Shadowing Practice: They laughed when I spoke English… | Easy English Listening Practice (A2 – B1 Level) - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

B1
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Sam, I need to talk to you.
268 sentences
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Sam, I need to talk to you.
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Of course, Emily.
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What's going on?
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Honestly, I feel really sad these days.
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Oh no, what happened?
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My friends always laugh at me when I speak English.
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They laugh?
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Why would they do that?
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Because my English is not good.
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I try to talk, but I make many mistakes.
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Oh, I understand.
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That must feel terrible.
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It is.
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Every time I try to say something, they laugh.
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Every single time?
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Almost every time.
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That's not fair.
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I know.
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It makes me afraid to speak.
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Afraid of what?
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Afraid of speaking English in front of people.
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Don't be afraid, Emily.
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Everyone starts somewhere.
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I try, but I always fail.
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Failing is part of learning.
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Don't worry too much.
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Then tell me, how can I improve?
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Start with the simple present tense.
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Why that one?
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Because it's the most important tense for beginners.
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Really?
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Yes.
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We use it every single day for habits, for facts, for things we do in daily life.
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Oh, I see.
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Daily life things.
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Exactly.
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Let me show you.
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I wake up in the morning.
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I wake up in the morning, too.
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I brush my teeth.
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I brush my teeth as well.
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I drink water.
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I drink tea.
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See?
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These are all simple present sentences.
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Oh, we use it to talk about our routines.
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Right.
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Simple, isn't it?
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Yes, it's easy to understand. And it's powerful.
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Do you speak English with your family?
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Sometimes, but not often.
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Why not?
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Because my family doesn't speak English.
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That's fine.
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Practice with your friends then.
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But my friends laugh at me.
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Then practice with me.
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Really? Of course.
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I'll help you anytime.
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Thank you so much, Sam.
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Let's start right now.
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Simple sentences first.
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Okay, I'm ready.
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I go to school.
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I go to college.
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I read books.
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I read books.
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I read novels.
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I like cricket.
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I like crickick.
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I like music.
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Great!
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These are clear and simple.
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Yes, very easy to say.
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Try a few more on your own.
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Okay.
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I drink milk.
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Good, good.
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I eat rice.
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Excellent.
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I walk to the market.
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Nice.
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I play with my sister.
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Wonderful.
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You're improving fast.
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Do you think I can really get better?
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Are you proud of me? Of course.
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You already are.
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Keep practicing every day.
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I will.
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Yes, I am very proud of you.
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Thank you!
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What do you usually do in the morning?
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I...
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I wake up early.
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What next?
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I wash my face and brush my teeth.
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What do you eat?
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I eat bread.
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What do you drink?
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I drink tea.
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What do you eat sometimes?
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Sometimes eggs.
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I don't eat eggs.
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Then what do you eat?
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Rice and vegetables.
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That's nice.
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What do you do after breakfast?
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I go to the office.
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I go to college. Do you study hard?
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Yes, I do.
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I work hard at my job.
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I feel happy when I study.
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And I feel happy when I work.
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My teacher speaks English in class. Do you understand her?
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Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Do you ask questions when you don't understand?
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No, I feel too shy.
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Don't be shy.
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But my friends laugh when I ask.
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Forget them.
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That's easy to say, not to do.
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I know, but you have to try.
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Okay, I will try.
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You spoke well today, Emily.
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Really?
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Yes, really.
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I feel a bit better now.
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Good, keep it up.
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Thanks, Sam.
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I feel more confident already.
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I'm glad to hear that.
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But I still make mistakes.
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Everyone does.
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My friends don't.
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They do, but they hide it.
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Then why do they laugh at me?
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Because they don't understand what learning means.
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I feel bad
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when they laugh don't care about them care about
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your progress you're right how do you practice
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English I read every day what do you read short stories short stories
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That's nice.
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Do you enjoy reading?
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Yes, and I like poems too.
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Excellent.
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Do you read aloud?
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No, silently.
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Try reading aloud.
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It improves your speech.
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Oh, I didn't know that.
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When you read aloud, your mouth and mind work together.
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Wow.
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I'll start reading aloud.
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Do you watch English movies?
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Not really.
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Perfect.
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Also, practice speaking every day.
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I will.
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Do you watch English movies?
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Not really.
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Why not?
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I can't understand everything.
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Use subtitles.
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I don't like subtitles.
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But they help you learn new words.
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Okay, I'll try.
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Watch one English movie every week.
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I'll do that.
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Tell me more sentences.
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Sure.
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I clean my room.
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I write in my notebook.
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Good.
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Keep going.
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I help my mother in the kitchen.
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Excellent.
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I play with my brother.
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Great!
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I sing a song.
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Wonderful.
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I draw pictures.
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Nice job.
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I play cricket.
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I play badminton.
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Do you play every day?
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No. Only Sundays.
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Why only Sunday?
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I work on other days.
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Oh.
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I understand.
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Do your friends speak English?
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No, they don't.
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Then practice with me.
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Okay, I will.
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Do you eat ice cream?
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Heh, yes, chocolate flavor.
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I like vanilla. Do you drink coffee?
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No, I drink tea.
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I drink tea every day, too.
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Me, too.
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Me, too.
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I feel happy when I talk to you.
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I'm happy listening to you.
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You never laugh at me.
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I never will.
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You always encourage me.
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Always.
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You're doing great.
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Thank you, Sam.
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Now, why is simple present tense so important?
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Because we use it every day?
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Exactly.
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It's for daily life, habits, and facts.
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Like the sun rises in the east.
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Perfect.
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Or, water boils at 100 degrees.
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Oh, I understand now.
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Sometimes we even use it for schedules.
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The train leaves at 9.
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Wow, it's everywhere.
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Yes, the foundation of English.
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Like the base of a house?
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Exactly.
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Without it, English falls apart. That makes sense. So practice daily.
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Make ten sentences a day.
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I will say them aloud and write them down.
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That's the way.
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Slowly.
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I'll get better.
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Yes.
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Step by step.
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Can I tell you some now?
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Go ahead.
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I wake up at 7.
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I eat breakfast at 8.
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I go to class at 9.
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Good.
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I study with my friends.
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I drink tea at 4.
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I read at night.
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Wonderful.
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You are growing fast.
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Thank you.
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I will keep practicing.
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Never stop.
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I won't.
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Remember, simple present is for habits, facts, and daily talk.
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It's everywhere. So master it.
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I will.
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I'm not afraid anymore.
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That's the spirit.
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I feel strong.
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I can speak English.
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Yes, you can.
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I practice every day.
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I improve step by step.
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Exactly.
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That's how learning works.
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Thank you, Sam.
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You're a true friend.
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And you're a wonderful learner.
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I speak English now with joy.
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And I listen with joy.
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Simple present tense helps me.
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I believe in myself.
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I'm glad we had this conversation.
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Me too.
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It was very helpful.

