(Video Transcript)
Speaking English: 8 Real Conversations to Practice Your Pronunciation
Imagine you're in a real American conversation. Can you respond naturally—with clear pronunciation, natural rhythm, and confident speech? Today, you’ll find out.
Hey, I’m Julie from San Diego Voice and Accent. I work with non-native speakers to help them sound natural, clear, and confident when they speak English. And in this lesson, you're going to join me for a live conversation challenge.
We’ll go through real conversational prompts, just like what you’d hear at work, school, or with friends. I’ll show you an answer that native speakers might use, and I’ll give you a few seconds to respond using that answer. Then we’ll break down how to make your answer sound even more natural.
Here’s how it works:
- I’ll ask you a question.
- You pause the video and read the answer out loud.
- Then I’ll show you how to sound more native-like by working on linking, stress, reductions, and intonation.
Here’s your first question: For this question, let’s pretend that you and I are coworkers, and we know each other relatively well. We’re both in the office kitchen, eating our lunches, and I ask you this: So…what’d you do this weekend?
Pause now and respond.
Here’s a natural way a native speaker might say it:
"Oh, nothing much. I went to the park, then I had coffee with a friend."
Now, let’s review the reductions, linking, stress, and intonation, one by one.
Now you’ll hear each thought group three times in a row. Imitate after me in the pauses.
Here’s your second question: For this question, let’s pretend that we’re coworkers, and we’re passing each other in the hallway. I ask you this: Hey! How’s your day going?
Pause now and respond.
Here’s a natural way a native speaker might say it:
“It’s great, no complaints. How about yours?”
Now, let’s review the reductions, linking, stress, and intonation, one by one.
Now you’ll hear each thought group three times in a row. Imitate after me in the pauses.
Here’s your third question: For this question, let’s pretend that you and I are meeting for the first time, and you’re a university student. I ask you this: So what do you do?
Pause and answer.
For those of you who are students, here’s a clear, concise, and confident response:
I’m in school right now — studying biology.
Now, let’s review the reductions, linking, stress, and intonation, one by one.
Now you’ll hear each thought group three times in a row. Imitate after me in the pauses.
Here’s prompt four: For this question, let’s pretend you and I are meeting for the first time. I ask you this: Where are you from?
Pause and answer.
Here’s an example of a response you can use - just swap out the name of the country and city to your unique circumstances.
I’m originally from Mexico, but now I live in LA.
Now, let’s review the reductions, linking, stress, and intonation, one by one.
Now you’ll hear each thought group three times in a row. Imitate after me in the pauses.
Here’s prompt number five: For this question, let’s pretend that you and I are friends, and we’re catching up over lunch. I ask you this: How’s work going?
Pause and answer.
Here’s a natural and native-like response:
Pretty good! Busy, but good.
Now, let’s review the reductions, linking, stress, and intonation, one by one.
Now you’ll hear each thought group three times in a row. Imitate after me in the pauses.
Here’s question number six:
For this question, let’s pretend that you and I are in the same class in school, and we’re just getting to know each other. I ask you this: What do you usually do for fun?
Pause and answer.
Here’s a typical, native-like response:
I like to hang out with friends and watch movies.
Now, let’s review the reductions, linking, stress, and intonation, one by one.
Now you’ll hear each thought group three times in a row. Imitate after me in the pauses.
Here’s prompt seven: For this question, let’s pretend we’re at a party at a mutual friend’s house, and this friend is named Mike. You and I are meeting for the first time, and I ask you this: So how do you know Mike? Pause and answer.
Here’s a simple, native-like response:
We’re on the same team at work.
Now, let’s review the reductions, linking, stress, and intonation, one by one.
Now you’ll hear each thought group three times in a row. Imitate after me in the pauses.
And here’s the last conversation prompt. For this question, let’s pretend that you and I are coworkers, and it’s Friday. I ask you this: Do you have any plans for the weekend?
Pause and answer.
A native-like response might sound like this:
Nothing special. Probably just errands and laundry.
Now, let’s review the reductions, linking, stress, and intonation, one by one.
Now you’ll hear each thought group three times in a row. Imitate after me in the pauses.
All right — that’s it for advanced English conversation practice! I hope this video helps you to feel more confident with your English conversational skills!
Which of these eight prompts was hardest for you to answer? Tell me in the comments. I read every one!
And if you want more practice like this, don’t forget to subscribe and click the like button. I publish free video lessons on American English pronunciation, conversation practice, and real-world speaking tips every month, so don’t miss out! Every subscriber helps, so please subscribe if you haven’t already.
Free American Accent and English Training: English Pro Lite
And one more thing: have you heard about my free English course called English Pro Lite?
The link to enroll in English Pro Lite is in the description below, and in this course you’ll learn the highlights of the American accent, including the top vowels, consonants, syllable stress patterns, linking patterns, and reductions that native speakers are using in their everyday conversations. So if you like free training, then be sure to enroll in English Pro Lite now using the link in the description.
Exclusive American English Pronunciation Practice
Oh, and I lied, I have one more thing to share with you: If you want exclusive practice videos that you can watch here on my channel, then join my channel now and become a member. I upload new practice videos and audio lessons to my YouTube channel every month, and these are for YouTube members only, so click the “join” button below so you can start learning with this exclusive practice content.
Thanks again for watching, and happy practicing!
