Shadowing Practice: Simon and Grandpa's tall tales and tiny adventures: fairies, frogs, monsters and pranks compilation - Learn English Speaking with Video
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1
The fairies!
2
Those aren't fairies, Gaspard!
3
Those are fireflies!
4
Oh really?
5
Fireflies!
6
So Grandpa, now you see that fairies don't really exist.
7
Oh, you're right Simon, those are indeed fireflies.
8
But there really are fairies out there, I promise you.
9
But they must have left because we were making too much noise.
10
That's not true, Grandpa.
11
You're just making the stories up.
12
Oh, well, it's certainly true your Grandpa does like telling stories.
13
But, but, Grandpa, you said just now that fairies had magic powers.
14
Oh, that is absolutely true, Gaspard.
15
Oh, yeah?
16
So what kind of powers do they have?
17
Well, for one, they can change the animals in the forest.
18
Whoa, Grandpa, they can change them?
19
Yeah, well, that's impossible, Grandpa.
20
Lend me your torch, Simon.
21
Thank you.
22
Now, you see all those little fish.
23
Well, tomorrow, the fairies will have turned them all into little froggies.
24
That's true.
25
Wow, super.
26
All right, we're going to find out.
27
Come on, let's go and get something to catch them with.
28
Good idea, and we'll leave them next to our tents.
29
Yes.
30
Oh, all the little fish are swimming to you fast.
31
I just can't catch them.
32
Oh, behind you, Simon.
33
Where's that?
34
Oh, are you all right there, Simon?
35
Look, everyone.
36
I've managed to catch one.
37
Well done, Simon.
38
Ah, yes, well done.
39
Now back to our tents.
40
It's time for bed.
41
Yes, and tomorrow we'll see if the fairies have visited us.
42
Yes, of course we will.
43
There, you'll sleep next to us.
44
And if you want to be changed, don't make any noise, okay?
45
Otherwise, you will scare off the fairies.
46
Good night, children.
47
Good night, Grandma.
48
Good night, Grandma.
49
Oh, well done, Simon.
50
Huh?
51
So, then, ready to go, kids?
52
Yes!
53
Excuse me, sir.
54
Would you like us to help you?
55
Well, yes, of course.
56
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
57
Me too, me too.
58
I want to help too.
59
Well, then, while I'm taking off the flat tire, why don't you fetch me a new one?
60
It's over there.
61
See it?
62
It's that one, children.
63
OK Grandpa!
64
Whoa!
65
There you go!
66
Oh, thank you, kids.
67
And can you go and get me that hose over there?
68
Yeah, right away!
69
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, right away!
70
Good.
71
Now listen carefully.
72
You have to pull on that handle to turn on the air bolt.
73
But when I tell you to close it, you have to right away.
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Otherwise the tie will explode.
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OK, OK. So I'm free.
76
Turn it off.
77
One, two, three.
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Okay, turn off the air bottle.
79
Pull harder, Simon, harder.
80
Oh, can't do it, Grandpa.
81
Just a second, Simon.
82
I'll do it.
83
Great, thank you.
84
Phew.
85
Well done, you guys.
86
You're amazing mechanics.
87
You did a great job, thanks.
88
It's no fun being big.
89
And after that, it's nap time.
90
Simon, did I ever tell you about the time I caught a freshwater whale?
91
Huh?
92
No. What's a freshwater whale?
93
Well, if you want to know, we can try and catch one.
94
Huh?
95
Seriously?
96
Can we go right now?
97
All right.
98
We'll go while Gaspard is taking a nap, okay?
99
Yeah.
100
Gaspard's too small to catch a whale.
101
Grandpa, it's biting!
102
There's a whale, Grandpa!
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I caught a whale!
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Wait, let me help.
105
Quick the nets!
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Here comes the whale.
107
Well done, Simon. Are you okay, Simon?
108
Everything all right?
109
Sure, Grandpa.
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But that wasn't a freshwater whale.
111
It was a flying fish.
112
Once upon a time, there was a rabbit with very big ears.
113
It's ours.
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Well, it's a rabbit.
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Very big ears.
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It's ours.
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We're back from fishing.
118
Oh, oh, and what did you catch?
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Well, I caught a flying fish.
120
Oh, can I see it?
121
Can I see it, Simon?
122
Well, no, it flew away.
123
Take off and landing.
