Shadowing Practice: Talking About Time in English | Easy English Podcast - Learn English Speaking with YouTube
B1
Hello, everyone, and welcome back to Everyday English Academy,
371 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
Hello, everyone, and welcome back to Everyday English Academy,
2
where we make English simple, fun, and super practical.
3
I'm Sarah.
4
And I'm Mike.
5
Hello to all of you amazing listeners out there.
6
How's everyone doing today?
7
We are so excited to be here with you.
8
Mike, I have to tell you something funny that happened to me last week.
9
Oh, what happened?
10
Okay, so my friend sent me a text message.
11
She said, I'm leaving now.
12
See you in a bit.
13
Okay, sounds normal.
14
So I thought, oh great,
15
she'll be here soon, right?
16
In a bit means soon,
17
so I got ready quickly,
18
I waited by the door,
19
and I waited, and I waited.
20
How long did you wait?
21
Mike, she arrived two hours later.
22
What?
23
Two hours is not a bit.
24
Exactly.
25
I was so confused.
26
When she finally arrived, I said,
27
you said in a bit,
28
and she just laughed and said, yeah, a bit.
29
Oh, wow.
30
You know what?
31
The exact same thing happened to me.
32
My colleague told me the meeting will start any minute now.
33
Let me guess.
34
It didn't start any minute.
35
It started 40 minutes later.
36
I was sitting there, refreshing my computer,
37
thinking, any minute, any minute, nothing.
38
This is why we need today's episode.
39
We're going to talk about time in English.
40
All the expressions, all the phrases,
41
all the confusing little words that native speakers use.
42
Because honestly, talking about time is something we do every single day.
43
What time is it?
44
When are you coming?
45
How long will it take?
46
And if you don't understand these expressions,
47
you might end up waiting for two hours like me.
48
Exactly.
49
So today, we're covering everything from basic clock time to fun idioms about time.
50
And before we jump in,
51
we have a quick request for you wonderful people.
52
Yes, if you're enjoying Everyday English Academy,
53
please hit that subscribe button.
54
Please subscribe and give us a like.
55
It really helps us reach more English learners around the world.
56
And share this episode with your friends.
57
Learning English together is more fun.
58
Thank you so much.
59
Now, Mike, let's start with the basics.
60
How do we actually tell the time?
61
Ah, yes, the clock.
62
This is important.
63
Let me ask you, Sarah,
64
what time is it right now?
65
Well, right now it's 3.15,
66
or we can say it's quarter past 3.
67
Perfect.
68
So quarter past means 15 minutes after the hour.
69
Yes.
70
Think about it.
71
A quarter is one-fourth, right?
72
One-fourth of 60 minutes is 15 minutes.
73
Exactly.
74
So if it's 2.15, we say quarter past 2.
75
If it's 7.15, we say quarter past 7.
76
Easy.
77
Now, what about 30 minutes?
78
What if it's 3.30?
79
Oh, that's half past three.
80
Half of 60 minutes is 30 minutes.
81
Right.
82
We say half past instead of 30 past.
83
You could say 3.30, but native speakers love to say half past three.
84
It sounds more natural, more conversational.
85
I'll meet you at half past six.
86
Beautiful.
87
Now, Mike, what about when it's 15 minutes before the hour, like 2.45?
88
Ah, that's quarter to 3.
89
Yes.
90
Quarter to means 15 minutes before the next hour.
91
So 4.45 is quarter to 5.
92
8.45 is quarter to 9.
93
This confused me so much when I first learned English,
94
because in my head, I thought,
95
why are we talking about the next hour?
96
It's still 4 o'clock.
97
I know, but native speakers think forward.
98
We're almost at the next hour,
99
so we say quarter to five.
100
It makes sense now, but at first, confusing.
101
Totally.
102
Now here's another useful word, sharp.
103
Ooh, yes, sharp.
104
This is important.
105
If someone says, meet me at three o'clock sharp, what does that mean?
106
It means exactly three o'clock,
107
not 305, not 302, exactly three o'clock.
108
It's like saying, be on time,
109
don't be late, I mean it.
110
Yes, it's very precise, very strict about the time.
111
I use this at work all the time.
112
The meeting starts at 9 a.m sharp.
113
It tells people this is serious.
114
Be there exactly at 9.
115
Now, what if you don't want to be so precise?
116
Ah, then we use around or about.
117
Yes.
118
I'll be there around 5 o'clock,
119
or I'll arrive about 3.30.
120
This means approximately, more or less,
121
maybe 5.05, maybe 4.55, somewhere near that time.
122
It's more relaxed, more casual.
123
Let's meet around lunchtime.
124
Perfect.
125
So we have sharp for exact time and around or about for approximate time.
126
Got it.
127
Now, Sarah, let's talk about the past.
128
How do we talk about things that happened before?
129
Oh, this is where English gets fun.
130
We have so many expressions.
131
Let's start with one of my favorites, ages ago.
132
Ages ago.
133
I love this one.
134
If I say, I watched that movie ages ago, what do I mean?
135
You mean a long time ago.
