Shadowing Practice: Tom Holland Gives Honest Feedback on Tottenham & American Food | Get A Job - Learn English Speaking with Video
Creating lesson...
1
Oh look, here he is.
2
I'm doing this interview and I have to sign this contract.
3
He was like, don't sign anything!
4
Hello mate, I'm so sorry I'm late.
5
I'm never usually late for this sort of thing.
6
Before we dive in, can you please confirm your name, where you're from and what you're here for?
7
My name is Tom Holland, I'm from London and I'm here to get a job.
8
Well, this is your office for the day.
9
I'm just gonna...my office.
10
I just like to make notes just because, you know, if I get the job I can back-reference this and I can just hit the ground running.
11
It's just a good thing to do, I think.
12
Absolutely.
13
Why don't we get things started?
14
In the crowded room and beyond, you've been pretty steeped in New York City.
15
Yep.
16
The history, the culture, the environment.
17
As a New York-based company, we have to ask, what's your ideal day in the city?
18
I would say my ideal day in the greatest city in the world, which is why I want this job,
19
is to stroll through Central Park and eat a bagel with all the toppings and, you know, I'm walking here, you know?
20
That's, it's New York.
21
It's, it's the Nets, right?
22
I'm a Queens native myself, so I have to ask, are there any surprise experiences or discoveries you've had in Queens?
23
I had a wonderful experience in Queens where I met this amazing guy called Jimmy Jeans
24
and he made me a bunch of custom clothes out of old recycled Carhartt jackets
25
and I don't think there's anywhere that could do that better than the greater city of New York.
26
Did you get to keep any of those?
27
Oh yeah, I paid him to make them for me.
28
Oh, incredible.
29
Which is why I need this job because they were f*ing really expensive.
30
As a Tottenham Hotspur supporter, I'm curious, In what ways has being a Tottenham fan contributed to your character and personality?
31
I think being a Tottenham fan is somewhat like being in the crowded room.
32
It has taught me resilience.
33
You know, Tottenham have never won anything and supporting them is incredibly difficult.
34
And you know, it's no secret that my show has been so horribly reviewed, but I'm here today to promote the show and I'm still here.
35
So I'm very resilient.
36
Resiliency.
37
It's a good quality in a new employee, right?
38
Absolutely.
39
We really respect it.
40
If you could send a memo to Harry Kane right now, what would it say?
41
I'd say go to Madrid.
42
Go and be the best football player in the world that you deserve to be.
43
Who's your favorite player?
44
Son.
45
There it is, yeah.
46
And I'd say go with him.
47
Go together.
48
Go and win the Champions League together, please.
49
In the break room, my coworker Frank always makes fun of me for being a Tottenham fan.
50
Okay.
51
Do you have any clever comebacks to shut down an Arsenal fan, or do you typically remain humble?
52
There isn't really that much to be humble about when it comes to being a Tottenham fan.
53
We reached the Champions League final once, we lost.
54
When I think a ridiculous call, Sissoko's handball was, that was a tough call.
55
Arsenal did incredibly this season.
56
That said, I'm so happy they didn't win, but we'll have to see what happens next season.
57
My brother Sam and Paddy are a big Arsenal fan, So it was very enjoyable to see the highs and lows of their season.
58
You yourself are actually quite the athlete.
59
You have notable skills in acrobatics, parkour and dancing.
60
I'm curious, what are your three go-to dance moves that you always showcase on the dance floor?
61
My three dance moves?
62
I like a two-step, something nice and casual.
63
I'm pretty simple when it comes to dancing out in public.
64
I'm very aware that wherever I go dancing, there are 100 cameras catching you at any given moment.
65
If I'm feeling really ambitious and I have a hoodie up and I'm hidden in the dark, you know, I might hear a little robot here and there.
66
Oh wow.
67
Pop a lock if I'm feeling confident.
68
And I think the key to dancing, especially in public, is to have fun.
69
Dancing is an infectious sport.
70
And I think if you can convince people that you're having fun, then you'll make them have fun.
71
And you can do that with the simplest of moves.
72
So a two-step is pretty effective, I think.
73
Let's take a quick snack break before we get into the resume.
74
Okay, okay, let me, okay.
75
Thank you.
