Shadowing Practice: Talking About Social Media | Easy English Conversation for Beginners - Learn English Speaking with Video

Choose a practice mode

Each mode opens a full-screen practice room.

388 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
Hello everyone, welcome back to Everyday English Talk,
2
the podcast that helps you practice simple English for daily life.
3
I'm Anna.
4
And I'm Ben.
5
Thank you for joining us today.
6
Ben, I have a question for you.
7
Do you think most people today use social media?
8
Oh yes Anna, I think almost everyone uses it.
9
People check Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok every day.
10
That's right.
11
Social media is a big part of our lives now.
12
People use it for study, work, news, and also for fun.
13
So, today's topic is...
14
Talking about social media.
15
We'll learn what it is, its advantages and disadvantages, and how to use it in a healthy way.
16
And don't forget, we'll also share some useful vocabulary and simple practice sentences.
17
Before we start, here's a question for you our listeners.
18
Do you use social media every day?
19
Think about your answer.
20
Maybe yes, maybe no. Let's find out more together.
21
So, Anna, before we talk about the good and bad sides, let's ask.
22
What is social media?
23
Good question.
24
Social media means websites and apps where people can connect, share, and communicate with each other.
25
Right.
26
For example, many people use Facebook to chat or post photos.
27
Others love Instagram for sharing pictures and stories.
28
Yes, and of course there's YouTube, videos for learning, music, or fun.
29
And TikTok is very popular now, especially for short videos.
30
Don't forget xx, maybe you know it as Twitter.
31
People use it for quick messages or news updates.
32
So, social media is really all around us.
33
People use it on their phones, on computers, even on tablets.
34
That's right.
35
And people don't only use it for fun.
36
Social media is also for study, work and business.
37
For example, some teachers make groups on Facebook or WhatsApp to share homework.
38
Yes, and some shops use Instagram to show their products.
39
Let's slow down and look at some useful vocabulary.
40
Social media.
41
It means websites or apps where people connect online.
42
For example, I use social media every day.
43
App.
44
It means a program you use on your phone or computer.
45
For example, I downloaded a new app for learning English.
46
online it means on the internet not offline for example i like shopping online Connect,
47
it means, to link or talk with other people.
48
For example, I connect with my friends through Facebook.
49
Account.
50
It means your personal page or profile on an app.
51
For example, I made a new Instagram account.
52
Share, it means, to give something to others, like a photo or idea.
53
For example, I share pictures of my trip.
54
Post.
55
It means to put a message, picture or video on social media.
56
For example, she posted a new photo today.
57
Excellent!
58
These are very simple but useful sentences.
59
You can use them in daily life.
60
Ben, I wanna ask you, which social media app do you use the most?
61
Hmm, good question.
62
I think I use YouTube the most because I like to learn and also watch music videos.
63
Oh, me too.
64
I often use Instagram because I like photos and short stories from my friends.
65
C. That shows us something important.
66
Different apps are popular for different people.
67
Exactly.
68
Some people like Facebook to stay in touch with family, others like TikTok for fun videos.
69
And that leads to a great question for our listeners.
70
Which app do you think is the most popular in your country?
71
Think about it.
72
Is it Facebook?
73
Is it TikTok?
74
Maybe Instagram or YouTube?
75
There is no right or wrong answer.
76
It depends on people, age and culture.
77
Okay, now that we understand what social media is, let's move on to the next part.
78
the advantages or the good points of social media.
79
So Ben, now that we know what social media is, let's talk about the good points.
80
What are the advantages?
81
Well, the first big advantage is that social media helps us stay connected with family and friends.
82
Yes, that's true.
83
Even if your family lives in another city, or even another country, you can still send messages, photos, or video calls.
84
For example, my cousin lives in Canada, but I live here in Asia.
85
We use Facebook and WhatsApp to chat almost every week.
86
It feels like we are not so far away.
87
That's a great example.
88
Social media really makes the world smaller.
89
Another advantage is that you can learn new things.
90
Social media is full of information.
91
Right!
92
You can read news, watch educational videos on YouTube, or join groups for learning English.
93
Exactly.
94
For me, YouTube is like a big school.
95
I learn cooking, computer skills, and English listening practice there.
