutes, sometimes 2 hours.
376
Yes, sometimes I plan to watch for 10 minutes, and then it's suddenly midnight.
377
But today, with no phone, I can't watch anything.
378
Maybe I'd turn on the TV if I have one, or listen to the radio.
379
Or play board games with family, or even call a friend using the house phone if I still have one.
380
A house phone.
381
That feels so old now.
382
Or maybe, I'd spend time cleaning my room or organizing my closet.
383
Good idea, and...
384
Probably, without my phone I'd go to bed earlier.
385
Yes, no scrolling through Instagram, no watching short videos until my eyes hurt.
386
So, by 10 or 10 :30 PM, I might already be asleep.
387
That sounds like a healthy change.
388
So, evening without a phone feels quiet, maybe a little boring.
389
But also peaceful.
390
Exactly.
391
Alright, that's the end of today's episode.
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We hope you enjoyed imagining a day without your phone, and we hope you learned some new English phrases.
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If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the bell icon so you never miss an update.
394
And leave us a comment.
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It really helps more learners find the podcast.
396
Next time, we'll talk about something fun, talking about special places in your city.
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So, don't miss it.
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And until then, keep practicing English and maybe put your phone away for one hour today.
399
Good idea.
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Thank you so much for listening.
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Bye everyone.
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🔴 30 English Sentences Phone Conversations | Beginners | Day 10 Shadowing English Speaking Practice
What Would a Day Without Your Phone Look Like?
The video paints a relatable scenario: waking up with no phone—no alarm, no messages, no quick weather checks. This everyday situation is perfect for practicing real-life English, as it mirrors how we talk about our routines, habits, and small challenges. By exploring this dialogue, you’ll learn to describe your own day in natural, conversational terms, whether you’re chatting with a friend or practicing shadow speak.
Useful Chunks & Collocations to Master
- "Set an alarm": A common phrase for scheduling a wake-up sound. Example: "I set my alarm for 7 a.m. on weekdays."
- "Check messages/emails/news": Natural ways to talk about phone habits. Example: "I usually check the news before getting up."
- "Scroll through [app]": Describes browsing social media. Example: "She scrolls through TikTok for a few minutes each morning."
- "Guess the weather": A practical phrase for when you can’t check an app. Example: "Without my phone, I have to guess the weather by looking outside."
- "Wake up late": Simple but essential for talking about unplanned mornings. Example: "I woke up late because my alarm didn’t go off."
These chunks will help you speak more fluently and sound like a native, whether you’re using a shadowing app, a shadowing site, or practicing on your own.
Your Shadowing Challenge: Speak Like the Speakers
To improve English pronunciation and build confidence, try this shadowing exercise now. Play the video’s first 2 minutes (where Anna and Ben talk about waking up without a phone). Pause after each sentence, then repeat it aloud, mimicking the tone, speed, and stress. Focus on matching their intonation—this is key to effective shadow speak. For extra practice, use a shadowing app or site to record yourself and compare it to the original. Do this 3 times, and you’ll notice a difference in your fluency. Remember: consistent shadowing helps you internalize natural speech patterns, making your English sound more polished and confident.
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.