Shadowing Practice: The Ones with the Books | Friends - Learn English Speaking with Video
Creating lesson...
1
Why do you have a copy of The Shining in your freezer?
2
Oh, I was reading it last night and I got scared, so...
3
But, uh, you're safe from it if it's in the freezer?
4
Well, safer.
5
You know, I mean, I never start reading The Shining without making sure we got plenty of room in the freezer.
6
How often do you read it?
7
Haven't you ever read the same book over and over again?
8
Well, um, I guess I read Little Women more than once, than once but i mean that's a classic what's
9
so great about the shining the question should be rach what is not
10
so great about the shining okay
11
and the answer would be nothing all right this is like
12
the scariest book ever i bet it's way better than
13
that classic of yours okay uh well we'll just see about
14
that okay i will read the shining and you will read little women all right you got it All right?
15
Okay.
16
Now, Rach, these little women...
17
Yeah.
18
How little are they?
19
I mean, are they, like, scary little?
20
Beth is really, really sick.
21
Oh.
22
Jo's there, but I don't think there's anything she can do.
23
Joey?
24
Yeah?
25
You want to put the book in the freezer?
26
Okay.
27
Okay.
28
You have to read this book.
29
It's called Be Your Own Windkeeper.
30
It's about how women need to become more empowered.
31
Yeah, and, oh, and, but there's, there's wind.
32
And the wind can make us goddesses.
33
But do you know who takes our wind?
34
Men.
35
They just take it.
36
men just take our wind.
37
Yeah, all the time.
38
Because they are the lightning bearers.
39
Wow.
40
Well, that sounds kind of cool.
41
It's kind of like The Hobbit.
42
It is nothing like The Hobbit.
43
It's like reading about every relationship I've ever had.
44
Except for Richard.
45
Oh, yes, no. Richard would never steal your wind.
46
No. No. Because he's yummy.
47
Yes.
48
But all the other ones.
49
Oh, yes.
50
Oh, and the part about how they're always, like, drinking from our pool of inner power.
51
But God forbid, we should take a sip.
52
Anybody want a cruller?
53
Okay, this is a typical lightning-bearer thing.
54
Right there.
55
It's like, um, hello, who wants one of my phallic-shaped man-cakes?
56
I will be doing a dramatic reading of one of Emma's books.
57
Oh.
58
Okay. Which one?
59
Uh, well, it's, uh, one of her favorites.
60
Riding the storm out, coping with postpartum depression.
61
Yeesh.
62
Love You Forever.
63
Love You Forever by Robert Munch, published by Firefly Books, printed in Mexico.
64
A mother held her new baby and very slowly rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth.
65
And while she held him, she sang, I'll love you forever.
66
I'll like you for always.
67
As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be.
68
And while he rocked her, he sang, I'll love you forever.
69
I'll like you for always.
70
As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be.
71
Wow. That was amazing.
72
Thank you so much for that gift.
73
I was not ready for this today.
74
You guys have any wrapping paper?
75
Oh.
76
Is it for my birthday present?
77
Phoebs, it was your birthday like months ago.
78
Yeah, but remember you said you ordered something special and it just hadn't come yet?
79
Well, I have a call in about that.
80
Okay.
81
Actually, this is for Kathy's birthday.
82
It's an early edition of her favorite book.
83
Oh, the Velveteen Rabbit.
84
Oh, my God.
85
When the boy's love makes the rabbit real.
86
Okay, but don't touch it because your fingers have destructive oils.
87
Oh.
88
Well, then you better keep it away from Ross's hair.
89
So this is pretty rare.
90
How did you get that?
91
Oh, it wasn't a big deal.
92
I just went to a couple of bookstores, talked to a couple of dealers, called a couple of the author's grandchildren.
93
Oh, honey, that's so sweet.
94
Yeah, and what a great way to say I secretly love your roommate's girlfriend.
95
It doesn't say that. Does it?
96
How do you think it's gonna look when you get her something incredibly meaningful and expensive, and her boyfriend, Joey, gives her an orange?
97
Why are we here?
98
Okay, okay, take a guess.
99
The hot chicks?
100
Okay, okay, I was typing names into the library computer earlier, you know, you know, for fun.
101
And I typed mine in, and guess what came up?
102
My doctoral dissertation.
103
It's here!
104
Yeah, right.