124
Thank you, Daddy.
125
Oh, me, me, me too.
126
I want to sleep on top.
127
But, Gaspard, you're still too little to sleep on top.
128
But Daddy, what if Gaspard's with me?
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I'm big now.
130
All right, but only if you sleep next to the wall, Gaspard, OK?
131
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
132
OK, Daddy.
133
Then fasten your seatbelt, Gaspard.
134
Take off.
135
Now, you sleep next to the wall.
136
That way you can't fall.
137
Thank you, Simon.
138
Thanks to you, I get to sleep on top like a big boy.
139
On three, let's go.
140
One, two, three.
141
Yeah!
142
Everything okay, kids?
143
Are you having fun?
144
Oh, yeah, Grandpa.
145
The rain is so wonderful.
146
Hey, will you play with us?
147
Oh, yeah, yes, Grandpa.
148
Are you able to jump in a puddle?
149
Of course I'm able to. And...
150
Oh, he's hitting off.
151
You're so funny, Grandpa.
152
Come on, kids, jump with me and a hippity hop.
153
Yeah, with frogs.
154
Ribbit, ribbit, ribbit, ribbit, ribbit.
155
Hey, why don't we go and see some real frogs?
156
Huh, bunnies?
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Oh, yes, frogs, frogs!
158
La, la, la, la.
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Ha, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.
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Oh!
161
Oh!
162
Grandpa, there's a frog!
163
Oh, yes, we're almost there, children.
164
Hmm?
165
Shhh!
166
Listen!
167
A whole chorus of frogs!
168
Come with me, boys.
169
Oh, there, look!
170
One, two, four, six, seven!
171
There are seven frogs, right, Simon?
172
Er, nope.
173
There are five.
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Whoa, it's really like they're singing a song.
175
Five little frogs sing for two little bunnies, so why don't we sing along and it'll be super funny.
176
Grandpa, do you think we can take one home?
177
Oh, yes, super!
178
Oh, I'm going to catch one.
179
Oh, oh, no, Gaspar.
180
Ah!
181
Ah!
182
Help!
183
Help, Simon!
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Ah!
185
Ah!
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Oh, no!
187
Ah!
188
Ah!
189
Ah!
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Grandpa!
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Well now, it looks like the chorus is over.
192
Oh, yeah.
193
So how about we go home for a nice big snack, eh, buddy?
194
Oh, yeah!
195
Oh, look out, kids!
196
I'm going to find you!
197
Grandpa will never find us here.
198
Elvis, did you see something? So, where's Grandpa?
199
I found you!
200
And now I'm going to hold you down, my buddies.
201
Simon, Gaspar, time to go home.
202
Oops, sorry.
203
No, Daddy, it's time for your shower.
204
Sorry, kids, we have to go home now.
205
No, that's not fair, Daddy.
206
It's so much fun at Grandma and Grandpa's.
207
Oh, yeah, yeah.
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It's even more fun than at home.
209
Sorry, but it's time to go.
210
Go get your bags.
211
Quick, Gaspard, let's hide our bags.
212
That way we won't have to leave right away.
213
Oh, OK.
214
But where am I going to hide it?
215
Where am I going to hide it?
216
Children!
217
Are you ready?
218
Oh, oh, Simon, Simon, where do I hide it?
219
Where do I hide it?
220
But, Gaspard, hide it in the trunk.
221
Oh, yeah, the trunk!
222
Come on, hurry, Gaspard.
223
Are you ready?
224
So, Bunnies, have you found your bags?
225
It's kind of weird.
226
We can't find them.
227
Well, let me help you, boys.
228
Oh, Gaspard, maybe your bag is under the rug.
229
No, it isn't.
230
It's in...
231
Yeah, that's what I said.
232
We don't know where they are.
233
I just found your bag, Simon.
234
Oh, and here's Gaspard's.
235
Come on, boys, let's go.
236
Oh, no, it didn't work.
237
I've got an idea to stay here.
238
Give me your blankie.
239
Huh?
240
There, all packed.
241
Well, no. Actually, Gaspard's lost his blankie.
242
Huh?
243
Oh, that's right.
244
There's nowhere I can leave without my blankie.
245
Good night, Gaspard and Simon.
246
Here, Simon.
247
I'll leave you a little torch just in case you have to get up.
248
All right, thank you.
249
Good night, Grandpa.
