Shadowing Practice: Unit 14 - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Passage number 14.
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Mr. Robinson never went to a dentist because he was afraid.
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But then his teeth began hurting a lot and he went to a dentist.
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The dentist did a lot of work in his mouth for a long time.
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On the last day, Mr. Robinson said to him, How much is all this work going to cost?
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The dentist said, £25, but he didn't ask him for the money.
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After a month, Mr. Robinson phoned the dentist and said, You haven't asked me for any money for your work last month.
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Oh, the dentist answered, I never ask a gentleman for money.
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Then how do you live?
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Mr. Robinson asked.
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Most gentlemen pay me quickly, the dentist said, but some don't.
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I wait for my money for two months, and then I say, that man isn't a gentleman, and then I ask him for my money.

Who Will Benefit from This Video?

This video is perfect for intermediate English learners focusing on english speaking practice and real-life conversation flow. It’s also great for those prepping for IELTS speaking practice, as it highlights natural dialogue structure and everyday interactions. Whether you’re working on fluency or understanding cultural nuances in communication, the simple yet relatable scenario helps build practical skills.

Key Words & Phrases to Master

Boost your vocabulary with these standout terms from the dialogue:

  • Dentist: A doctor who treats teeth. Example: "I need to visit the dentist next week."
  • Cost: The amount of money needed to pay for something. Example: "What’s the cost of this book?"
  • Gentleman: A polite term for a man, often implying good manners. Example: "He held the door open like a gentleman."

These words are essential for daily conversations and can be easily integrated into your own speech.

Tips for Perfecting Your Pronunciation

To sound more natural, focus on improving english pronunciation with these tricks: - Stress in "afraid": The first syllable is stressed ("a-FRAID"), not the second. - Intonation in questions: Notice how Mr. Robinson raises his voice at the end of "How much is all this work going to cost?" This upward intonation signals a question. - Linking words: The phrase "wait for my money" flows smoothly by linking "wait" and "for" ("wait-for"). Practice shadowspeak by repeating the dialogue aloud, mimicking the speaker’s rhythm and tone. This technique helps train your mouth and ears to natural English patterns.

Using videos like this for learn english with videos is a fun way to combine listening and speaking practice. The relatable story makes it easy to stay engaged, while the clear language structure ensures you’re learning practical, usable skills.

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.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →