Shadowing Practice: Talking about Work in English 💼 Beginner English listening practice Level A2 - Learn English Speaking with Video

This video has 58 sentences and 706 words to shadow. The speech runs for 8:04. The speaker talks slowly, about 88 words per minute, so there is time to copy every sound. 82% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start.

Key vocabulary in this video

15 less common words from the video, with pronunciation and meaning:

• clock /klɑk/ (noun) — A chronometer, an instrument that measures time, particularly the time of day.
• desk /dɛsk/ (noun) — A table, frame, or case, in past centuries usually with a sloping top but now usually with a flat top, for the use of writers and readers. It often has a…
• worker /ˈwɝ.kɚ/ (noun) — One who works: a person who performs labor for a living; traditionally, especially, manual labor.
• colleague /ˈkɒliːɡ/ (noun) — A fellow member of a profession, staff, academic faculty or other organization; an associate, a workmate.
• helpful /ˈhɛlp.fl̩/ (adjective) — Furnishing help; giving aid; useful.
• telephone /ˈtɛləˌfoʊn/ (noun) — A telecommunication device which converts data or sounds (usually speech) into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to…
• connect /kəˈnɛkt/ (verb) — To join (to another object): to attach, or to be intended to attach or capable of attaching, to another object.
• mouse /maʊs/ (noun) — Any mammal of the many rodent families (especially Muridae) that have a small body and a long tail.
• sandwich /ˈsæn(d).wɪd͡ʒ/ (noun) — A dish or foodstuff where at least one piece, but typically two or more pieces, of bread serves as the wrapper or container of some other food.
• keyboard /ˈki.bɔɹd/ (noun) — A set of keys laid out in a gridlike pattern, used for typing on a typewriter, computer, etc.
• subscribe /səbˈskɹaɪb/ (verb) — To write (one’s name) at the bottom of a document; to sign (one's name).
• thumb /ˈθʌm/ (noun) — The shortest and thickest digit of the hand that for humans has the most mobility and can be made to oppose (moved to touch) all of the other fingers.
• headphones /ˈhɛdfoʊnz/ (noun) — A pair of cushioned speakers worn over or in the ears so only the wearer can hear the sound.
• stressful /ˈstɹɛsfəl/ (adjective) — Irritating; causing stress.
• tidy /ˈtaɪ.di/ (adjective) — Arranged neatly and in order.

Phrasal verbs you will hear

• sit down (verb) — To assume a sitting position from a standing position.
• work at (verb) — To make a physical or mental effort to progress some specified task; to endeavor or struggle on an issue or project.
• work in (verb) — To find time or space for, amid other things.
• come along (verb) — To accompany.
• go back to (verb) — To stem from; to originate in.
• go for (verb) — To try for, to attempt to reach.
• stay in (verb) — To remain at home.
• tidy up (verb) — To make clean, to make satisfactorily neat.

Pronunciation to watch

The speaker uses 5 contractions and reduced forms, such as don't, doesn't, I'll. Say them the short way, as you hear them.

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 clock, desk, worker.

Grammar in this video

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