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Context & Background

In this segment from a conversational English video, we find Emily expressing her feelings about speaking English. She is experiencing challenges due to her friends laughing at her when she tries to communicate. This exchange reflects a common struggle for English learners, particularly at the A2 to B1 levels, where fear of making mistakes can hinder progress. Through supportive dialogue, Sam encourages Emily, emphasizing that making errors is a crucial part of the learning journey and that each learner begins at their own level. This context sets the stage for understanding the importance of foundational language skills, particularly in speaking.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

Learning practical phrases can significantly boost your confidence in daily conversations. Here are five useful sentences from the dialogue that you can practice:

  • I feel really sad these days. - A way to express your current emotions.
  • Why would they do that? - Useful for inquiring about someone else's actions or motives.
  • Almost every time. - A phrase to indicate frequency, particularly in negative situations.
  • How can I improve? - A constructive question for seeking advice or help.
  • We use it every single day. - Perfect for emphasizing the regularity of actions.

Practicing these phrases will help you participate in conversations with more ease and confidence. Consider using them in your own sentences as you engage with others.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

If you aim to improve English pronunciation through shadowing, follow this step-by-step guide based on the video:

  1. Watch the Video: Begin by watching the entire video without interruption. Make note of the expressions and phrases used.
  2. Listen Actively: Play the video again, but this time, focus on how words are pronounced. Pay attention to intonation and rhythm.
  3. Repeat After the Speakers: Use a shadowing site or service where you can listen and immediately repeat what the speakers say. This will help you mimic their pronunciation closely. Try phrases like, "I feel really sad these days" and "How can I improve?"
  4. Record Yourself: After shadowing, record yourself speaking the same sentences. Listen to your recordings to identify areas for improvement.
  5. Practice Regularly: Consistent practice is key. Aim to shadow a few minutes each day, focusing on clarity and expression. Use 'shadowspeak' techniques to enhance your speaking abilities.

By implementing these steps, you not only enhance your speaking and pronunciation skills but also build the confidence to engage in real-life conversations. Remember, every sentence you practice brings you closer to fluency!

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.