Shadowing Practice: Talking about Experiences | Past Tense with Modal Verbs and 'Used to' - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

B2
What was your life like in New Zealand, Jill?
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26 sentences
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What was your life like in New Zealand, Jill?
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It was great.
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It was so relaxing because the speed of life is much slower there.
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I'd love to live somewhere like that.
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I miss it sometimes.
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I used to work from 9 a.m until 4 p.m.
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and then the rest of the day would be free time.
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Wow, that sounds amazing.
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I know.
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My colleagues and I would often go out for meals after work
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and we would still have time to take care of personal errands after that.
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I don't know what I would do with all that free time.
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Didn't you get bored sometimes?
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No, I never used to get bored.
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There were always lots of things to do there.
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I used to go to the beach almost every week because there were free barbecues that we could use.
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We would often go swimming,
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then back to the beach and cook burgers and sausages.
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How was your life in Beijing?
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It was so different.
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I used to work so hard and never had any free time.
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How come?
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I always had urgent deadlines to meet,
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so I would often work six days a week.
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When I got a day off,
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I just stayed in bed because I was so tired.

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Context & Background

In this engaging conversation, the speakers reflect on their past experiences in two contrasting locations: New Zealand and Beijing. Jill describes her life in New Zealand as relaxing and filled with leisure activities, highlighting the slow pace of life and the abundance of free time she enjoyed. In contrast, the other speaker shares their experiences in Beijing, where a demanding work schedule left no room for relaxation. This juxtaposition offers valuable insights into the differing lifestyles and work cultures, making it an excellent example for English learners looking to practice past tense storytelling while incorporating modal verbs.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • I used to work from 9 a.m until 4 p.m.
  • My colleagues and I would often go out for meals after work.
  • There were always lots of things to do there.
  • I never used to get bored.
  • When I got a day off, I just stayed in bed.

These phrases are versatile and can be easily incorporated into everyday discussions about past experiences, enhancing your English speaking practice and allowing for a more nuanced conversation style.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively utilize the shadowing technique in improving your English pronunciation and speaking skills, follow this step-by-step guide:

  1. Listen Carefully: Start by watching the video several times. Pay close attention to the pronunciation, intonation, and rhythm of the speakers.
  2. Choose a Segment: Select a short segment from the dialogue that features the phrases listed above. This will make your practice focused and manageable.
  3. Rewind and Repeat: Use the shadowspeak method by pausing the video after each phrase. Repeat what you hear, mimicking the speaker's pronunciation and emotion.
  4. Record Yourself: After practicing, record yourself speaking the same passages. Listen back to identify areas for improvement in your English speaking practice.
  5. Practice Regularly: Consistency is key. Incorporate this practice into your daily routine, enhancing your fluency and confidence over time.

Utilizing this approach will not only help you master the past tense and modal verbs but will also significantly improve your English pronunciation and facilitate smoother conversations with others.

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.

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