96
Yes.
97
It's amazing.
98
Instead of reading a big book, you can just watch a short video and learn something useful.
99
And of course, social media is also about entertainment.
100
Oh yes, people love to watch funny videos, listen to music, or play games on their phones.
101
After a long day, sometimes it feels good to just relax
102
and laugh at a TikTok video or watch a comedy clip on YouTube.
103
True, entertainment is an important part of life, and social media gives us many options.
104
But social media is not only for fun.
105
It also helps with business and jobs.
106
That's right, many people use Instagram or Facebook to sell products.
107
Small shops and big companies all use social media for marketing.
108
I know one friend who started a small bakery.
109
She posted photos of cakes on Instagram.
110
Now many people order from her.
111
Wow, that's a good story.
112
So, social media can help people make money and grow their businesses.
113
Yes, that's why social media is not only entertainment, it's also very useful for work and opportunities.
114
Let's pause and review some important words.
115
Learn.
116
It means, to get new knowledge or skills.
117
For example, I learn new words on YouTube.
118
Information, it means news, facts, or knowledge.
119
For example, the Internet gives information quickly.
120
Entertainment.
121
It means fun things like movies, games, and music.
122
For example, TikTok is full of entertainment.
123
Business.
124
It means work or company activity.
125
For example, she uses social media for her business.
126
To useful, it means helpful or practical.
127
For example, that app is very useful for studying.
128
Good job!
129
Remember, practice speaking out loud.
130
It really helps your English.
131
So, to summarize, the main advantages of social media are: staying connected, learning new things, enjoying entertainment,
132
and using it for business.
133
Exactly.
134
And here's our question for you, listeners.
135
What is the best advantage of social media for you?
136
Think about it.
137
Maybe it's connecting with family, maybe it's learning, or maybe it's just fun.
138
We'd love to hear your answer in the comments or in your notebook.
139
you So Ben, we just talked about the good points of social media.
140
But of course, there are also some problems.
141
Yes, that's true.
142
Social media is useful, but it also has many disadvantages.
143
Let's start with one of the biggest problems.
144
People spend too much time online.
145
Oh yes, some people check their phones all the time, morning, afternoon, even late at night.
146
Exactly, sometimes you just want to watch one short video, but then suddenly, one hour is gone.
147
Yes, I know that feeling.
148
It's easy to get addicted.
149
That means you can't stop using it.
150
Right, and when people spend too much time online, they have less time for homework, work, or even sleep.
151
Another big problem is fake news or bad information.
152
Yes.
153
Not everything online is true.
154
Sometimes people share wrong news, and others believe it.
155
For example, I once read a post that said "A famous actor died." But it was fake.
156
He was alive and well.
157
Oh, I've seen things like that too, it can be dangerous, because people can get confused or scared.
158
Another disadvantage is negative comments or even online bullying.
159
That's a very serious problem.
160
Some people write mean things to others, and it can hurt feelings.
161
Yes, for young people it's especially hard.
162
Reading bad comments can make them feel sad or stressed.
163
And sometimes, people hide behind their screen, they say things online they would never say in real life.
164
Exactly.
165
That's why we have to be careful with our words online.
166
Another point is about privacy.
167
Oh yes.
168
When you post photos, videos, or personal information, sometimes strangers can see it.
169
Right.
170
If you don't protect your account, your private life may not be so private anymore.
171
And sometimes, companies use your information for ads or business.
172
So it's important to be careful and not share too much personal information.
173
Let's review the key disadvantages we talked about.
174
First.
175
Spending too much time online.
176
Fake news and wrong information.
177
3. Negative comments or online bullying.
178
4. Privacy Problems Great summary, Ben.
179
Thanks.
180
Let's also review some new vocabulary.
181
Addicted.
182
It means when you can't stop doing something.
183
For example, he is addicted to checking his phone.
184
Fake news.
185
It means, information that is not true.
186
For example, be careful, that story is fake news.
187
Negative.
188
It means, not good, harmful.
189
For example, he always writes negative comments.
190
Private, it means, personal, not for everyone.
191
For example, my photos are private.
192
unsafe.
193
It means, not safe, dangerous.
194
For example, sharing your password is unsafe.