105
It's right down here in the biggest library in the university.
106
Oh, that's actually pretty cool.
107
Yeah.
108
Oh, um, there's also a book here by a woman named Wendy Bajina.
109
What is that?
110
Sounds like two people are really enjoying the Dewey Decimal System.
111
I'm so sorry.
112
You didn't bring me here to do that, did you?
113
Excuse me.
114
Hi, I'm a professor here.
115
Do you know the paleontology section, fifth floor, stack 437?
116
Well, yes.
117
Just give me five minutes.
118
I just have to find someone to cover my shift.
119
No, no, no!
120
Can I speak to someone in charge, please?
121
How can I help you?
122
Hi.
123
I was wondering, is it possible to increase security in the paleontology section?
124
See, I wrote a book that's up there, and instead of reading it, people are.. well, they're rolling around in front of it.
125
We are aware of the problem you're referring to.
126
But as far as increasing security, I'm afraid the library is very understaffed.
127
I can't help you.
128
Well, fine.
129
Fine.
130
If I'm the only person with any appreciation of the sanctity of the written word, then I'll go up there and defend it myself.
131
Don't you follow me.
132
Yes?
133
Yes?
134
How can I help you?
135
Uh, we were just looking around.
136
Oh, oh, you're fellow scholars.
137
What exactly were you looking for,
138
hmm? perhaps uh perhaps dr chester stocks musings on the smilodon californicus uh get out of here
139
Hi, meeting someone?
140
Or are you just here to brush up on Miriam's views on evolution?
141
Um, actually, I find Miriam's views far too progressionist.
142
I find Miriam's views far too progressionist.
143
I'm sorry.
144
Who are you?
145
I'm a professor here.
146
Ross Geller.
147
Ross Geller?
148
Why do I know that name?
149
It's a...
150
Wait. Did you write this?
151
Yes.
152
Yes.
153
You're the person who checked out my book?
154
You know, you look nothing like I would have thought.
155
You're so young.
156
Well, I skipped fourth grade.
157
I am very, very sorry.
158
Sure have a lot of books about being a lesbian.
159
Well, you know, you have to take a course.
160
Otherwise, they don't let you do it.
161
Hey.
162
Hey, Yertle the Turtle.
163
A classic.
164
Actually, I'm reading it to the baby.
165
The baby that hasn't been born yet?
166
Wouldn't that mean you're...
167
crazy?
168
What, you don't think they can hear sounds in there?
169
You're not serious.
170
I mean, do you really talk to it?
171
Yeah, all the time.
172
I want the baby to know my voice.
173
Do you talk about me?
174
Yeah, yeah, all the time.
175
Really?
176
But we just refer to you as Bobo the Sperm Guy.
177
The Bronte sisters were really remarkable women for their time.
178
They lived in a patriarchal society.
179
Sorry I'm late, but I left late.
180
Okay.
181
So, Phoebe, what is the book about?
182
I thought you said you read it in high school.
183
Well, yeah, but then I remembered I started it, and then there was this pep rally, and I was on top of the pyramid.
184
But anyway, what's the book about?
185
Okay, it's this tragic love story between Kathy and Heathcliff, and it takes place on these really creepy moors in England,
186
which I think represent the wildness of Heathcliff's character.
187
I totally get symbolism.
188
How would you characterize the theme of this book?
189
Let's see.
190
Rachel Green.
191
Well, I would have to say that it's a tragic love story.
192
Well, that's sort of a given, but yes.
193
Anyone else?
194
Oh, oh, oh, symbolism.
195
And, uh, the, the, uh, wildness of the Moors, which I think is, is mirrored in the wildness of, uh, Heathcliff's character.
196
Excellent.
197
What Rachel has shrewdly observed here.
198
You completely stole my answer.
199
Oh, my honey, that was pretty obvious.
200
Well, how would you know?
201
You didn't even read it.
202
What do you think?
203
Uh, you in the blue shirt.
204
I think that, um, yours is a question with many possible answers.
205
Would you care to venture one?
206
Would you care to venture one?
207
Are you just repeating what I'm saying?
208
Are you just repeating what I'm saying?
209
Check this out.
210
It says here there's a place you can go to rent videos of all the museums.
211
It's almost as good as being there.
212
It's better.
213
You can't go to a museum in your underwear.
214
Well, you could, but probably just the one time.
