Shadowing Practice: The Devil Wears Prada | The Job Interview - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
1
Hi.
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I have an appointment with Emily Charlton.
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Andrea Sachs?
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Yes?
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Great.
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Human resources certainly has an odd sense of humor.
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Follow me.
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Okay, so I was Miranda's second assistant, but her first assistant recently got promoted, so now I'm the first.
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Oh, and you're replacing yourself.
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Well, I am trying.
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Miranda sacked the last two girls after only a few weeks.
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We need to find someone who can survive here.
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Do you understand?
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Yeah, of course.
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Who's Miranda?
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Oh, my God.
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I will pretend you did not just ask me that.
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She's the editor-in-chief of Runway.
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Not to mention a legend.
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You work a year for her, and you can get a job at any magazine you want.
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A million girls would kill for this job.
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Oh, it sounds like a great opportunity.
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I'd love to be considered.
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Andrea, Runway is a fashion magazine, so an interest in fashion is crucial.
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What makes you think I'm not interested in fashion?
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Who's that?
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Nobody.
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Um, uh, well, Human Resources sent her off about the new assistant job, and I was sort of pre-interviewing her for you,
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but she's hopeless and totally wrong.
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Clearly, I'm going to have to do that myself, because the last two you sent me were completely inadequate, so center in.
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That's all.
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Right. Who are you?
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My name is Andy Sachs.
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I recently graduated from Northwestern University.
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What are you doing here?
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Well, I think I could do a good job as your assistant. And, um...
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Yeah, I came to New York to be a journalist
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and sent letters out everywhere and finally got a call from Elias Clark and met with Sherry up at Human Resources and...
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Basically, it's this or Otto Universe.
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So you don't read runway?
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Uh, no. And before today, you had never heard of me?
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No. And you have no style or sense of fashion?
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Well, um, I think that depends on what you're...
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No, no. That wasn't a question.
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Um, I was editor-in-chief of the Daily Northwestern.
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I also won a national competition for college journalists with my series on the janitor's union, which exposed the exploitation of...
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Yeah, you know, okay.
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You're right.
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I don't fit in here.
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I am not skinny or glamorous, and I don't know that much about fashion, but I'm smart.
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I learn fast, and I will work very hard.
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I've got the exclusive on the Cavalli for Gwyneth.

Context & Background

In this excerpt from "The Devil Wears Prada," we are introduced to Andrea Sachs, a recent college graduate who finds herself in a high-stakes job interview for an assistant position at a prestigious fashion magazine, Runway. This scene highlights not only the competitive nature of the fashion industry but also the importance of self-presentation and confidence in interviews. The dialogue reveals key insights into what the hiring manager, Miranda Priestly, values in her assistants, particularly a strong interest in fashion, which Andrea openly admits she lacks. This conflict sets the stage for growth and learning, making it a valuable scene for English learners to analyze both vocabulary and conversational cues.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “I have an appointment with…” - This phrase is useful for formally announcing your arrival for a meeting or appointment.
  • “I think I could do a good job as…” - Use this when expressing confidence in your abilities for a certain role or task.
  • “I came to [Location] to be a…” - A good way to explain your career goals or aspirations related to a location.
  • “This or [Alternative].” - A common way to present choices or options you are considering.
  • “I am not [Adjective], but I am [Another Adjective].” - A useful structure for discussing your strengths and weaknesses in any context.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively improve your English speaking skills using the scenes from “The Devil Wears Prada,” follow this step-by-step shadowing guide:

  1. Listen Carefully: Play the video segment and listen to the dialogue. Focus on the pronunciation and intonation used by the characters. This is crucial for mastering shadow speech.
  2. Repeat in Real-time: Begin shadowing as you listen. Try to mimic the characters exactly as they speak. This way, you practice not just words, but also the rhythm of natural conversation, which is excellent for english speaking practice.
  3. Break It Down: If certain phrases or sentences are challenging, pause and repeat them individually. This will help with retention and clarity in your speech.
  4. Use Context Clues: Pay attention to the situation in the video. Use the context provided in the dialogue to understand how each phrase can be applied in your own speaking situations.
  5. Practice with Variation: After shadowing, try to use the phrases in your own sentences. For example, practice saying, “I think I could do a good job as a…” with a job relevant to your interests.

By incorporating these techniques into your routine, you can refine your speaking abilities significantly. This targeted approach is beneficial for those preparing for exams like the IELTS, enhancing both fluency and confidence in various conversational contexts.

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.