Shopping
Lesson Plan- Shopping
Shopping! Everyone loves shopping, right? Well, maybe not everyone. But everyone has to do it from time to time to buy the necessities of life- like food and clothes. Whether you enjoy shopping and spend a considerable amount of time at it or you hate it and get it over with as quickly and painlessly as possible, there are standard expressions that are used. Look at these examples.
English Expressions- Shopping
Expression By a Clerk
May (can) I be of assistance?
Yes please, I’m looking for kitchen utensils.
How can (may) I help you?
Could you tell me where children’s wear is?
May I assist you?
No thanks, I’m just browsing.
Could I help you find something?
Yes please, I’m looking for a pair of gloves.
Will there be anything else?
No, that will do it.
What size of pants do you need?
I wear a 32 inch waist and a 34 inch length.
Expressions by a customer
How much are (… the blue jeans)?
They are $39.99.
Could you tell me ( … the price of that camera)?
Of course, it $249.59.
Do you have this in another color?
Yes, it also comes in green, red, and blue.
Do you have ( … this in a larger size)?
I’m sorry, that’s the largest size we carry.
Dialogue- Shopping
Clerk: Good afternoon. Can I help you?
Connie: Yes, I’m looking for a birthday gift for my mother-in-law.
Clerk: Did you have anything in particular in mind?
Connie: Not really, she’s kind of picky. Maybe something
in a porcelain knick knack for her living room.
Clerk: We have some nice, very artful, butterflies that can
brighten up any room.
Connie: I don’t think so; she’s not a bug person.
What are those things over there?
Clerk: Those are shifting sand paintings. You can change the
look of the picture by turning the picture upside down.
You see, the sand shifts to make another picture.
Connie: Well that’s interesting. How much is it?
Clerk: It’s $69.95.
Connie: That’s a little more than I planned to spend.
Clerk: You could always get a gift certificate. That way she can
get exactly what she wants.
Connie: That’s a good idea. I’ll do that. Can I get one for $50?
Clerk: Certainly.
Conversation Activities- Shopping
1. Pair work- discussion
When was the last time you went shopping? Tell your partner about it using
some of the ideas for discussion below. Your partner should ask questions
to get more information.
- where did you go
- what did you buy
- how long did you spend shopping
- who did you go with
- do you like shopping- why or why not
2. Pair work- Role Play
Working with a partner, role play the situation, using the information below.
The situation: At a store
The roles: a clerk, a customer
The clerk should ask questions about the size, color, brand name, etc. of
the items preferred by the customer. The customer should ask questions
about the price, materials, warranties, rebates, discounts, etc. Be creative
and use your imagination. For example the clerk may be out of some items
or the customer hates black. Improvise and have fun.
Suit Kitchen knives Frying pan Evening gown
Sofa Ear rings Tread mill Fountain pen
Calculator Pet dog Car Computer scanner
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