Podcast – Shopping in English: 5 Phrases You Need to Know (A2-B1)
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Today we talk about a situation that happens to many English learners – the “Shopping Freeze.” That moment when you see something beautiful in a shop, but your English disappears and you cannot ask about the price. Our hosts Mike and Anna share their real stories about this problem. Mike tells us about a confusing trip to buy a coffee maker with three different price tags. Anna shares her sad story about walking away from a beautiful leather bag in Italy because she was too nervous to ask the price. They also show us how simple phrases can change a stressful shopping trip into a successful one.
Mike starts his story in a big electronics store. He sees a coffee maker he likes, but there are three price tags near it. He feels frustrated and almost walks away. But then he remembers he is an English teacher. He takes a deep breath and asks the shop assistant: “Excuse me, I’m a bit confused. How much is this silver coffee maker?” The assistant is friendly and helps him. The coffee maker is on sale for fifty-five dollars – cheaper than all the tags! The lesson is simple: asking is easy, and the shop assistant is there to help you.
Anna also shares her story about a boutique in Italy. She sees a beautiful leather bag but there is no price tag. She practices the question in her head but worries about the answer. She thinks, “What if it costs a thousand dollars? What if I do not understand the number?” In the end, she smiles and walks away without asking. She still thinks about that bag today. Her story shows us that fear of making a mistake can stop us from getting what we want. But with the right phrases, you can avoid that feeling.
So what phrases can you learn from this podcast? Here are five essential phrases for shopping.
- “How much is this?” – Use this for one item. For more than one, say “How much are these?”
- “Could you tell me the price, please?” – A more polite way to ask. Perfect for nice shops.
- “Is this on sale?” – Ask this when you see a discount or a red sign.
- “That comes to…” – This is what the shop assistant says to tell you the total price. For example, “That comes to forty pounds, please.”
- “How would you like to pay?” – The assistant asks this at the end. You can answer “By card, please” or “With cash.”
You hear these phrases in a natural dialogue between Mike and Anna. Then you can repeat them and practise. That helps you remember and use them in real shops. Mike also gives a great tip: practise in your head first. The next time you are in a shop in your city, look at an item and ask yourself in English: “How much is this?” or “Is this on sale?” This builds a bridge to your mouth.
What is the benefit of this podcast? First, it helps you feel confident when you shop in English-speaking countries. Second, it gives you simple, real phrases that you can use immediately – in shops, markets, or online. Third, it shows you that shop assistants are friendly and want to help. The fear is often in your head, not in the situation. With these phrases, you never need to walk away from something you love again.
Before we go, a reminder of today’s phrases. “How much is this?” – “Could you tell me the price, please?” – “Is this on sale?” – “That comes to…” – “How would you like to pay?” Use them, and you will feel like a confident shopper.
If you want more practice, check out the Shopping in English Podcast for extra materials, exercises, and a full transcript of this episode. Click here to get more resources and improve your English step by step. Goodbye, and take care.