Shadowing Practice: Talking About the Past in English | English Conversation Practice - Learn English Speaking with Video
Choose a practice mode
Each mode opens a full-screen practice room.
530 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
hello
2
and welcome back to leo english podcast hi everyone let's get
3
started with today's english practice i'm jack welcome to another real english conversation
4
and i'm emma we are here to help you improve your
5
english through natural conversations our goal is to make learning english fun easy
6
and practical for everyday life today we have a very useful
7
topic for you we're We're going to talk about the past in English.
8
How do we talk about things that happened yesterday, last week, last year, or even when we were children?
9
This is so important because every day we share memories and experiences with friends, family, and coworkers.
10
Whether you're talking about your weekend, your childhood, or a funny story from last month, you need to know how to talk about the past.
11
That's right!
12
And if you enjoy this video, please give it a big thumbs up and subscribe to our channel.
13
It really helps us continue making these videos for you.
14
Alright Jack, are you ready?
15
Absolutely!
16
Let's get started.
17
So Jack, how are you today?
18
I'm really good, thanks.
19
I'm a little tired though because I stayed up late last night watching a movie.
20
How about you?
21
I'm doing well.
22
I had a relaxing weekend, so I feel refreshed.
23
What did you do this weekend?
24
Well, on Saturday, I visited my parents.
25
We had lunch together and talked for hours.
26
It was really nice.
27
And on Sunday, I just stayed home and cleaned my apartment.
28
Not very exciting, but it needed to be done.
29
That sounds lovely.
30
I like visiting my family, too.
31
And cleaning is important, even if it's not fun.
32
What about you?
33
What did you do?
34
I went hiking with some friends on Saturday.
35
We walked for about three hours in the mountains.
36
The weather was perfect.
37
And on Sunday, I read a book and cooked a big dinner.
38
That sounds amazing.
39
I love hiking, but I haven't been in a long time.
40
You should go again soon.
41
It's so peaceful.
42
I will.
43
You know, speaking of things we did in the past, that's exactly what we're talking about today, right?
44
Exactly.
45
We're already doing it.
46
We're talking about the past right now.
47
So, Emma, let's talk about the past.
48
When I think about the past, I think about so many different times.
49
There's yesterday, last week, last year, and even my childhood.
50
Yes, the past is everything that happened before this moment.
51
It could be five minutes ago or 50 years ago.
52
Right.
53
So let's start with recent past.
54
What did you do yesterday?
55
Yesterday was Monday, so I worked all day.
56
In the morning, I answered emails and had a meeting with my team.
57
Then in the afternoon, I worked on some projects.
58
After work, I went to the gym and then came home and made dinner.
59
That sounds like a productive day.
60
I also worked yesterday.
61
I taught three English classes and then I went grocery shopping.
62
Oh, and I called my sister in the evening.
63
We talked for about 30 minutes.
64
That's nice.
65
Do you call her often?
66
I try to call her once a week.
67
We live in different cities, so phone calls are important.
68
What about you?
69
Do you have siblings?
70
Yes, I have one brother.
71
He lives nearby, so I see him more often.
72
Actually, I saw him last week.
73
We had coffee together on Thursday.
74
That's wonderful.
75
So when we talk about yesterday or last week, we usually use the simple past tense.
76
Exactly.
77
We say, I worked, I went, I called, I saw.
78
These are all past tense verbs.
79
Right.
80
And we often use time words like yesterday, last week, last month, last year, and ago.
81
Yes.
82
For example, I can say, I started learning English five years ago, or I visited Paris two years ago.
83
Oh, you went to Paris.
84
Tell me about it.
85
It was amazing.
86
I went with my best friend.
87
We stayed for one week.
88
We visited the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and many beautiful cafes.
89
We ate so much delicious food, I gained three kilograms.
90
That's funny, but I'm sure it was worth it.
91
When did you go?
92
I went in the spring, so the weather was perfect.
93
Not too hot, not too cold.
94
Perfect for walking around the city.
95
I want to go to Paris someday.
96
I've never been to France.
97
You should go.
98
It's a beautiful country.
99
What about you?
100
What's the most interesting place you visited in the past?
101
Hmm, let me think.
102
I think it was Japan.
103
I went there three years ago.
104
I stayed for two weeks and traveled to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.
105
Wow, that sounds incredible.
106
What did you like most?
107
The food was amazing.
108
I ate sushi, ramen, tempura, and so many other things.
109
And the people were so polite and helpful.
110
I also loved the temples in Kyoto.
