Shadowing means speaking just behind a recording while it continues. Start with understanding and ordinary listen-and-repeat before trying that step. This A2-oriented activity uses the opening exchange from the free phone-call lesson. It is an excerpt, not the full conversation, and the exercise does not promise a particular accent or fluency result.
Listen to the excerpt
Check the meaning first
- Which two people are speaking?
- Does Τι κάνεις; ask how Maria is or what her name is here?
- How does Giorgos answer after Maria asks εσύ;?
- Does this excerpt give a meeting place and time?
Answers and transcript
1. Giorgos and Maria. 2. How she is, in this greeting exchange. 3. Μια χαρά — fine / very well. 4. No: this opening only exchanges greetings and asks how they are.
Γιώργος: Έλα, Μαρία! — Hi, Maria!
Γιώργος: Τι κάνεις; — How are you?
Μαρία: Γεια σου, Γιώργο! — Hi, Giorgos!
Μαρία: Καλά είμαι, εσύ; — I’m fine, and you?
Γιώργος: Μια χαρά. — Very well.
Notice the situation
Έλα, Μαρία! works as a familiar telephone greeting here; it is not a request for Maria to travel somewhere. Γεια σου uses familiar singular address. Read the transcript and meanings before imitating the exchange. Notice the written stress in Μαρία, κάνεις and καλά, then listen to those words again.
First repeat after a short part
Play the exchange, pause after a short phrase and say that phrase after the recording stops. That is listen-and-repeat. Choose one speaker’s short contribution first. If you cannot follow the words yet, stay with this step instead of trying to keep up with both voices.
Then try speaking just behind the voice
Restart the clip and begin your chosen phrase a little after the voice starts, while the recording keeps playing. Keep the text available for the first attempt. If you lose your place, stop and replay; do not invent missing words just to preserve speed. Next, hide the text and try the same short part. These are suggested stages, not a timed test.
Compare one feature
If useful, record your own attempt locally and compare one feature, such as the stressed syllable or where you pause. You do not need to upload a recording. A self-comparison is not a pronunciation score. Finish by saying a suitable response without following the clip: Καλά, ευχαριστώ. This switches from imitation to choosing your own reply.
Continue with the full free conversation
The A2 phone-call lesson continues into making plans and includes comprehension questions. Create an account to save progress. For shorter listening prompts, use the beginner greetings guide.
Practise the full A2 phone call · Try shorter greeting clips