195
Stress.
196
It means a feeling of worry or pressure.
197
For example, too much social media gives me stress.
198
Excellent.
199
These are important ideas, not just for English, but for daily life too.
200
So, social media is useful, but it also has disadvantages.
201
We need to use it carefully.
202
Exactly.
203
And now we want to ask you, our listeners.
204
What is one problem of social media in your life or country?
205
Think about it.
206
Is it too much time online, fake news, negative comments, or privacy problems?
207
Share your thoughts with us, and remember, talking about these problems is the first step to finding solutions.
208
So Ben, we've talked about the good points and the bad points of social media,
209
but I think there are also some special features that make it really different from other things.
210
Yes, exactly.
211
Social media is not just like TV or email, it has unique features.
212
The first one is instant communication.
213
That's right, with social media, you can send a message or photo, and the other person sees it almost immediately.
214
Yes, in the past, people had to write letters and wait days or even weeks.
215
Now, with just one click, you can talk to your friend on the other side of the world.
216
And not only text, you can also send voice messages, make video calls or even go live so people can see you in real time.
217
That's very powerful.
218
Another special feature is global connection.
219
Yes, on social media, you can meet people from other countries, cultures, and languages.
220
The world feels smaller.
221
For example, I joined a cooking group on Facebook.
222
There are members from Italy, Japan, Brazil, and many other places.
223
I learn recipes from all over the world.
224
That's amazing.
225
And for students of English, global connection is a big advantage.
226
You can find language partners, join study groups, and practice online.
227
Exactly.
228
It's like having friends in every country.
229
Another special feature is that social media lets people share creativity.
230
Oh yes.
231
People can post their photos, drawings, music, or short films.
232
Right.
233
In the past, if you wanted to show your art, you needed a gallery or a big company.
234
But now, anyone with a phone can share their creativity online.
235
And sometimes, one creative post can become very popular.
236
We call that "Viral".
237
Yes.
238
A funny video, a beautiful picture, or a smart idea can travel around the world in just hours.
239
That's why social media is not only about watching, it's about creating and sharing too.
240
Let's review some useful vocabulary from this part.
241
Instant.
242
It means very fast, right away.
243
For example, I sent an instant message to my friend.
244
Global, it means, around the whole world.
245
For example, social media connects us globally.
246
Create, it means, to make something new.
247
For example, he likes to create funny videos.
248
FOLLOWER.
249
It means, a person who watches your posts.
250
For example, she has 500 followers on TikTok, Story, it means a short post on social media,
251
often with a photo or video.
252
For example, I posted a story this morning.
253
Good practice.
254
These are real sentences you can use.
255
So to summarize, the special features of social media are: instant communication, global connection, and sharing creativity.
256
That's right.
257
These things make social media very powerful and different from other kinds of media.
258
And now, here's our listener question.
259
What special feature do you enjoy most on social media?
260
Is it the instant messages, the global connection, or the chance to share your creativity?
261
We'd love to hear your answer.
262
So Ben, we've talked about the good sides and the bad sides of social media,
263
but now, I think the most important question is, how can we use social media in a healthy way?
264
Yes, that's a great question, because social media is not bad.
265
But if we use it too much, it can be a problem.
266
Exactly.
267
So, what's the first tip?
268
Tip number 1.
269
Set time limits.
270
Oh yes, that's very important.
271
If you spend five or six hours every day online, you will feel tired.
272
Right.
273
But if you tell yourself, "I will use social media for 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening," then you have control.
274
Some apps even let you check how many hours you spend online.
275
that can help you see your habit.
276
Yes, I checked my phone last week and I was shocked.
277
I spent almost three hours just watching short videos.
278
I think many of us do the same, but when we know the number, it's easier to change.
279
So, what's the second tip?
280
Tip number two.
281
Follow positive content.
282
Good point.
283
If you always watch negative news or read angry comments, you will feel stressed.
284
Exactly.
285
But if you follow educational pages, inspiring people, or funny but kind videos, Social media can give you energy.
