Shadowing Practice: The Wolf of Wall Street - Swiss Bank scene - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Jordan Belfort, at last, Nicolas has told me so much about you.
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Jordan, Jean-Jacques Sorel.
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Pleasure to make you a queen.
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Merci, monsieur.
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You don't understand when you're in the fucking...
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Ah, oui, OK.
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You need a bigger couch for guests.
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Yeah, yeah, yeah, I don't understand, I'm sorry.
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I'm curious about your bank secrecy laws here.
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Uh, wait, yes.
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Excusez-moi, Jordan.
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Swiss costume requires ten minutes of blah, blah, blah.
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Chit-chat.
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Yeah, chit-chat, thank you, before business can be discussed.
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Yeah. Of course.
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Let's get down to it.
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What would you like to know?
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Under what circumstances would you be obligated to cooperate with an FBI or a U.S.
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Justice Department investigation, for example?
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It depends.
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It depends.
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It depends.
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Yes.
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It depends on what exactly?
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Whether America plans to invade Switzerland in the coming months.
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So Che Guevara tanks are rolling down the Rue de la Croix?
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Yes, Rue de la Croix.
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Rue de la Croix.
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Rue de la Croix.
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Not Croix, not Rue de la Croix.
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Rue.
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See, this is what I used to do back in law school.
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Champagne, champagne, champagne.
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Yeah.
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Yeah, yeah, French fries.
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Bon fruit.
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And that kind of stuff.
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That's fine.
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What I'm asking, you Swiss dick, is are you going to fuck me over?
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I understand perfectly, you American shit.
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The only way the Banque Real de Genève would cooperate with a foreign legal party is
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if the crime being pursued is also a crime in Switzerland.
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But there are very few Swiss laws which apply to your practices.
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From a financial standpoint, you are now in heaven.
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See, I told you he was fantastic, right? If the U.S.
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Justice Department sent us a sabino, it would become a papier toilette.
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We would wipe our ass with it.
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Unless, of course, it was an investigation into stock fraud, which is a crime here in Switzerland,
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if I'm correct, then there would have to be cooperation on your part, if I'm not mistaken.
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Yes, yes, we would.
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Assuming the account is under your name.
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If it were another name, a friend, a camarade.
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Cousin?
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Cousin, absolutely.
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Relative.
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Yeah.
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Was that yodeling I just heard, or did you just say what I thought you said?
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Yes, yes.
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He's telling me to use a fucking rat hole.
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But a US rat hole would never get into Switzerland with all that money.
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What I needed was a rat hole with a European passport.

Context & Background

The scene from "The Wolf of Wall Street" takes place in a luxurious Swiss bank, where Jordan Belfort, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, engages in a critical conversation about bank secrecy and the potential intersections with U.S. law. The dialogue is rich with cultural nuances and financial terminology, making it an intriguing piece for those wanting to improve their English communication skills. In this setting, the interaction showcases not just a business negotiation, but also the intricate dance of conversation that occurs when different cultures meet. This context not only enhances your understanding of international financial practices but also reveals how humor and sarcasm play roles in serious discussions.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “What would you like to know?” - A polite way to invite questions, useful in both professional and casual conversations.
  • “It depends.” - A phrase that signifies ambiguity, allowing for further discussion and clarification.
  • “Are you going to...” - A direct way to ask about someone’s intentions, particularly in negotiations.
  • “Cooperate with a foreign legal party” - A formal phrase that can be adapted for discussions involving legal matters or international relations.
  • “If I’m not mistaken” - A useful phrase to validate your statements while inviting agreement or correction.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To make the most of this particular scene for your English speaking practice, follow this shadowing guide:

  • Step 1: Listen Actively - Watch the scene while paying close attention to the pronunciations and intonations used by the characters. Note the expressions and body language as they are key to understanding the context.
  • Step 2: Break Down the Dialogue - Identify and write down the phrases from the transcript that resonate with you, particularly those listed above. Understanding these in isolation will help when they are used in conversation.
  • Step 3: Slow Shadowing - Play the video at a slower speed, pausing after each sentence. Repeat the lines aloud to mimic the pronunciation and rhythm. This is a crucial step in mastering shadow speech.
  • Step 4: Full Shadowing - Gradually increase the playback speed to the original. Try to speak along with the characters without pausing, focusing on matching their tone and energy.
  • Step 5: Practice with a Partner - If possible, practice the phrases in real conversations with a partner. Engaging in dialogues that might feel similar will help solidify your learning. Use online shadowing sites or conversation groups that focus on similar themes.

By incorporating these steps into your language learning routine, you can effectively enhance your communication skills, making yourself more fluent and confident in English conversations.

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.