Shadowing Practice: Talking About Coffee Culture in English | Easy English Podcast for Beginners - Learn English Speaking with YouTube
B1
Hello, everyone, and welcome back to Everyday English Academy, where we make English simple and enjoyable.
302 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
Hello, everyone, and welcome back to Everyday English Academy, where we make English simple and enjoyable.
2
I'm Sarah.
3
And I'm Mike.
4
Hello to all of our wonderful listeners wherever you are in the world right now.
5
Mike, can I ask you something?
6
Sure.
7
When did coffee get so… complicated?
8
What do you mean?
9
I went to a new café last weekend, and the menu?
10
I did not understand the menu.
11
Like the prices?
12
No, the words.
13
There was no coffee on the menu.
14
It said things like single-origin pour-over and oat milk cortado and cold brew with notes of chocolate." Notes of chocolate?
15
It's coffee, not a piano.
16
Exactly!
17
I just stood there for like two minutes looking at this menu, thinking, where is the normal coffee?
18
So, what did you do?
19
I said, can I just have a regular coffee?
20
And the barista looked at me like I asked for water from the ocean.
21
No. He said, do you mean a filter drip or an Americano?
22
And I said, the one that tastes like coffee.
23
Oh, that is amazing.
24
But actually, I kind of like those fancy cafes.
25
Wait, you?
26
I like trying new things with coffee.
27
I just don't always understand what I'm trying.
28
What do you mean?
29
Like, I ordered something called a cortado once because it sounded cool.
30
Did you know what it was?
31
No, not at all.
32
I just liked the word.
33
Mike, so you judge coffee by the name?
34
It sounded fancy.
35
I thought, this must be good.
36
And honestly, it was good.
37
I just couldn't tell you what was in it.
38
That is so funny because I'm the opposite.
39
I want a normal, simple coffee.
40
No special names, no notes of anything.
41
Just coffee.
42
Just brown liquid in a cup?
43
Yes.
44
Brown liquid, hot, maybe some milk, done.
45
Perfect.
46
Why does it need a story?
47
Because it's not just coffee anymore, Sarah.
48
It's an experience.
49
An experience?
50
It's a drink, Mike.
51
Okay, okay.
52
But you have to admit, coffee culture has become a really big thing everywhere.
53
That's actually true.
54
And that is what we're talking about today.
55
Not how to order, but the whole culture of coffee.
56
How it became so important in our daily lives.
57
And there are some really useful English words and phrases connected to coffee culture that you can use in everyday conversations.
58
Exactly!
59
And we have some really fun phrases coming up later that you can start using this week, so stay with us.
60
But first, if you enjoy learning with us, please subscribe to Everyday English Academy and give this episode a like.
61
It really helps us reach more learners like you.
62
Okay, Mike, let's talk about this.
63
Simple coffee versus fancy coffee.
64
Where do you stand?
65
Okay, honestly, I like fancy cafes.
66
I like the atmosphere, the design, the music.
67
The Instagram photos?
68
Maybe a little bit.
69
But I also genuinely enjoy trying different types of coffee.
70
Like there's a cafe near my house that does this cold brew that takes 12 hours to make.
71
12 hours?
72
For coffee?
73
Mike, I can brew coffee in three minutes.
74
Ah, good word.
75
To brew means to make coffee or tea by mixing it with hot water.
76
But this cold brew uses cold water and time instead of heat.
77
I understand how it works.
78
I just don't understand why.
79
Three minutes, hot water, done.
80
But don't you think the taste is different?
81
Honestly, all coffee tastes like coffee to me.
82
See, I think some people need time to appreciate certain flavors.
83
It's like an acquired taste.
84
What do you mean?
85
An acquired taste is something you don't like the first time, but after you try it a few times, you start to enjoy it.
86
Hmm, like dark chocolate?
87
Exactly.
88
Or black coffee.
89
Most people don't like black coffee the first time.
90
I still don't like black coffee.
91
Well, maybe you haven't acquired it yet.
92
And maybe I never will.
93
Give me milk and sugar and I'm happy.
94
Okay, but I want to ask our listeners.
95
Are you a fancy coffee person or a simple coffee person?
96
Tell us in the comments.
97
I'm really curious.
98
Me too.
99
And no judgment either way.
100
Okay, so here's something I want to talk about.
101
My relationship with coffee is complicated.
102
Complicated?
103
How?
104
Well, I love it, but I also need it, and that's different.
105
What do you mean?
106
Like, yesterday, I didn't have coffee in the morning because I was late, and by noon, I had a headache, I was in a bad mood, and I almost fell asleep at my desk.
107
Oh no. It's not funny, Mike.
108
I was sitting there like a zombie.
109
Okay, it's a little funny.
110
But I actually understand.
111
That's because of caffeine.
112
Caffeine is the ingredient in coffee that makes you feel awake and alert.
113
And when you don't have it, your body gets angry.
114
Exactly.
115
Your body gets used to it, so when it's missing, you feel terrible.
116
That's me every time I skip my morning cup.
117
I just wait for the caffeine to kick in, and then I feel human again.
118
Yes.
119
Kick in means when the effect starts to work.
120
So after you drink coffee, you wait maybe 20 or 30 minutes, and then the caffeine kicks in.
121
Suddenly, you feel awake.
122
It's like a switch.
123
Before coffee, everything is slow and gray.
124
After the caffeine kicks in, colors return, birds are singing, life is beautiful.
125
That's a little dramatic.
126
I'm being completely honest.
127
Have you ever thought about cutting back on coffee?
128
Cutting back on?
129
Yes.
130
To cut back on something means to reduce it, to have less of it.
131
Like I'm cutting back on sugar means you're eating less sugar than before.
132
Have I thought about cutting back on coffee?
133
Yes.
134
Have I done it?
135
Absolutely not.
136
At least you're honest.
137
I tried once.
138
I lasted two days, Mike.
139
The headaches were terrible.
140
What about decaf?
141
Decaf is coffee without caffeine.
142
It tastes similar but doesn't have the ingredient that keeps you awake.
143
Mike, decaf is not real coffee.
144
That's like a concert with no music.
145
What's the point?
146
Some people like it.
147
Some people also enjoy waking up at 4 a.m.
148
I don't understand those people either.
149
Fair enough.
150
How many cups do you drink per day?
151
Uh, three, sometimes four.
152
Four?
153
Don't look at me like that.
154
What about you?
155
Two, maximum.
156
How do you survive on two cups?
157
I drink tea in the afternoon.
158
It's a lighter pick-me-up.
159
Oh, nice word.
160
What does that mean?
161
A pick-me-up is something that gives you energy when you're feeling tired.
162
Coffee's a pick-me-up.
163
Tea's a pick-me-up.
164
Even a short walk can be a pick-me-up.
165
So it doesn't have to be a drink?
166
No. Anything that lifts your energy.
167
I need a little pick-me-up this afternoon.
168
That's really useful.
169
But my pick-me-up is always coffee.
170
Surprise, surprise.
171
And what about everyone listening?
172
How many cups of coffee do you drink per day?
173
Okay, now let's talk about something interesting.
174
Coffee is not just a drink, right?
175
It's also social.
176
So social.
177
Think about it.
178
When you want to meet someone, what do you say?
179
Hey, let's grab a coffee.
180
But do you actually care about the coffee?
181
Not really.
182
I care about seeing my friend.
183
Exactly.
184
Coffee is just the excuse.
185
The real reason is the conversation, the connection.
186
That's true.
187
And there's a great phrase for this.
188
When you meet someone to talk about life and what's been happening, you catch up with them.
189
Yes.
190
To catch up means to meet someone and talk about what's new in your lives.
191
I haven't seen Maria in months.
192
We need to catch up.
193
Or let's catch up over coffee this weekend.
194
It sounds so natural.
195
And the coffee shop is the perfect place for that.
196
Because it's relaxed, it's casual, nobody's in a rush.
197
Well, unless there's only one table and six people waiting.
198
True.
199
But usually it's a calm place to sit and talk.
200
You know what's funny?
201
Some of my best conversations have happened in coffee shops.
202
like real deep talks about life.
203
There's something about holding a warm cup that makes people open up.
204
Are you being poetic about coffee now?
205
Maybe, but it's true.
206
You never have deep conversations at a fast food place.
207
It's always at a cafe with slow sips.
208
Oh, good word.
209
To sip means to drink slowly in small amounts, not like drinking a glass of water fast, More like small, slow sips.
210
She sipped her coffee while watching the rain.
211
Very relaxing image, right?
212
Very relaxing.
213
And very different from me at 7 a.m.
214
drinking my coffee like it's medicine.
215
Not exactly sipping.
216
Now, Mike, I want to be honest about something.
217
You know those really fancy lattes?
218
The ones with caramel and cream and special flavors?
219
Yes?
220
I said I like simple coffee, and I do.
221
But those fancy sweet lattes?
222
They're my guilty pleasure.
223
Your guilty pleasure?
224
Wait, you just spent five minutes saying fancy coffee is unnecessary.
225
I know!
226
That's why it's a guilty pleasure.
227
Guilty pleasure is something you enjoy even though you feel a little bad about it.
228
So you secretly love them?
229
Secretly, yes.
230
Sometimes on a bad day, I go to a cafe, and I order the most ridiculous sweet latte on the menu, and I enjoy every single sip.
231
Sarah, you're a secret fancy coffee person.
232
No, I'm a simple coffee person with occasional weaknesses.
233
Sure, sure.
234
So, what's your guilty pleasure, everyone?
235
Coffee-related or not?
236
Tell us in the comments.
237
Yes, we all have one.
238
Okay, this is going to be fun.
239
Let's play a little game.
240
I call it, What Does Your Coffee Say About You?
241
Oh, no. Okay, go.