111
They were so peaceful and beautiful.
112
Did you learn any Japanese before you went?
113
A little bit.
114
I learned some basic phrases like hello, thank you, and excuse me.
115
But it was difficult, because Japanese is very different from English.
116
I can imagine.
117
But it's good that you tried.
118
Learning even a little bit of the local language shows respect.
119
Absolutely.
120
So, Emma, we're talking about trips and experiences, but what about childhood memories?
121
That's also the past.
122
Oh yes, childhood is a wonderful topic.
123
When I think about my childhood, I have so many happy memories.
124
Me too.
125
Where did you grow up?
126
I grew up in a small town.
127
It was very quiet and peaceful.
128
I lived in a house with a big garden.
129
My brother and I played outside every day after school.
130
That sounds lovely.
131
What games did you play?
132
We played hide-and-seek, we rode our bicycles, and we climbed trees.
133
In the summer, we swam in the lake near our house, and in the winter, we built snowmen and had snowball fights.
134
That sounds like a perfect childhood.
135
I grew up in a city, so my experience was different.
136
I lived in an apartment building.
137
There were many children in the building, so we always had friends to play with.
138
What did you do for fun?
139
We played football in the street, we rode skateboards, and we went to the arcade and played video games.
140
That was my favorite.
141
Did you have a favorite video game?
142
Yes, I loved racing games.
143
I played them for hours.
144
My parents always said, Jack, stop playing games and do your homework.
145
But I didn't listen very well.
146
That's funny.
147
I think many children are like that.
148
I was a good student, but I also loved playing outside more than studying.
149
So when we talk about childhood, we use the past tense too.
150
We say, I played, I lived, I went, I had.
151
Yes, and we often use the phrase, when I was a child, or when I was young.
152
Right.
153
For example, when I was a child, I wanted to be a pilot, or when I was young, I was afraid of dogs.
154
Those are great examples.
155
Were you really afraid of dogs?
156
Yes, I was, but not anymore.
157
Now I love dogs.
158
What about you?
159
What were you afraid of when you were a child?
160
I was afraid of the dark.
161
I always slept with a nightlight, and I was also afraid of thunderstorms.
162
When there was thunder and lightning, I hid under my blanket.
163
That's very common.
164
Many children are afraid of those things.
165
Did you have any pets when you were young?
166
Yes, we had a cat named Whiskers.
167
He was orange and white, and he was very lazy.
168
He slept all day, but I loved him very much.
169
I didn't have any pets.
170
My parents said the apartment was too small, but I always wanted a dog.
171
Maybe you can get one now.
172
Maybe.
173
So, Emma, let's talk about school memories.
174
School is a big part of childhood and the past.
175
That's true.
176
I have many memories from school.
177
Some good, some bad.
178
Tell me a good memory first.
179
Okay.
180
I remember when I was 10 years old, my class went on a field trip to a science museum.
181
We saw dinosaur bones, did experiments, and watched a planetarium show.
182
It was so exciting.
183
I loved science after that day.
184
That sounds wonderful.
185
Field trips were always the best part of school.
186
What about you?
187
Do you have a favorite school memory?
188
Yes, I remember my high school graduation.
189
All my friends were there, and we were so happy.
190
We took many photos and promised to stay in touch.
191
After the ceremony, we had a big party.
192
Did you stay in touch with your school friends?
193
Some of them, yes.
194
I still talk to my three best friends from high school.
195
We message each other, and sometimes we meet for dinner.
196
But I lost contact with many others.
197
That's normal.
198
People move to different cities, and their lives change.
199
True.
200
Now, what about bad memories?
201
Did you have any difficult times in school?
202
Well, I wasn't very good in math.
203
I studied hard, but I found it very difficult.
204
I remember I failed a math test once, and I cried.
205
I was so upset.
206
Oh, no. But did you improve later?
207
Yes.
208
My parents hired a tutor for me.
209
She helped me understand math better, and my grades improved.
210
That's good.
211
I had a similar problem with history.
212
I couldn't remember all the dates and names.
213
It was so boring for me.
214
Everyone has subjects they don't like.
215
That's normal.
216
Absolutely.
217
So, Emma, let's talk about first experiences.
218
You know, the first time we did something.
219
Those are important past memories, too.
220
Oh, I love talking about first experiences.
221
They're always special and memorable.
222
What's a first experience you remember clearly?
223
I remember my first day at university.
224
I was so nervous.
225
I didn't know anyone, and the campus was so big.
226
I got lost trying to find my classroom.
227
What happened?
228
Finally, I asked another student for help.
229
She was very kind and walked me to the building.
230
We became friends after that.
231
Aw, that's a sweet story.
232
First days are always scary but exciting.
233
What about you?
234
What's a memorable first experience?
235
I remember my first job interview.
236
I was 22 years old.
237
I wore a new suit and prepared answers to questions.
238
But when I got there, I was so nervous that I forgot everything.
239
Oh no!
240
What happened?
241
The interviewer was very nice.
242
She asked simple questions and made me feel comfortable.
243
In the end, I didn't get the job, but it was good practice.
244
That's true.
245
The first time is always a learning experience.
246
Exactly.
247
And now I'm much better at interviews.
248
Another type of past memory is embarrassing moments.
249
Everyone has them.
250
Oh, I have so many embarrassing moments.
251
Do you want to hear one? Of course.
252
Okay, when I was in college, I went to class one day.
253
I sat down, took out my notebook, and started listening to the professor.
254
After 30 minutes, I realized I was in the wrong classroom.
255
No way!
256
What did you do?
257
I waited until the professor wasn't looking, and then I quietly left.
258
My face was so red.
259
I was so embarrassed.
260
That is embarrassing, but it's also funny.
261
Now it's funny, but at the time I wanted to disappear.
262
What about you?
263
Do you have an embarrassing memory?
264
Yes.
265
Once I was at a restaurant with my friends.
266
I waved at someone because I thought it was my friend, but it was a stranger.
267
I felt so stupid.
268
Oh, that happens to everyone.
269
It's not too bad.
270
I know, but I still remember it clearly.
271
These embarrassing moments are part of life.
272
They make good stories later.
273
That's true.
274
Now, Jack, let's talk about important life events in the past, like graduations, weddings, or getting a new job.
275
Yes, these are big moments.
276
They change our lives.
277
What's an important life event from your past?
278
I think getting my first apartment was very important.
279
I moved out of my parents' house when I was 25.
280
It was scary, but exciting.
281
I had my own space and independence.
282
That's a big step.
283
How did you feel?
284
At first, I felt lonely.
285
But then, I loved it.
286
I could decorate the apartment my way, cook whatever I wanted, and invite friends over anytime.
287
That sounds wonderful.
288
What about you, Emma?
289
What's an important event from your past?
290
I think starting my own business was the most important.
291
I quit my office job five years ago and started working for myself.
292
It was risky, but it was the best decision.
293
Wow, that's brave.
294
Were you scared?
295
Very scared.
296
I worried about money and failure, but I also felt excited and hopeful.
297
And now, five years later, I'm happy I took the risk.
298
That's inspiring.
299
So these big life events are important parts of our past.
300
They shape who we are today.
301
Exactly.
302
And when we share these stories with others, we use the past tense.
303
Right.
304
We say, I moved, I started, I quit, I felt.
305
All past tense.
306
Yes.
307
And we can add details to make the story more interesting.
308
We say when it happened, how we felt, what we did, and what the result was.
309
That's a good point.
310
Details make stories come alive.
311
So, Jack, we've talked about many types of past memories.
312
recent past, childhood, school, first experiences, embarrassing moments, and important life events.
313
Yes, we covered a lot, and all of these help us practice talking about the past in English.
314
You know, Jack, while we were talking, we used many useful words and phrases.
315
Let's go through some of them to help our viewers understand better.
316
Great idea.
317
Let's start with the vocabulary.
318
First word, productive.
319
This word means you did a lot of work or accomplished many things.
320
When your day is productive, you feel good because you completed your tasks.
321
Oh, yes.
322
You used this word earlier.
323
You said, that sounds like a productive gay.
324
Exactly.
325
For example, yesterday was very productive.
326
I finished all my work.
327
Or, I had a productive meeting.
328
We solved many problems.
329
I can say, I want to be more productive at work.
330
I waste too much time.
331
That's perfect.
332
What's your most productive time of day?
333
I'm most productive in the morning.
334
My brain works better then.
335
Me too.
336
Okay, next word, sibling.
337
This word means your brother or sister.
338
It's a simple word to talk about all your brothers and sisters together.
339
So instead of saying my brothers and sisters, I can say my siblings.
340
Yes, exactly.
341
For example, I have three siblings, or my sibling lives in another country.
342
That's very useful.
343
How many siblings do you have is a common question.
344
Right.
345
Next phrase, grew up.
346
This is the past tense of grow up.
347
It means the place or situation where you lived as a child.
