Shadowing Practice: "You Speak Prada?" | Confessions Of A Shopaholic | Disney+ UK - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

B2
Shadowing Controls
0% completed (0/66 sentences)
Try to enjoy yourself.
⏸ Paused
All Sentences66 sentences
1
Try to enjoy yourself.
2
Oh, no. You have to save her shopping.
3
No, you don't.
4
You have to strike with precision and get out.
5
We were looking for some clothes for my boss.
6
Oh, absolutely.
7
Were you thinking maybe a suit or a...
8
I'm actually thinking about everything.
9
Oh, this is gorgeous.
10
Well, we can do everything.
11
Pink.
12
Oh, my gosh.
13
I love pink on a guy.
14
Is that bad?
15
Well, that pink is great.
16
It's gorgeous.
17
Would he do pink?
18
I think so.
19
Do you think he would do it with, like, a white pant?
20
He would do that.
21
Actually, what I really need is...
22
a tuxedo, say three buttons, size 48 regular, a white dress shirt, I'll try the blue as well, and a black vernice shoe in the size 10.
23
And two Advil.
24
You speak Prada?
25
Occasionally.
26
If you know how to dress well, why do you come to the office looking like...
27
I don't want to be defined by clothes or labels.
28
or family.
29
Why would you be defined by family?
30
My mother is Eleanor Sherman, New York socialite.
31
Excuse me, did you just say that your mother is Eleanor Sherman?
32
Did she tell you that we dressed her for the Mac Gala?
33
She just looked stunning.
34
Well, congratulations on having such a fabulous mother.
35
My parents are divorced.
36
I grew up in England with my dad.
37
He's great.
38
Very down to earth.
39
Totally different from my mother.
40
Anyway, she wasn't interested until I was an adult.
41
At which point it was assumed that I would just fall into line.
42
For the throne?
43
No, for the, um...
44
the family business.
45
What's the business?
46
Owning stuff.
47
Real estate, um, internet businesses.
48
Cable companies.
49
Oh, sorry.
50
I'm sorry.
51
I chose to succeed on my own terms, not kowtow to some controlling family.
52
What's Dante West?
53
Do you have a take on everything in life?
54
Yes.
55
Yes.
56
What would your take be on...
57
me?
58
Go on.
59
What would the girl in the green scarf's take be on Luke Brandon?
60
As an investment, you pretty much suck.
61
What?
62
You're a workaholic.
63
You put in all these hours, but you don't rate the rewards.
64
It goes into someone else's pocket.
65
But you're a great editor.
66
And now, you look like one.
4.9/5 on App Store & Google Play

Shadowing English On Mobile

Learn English anytime, anywhere with the Shadowing English app. Improve your communication skills today!

Track your learning progress
AI grading and error correction
Rich video library
Download on theApp Store
GET IT ONGoogle Play
Shadowing English Mobile App

About This Lesson

In this lesson, you'll deepen your understanding of conversational English through a lively scene from the video "You Speak Prada?" from Confessions Of A Shopaholic. By engaging with the dialogue, you'll practice essential phrases, enhance your listening skills, and focus on improving your English pronunciation. This particular section showcases interactions related to shopping and personal style, providing a chance to explore both everyday vocabulary and the subtleties of tone in English communication. Your objective will be to mimic the characters for better pronunciation and fluency, making it an excellent way to incorporate the shadowing technique into your English speaking practice.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Strike with precision: To act decisively and accurately.
  • Gorgeous: Beautiful; very pretty.
  • Defined by clothes: How one is perceived based on their clothing style.
  • Down to earth: Practical and reasonable; not pretentious.
  • Family business: A business that is owned or operated by family members.
  • Tuxedo: A formal suit worn for special occasions.
  • Mac Gala: A high-profile fashion event in New York.
  • Real estate: Property consisting of land or buildings.

Practice Tips

To effectively use the shadowing technique with this video, pay close attention to the speed and tone of the characters' speech. Here are some tips to maximize your learning experience:

  • Start Slowly: Listen to small segments of dialogue (e.g., one or two lines) and repeat them. This will help you improve English pronunciation without feeling overwhelmed.
  • Focus on Emotion: Notice the emotional undertones of the speakers. When practicing, strive to replicate not just the words but also the enthusiasm or sarcasm in their voice.
  • Use Context: Understand the context of the conversation. This will help you grasp the nuances of each phrase and improve your overall English speaking practice.
  • Record Yourself: As you shadow speech, record your voice. Playback the recordings to compare with the original and identify areas for improvement.
  • Repeat Regularly: Consistency is key. Make shadowing a daily practice for at least 15 minutes to see noticeable progress in your pronunciation and fluency.

By immersing yourself in this engaging content and employing the shadowing technique, you will not only boost your vocabulary but also feel more confident in your ability to hold conversations in English.

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.

☕ Buy us a coffee