250
Good night, Grandma.
251
See you tomorrow, little bunnies and sweet dreams.
252
Good night.
253
Good night, Gaspard.
254
Uh, Simon, aren't you scared at night?
255
Huh?
256
No, I'm not scared of anything.
257
Oh, really?
258
Well, I think that night time is really scary.
259
No, it's not.
260
Gaspard, don't worry.
261
Come on, just go to sleep.
262
I'm sure that there are loads of monsters outside.
263
Oh, no, Gaspard.
264
Monsters don't even exist.
265
Come on, let's go and have a look.
266
Come on, check what you like.
267
Look, Gaspard, no monsters.
268
Everything's so dark.
269
I will just wait.
270
I'll turn on the torch.
271
There you go.
272
See, Gaspard, there aren't any monsters.
273
Hmm?
274
Ah!
275
Grandpa!
276
Grandpa!
277
Oh, what's going on, children?
278
Oh, there was a monster in the garden.
279
Now, now, boys, calm down.
280
Oh, it was a horrible monster.
281
Then he was flying super fast.
282
Yes, and it had words of red eyes all over.
283
Yeah, he was just horrible, Grandma.
284
Oh, I'll never, ever, ever sleep again for the rest of my life.
285
I'm way too scared of the monster.
286
Come on, little funnies.
287
You know that monsters don't really exist.
288
Well, then, so what was it, Grandma?
289
Uh, you see, Simon, you're scared at night too.
290
And you're never, ever going to sleep again for the rest of your life.
291
Now, that's nonsense and not even true.
292
I'm not scared of anything.
293
Please, Grandma, can we go into the yard to show Gaspard there's no monster?
294
Look at mine, Simon.
295
And yours is like one of those big slugs from Grandpa's lettuce.
296
All you're missing are the eyes.
297
Hey, Gaspard, can you give it to me a sec?
298
All right.
299
There.
300
Oh, yeah, it looks like a super big slug.
301
Hey, Gaspard, why don't we play a joke on Grandpa?
302
Oh, yeah, yeah.
303
OK, then follow me.
304
Grandpa!
305
Grandpa!
306
Grandpa!
307
Grandpa, outside, quickly!
308
There's a giant slug in your vegetable garden.
309
Oh, what are you going on about, bunnies?
310
Grandpa, there's an enormous slug and it's even eating all your lettuce.
311
It's super duper hungry.
312
What?
313
The slugs are back?
314
Oh no. Oh, come on quick.
315
I'm going to have to deal with them.
316
Hey, it's there, Grandpa.
317
Look.
318
Oh, now, what in the world is that strange looking slug?
319
Hmm.
320
Hmm.
321
Very strange.
322
But.. but.. why.. why it's made up for made up!
323
That's a joke, Grandpa!
324
There's not a real slug!
325
Hey, we tricked you, didn't me, Grandpa?
326
You certainly did trick me, Bunnies.
327
Your slug is really quite something.
328
What wild imaginations you have!
329
So, er, what shall we do now, Simon?
330
Let's play tag!
331
And you're it!
332
There's no way you'll catch me!
333
I'm way too fast! Did you hear that?
334
Where was it, Simon?
335
I don't have any idea.
336
It came from over there.
337
I can't hear it anymore, Simon.
338
Do you think it's gone?
339
Grandpa!
340
Grandpa!
341
Come quick, come quick, no weird noises coming from the yard.
342
But what in the world is going on this time?
343
Oh, it's a super duper weird monster.
344
Oh, yeah, yeah.
345
Oh, and it goes crack, twitty-twee, and then poof.
346
A monster?
347
But you know full well that monsters don't exist, bunnies.
348
Yes, they do.
349
Come on, Lord Grandpa, quick.
350
Here we go.
351
Hey, oh.
352
Come on, we're going, Elvis.
353
Go Simon Go!
354
Go Simon Go!
355
Go Simon Go!
356
Come on, move it, Elvis!
357
But, but, come on, that's enough now!
358
Behave now, Elvis, that's not funny!
359
Hey, no!
360
Come back here, Elvis!
361
Oh, Elvis, come back!
362
Elvis!
363
Elvis, come back here!
364
Elvis, come back!
365
Hey, you messed up again Simon.
366
Hey, but it wasn't my fault this time.
367
It's because of the butterfly.
368
Hey, a stick.