76
Some Jaffa cakes.
77
It's a Ladbible tradition.
78
How did you know? That is really cool.
79
So good job Zendaya's not here.
80
She doesn't like Jaffa cakes.
81
Jaffa cakes have a very special place in my heart.
82
When we, I did this show on the West End called Billy Elliot.
83
I've been working since I was really young, so I've got loads of experience, even at the age of 27.
84
The snack that Billy had to eat...
85
Wow, these are stale, guys.
86
Wow, these are...
87
It's the thought that counts, guys.
88
Yeah, Billy used to eat these on stage, and we used to have competitions with the other Billys on, like, how many can you eat before the directors get upset with you.
89
You've also been on record about English food being better than American.
90
I'm curious if you still hold that opinion.
91
What would you classify as American food?
92
Let's just talk about that.
93
I immediately think about barbecues, so hamburgers.
94
Okay, hamburger is German, from Hamburg.
95
What else would you consider American food?
96
French fries.
97
Okay, I'm gonna write, I feel like I'm interviewing you now.
98
I don't know if I want to work here.
99
French fries.
100
As someone who's been steeped in American culture for a bit now, Okay.
101
Are they fries or chips?
102
That's a really interesting question, because I say fries now,
103
because I'm tired of ordering a German burger with French fries and getting potato chips.
104
It's exhausting.
105
It's tough, you know?
106
So I say French fries.
107
I mean to keep a figure like yourself.
108
My diet is terrible.
109
I just work really hard.
110
Work ethic.
111
I'll write that one down.
112
Work ethic.
113
I'm gonna write it down as well.
114
You can have my notes.
115
Don't fact check my spelling.
116
I'm very dyslexic.
117
Ethic.
118
Well, let's get into your resume just a bit.
119
Fantastic.
120
Okay.
121
You have some pretty unexpected experiences in your resume, including a stint as a pub dishwasher and even being a trained carpenter from a long line of carpenters.
122
What strengths did these jobs provide you as you've grown in your career as an actor?
123
I think that my time as a pot washer just reminded me that I never wanted to do that ever again, so I was going to stick with acting and,
124
you know, ride the highs and lows.
125
And carpentry is something I just really enjoy.
126
I love it.
127
I made my mum's kitchen table, I made my mum's office.
128
I built all the cupboards in my bedroom.
129
I built a little birdhouse with my granddad.
130
I fixed my girlfriend's door once, really early on in our relationship.
131
I was hanging out at her house and her door was broken.
132
I was like, I'm going to fix that door for you.
133
And now we're in love.
134
I just built this tool cupboard.
135
I'll show you a picture.
136
I just built that for all my tools.
137
I have this thing arriving at the end of next month that's gonna take me like maybe five
138
or six days to build.
139
Where do you find the time?
140
Oh, I'm off.
141
I'm having a little early sabbatical.
142
I'm enjoying some time, which is why I'm here.
143
I need a job.
144
I haven't made any money. So...
145
Well, my next question was if you put your skills to work, but clearly they're being very well implemented.
146
Thank you.
147
You've been acting from a very young age.
148
Your references section is sprawling, and I definitely believe in learning on the job.
149
What valuable lesson or quality have you silently picked up from a co-star?
150
I think the most important lesson I've learned is from Robert Downey Jr. He is someone that leads by example,
151
and he knows everyone's name on set.
152
He's always on time.
153
He always knows his lines.
154
He's prepared.
155
He's professional.
156
He's kind, warm, welcoming, and ultimately someone that I would aspire to be like.
157
Well, unfortunately, we're reaching the end of our time, but I wanted to take this time to ask something a little bit deeper.
158
In the crowded room you play a deeply complex character who struggles with bullying at a pivotal age.
159
I'm curious what experiences you brought to shape your portrayal of Danny Sullivan
160
and what advice you might have for young people dealing with bullies of their own.
161
I think that the message of the show, which can speak to so many different issues, is that asking for help should be something that we as a society celebrate.
162
It's an act of bravery, whether it is substance abuse, whether it is abuse at home, whether it is abuse at school.
163
Standing up and asking for help is not something you should be ashamed of
164
and I hope that this show can represent that in a truthful and authentic and most importantly sensitive way.
