Shopping for the Day - Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab

Level	Topic	Speakers	Length
Easy	Shopping Malls	Man – Girl	01:10

Pre-Listening Exercise

Shopping online or at local department stores is an activity many people enjoy. How often do you go shopping for the following items and where do you buy them: clothing, gifts for friends and family, music, DVD movies, electronics?

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. It’s fun to shop for gifts for family and friends.
2. You should always give gifts that people will use.
3. Giving a gift is a way to show someone you care.
4. It’s better to make a gift than to buy one.
5. Shopping for gifts is easier when you know what the person likes.
6. You should always wrap gifts in nice paper.
7. It’s okay to give a gift that isn’t very expensive.
8. People should ask for a list of gift ideas if they don’t know what to buy.
9. Shopping for gifts online is better than shopping in stores.
10. It’s important to give a thank-you note with a gift.

Idioms

“save for a rainy day” = save something for the future when it is needed
“Instead of spending money on a new TV, I’m going to save it for a rainy day. You never know when you’ll need it.”

“a dime a dozen” = very common, usually inexpensive, and easy to find
“I bought my dad a new watch at a flea market, and I thought I got a great deal only to discover they were a dime a dozen at other places.”

Listening Exercise

A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.

Post-Listening Exercise

With a partner, decide on a particular item you want to buy like a camera, computer, or book. Then, use the internet and try to find the buy that considers price, shipping costs, return policy, and time for delivery.

Online Investigation

Imagine that you want to buy a gift for a friend for her birthday. Your friend is really into electronics and fashionable clothing, so you want to buy your friend either some new headphones for her iPhone or a nice, trendy shirt. Your budget is about $200. Visit two online stores to find these items and compare prices, shipping costs, and the company’s refund policy in case there are problems with the order.

See Listening Script

Back to Easy Quizzes

General Listening Quiz