Shadowing Practice: Talking about money – B1 English Listening Test - Learn English Speaking with Video

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Joseph.
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I've been saving money to buy a new bike, I'm a waiter, so I don't earn a lot.
3
Every month I put some of the cash from my tips in a jar, and I hope I'll be able to afford a bike in a couple of months,
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It's sometimes tough to save money because I have many expenses, but I think it's better than taking a loan or using a credit card, I don't want to borrow any money for my bike,
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It's hard to wait, but I know it will be worth it when I can ride my new bike everywhere.
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Taylor.
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Years ago, I used to withdraw cash for my shopping all the time, or sometimes I'd write checks,
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But these days, I exclusively use cards for everything even for small purchases like a coffee at the cafe.
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It's just so much more convenient And honestly, many places don't even accept cash anymore.
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Even street performers here in London have card readers because people rarely carry cash around anymore.
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Dina.
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My best friend had some pretty expensive and unexpected medical expenses recently.
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And last month she couldn't afford her rent.
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She decided to get a loan, but I had some savings and couldn't let her do that.
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Not with the high interest rates that banks are charging these days.
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I lent her the money and told her that she could pay me back when she was doing better.
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What are friends for if not to help each other in times of need?
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Liam.
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My mortgage payments have increased a lot.
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And now a big part of my salary is spent on that.
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Because so much of my money goes into the mortgage, I can't afford to spend it on other things.
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When friends ask me if I want to go out for dinner, I often say that I don't feel like it, But the truth is that I can't afford to eat out every week.
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I can't think about holidays or buying new things for my house either.
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It's really hard when you have to spend so much on just your home.
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Ben.
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I had to take my car to the mechanic last week, and they charged me a fortune for the repair.
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I don't usually save money for emergencies, so I had to use my credit card.
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I plan to pay it back as soon as I get my next paycheck, But now I've learned that it's important to include unexpected expenses in your budget.
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From now on, I'll set aside some money every month for emergencies.
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Sophie.
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I lent my cousin some money a while ago and she hasn't paid me back yet.
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Recently she asked for more money, but I said no until she returned what she already owed.
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Now she's upset, and we've stopped talking.
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I think mixing money with family or friends isn't a good idea.
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It often causes issues and can ruin relationships.
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Next time, if someone needs to borrow from me, I'll just say, I'm sorry but I'm in a difficult situation myself.

Context & Background

In this engaging dialogue, speakers Joseph, Taylor, Dina, Liam, Ben, and Sophie discuss their experiences with managing money, budgeting, and financial challenges. Each character provides insights into their personal financial situations, revealing common struggles such as saving for significant purchases, unexpected expenses, and the difficulties of borrowing money. Through their conversation, English learners can gain a better understanding of practical vocabulary related to money, as well as the nuances of everyday financial conversations, enhancing their English speaking practice.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “I put some of the cash from my tips in a jar” - This phrase illustrates a simple method of saving money.
  • “I can't afford to eat out every week” - A useful phrase for expressing financial limitations in social situations.
  • “I had to use my credit card” - Commonly used when discussing emergency expenses and financial decisions.
  • “Can you pay me back when you’re doing better?” - An empathetic way to discuss lending money to friends or family.
  • “It’s really hard when you have to spend so much on just your home” - Reflects the pressure of managing household expenses.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively utilize this video for your IELTS speaking practice, follow these steps:

  1. Watch the Video: Begin by viewing the video without subtitles. Pay attention to how the speakers articulate their thoughts about money.
  2. Listen and Repeat: Use a shadowing app or simply pause the video at intervals to repeat after each speaker. Focus on mimicking their intonation and pronunciation for natural-sounding speech.
  3. Take Notes: Write down key phrases and vocabulary related to money management. This will help in reinforcing your learning and making it easier to recall during conversations.
  4. Practice in Context: Create your own sentences using the phrases you've noted. For example, practice saying, “I need to save money for a new bike” and related sentences to enhance your learn English with YouTube experience.
  5. Engage with a Partner: If possible, find a speaking partner to practice discussing financial topics. Use the phrases you have learned and encourage your partner to reflect on their experiences as well.

By following this structured approach, you can effectively improve your English listening and speaking skills in the context of everyday financial discussions, preparing you for real-life conversations and your IELTS examination.

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.