Present perfect continuous for recent experiences — used to describe ongoing activities or states. "I've been President for a year now" shows an action that started in the past and continues to the present.
Modal verbs for possibility and advice — "can," "should," and "could" express capability, recommendation, and options. "Everyone can do it. All you have to do is engage" uses simple modals to encourage action.
Relative clauses with "that" for clarification — "The thing that I remember most about being a Stanford undergraduate is walking across the campus" uses a relative clause to emphasize and define what something is.
About this video
This video captures an informal conversation between Stanford's President Levin and two student leaders—Ava Brown, the ASSU Executive President, and Josh Bahk, a junior computer science major—recorded at the start of the school year. The discussion touches on concrete campus moments like move-in day energy and NSO (New Student Orientation), while President Levin outlines institutional priorities: strengthening a culture of inquiry, focusing on AI and education, and expanding opportunity through a larger incoming freshman class. The student leaders share genuine advice about getting involved and trying new things outside your comfort zone, including Josh's unexpected enjoyment of "Introduction to Cloud."
The video is ideal for shadowing at B1 level because the speakers use conversational, natural English without complex jargon, maintain a steady pace, and cover both academic and everyday topics. The tone is warm and encouraging, so learners can focus on clear pronunciation and natural stress patterns. This material suits students who want to hear how educated native speakers discuss both university-level themes and personal experiences in an informal setting, gaining exposure to how academic professionals communicate with younger students while remaining relatable and motivating.
Idioms & expressions
kick off — start or begin something, typically an event or season. "We are here with President Levin to kick off the school year."
get involved — participate actively in activities or community. "The most rewarding activities are opportunities to really get involved in my community."
buy in — commit fully to an idea, group, or activity with genuine enthusiasm. "The number one piece of advice is really just to buy in."
lean into — move toward or focus energy on something deliberately. "Really lean into those opportunities, really engage with the people."
expand your comfort zone — try new experiences or challenges beyond what feels familiar. "It's so much better to try to expand your comfort zone."
blossom and grow — develop and mature naturally over time. "I can't wait to kind of just see how they blossom and grow throughout the year."