348
Yes, we both use this.
349
You said, I grew up in a small town, and I said, I grew up in a city.
350
Exactly.
351
For example, I grew up in Brazil, or she grew up in a big family.
352
And we can also say, where did you grow up, to ask about someone's childhood home.
353
Perfect.
354
Next word, memorable.
355
This word means something you remember clearly because it was special or important.
356
Oh, I love this word.
357
A memorable experience is one you never forget.
358
Yes.
359
For example, my wedding was the most memorable day of my life.
360
Or, that was a memorable trip.
361
I'll never forget it.
362
I can say my first day at school was very memorable.
363
Great example.
364
What's your most memorable birthday?
365
Probably my 18th birthday.
366
My friends surprised me with a big party.
367
That sounds wonderful.
368
Next word, embarrassing.
369
This word means something that makes you feel shy, ashamed, or uncomfortable.
370
Yes, we talked about embarrassing moments.
371
Those are moments when you feel your face get hot and red.
372
Exactly.
373
For example, I made an embarrassing mistake in the meeting, or that was so embarrassing, I want to hide.
374
I fell in front of everyone.
375
It was so embarrassing.
376
Perfect.
377
Everyone has embarrassing moments.
378
They're part of life.
379
True.
380
Next word, field trip.
381
This is a special school activity where students go outside the classroom to visit a museum, park, farm, or other place.
382
Yes.
383
Children love field trips because they're fun and educational.
384
For example, our class went on a field trip to the zoo.
385
Or, I remember a field trip to a chocolate factory.
386
Oh, a chocolate factory sounds amazing.
387
I want to go on that field trip.
388
Me too.
389
Okay, next phrase, stay in touch.
390
This means to continue communicating with someone, usually by phone, email, or messages.
391
Right.
392
When friends move away, we try to stay in touch.
393
For example, let's stay in touch after graduation.
394
Or, I stayed in touch with my teacher, we still email each other.
395
Do you stay in touch with your old friends is a common question.
396
Yes.
397
And the opposite is lose touch or lose contact.
398
That means you stop communicating.
399
Good point.
400
I lost touch with many friends from high school.
401
Exactly.
402
Next word, tutor.
403
This is a private teacher who helps one student or small group.
404
A tutor gives extra help outside of regular classes.
405
Yes.
406
I mentioned that I had a math tutor.
407
She helped me improve my grades.
408
For example, I need a tutor for English.
409
Or, she works as a tutor on weekends.
410
My son has a tutor for science.
411
The tutor comes to our house twice a week.
412
That's a great example.
413
Next word, independent or independence.
414
This means you can take care of yourself without help from others.
415
Yes, when you move out of your parents' house, you gain independence.
416
For example, I want to be more independent, or she values her independence.
417
Living alone teaches you independence.
418
Perfect.
419
And the noun is independence.
420
He gained his independence when he got his first job.
421
Excellent.
422
Next word, risky.
423
This means something is dangerous or you might lose something if you do it.
424
Yes, starting a business is risky because you might lose money.
425
For example, that's a risky decision.
426
Or, investing in stocks is risky.
427
It's risky to quit your job without a plan.
428
Exactly.
429
But sometimes taking risks leads to good results.
430
True.
431
Okay, last phrase, come alive.
432
This means something becomes interesting, exciting, or full of energy.
433
Yes, I said, details make stories come alive.
434
This means details make stories more interesting and real.
435
For example, the city comes alive at night.
436
Or, her face came alive when she saw the surprise.
437
The garden comes alive in spring with flowers and birds.
438
Beautiful example.
439
Okay, let's quickly review all the vocabulary words we learned.
440
Productive, sibling, grew up, memorable, embarrassing, field trip, stay in touch,
441
tutor, independent, risky, and come alive.
442
Those are all very useful words for talking about the past and telling stories.
443
Okay, Jack.
444
That was a lot of talking about the past.
445
Yes, we talked for a long time, but it was all useful conversation practice.
446
Absolutely.
447
So let's think about what we learned today.
448
Let's review the main points.
449
Good idea.
450
First, we learned about talking about the recent past.
451
This includes yesterday, last week, last month, or a few years ago.
452
We use the simple past tense and time words like yesterday, last week, and ago.
453
We use phrases like, I worked yesterday, I visited my parents last week, and I went to Paris two years ago.
454
Right.
455
Then we talked about childhood memories.
456
This is when we were children or young.
457
We use phrases like, when I was a child, or when I was young.