165
So for me, if we can somehow make people feel empowered by saying, I'm not feeling good, I really need some help, then we've done what we set out to do.
166
I'm sure many people could use that advice right now
167
and I'll be sure to keep it around next time the North London Derby comes around.
168
Fantastic.
169
But I won't waste any more of your time.
170
Congratulations, you've got the job.
171
Wow, thank you so much.
172
Feel free to sign along the dotted line.
173
I'm just gonna call my lawyer really quickly.
174
Oh, sure, redefine print by all means.
175
Yeah, I'm just gonna.. hold on.
176
I have to do this as part of the thing.
177
Hopefully he answers.
178
I am, I think, a good client for him.
179
He normally answers like...
180
Your call has been forwarded to an automated voice messaging system.
181
I guess I'll call him later.
182
I think this is probably fine to sign, right?
183
Okay.
184
Okay.
185
Well, is there anything else...
186
Is there anything else I should know before we go?
187
I would like to take the time to plug The Crowded Room.
188
The Crowded Room is a TV show that I did here in New York.
189
I'm incredibly proud of it.
190
I think it carries a really important message, and I think ultimately it's going to be educational and entertaining.
191
And I really appreciate you taking the time to talk to me today.
192
You as well.
193
My people will connect with your people about all of that.
194
Yeah, he always answers the phone.
195
He's probably like talking to Tom Hanks or something, like a proper big movie star.
196
But he's only rep Toms?
197
I probably...
198
I'm not sure.
199
I don't even know if he represents Tom Hanks.
200
I just, that was...
201
I don't...
202
Hi there, how are you?
203
Yeah, it's me again.
204
I'm calling from Uni-Lad to speak about the deal we spoke about earlier.
205
Alright, well I'll have to run that upstairs, mate, because I'm not sure that I can approve that sort of thing.
206
Right, but, okay, but you can see how that's not going to run upstairs, they're not going to be happy with that at all.
207
You can't ask me to take that upstairs, mate, please.
208
This is my first day on the job, bro, Like, what am I...
209
I can't go upstairs and say that.
210
They'll kick me out.
211
Look, I really need this job, man.
212
I've...
213
Hello?
214
Hello?
215
Sh...
216
Oh, look, here he is.
217
I'm doing this interview and I have to sign this contract, but I was joking.
218
I was gonna call you and then it was even funnier because you didn't answer.
219
Don't worry about it.
220
Alright, bye.
221
He was like, don't sign anything!
About This Lesson
In this lesson, you will practice key dialogue and expressions derived from an engaging interview with Tom Holland. The focus will be on speaking fluency through the technique of shadowing, emphasizing the importance of tone, pace, and articulation. Learners will identify how culture, personal interests, and resilience can impact the way we communicate in professional settings. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to replicate natural spoken English patterns, improving your conversational skills and confidence.
Key Vocabulary & Phrases
- Steeped in: Suggests being fully immersed in something.
- Hit the ground running: To start something and proceed immediately with enthusiasm.
- Resilience: The ability to recover quickly from difficulties.
- Stroll: To walk in a leisurely way.
- Custom clothes: Clothing specifically tailored to individual specifications.
- Incredibly: A strong adverb indicating a high degree of something.
- Memo: A written message used for communication in a workplace context.
- Supporter: A person who is an enthusiastic fan of a team or cause.
Practice Tips
To maximize your learning experience with this video, employ the shadowing technique by closely following the natural rhythm and intonation of Tom Holland’s speech. Here are some specific tips:
- Start Slow: Play the video at a reduced speed if necessary. Focus on matching Tom's pronunciation and cadence.
- Repeat Out Loud: After hearing a phrase, pause the video and repeat it aloud. This helps reinforce muscle memory in your speech.
- Mind the Tone: Pay attention to his emotions—notice how he expresses enthusiasm or humor. Try to mimic these tones in your shadow speech.
- Practice Individual Segments: Instead of shadowing the entire interview at once, break it down into smaller segments for focused practice.
- Utilize Shadowspeaks: Use shadowspeak resources to find community feedback and engage with other learners, enhancing your practice experience.
Remember, consistency is key in shadowing practice! The more you engage with natural dialogues like this one, the more fluent and confident you will become in your English speaking abilities.
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.