369
Hey Elvis, Elvis, look at the stick.
370
Elvis, go Elvis.
371
Go and fetch the stick.
372
Go on, fetch the stick Elvis, fetch it.
373
Ah, thank you Elvis.
374
Oh, good dog Elvis, good dog.
375
Well done, Simon.
376
Throwing him the stick was a good idea.
377
Hey, Grandpa, will we be at the beach soon?
378
Oh, yes, little bunny.
379
Almost there.
380
Yay!
381
Look, Gaspard, we're here!
382
We're at the beach!
383
Yippee!
384
Super!
385
Look how well the kite is flying.
386
Oh, super!
387
Hey, what's wrong now, Elvis?
388
Hey, stop that now will you you're going to make me fall oh No, the kite We've got to get it.
389
Don't worry grandpa.
390
I'll get it Go, Simon, go!
391
You can do it!
392
I've got it!
393
Oh, fantastic, Simon.
394
Well done.
395
Hey, Grandpa.
396
Actually, Elvis is Mr. Mess-It-Up.
397
Ha-ha!
398
I'm running the fastest, Simon!
399
Oh, no, you're not!
400
I'm going to catch you, Gaspard!
401
I'm going super sonic!
402
Time to cool down, bunnies.
403
Oh, no, no, no, you can't catch us, Grandpa.
404
Ha-ha, you missed us, you missed us, you missed us, Grandpa.
405
Hey, but what are you doing, Grandpa?
406
I'm going to give Elvis a bath.
407
Oh! So are we!
408
Super!
409
Shhh!
410
Elvis really doesn't like baths.
411
If he finds out I'm going to give him one, he'll run away.
412
Elvis!
413
Elvis!
414
Are you going to come have your bath?
415
Oh, no, Gaspard!
416
Why has Elvis run away?
417
Oh, what did I just say?
418
He hates having baths.
419
Don't you worry, Grandpa.
420
We'll go and get him.
421
Wait for me, Simon.
422
Wait for me.
423
Hmm.
424
We have to find Elvis, Gaspard.
425
Oh, that's mud.
426
Ow!
427
Huh?
428
Hmm?
429
Huh?
430
He's not here, Simon.
431
Grandma, have you seen Elvis?
432
No, my little bunny, but have you checked your bedroom?
433
Oh, yeah! Of course.
434
He went to have a nap.
435
Well, then, have you found Elvis?
436
Almost, Grandpa.
437
Oh, no, he's not here having a nap.
438
Gaspard, he's here.
439
Oh, super.
440
Great, you found him.
441
Come on, Elvis.
442
It's time for your bath.
What You'll Practice in This Lesson
This lesson dives into a playful, conversational dialogue between Simon and his grandpa, perfect for honing your English speaking and listening skills. You'll practice understanding casual speech, picking up on tone shifts, and mimicking natural conversational flow—all while enjoying a fun story about fairies, fireflies, and forest adventures. It's a great fit for IELTS speaking practice too, as it mirrors the kind of everyday interactions you might encounter in real life or exam scenarios.
Key Vocabulary & Phrases to Learn
- Tall tales: Exaggerated or fictional stories (e.g., "Grandpa loves telling tall tales about fairies").
- Torch: A hand-held light (common in British English; similar to "flashlight" in American English).
- Scare off: To make something or someone leave by frightening them (e.g., "Don't make noise—you'll scare off the fairies").
- "Lend me your torch": A polite way to ask for something temporarily (great for everyday interactions).
- Fairies: Mythical, magical creatures (a fun word to practice pronunciation with its long "a" sound).
Practice Tips for Shadowing Success
The video's dialogue is slow, warm, and full of natural pauses—ideal for mastering the shadowing technique. Here's how to make the most of it: First, listen to a short clip (5-10 seconds) and repeat it immediately, copying the exact tone and rhythm. Grandpa's gentle voice and Simon's curious questions are perfect for practicing intonation. If you struggle, use a shadowing app to slow down the audio without changing the pitch. Focus on phrases like "Oh really?" and "Well done, Simon"—these common conversational markers will boost your fluency. For improving English pronunciation, pay attention to how "fairies" and "fireflies" are pronounced differently (the "ai" vs. "ire" sounds). Remember, shadow speech isn't just about repeating words—it's about sounding like a natural speaker. Keep practicing, and soon you'll be nailing the rhythm of casual 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.