458
We can talk about where we grew up, what games we played, what we were afraid of, and what pets we had.
459
Exactly.
460
After that, we discussed school memories.
461
These include field trips, graduations, favorite subjects, difficult subjects, and friendships.
462
We learned phrases like, I remember when, my favorite memory is, and I wasn't very good at.
463
Then we talked about first experiences.
464
These are special memories because they only happen once.
465
The first day at university, the first job interview, the first apartment.
466
We use my first and the first time I to talk about these moments.
467
Yes.
468
And we also shared embarrassing moments.
469
Everyone has them, and they make good stories.
470
We learned the word embarrassing and phrases like, I was so embarrassed, and my face was red.
471
Finally, we discussed important life events.
472
These are big moments that change our lives, like moving out, starting a business, or graduating.
473
We use the past tense and add details about how we felt and what happened.
474
That's right.
475
So talking about the past is really simple.
476
You use the past tense, add time words, include details about feelings and actions, and share your personal experiences.
477
Exactly.
478
And the more you practice, the easier it becomes.
479
Now we want to hear from you.
480
This is our favorite part.
481
Yes, we love reading your comments and learning about your lives.
482
Our question of the day is, what is your most memorable childhood memory and why?
483
That's a great question.
484
Let me answer first.
485
My most memorable childhood memory is going to the beach with my family every summer.
486
We stayed in a small hotel, played in the water, built sandcastles, and ate ice cream every day.
487
It was pure happiness.
488
I remember it clearly because we were all together, and life was simple.
489
That's beautiful.
490
My most memorable childhood memory is learning to ride a bicycle.
491
My father held the back of the bike and ran with me.
492
Then one day, he let go and I rode by myself.
493
I felt so proud and free.
494
I remember it because it was the first time I did something difficult all alone.
495
See?
496
We have different answers, and that's okay.
497
Everyone has their own special memories.
498
So, viewers, we want to know about you.
499
What is your most memorable childhood memory?
500
Why do you remember it so clearly?
501
It could be a birthday party, a trip, learning something new, a special friend, or just a normal day that felt perfect.
502
Please tell us in the comments.
503
Write, My most memorable childhood memory is… and then share your story.
504
Or you can write, I remember when… and describe the moment.
505
You can also just write a few sentences.
506
For example, I remember playing with my dog in the garden.
507
We played every day after school.
508
I was so happy then.
509
Exactly.
510
It doesn't need to be long.
511
Just share something from your heart.
512
We read all the comments, and it helps us understand you better.
513
Then we can make videos that are more useful for you.
514
And it also helps you practice writing in English, so it's good for everyone.
515
So please, take a moment and write your answer in the comments below.
516
Thank you so much for watching today's video.
517
We really appreciate you spending time with us.
518
If you enjoyed this lesson, please give this video a big thumbs up.
519
It tells us you want more videos like this.
520
And if you haven't subscribed yet, please click the subscribe button and the little bell notification.
521
That way you won't miss our new videos.
522
We post new English conversation videos every day, and they're all designed to help you speak more naturally and confidently.
523
You are all great students, and we're so happy to be part of your English learning journey.
524
Keep practicing, keep speaking, and don't be afraid to make mistakes.
525
Remember, mistakes are how we learn.
526
Every conversation is practice, even if it's just talking to yourself or writing in the comments.
527
So keep going, stay positive, and believe in yourself.
528
Have a wonderful day, evening, and night, wherever you are in the world.
529
Goodbye, everyone.
530
Bye.