286
For example, I follow an English learning channel.
287
Every day, I see a new word, and that motivates me.
288
That's smart.
289
I follow a cooking page, it shows simple recipes, and I try them at home.
290
See?
291
Positive content makes social media a tool for learning and fun, not just wasting time.
292
And the third tip, The third tip is to protect your privacy.
293
Oh yes, that's very important.
294
Don't share too much personal information like your address, phone number, or private photos.
295
Yes, make your account safe, use strong passwords, and check who can see your posts.
296
Because once something is online, it's not easy to delete it.
297
That's true.
298
Better to be safe from the beginning.
299
Let's quickly review the three tips for using social media in a healthy way.
300
Tip number one: Set time limits.
301
Tip number two, follow positive content.
302
Tip number three.
303
Protect your privacy.
304
Perfect.
305
And here are some useful vocabulary words from this part.
306
Limit, it means a number or rule to control how much you do something.
307
For example, I set a time limit for using apps.
308
Protect, it means, to keep something safe.
309
For example, protect your account with a strong password.
310
safe.
311
It means "not dangerous".
312
For example, this website is safe to use.
313
Positive.
314
It means, good, helpful.
315
For example, I follow positive pages on Instagram.
316
Balance.
317
It means, not too much, not too little.
318
For example, we need balance between study and fun.
319
control It means, to manage something yourself.
320
For example, I control my screen time every day.
321
Nice job, listeners.
322
These sentences are good for practice and also good advice.
323
So, social media can be healthy if we use it with balance, safety, and control.
324
Exactly.
325
Social media should make our life better, not worse.
326
And now, here's our listener question.
327
How do you keep your social media use healthy?
328
Do you set time limits?
329
Do you follow positive content?
330
Or maybe you have another special idea?
331
We'd love to hear your answer in the comments.
332
Okay listeners, it's time for your challenge.
333
Yes, this is the part where you practice listening, speaking, and writing with us.
334
Are you ready?
335
Go back and listen to this episode again.
336
While you listen, try to find these things: 3 Advantages of Social Media: Three disadvantages of social media.
337
Two or three special features of social media.
338
You can write them down or just say them out loud.
339
Take your time, and remember, listening more than once will help your memory.
340
Now, let's practice speaking.
341
We'll give you some short sentences.
342
Repeat them after us, slowly and clearly.
343
I use social media to connect with my friends.
344
Fake news can be a big problem.
345
Social media gives me entertainment.
346
I protect my privacy online.
347
I follow positive pages.
348
Great job!
349
Try repeating each sentence two or three times.
350
This will help your brain remember the words.
351
Now, for your writing challenge.
352
Write a short paragraph, four, five sentences about social media.
353
You can answer these questions.
354
Question 1.
355
Which social media app do you use the most?
356
Question 2.
357
What do you like about it?
358
Question 3.
359
What don't you like about it?
360
Question 4.
361
How do you use it in a healthy way?
362
Here's a simple example.
363
I use Instagram the most.
364
I like it because I can share photos with my friends.
365
Sometimes I spend too much time on it, and that is not good.
366
I try to use it for only one hour a day.
367
It helps me stay balanced.
368
That's a clear example.
369
You can write your own version in your notebook or share it with us in the comments.
370
Remember, the more you listen, speak, and write, the stronger your English will become.
371
Exactly.
372
Practice is the key, and social media can even be a tool for learning English
373
if you use it in a smart way.
374
you And that's the end of today's episode.
375
Thank you so much for joining us.
376
Yes, we really enjoyed talking about social media with you.
377
What it is, the good points, the problems, the special features, and how to use it in a healthy way.
378
We hope this episode gave you new words and ideas to use in your daily English.
379
And don't forget, you can download our free PDF transcript for this episode.
380
The PDF includes today's full script, a vocabulary list, and extra practice exercises.
381
You can read along while you listen, or use it later to review and study.
382
We also want to hear from you.
383
What do you think?
384
Is social media more good or more bad?
385
Share your opinion in the comments or write it in your notebook for practice.
386
Keep practicing, keep learning, and stay positive.
387
Bye for now.
388
Goodbye.

