Street Market - Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab

Level	Topic	Speakers	Length
Intermediate	Shopping	Man – Man	01:30

Pre-Listening Exercise

What kinds of items would you find being sold at a flea or street market? Would you ever go to such a market to shop? Why or why not?

Agree or Disagree? Let’s Spark Some Conversation!

These statements are designed to get everyone thinking, moving, and talking! The goal is to explore ideas, share opinions, and get ready for the next part of the lesson.

In a face-to-face classroom: Read each statement aloud. If you agree, move to one side of the room; if you disagree, move to the other. Talk with your group—why do you feel that way? Then, pair students with members of the other group and have students explain their reasons. Rotate partners for more practice.
In an online classroom: Use polls, emojis, or the chat box in your online platform to show your opinion. Then, join the conversation as a group or in breakout rooms. What do others think? Do you agree or disagree with them?
For independent learners: Read each statement and think about your opinion. Then say your answer out loud and explain your reason, as if you’re talking to a classmate. This helps you get ready to speak and join real conversations in English. Consider recording your ideas and check your progress.

1. Street markets are better than shopping in regular stores.
2. Flea markets are only for people who want cheap items.
3. Street markets are more fun than online shopping.
4. Buying from flea markets supports local communities more than big stores.
5. Street markets are too crowded and stressful to enjoy.
6. People can find higher quality items at flea markets than in regular shops.
7. Visiting a street market is more about the experience than the shopping.
8. Street and flea markets should focus more on food than on goods.
9. Bargaining at markets is disrespectful and outdated.

Idioms

“sell like mad” = sell very quickly because an item is popular
“If you don’t hurry to the store, you won’t find any of the new iPhones. They’re selling like mad.”

“bells and whistles” = extra, sometimes unnecessary, decorative features on an item
“Hey, I don’t need a CD player with all the bells and whistles. If it plays a CD, then that is enough for me.”

Listening Exercise

Listen to the recording and answer the questions. (See transcript)

Vocabulary and Sample Sentences

Here are some words and expressions that appear in the recording:

steal (noun): a great bargain
– For only $10, that radio is a steal.
buck (noun): one dollar (informal)
– Hey. Can you loan me a few bucks until the end of the week?
break even (verb): end up with no profit or loss at the end of some business activity
– Business was good yesterday at the store, but in the end, we barely broke even.
drive a hard bargain (idiom): expect a lot for what you pay for
– She drives a hard bargain whenever she sells clothing in the outside marketplace.
throw in (phrasal verb): add or include
– I’ll buy the ring if you throw in the necklace too.
stick with (phrasal verb): stay with, not changing to something else
– Although that is a nice jacket, I think I’ll stick with the one I bought yesterday. I don’t need two jackets.