| Level |
Topic |
Speakers |
Length |
| Easy |
Coffee Shop |
Man – Woman |
00:46 |
Pre-Listening Exercise
- Do you often buy drinks or snacks at coffee shops?
- What is your favorite drink at a café?
- How do you usually order politely?
- Have you ever had trouble ordering in English?
Agree or Disagree? Let’s Spark Some Conversation!
These statements are designed to get everyone thinking, exploring ideas, and sharing opinions.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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- Coffee shops are a good place to practice English.
- You should always say “please” and “thank you” when ordering.
- It’s okay to point at the menu instead of using words.
- Buying food and drinks in a foreign country is difficult.
- It’s polite to ask for the price before paying.
- Ordering politely can get you better service.
- You don’t need to know exact words if you know numbers and gestures.
- Trying new snacks at a café is a good way to practice language.
- Small talk with the barista can be important.
- Paying with cash or card depends on the café.
Idioms
“to-go” = to take food or drinks with you, not eat there
“Can I have a coffee to-go, please?”
“on the house” = free of charge
“The barista said the muffin was on the house today.”
Listening Exercise
Vocabulary and Sample Sentences
Here are some words and expressions that appear in the recording:
- latte (noun): a coffee drink made with espresso and steamed milk
– She ordered a latte because she prefers milkier coffee drinks.
- size (noun): how big or small something is
– The clerk asked what size shirt he wanted to buy.
- choice (noun): a decision between different options
– Choosing a healthy snack is sometimes a hard choice.
- muffin (noun): a small baked cake, often eaten for breakfast or a snack
– He grabbed a blueberry muffin on his way to work.
- ready (adjective): prepared to be used or done
– Dinner will be ready in about ten minutes.
Post-Listening Exercise
- What would you order if you went to this café?
- How do you ask politely for food or drinks in your language?
- Do you usually pay with cash or card?
- Have you ever practiced English while ordering at a café?
Online Investigation
Research coffee shops around the world:
- What drinks or snacks are most popular in your country?
- Do coffee shops usually have menus in English?
- How do people greet customers and say goodbye in different countries?
Disclosure: Randall developed this content through collaboration with AI, combining technological support with professional instructional design.