136
A very long time.
137
Exactly.
138
But here's the thing.
139
It's dramatic.
140
It might not be that long ago.
141
Right.
142
You might have watched it three months ago,
143
but you say ages ago because it feels like a long time.
144
Native speakers are very dramatic about time.
145
We really are.
146
When did you eat?
147
Oh, ages ago.
148
But maybe it was two hours ago.
149
Exactly.
150
We also say four ages.
151
I haven't seen you for ages.
152
Yes, four ages means for a long period of time.
153
I've been waiting for ages.
154
That could be my complaint about your friend.
155
Sarah's been waiting for ages.
156
Two hours is ages when you're standing by the door.
157
Fair point.
158
Now, what about the other day?
159
Oh, the other day is useful,
160
but also a bit vague.
161
Vague means not specific, not clear.
162
Right.
163
The other day means recently.
164
Maybe yesterday, maybe three days ago, maybe last week.
165
It's somewhere in the recent past,
166
but we're not giving the exact day.
167
For example, I saw Tom the other day at the supermarket.
168
Perfect.
169
You don't remember exactly when, but it was recently.
170
We also have back in the day.
171
Ah, yes.
172
This is nostalgic.
173
It means in the past, usually many years ago.
174
Back in the day, we didn't have smartphones.
175
Back in the day, I used to walk to school.
176
It makes you sound old,
177
but it's a nice expression.
178
It is.
179
It's warm.
180
It's about memories.
181
Back in the day, life was simpler.
182
I like it.
183
Now, what about the present and near future?
184
How do we talk about things happening now or very soon?
185
Great question.
186
Let's start with right now.
187
Right now means at this exact moment.
188
I'm busy right now.
189
Can I call you later?
190
Yes, or what are you doing right now?
191
We also say at the moment.
192
It's very similar.
193
At the moment is maybe slightly more formal,
194
but it means the same thing.
195
I'm working on a project at the moment.
196
Sorry, I can't talk at the moment.
197
Perfect.
198
Now, here's where it gets tricky.
199
In a bit and in a sec.
200
The phrases that caused my two-hour wait.
201
Exactly.
202
So let's clarify.
203
In a bit means soon, in a short time.
204
But how short?
205
That's the question.
206
Well, it depends.
207
Maybe five minutes, maybe 30 minutes.
208
Maybe two hours, if you're my friend.
209
True.
210
In a sec is supposed to be even shorter.
211
Sec is short for second,
212
so in a sec should mean in one second.
213
Should mean that, but doesn't.
214
Right.
215
In a sec could mean five minutes.
216
The point is, both expressions mean soon, but they're not exact.
217
So, if someone says, in a bit,
218
don't stand by the door for two hours like me.
219
Good advice.
220
Now, any minute now is another one.
221
Any minute now means very soon.
222
We're expecting it to happen.
223
The bus should arrive any minute now.
224
She'll call any minute now.
225
But again, any minute might mean 10 minutes.
226
English is so frustrating sometimes.
227
It is, but that's why we're here, explaining everything.
228
Exactly.
229
Now let's talk about urgency,
230
when we're in a hurry, when time is important.
231
Yes, one of the best expressions is in the nick of time.
232
Oh, I love this one.
233
In the nick of time means at the last possible moment,
234
just before it's too late.
235
For example, I arrived at the airport in the nick of time.
236
The gate was about to close.
237
Perfect.
238
Or, the firefighters arrived in the nick of time and saved the building.
239
It's dramatic, it's exciting, just in time.
240
We also say running out of time.
241
Yes, this means time is finishing.
242
We don't have much time left.
243
Hurry up, we're running out of time.
244
I'm running out of time to finish this project.
245
It creates pressure, urgency.
246
We need to act fast.
247
Another useful one is save time.
248
Save time means to do something faster or more efficiently.
249
If you prepare your clothes the night before,
250
you'll save time in the morning.
251
Taking the train saves time compared to driving.
252
It's about being smart with your time, not wasting it.
253
Exactly.
254
Now, Sarah, let's get to the fun part, idioms.
255
Yes, time idioms are everywhere in English.
256
First one, time flies.
257
Time flies means time passes very quickly.
258
Wow, it's already December.
259
Time flies.
260
We often say, time flies when you're having fun.
261
That's so true.
262
When you enjoy something, time goes fast.
263
But when you're bored, time goes so slowly.
264
Exactly.
265
Which brings us to kill time.
266
Kill time means to do something while you wait, to pass the time.
267
I arrived early, so I killed time by reading a book.
268
We killed time at the cafe before the movie started.
269
It's about filling empty time with an activity.
270
Right.
271
And finally, about time.
272
Oh, this one's interesting.
273
About time means finally, at last.
274
We use it when something should have happened earlier, but it's happening now.
275
For example, you're finally here.
276
It's about time.
277
Or they fixed the road.
278
About time.
279
It's a bit sarcastic, a bit frustrated, but also relieved.
280
Like, this should have happened a long time ago.
281
Exactly.
282
Now, let's practice all of these in a natural conversation.