215
I bet we could get videos of all the sites, get a VCR in our hotel room, we'd never even have to go outside.
216
If we do that, we've got to rent Die Hard.
217
Oh, I bet the British version is good.
218
Hey, what are you guys.. what are you guys talking about?
219
Nothing.
220
Yeah.
221
Mm.
222
Damn, this coffee's cold.
223
Hey, Rich, do you mind if I heat this up on your loins?
224
You know, I cannot believe you told him.
225
Joey!
226
So I guess you bought that book after we broke up, huh?
227
Uh-huh, yeah, I did, because I wore out my first copy when I was with you.
228
Okay, yeah, well, uh, when we were going out, I read tons of porno magazines.
229
Sup?
230
Boss, how could you do that to an old man?
231
Excuse me, ladies.
232
I'm sorry.
233
I thought maybe I'd make some warm milk and it would help me sleep.
234
With a wok?
235
I thought you were gonna read my boring book to put you to sleep.
236
It got interesting.
237
Damn you, Oprah.
238
Here, let me make the milk.
239
I'm up anyway.
240
Hey, you know what we could do, you know, now that we're up?
241
We could just, like, talk to each other all night long, you know?
242
Like we did when we were first going out.
243
It'd be fun.
244
Okay, that does sound fun.
245
Yeah.
246
So, I mean, how bummed were you when the second sister died, huh?
247
The second sister dies?
248
No. No. No, I-I was talking about the book I was reading.
249
The Second Sister Dies in Archie and Jughead Double Digest?
250
That's correct.
251
Hey, Rach, how you doing with The Shining?
252
Oh, Danny just went into room 217.
253
Ooh, the next part's the best, when that dead lady in the bathtub.
254
Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Come on, you're gonna ruin it.
255
All right.
256
I'll talk in code.
257
Remember when the kid sees those two blanks in the hallway?
258
That's very cool.
259
Oh.
260
All blank and no blank makes blank a blank blank.
261
Oh, no, no. No, the end.
262
When Jack almost kills them all with that blank, but then in the last second they get away.
263
Oh.
264
Joey, I can't believe you just did that.
265
How can can't believe you just did that.
266
I can't believe she cracked your code.
267
All right, okay.
268
Lori proposes to Joe, and she says no, even though she's still in love with him, and then he ends up marrying Amy.
269
Hey!
270
Mine was by accident.
271
All right.
272
The boiler explodes and destroys the hotel and kills the dad Beth dies
273
Beth dies is that true if I keep reading this Beth gonna die No, Beth doesn't die.
274
She doesn't die.
275
Does she Rachel what Joey's asking if you've just ruined the first book he's ever loved that didn't star Jack Nicholson.
276
Hey.
277
Thieves, what's wrong?
278
I'm just so exhausted from dragging around this huge engagement ring.
279
Oh, my God.
280
Congratulations.
281
So, did he get on one knee?
282
Did he have his speech prepared?
283
Oh, did he cry?
284
Yeah, big surprise.
285
I like proposals.
286
Well, it was really sweet and, like, the most romantic thing ever.
287
Well, hey, well, here's to Phoebe, who's found the greatest guy in the world.
288
To Phoebe and...
289
I want to say Mike. To Phoebe and Mike.
290
Thank you.
291
Oh, and I have something for you.
292
Yeah, it's my little black book.
293
It's got the numbers of all the guys I've dated.
294
Oh, Phoebe.
295
Mandy, that's nice, but you know what?
296
I think I'm okay.
297
Why don't you give it to one of your other single girlfriends?
298
I would, but you're the last one.
299
Give me the book.
300
Pablo Diaz, Brady Smith, guy in Van.
301
Oh, my first love.
302
What does the red X next to Bob Greenmore's name mean?
303
Dead.
304
Oh, it's okay.
305
No, he was old.
306
Yeah.
307
And he lived a full life.
308
He was in the first wave at Omaha Beach.
309
Yeah, I'm sorry.
310
I should have given you guys my black book when I got married.
311
although it wasn't so much a book as a napkin with Janice's phone number on it
312
see Joe that's why your parents told you not to jump on the bed Hey.
313
Hey.
314
Oh, was it broken?
315
No. I'm gonna wear this thing for a couple of weeks.
316
Did you tell the doctor you did it jumping up and down on your bed?
317
No. Had a whole story worked out.
318
But then, uh, Chandler sold me out.
319
Well, I'm sorry, Joe.
320
I didn't think the doctor was gonna buy that it just fell out of the socket.
321
Question number 28.
322
Have you ever allowed a lightning bearer to take your wind?
323
I would have to say no. no
324
and I would have to say pa-ha do you not remember
325
the puppet guy yeah you like totally let him wash his feet in the pool of your inner power
326
and his puppet too okay well at least I I didn't
327
let some guy into the forest of my righteous truth on the first date. Who?
328
Paul.
329
Oh.
330
Okay, okay, okay, okay.
331
Moving on, moving on.
332
Next question.
333
Okay, number 29.
334
Have you ever betrayed another goddess for a lightning bearer?
335
Okay, number 30.
336
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
337
Let's go back to 29.
338
Not, uh, not to my recollection.
339
All right, Danny Arshak, ninth grade.
340
Oh, come on, Rach, you know the bottle was totally pointing at me.
341
Only because you took up half the circle.
342
Listen to you two.
343
It's so sad.
344
Looks like I'm gonna be going to the goddess meetings alone.
345
Well, not when they find out you slept with Jason Hurley an hour after he broke up with Monica.
346
One hour?
347
You are such a leaf blower.
348
I love your mom's books.
349
I love her books.
350
I cannot get on a plane without one.
351
I mean, this is so cool.
352
Yeah, well, you wouldn't think it's cool if you're 11 years old
353
and all your friends are passing around page 79 of Mistress Bitch.
354
Hey, hey, hey, she's on.
355
Ah, Nora Bing.
356
Here's a minute to the book.
357
Now, what is this about you being arrested in London?
358
What is that all about?
359
Your mom was arrested?
360
Shh, busy beaming with pride.
361
Oh, okay.
362
This is kind of embarrassing, but occasionally after I've been intimate with the man...
363
Now, why would she say that's embarrassing?
364
Shh!
365
I just get this craving for Kung Pao chicken.
366
That's too much information!
367
All right, so now you're doing this whole book tour thing.
368
How is that going?
369
Oh, fine.
370
I'm leaving for New York tomorrow, which I hate, but I get to see my son, who I love.
371
Oh!
372
And this is the way that I find out.
373
Most moms use the phone.
374
You know, I...
375
Don't take this wrong.
376
I just don't see you as a mom somehow.
377
I don't mean that bad.
378
Oh, no. I am a fabulous mom.
379
I bought my son his first condoms.
380
And then he burst into flames.
381
She's my best friend.
382
Well, Joey's my best friend.
383
I'm not your best friend.
384
You just said...
385
You...
386
Of course you're my best friend.
387
Would you please tell Rachel, though?
388
All right.
389
All right, at least I'm prepared.
390
Okay.
391
Oh, yes.
392
Hey!
393
Hey, hey!
394
These aren't for you.
395
Are you upset?
396
I am now.
397
Hey, roomie.
398
Okay, bye.
399
Rach, there's something important I have to tell you.
400
Are you pregnant?
401
No, but I'm throwing this shirt away.
402
I think there was a little misunderstanding before.
403
When I said that Chandler and I wanted to live together, we meant alone together.
404
Oh, my God.
405
Oh, that's funny.
406
I can't believe I did that.
407
Oh, no, sweetie.
408
No, you know what?
409
This is my fault.
410
I wasn't clear.
411
I'm really sorry.
412
And, hey, listen.
413
You take as much time as you need to move out, okay?
414
There's absolutely no rush.
415
Okay.
416
Okay.
417
What is that?
418
I think it's the dying cat parade.
419
Sounds like it's coming from across the street.
420
Oh, my God.
421
What?
422
You know that thing that Ross was going to do at our wedding?
423
who was hanging out with me yesterday and he turned to me
424
and he said you're half Scottish
425
right no wait not
426
why is your family
427
Scottish why is your family Ross cannot play our wedding I mean everyone and then we'll leave.
428
I mean, come on, that is just noise!
429
It's not even a song!
430
Listen very carefully, I think...
431
it's Celebration by Cooling the Game.
432
Well, I feel like a snack.
433
Do you want some shortbread?
434
It's Scottish, like you are.
435
Oh, no thanks.
436
I don't like anything from my Scottish heritage.
437
Well, just my entire family was run out of Scotland by...
438
Vikings.
439
Well, it sounds to me like your family's ready to, uh, rediscover its Scottish roots.
440
You can't play bagpipes at the wedding.
441
How did you know about that?
442
We heard you play all the way from your apartment.
443
Were you the ones who called the cops?
444
That's not really important right now.
445
What is important is while we appreciate the gesture, we just don't feel that bagpipes are appropriate for our wedding.
446
Why not?
447
Because we hate them.
448
Just give me a chance to perform for you, and then decide whatever you want.
449
And I'm not going to tell you what song I'm going to play either, but let's just say when it's over, I'll bet there'll be a wee bit-o celebration.
450
Remember, I'm still learning.
451
One, two, three, four!
452
You know the song.
453
See you along. So?
454
No. Shannon, what you working on?
455
Oh, Monica Chandler's recommendation.
456
I want it to sound smart, but I don't know any big words or anything, so...
457
Well, why don't you use your thesaurus?
458
What'd I just say?
459
Watch.
460
Here, you, uh, you highlight the word you want to change, uh, go under Tools, and the thesaurus generates, gives...
461
gives a whole list of choices.
462
You can pick the word
463
that sounds smartest sound smartest god that's great I'm smart no
464
no I'm brainy bright clever I love this thing look out
465
ladies Joey Triviani's got the whole package Joey let me ask
466
you a question this has been driving me crazy what does
467
this light switch do nothing didn't drive you crazy to have a switch
468
and not know what it did I know what it did nothing they wouldn't have put it there
469
if it didn't do something, how can you not care?
470
Like this.
471
Done?
472
Yep.
473
Hey.
474
Hey.
475
What's up?
476
This switch thing has been driving me crazy.
477
So I turned it off and checked every outlet.
478
Now, four of them don't work, which means one of them has to be controlled by the switch.
479
So I plugged in things in all four outlets that make noise.
480
That way, when I turn it on, I just follow the noise and find out which one it is.
481
I better stop listening before you did.
482
You know, you also could have used lamps and then followed the light.
483
Yeah, well, I'm using noise.
484
That's okay.
485
All right, so, everybody ready?
486
Here we go.
487
Something.
488
I hear something.
489
Where is it?
490
It's coming from Joey.
491
Oh, my God, that's so freaky.
492
Turn him off!
493
Hi.
494
Hi.
495
What are these?
496
Oh, just some pictures I made and hung up.
497
Thought they'd brighten up the place.
498
They do, don't you think?
499
No, no, no!
500
I know that there's no hole there.
501
I just really like that picture.
502
Oh, my God!
503
Look at this!
504
Okay, but there is a wire back there.
505
I mean, that switch is connected to something.
506
I don't care.
507
The wires have come loose in your head.
508
I just thought if I could follow the wire, I could find out what it did.
509
And did you?
510
No. It disappears back there behind that baseboard.
511
A minute there, I thought it went downstairs. But it didn't.
512
Say hello to Mrs. Ketrakas.
513
Oh, my God.
514
Hello, darling.
515
Hello, Mrs. Ketrakas.
516
The super couldn't figure out what it did.
517
The $200 an hour electrician couldn't figure out what it did.
518
I've had seven pretty serious shocks.
519
I officially give up.
520
Thank God.
521
Guess Joey was right.
522
It does nothing.
523
I'm doing it!
524
I am totally doing it!
525
I lost it.
📺 Same Channel
B2273
Joey Is Wearing Makeup | Friends
American AccentDaily ConversationWorking Adults
B11
Breaking news. #FRIENDS
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B227
Joey's Girlfriend Wears Thongs (Kinda) | Friends
American AccentDaily ConversationWorking Adults
B18
Adult life hAdult life hits you hard and fast. #FRIENDSits you hard and fast. #FRIENDS
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B22
Typing isn’t necessarily one of Rachel’s strong suits. #FRIENDS
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
Joey vs. Hombre Man: A Cowboy Showdown at Saks | Friends
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
The Funny Ones with Ross | Friends
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B217
Who Ate Ross' Sandwich? | Friends
American AccentDaily ConversationWorking Adults
B211
A Joey-approved plan, that’s for sure. #FRIENDS
American AccentDaily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
Ross Brings Home Marcel the Monkey | Friends
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B2Ross Ruins Rachel’s First Week at Her New Job | Friends
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B231
Chandler Is Desperate and Needy | Friends
American AccentDaily ConversationWorking Adults
B230
Monica Gives the Worst Toast Ever | Friends
American AccentDaily ConversationWorking Adults
B23
Joey Finds Out About His Father's Affair | Friends
American AccentDaily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
Ross Gets a Spray Tan | Friends
American AccentDaily ConversationWorking Adults
B22
10 Hilarious Cold Opens from ‘Friends’
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B26
Ross Ruins Everyone's Beach Day | Friends
American AccentDaily ConversationWorking Adults
B218
Who Has to Leave the Friend Group? | Friends
American AccentDaily ConversationWorking Adults
A22
Great to hear Willy’s still kickin'. #FRIENDS
American AccentDaily ConversationWorking Adults
B1765
When no one gets what they ordered... #FRIENDS
American AccentTeensDaily ConversationHigh School Students
✨ Recommend Video
B15
137 sentences
The Scenes Where They Break Character | Friends
American AccentDaily ConversationHigh School StudentsUniversity Students
B24
253 sentences
Never Read Again! AI Will Do It For You
Daily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B14
126 sentences
Learn English with The Devil Wears Prada 👠 | Shadowing Practice
Business EnglishInterview EnglishDaily Conversation
B23
397 sentences
‘The Big Bang Theory,’ but Psychology Is Weaponized
American AccentBusiness EnglishDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B1334
18 sentences
What Guys Can Do vs. What Girls Can Do | Friends
American AccentTeensDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B13
642 sentences
Yeah... no wonder they don't take Michael seriously.
American AccentBusiness EnglishDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B145
348 sentences
The One Wins the Fight, Will Date Me
American AccentTeensDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B280 sentences
Should Andi be worried?#shorts
Daily ConversationHigh School StudentsUniversity Students
B119
69 sentences
Friends: Rachel and Phoebe Take a Literature Class (Season 5 Clip) | TBS
Daily ConversationHigh School StudentsUniversity Students
B14
519 sentences
Bridgerton Cast Test How Well They Know Each Other | Vanity Fair
TeensDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B22
642 sentences
‘The Big Bang Theory’ Discussions for When You Don't Feel Like Talking
American AccentDaily ConversationHigh School StudentsUniversity Students
B236
54 sentences
shadowing
Daily ConversationHigh School StudentsUniversity Students
Who Will Love This "Friends" Video for English Practice?
If you’re a beginner to intermediate learner aiming to sound more natural in daily conversations, this clip is gold! It’s perfect for those working on IELTS speaking practice or just wanting to chat like a native. The casual, fast-paced dialogue mirrors real-life chats, making it ideal for learn English with YouTube sessions—you’ll pick up how friends joke, argue, and share ideas in a relaxed setting.
Fun Words & Phrases to Add to Your Toolkit
The conversation is packed with quirky expressions. Let’s break down a few:
- "Steal your wind": To take away your confidence or energy. Example: "My boss stole my wind with that criticism, but I bounced back!"
- "Pool of inner power": A metaphor for your inner strength. Try saying, "I need to recharge my pool of inner power after a long day."
- "Yummy" (informal): Used here to mean "kind and attractive." Not just for food! "My neighbor’s dog is so yummy—he always wags his tail."
These phrases are great for adding personality to your speech, whether you’re prepping for IELTS or just chatting with friends.
Nail the Accent: Tips for Sounding Like the Cast
The "Friends" cast uses a neutral American accent with lots of connected speech—words blend together, like "got it" sounding more like "gottit." Here’s how to practice:
- Focus on reduced forms: "I was reading it" becomes "I wuz readin’ it"—notice the soft "wuz" and dropped "g" in "readin’."
- Use the shadowing technique: Pause the video, repeat lines right after the speakers, mimicking their tone and rhythm. A shadowing app can help you keep up! This is *key* for sounding natural in IELTS speaking.
- Emphasize humor: The characters use rising intonation when joking (like "How little are they?"). Copy that lift to show you’re being playful.
Practice daily, and soon you’ll be nailing those quick, funny lines just like Rachel and Joey!
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Present perfect continuous have/has been + -ing — an action that started earlier and is still going on | has been driving |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | Haven't you ever read · I've ever had · hasn't been born |
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | been born · is mirrored · being arrested |
| Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thing | person who checked · ones who called · work, which means |
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.