242
If you drink black coffee with nothing, you're a very direct no-nonsense person.
243
I agree.
244
Black coffee people are usually very honest and efficient, maybe a little scary.
245
And if you drink a latte with oat milk, you probably do yoga and own a plant called something like Gerald.
246
Why Gerald?
247
I don't know.
248
Plant people name their plants.
249
Okay, what about people who drink espresso, just a tiny strong cup?
250
They're always in a hurry, always busy.
251
They drink it in one shot, and they're gone.
252
Like a coffee action hero.
253
And people who order sweet drinks with lots of cream and syrup.
254
They are fun people.
255
They enjoy life.
256
They don't care what anyone thinks.
257
Okay, I accept that.
258
All right, before we finish, let's do our word tour.
259
We'll go through the useful words from today so you can remember them.
260
First one, brew.
261
To brew means to make coffee or tea using hot water.
262
I brew my coffee every morning at home.
263
Next, acquired taste.
264
something you don't like at first, but you learn to enjoy after trying it a few times.
265
Black coffee is an acquired taste.
266
Sip.
267
To drink slowly in small amounts.
268
She sipped her tea while reading a book.
269
Next, caffeine.
270
The ingredient in coffee that makes you feel awake and alert.
271
I try not to have caffeine after 3 p.m.
272
Kick in, when the effect of something starts to work.
273
The coffee usually kicks in after about 20 minutes.
274
Cut back on, to reduce how much of something you do or consume.
275
My doctor told me to cut back on caffeine.
276
Caffeine is the natural stimulant in coffee that makes you feel more awake.
277
Too much caffeine can keep you asleep.
278
That's why my doctor told me to cut back on caffeine.
279
Decaf.
280
Coffee without caffeine.
281
I sometimes drink decaf in the evening so I can sleep.
282
Pick-me-up.
283
Something that gives you energy when you're tired.
284
I need a little pick-me-up this afternoon.
285
Catch up.
286
To meet someone and talk about what's been happening.
287
Let's catch up over coffee this weekend.
288
And guilty pleasure.
289
Something you enjoy even though you feel a little bad about it.
290
Fancy caramel lattes are my guilty pleasure.
291
Those are 10 really useful phrases you can start using right away.
292
All right, everyone.
293
That's our episode for today.
294
Thank you so much for spending time with us.
295
And remember, whether you like simple coffee or fancy coffee, the important thing is enjoying the moment.
296
And if you enjoyed this moment, please subscribe to Everyday English Academy and give us a like.
297
Share this with a friend who loves coffee, or a friend who needs coffee to survive, like me.
298
Stay caffeinated.
299
Stay curious.
300
will see you in the next episode.
301
Bye, everyone.
302
Bye.
Download App
AI scoring for every sentence you speak
TRENDING
Popular
Context & Background
In the podcast "Talking About Coffee Culture in English," hosts Sarah and Mike engage in a lighthearted conversation about their experiences with modern coffee shops. The dialogue reflects the growing complexity of coffee culture, where traditional coffee drinks have been replaced by trendy terms like "single-origin pour-over" and "oat milk cortado." This discussion not only entertains but also highlights the challenges English learners might face when trying to navigate conversations around everyday subjects, such as coffee. As they explore different preferences—ankeying Sarah’s desire for simplicity and Mike's openness to trying new flavors—listeners are encouraged to think about their own experiences with language and cultural nuances.
Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication
- “Can I just have a regular coffee?” - A straightforward way to express a desire for something simple.
- “Where is the normal coffee?” - A humorous expression of confusion in a complex situation.
- “It sounded fancy!” - This phrase conveys excitement about trying something new.
- “Just brown liquid in a cup?” - A casual way to describe a simple coffee order.
- “It's an experience.” - A great phrase to explain the evolving nature of coffee culture.
Step-by-step Shadowing Guide
To effectively use the shadowing technique in your English speaking practice, follow this step-by-step guide tailored to the podcast episode:
- Listen First: Start by listening to the entire podcast episode without distractions. Focus on how Sarah and Mike pronounce words and phrases.
- Segment the Dialogue: Break the dialogue into manageable parts. Pick a segment where the conversation flows easily, such as their discussion about coffee preferences.
- Repeat and Imitate: Use a shadowing site or a shadowing app to replay the segments. As you listen, try to repeat what they say simultaneously. Pay attention to intonation and emotion.
- Practice with Variations: After shadowing, practice changing the sentences slightly to help with flexibility. For example, instead of saying, “Can I just have a regular coffee?” try, “I’d like a simple coffee, please.” This will enhance your conversational skills.
- Record Yourself: Use your phone or any recording device to capture yourself speaking the phrases. This will help you track your progress and identify areas for improvement.
By engaging in these steps, you will not only improve your pronunciation and fluency but also gain confidence in navigating casual conversations about everyday topics, such as coffee culture. Don’t forget to enjoy the process! Remember, speaking is an experience, just like exploring different coffee flavors.
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! 🙏