283
Great idea.
284
Okay, Mike, imagine we're making plans.
285
I'll start.
286
Hey, Mike, what time should we meet tomorrow?
287
How about half past two?
288
Half past two?
289
That's perfect.
290
Where should we meet?
291
Let's meet at the cafe on Main Street.
292
But please be there at 2.30 sharp.
293
Last time you said in a bit and I waited for ages.
294
Okay, okay.
295
I promise I'll be on time.
296
I'll probably arrive around 2.25.
297
Perfect.
298
Oh, by the way, did you watch that new show I recommended?
299
The one you told me about the other day?
300
Not yet.
301
I've been running out of time this week.
302
No worries.
303
We can talk about it when we meet.
304
Time flies, doesn't it?
305
I feel like we just hung out yesterday,
306
but it was actually two weeks ago.
307
I know.
308
Time really does fly.
309
Okay, I'll see you tomorrow at half past two sharp.
310
See you then.
311
Perfect.
312
See how naturally these expressions fit into conversation?
313
They're everywhere once you start noticing them.
314
Absolutely.
315
So, Mike, before we finish today,
316
do you have any tips for our listeners?
317
I do.
318
My first tip is to listen carefully when native speakers talk about time.
319
Yes.
320
Pay attention to the phrases they use,
321
not just the literal time.
322
Exactly.
323
When someone says, in a bit,
324
notice how long they actually mean.
325
Learn from my mistake.
326
Right.
327
My second tip is to practice these expressions out loud.
328
Don't just read them, say them.
329
Yes.
330
Say, I'll be there in a sec.
331
Or, time flies.
332
Practice makes perfect.
333
My tip is to use these in your daily life,
334
even if you're talking to yourself.
335
Talking to yourself is great practice.
336
It is.
337
Look at the clock and say, it's quarter past three.
338
Or, I need to leave in a bit.
339
Perfect.
340
The more you use them,
341
the more natural they become.
342
Well, everyone, we've reached the end of today's episode.
343
Time really does fly.
344
It does.
345
We could talk about time for ages,
346
but we're running out of time.
347
Look at us using all the expressions.
348
Before we go, we have a question for all of you listening.
349
Yes, here's today's question.
350
What's your favorite time expression that we talked about today?
351
Is it time flies?
352
In the nick of time?
353
Ages ago?
354
Tell us in the comments.
355
Write one or two sentences using your favorite expression.
356
For example, my favorite is time flies because it's so true.
357
Time flies when I'm learning English.
358
We read every single comment and we love hearing from you.
359
And if you enjoyed this episode,
360
please subscribe to Everyday English Academy.
361
Hit that subscribe button so you don't miss our future conversations.
362
Give this episode a like and share it with your friends who are learning English.
363
Thank you so much for being here with us today.
364
You're doing an amazing job with your English.
365
Keep going, keep practicing.
366
Now you can talk about time like a native speaker.
367
Take care of yourselves, everyone.
368
We'll see you very soon.
369
Until next time, happy learning!
370
Goodbye everyone!
371
Bye!
Download App
AI scoring for every sentence you speak
TRENDING
Popular
Why practice speaking with this video?
Practicing speaking is essential for mastering English, and this video provides the perfect context for your english speaking practice. By focusing on everyday conversations about time, you can learn how to respond naturally and confidently in similar situations. The humorous interactions between the hosts highlight real-life scenarios that many English learners face, allowing you to connect with the language in an engaging way. As you immerse yourself in the dialogue, you'll develop a deeper understanding of how native speakers communicate. Utilizing the concept of shadow speak, where you mimic the speakers, will enhance your pronunciation and comprehension skills simultaneously. This method is effective for those who wish to learn English with YouTube as it allows you to practice speaking in real-time, following the rhythm and intonation of the speakers.
Grammar & Expressions in Context
In the video, several key phrases and structures are used that can enhance your speaking ability:
- "See you in a bit": This expression indicates a short wait, but can be confusing in its actual meaning. It's essential to note the context and use it appropriately.
- "Any minute now": This phrase denotes anticipation but often implies a longer wait than expected. Understanding this nuance can prevent misunderstanding in conversations.
- "How long will it take?": A direct question commonly used to ask about time frames; practicing this structure can help you sound more fluent in everyday situations.
Using these expressions in your conversations will not only build your vocabulary but also give you the tools to express time-related inquiries and responses effectively.
Common Pronunciation Traps
As you engage with the video, be mindful of some tricky words and pronunciations that may challenge learners:
- "Bit": This word can be pronounced with varying intonations, which might confuse non-native speakers. Ensure you emphasize the "i" to clarify your meaning.
- "Minute": Often pronounced like "min-it" for time reference can be confused with "minute" (the length of time), so understanding context is vital.
- Accent variations: Listen carefully to the different accents used by the speakers. Mimicking their style is part of the shadowspeaks technique to improve your accent and fluency.
By paying attention to these pronunciation traps, you will be better equipped to communicate effectively and reduce misunderstandings when discussing time in English.
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! 🙏