Download App

Everything you need to speak fluently

AI PronunciationScore every sentence
IPA PracticeMaster every sound
VocabularyBuild your word bank
Vocab GameLearn while playing

Same Channel

FOR YOU

Recommend Video

Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

This A2 speaking lesson is built on the video “Talking About Social Media”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: example, online, share, photo. This video has 388 sentences and 3154 words to shadow. The speech runs for 23:40. The speaker talks at a steady 133 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 91% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is easy to follow.

Key vocabulary in this video

15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:

WordPronunciationMeaning
connect verb/kəˈnɛkt/To join (to another object): to attach, or to be intended to attach or capable of attaching, to another object.
listener noun/ˈlɪs(ə)nɚ/Someone who listens, especially to a speech or a broadcast.
privacy noun/ˈpɹaɪ.və.si/The state of being secluded from the presence, sight, or knowledge of others.
vocabulary noun/vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/A usually alphabetized and explained collection of words e.g. of a particular field, or prepared for a specific purpose, often for learning.
disadvantage noun/ˌdɪsədˈvæntɪd͡ʒ/A weakness or undesirable characteristic; con; drawback.
instant noun/ˈɪnstənt/A very short period of time; a moment.
creativity noun/kri.eɪˈtɪv.ᵻ.ti/The ability to use imagination to produce a novel idea or product.
password noun/ˈpæs.wɜɹd/A word relayed to a person to gain admittance to a place or to gain access to information.
notebook noun/ˈnoʊtˌbʊk/A book (physical or digital) in which notes or memoranda are written.
addict noun/ˈæd.ɪkt/A person who is addicted, especially to a harmful drug.
helpful adjective/ˈhɛlp.fl̩/Furnishing help; giving aid; useful.
skill noun/skɪl/A capacity to do something well; a technique, an ability, usually acquired or learned, as opposed to abilities that are regarded as innate.
recipe noun/ˈɹɛs.ɪ.pi/Any set of instructions for preparing a mixture of ingredients.
homework noun/ˈhoʊmˌwɝk/Exercises assigned by a teacher to a student which review concepts studied in class.
bullying noun/ˈbʊ.li.ɪŋ/An act of intimidating a person to do something, especially such repeated coercion.

Phrasal verbs you will hear

WordMeaning
find out verbTo discover, as by asking or investigating.
go back verbTo return to a place or state after having been there at a previous time.
read along verbTo read together with another person, or with another presentation (TV etc)
slow down verbTo decelerate.
speak out verbTo assert or promote one's opinion; to make one's thoughts known.

Sentences worth repeating

Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:

  • Do you think most people today use social media?
  • Do you use social media every day?
  • How do you keep your social media use healthy?
  • Do you set time limits?
  • What don't you like about it?

Grammar in this video

The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:

StructureIn the video
Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters nowI've seen · we've talked
Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thingfriend who started · person who watches
Superlatives the -est / the most … — the top or bottom of a groupthe most because · the most popular · the best
Verb + -ing enjoy, keep, stop… + -ing — verbs that are followed by the -ing formpractice speaking · practice listening · enjoyed talking

Pronunciation to watch

The speaker uses 21 contractions and reduced forms, such as don't, we'd, we'll. Say them the short way, as you hear them.

  • Long words — get the stress right: vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/, disadvantage /ˌdɪsədˈvæntɪd͡ʒ/, creativity /kri.eɪˈtɪv.ᵻ.ti/, communicate /kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪt/

How to practise with this video

  1. Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
  2. Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
  3. Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like connect, listener, privacy.

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.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →