Shadowing Practice: The verb "to be" Part 1 - A1 [with Brian and Emily] - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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Welcome back to Lingoni English!
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In this video, we will use the verb "be" to describe feelings.
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For example, I'm happy.
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I am happy.
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I'm sad.
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I'm hot.
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Yeah.
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Brian is happy.
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Brian's happy.
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Brian's sad.
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Brian's hot.
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Emily is tired.
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Ahhhh.
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Emily's tired.
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Emily's hungry.
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Mm.
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Emily's cold.
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You're tired.
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I am tired.
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He's tired.
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You're happy.
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I am happy.
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She's happy. Are you hot?
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Yes, I am.
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He's hot. Are you cold?
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Yes, I am.
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She's cold.
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AM, IS, and ARE come from the verb "be".
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So I am happy.
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You are happy.
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He is happy.
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She is happy.
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You can say "I am hungry" But "I'm hungry" is more common.
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So for example, "I am" often becomes "I'm." I'm hungry.
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You are often becomes your.
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You're hungry.
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"She is" often becomes "she's." She's hungry.
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He is often becomes he's.
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He's hungry.
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When you answer a question, You can say yes.
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or "Yes, I am." but you cannot say, Yes, I'm.
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This is the same for you She and he.
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For example, You can say: Yes, you are, but not yes, you're.
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You can say, "Yes, he is, but not Yes, he's.
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And you can say, "Yes, she is." but not yes she's.
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How do you feel?
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Are you happy?
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You sad Are you hungry? Are you tired?
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Are you ready to learn more American English?
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See you soon!

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What You'll Practice in This Lesson

This fun, beginner-friendly video focuses on using the verb "to be" to describe feelings—perfect for building foundational speaking skills. You’ll learn to form simple sentences like "I’m happy" or "She’s tired," and even practice short questions and answers. Whether you’re prepping for IELTS speaking practice or just want to sound more natural, this lesson lays the groundwork for clear, confident communication.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases to Master

  • "I’m happy" / "I am happy" (common contractions vs. full forms)
  • "You’re tired" (using "you’re" for "you are")
  • "He’s hot" / "She’s cold" (describing others’ feelings)
  • "Are you hungry?" (simple yes/no questions)
  • "Yes, I am" (correct short answers—no "Yes, I’m"!)

Tips for Perfecting Your Shadowing & Pronunciation

Shadowing (repeating speech immediately after the speaker) is a fantastic way to improve English pronunciation, and this video’s slow, clear pace makes it ideal. Here’s how to practice: Pause after each sentence, then repeat it out loud, matching the tone and rhythm. Notice how "I am" becomes "I’m" in casual speech—copy that natural flow! For tricky parts, like "Are you ready?" replay the clip and shadow speech until it feels easy. If you’re using a shadowing site, slow down the audio if needed, but aim to keep up with the original speed. Remember: Short answers like "Yes, he is" don’t use contractions—so avoid "Yes, he’s" to sound polished. With practice, these phrases will roll off your tongue, and you’ll be ready to describe your own feelings (or ask about others’) like a pro. Keep going—you’re doing great!

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.