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
B21
How to Handle Everyday Problems in English | Daily Practice (B1–B2) | English Podcast
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B22
English Podcast For Learning English | How to Think Fast, Speak Smart | Easy English Podcast
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B22
English Podcast For Learning English Conversation | Daily Life English Speaking Practice (B1-B2)
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B12
English Podcast for Learning English | Real English Conversation | CHANGE YOUR LIFE BEFORE 2027
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B16
English Podcast for Learning English Conversation | Real Daily Life English | A2-B1 English Podcast
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B1Talk About Your Daily Schedule in English | Easy English Conversation Practice
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B12
150 Essential English Phrases for Talking at the Hotel Reception | Conversation Practice
Travel EnglishTeensDaily Conversation
B11
100 Essential Phrases & How to Talk While Leading a Meeting | English Conversation Practice
Business EnglishWorking Adults
B1It’s Never Too Late to Start Again | Improve Your English Listening | Easy English Podcast
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B1English Podcast for Learning English | How to Speak with More Confidence | Easy English Podcast
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B1Speak Confidently at the Office in English | 150 Essential Phrases | Conversation Practice
Business EnglishDaily ConversationWorking Adults
B11
How to Speak English When You Don’t Know What to Say | English Conversation Practice
Daily ConversationHigh School StudentsUniversity Students
B15
How to Train Your Brain to Speak in English | English Listening Practice | Learn to Think in English
Daily ConversationHigh School StudentsUniversity Students
B1Speak English Fluently with Only 300 Words | Daily English Conversation Practice | English Podcast
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B14
100 Essential Phrases & How to Handle Customer Calls in English | English Conversation Practice
TOEIC PrepBusiness EnglishDaily Conversation
B1English Podcast For Learning English | Real English Conversation Practice | Talk About Your Day
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B1English Podcast for Learning English | Make 2026 Your Best Year Yet | Daily Life English
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B1Master Everyday English Conversations | Speak Naturally in Small Talk | English Listening Practice
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B1300 Essential Phrases & Shadowing Practice for Daily English Speaking | Conversation Practice
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B1English Podcast for Learning English | 30 Minutes of Real English Listening & Conversation Practice
Daily ConversationHigh School StudentsUniversity Students
FOR YOU
Recommend Video
A21
281 sentences
Day 27: How to Talk About The Past | 30-Day English Speaking Challenge | Shadowing Practice
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B13
337 sentences
Talk About Your Favorite Hobbies on the Weekend | Real English Conversation
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B11
58 sentences
Past Perfect Continuous Tense Conversation
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B13
228 sentences
Tell Me About Your Weekend in English | Easy Past Tense Lesson | Past Tense Conversation Practice
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B11
341 sentences
"How to Talk About Your Feelings in English Like a Native | Learn English With Podcasts
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B12
204 sentences
15 Minutes English Conversation Practice: Boost Your Listening Skills
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B12
423 sentences
Practice Shadowing in English for 30 Days | Day 5 Podcast Conversation Challenge
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B12
29 sentences
ESL Conversation About the Past
Daily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B14
509 sentences
English Podcast For Learning English Conversation Practice | A Good Future Needs Some Bad Memories
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
A23
34 sentences
Talking About Your Hometown | Easy English Conversation for Beginners | Daily English
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B13
395 sentences
Improve English Speaking Skills | Daily routines | Shadowing Practice with a Simple Conversation 💬
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
Why This Video Is Perfect for Speaking Practice
What makes this clip stand out as great speaking material? It’s all about natural conversation. The dialogue between Jack and Emma feels like a real chat—filled with casual phrases, pauses, and relatable topics like weekends and childhood. For learners, this is gold: it mirrors how people actually talk about the past in everyday life, making it ideal for IELTS speaking practice or just sounding more fluent. Plus, the slow, clear pace means you can easily follow along, making it a top pick for anyone using learn English with videos strategies.
Breaking Down the Natural Phrases
Let’s look at a few lines that make the conversation sound so real. First, “I'm a little tired though because I stayed up late last night watching a movie.” The word “though” here softens the statement, making it feel less formal—exactly how we speak with friends. Next, “Not very exciting, but it needed to be done.” The short, conversational structure (“not very exciting”) and the contrast with “but” show how we downplay small tasks in real life. Finally, “I haven't been in a long time.” This contraction (“haven't”) and the phrase “in a long time” are common in spoken English, avoiding stiff wording. These details are what make the dialogue feel authentic, and noticing them helps you speak more naturally too.
A Simple Shadowing Routine to Try
Want to practice like a pro? Try this shadow speech routine. First, watch the video once to get the gist. Then, play a 5-second clip, pause, and repeat it out loud—mimicking the tone, speed, and pauses. Record yourself doing this; you’ll catch where your pronunciation or rhythm differs. For tricky parts, use a shadowing site to slow down the audio. Do this daily for 10 minutes, focusing on the past tense phrases (“visited my parents,” “went hiking”). Over time, you’ll notice your speech sounds more natural, and you’ll feel confident using these phrases in your own conversations. Whether you’re prepping for IELTS speaking practice or just chatting with friends, this loop works—so hit play and start shadowing today!
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | haven't been · I've never been · we've talked |
| Superlatives the -est / the most … — the top or bottom of a group | my best · the most interesting · the best |
| Verb + -ing enjoy, keep, stop… + -ing — verbs that are followed by the -ing form | love hiking · started learning · loved racing |
| Past continuous was/were + -ing — an action in progress at a moment in the past | wasn't looking · were talking |
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.