Shopping for Personal Care Items (Intermediate)

Practice on Your Own

Imagine that you are living with a host family in a country where the language is spoken. You need to purchase some personal care items, such as toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, etc.

• Make a shopping list of the items that you need to purchase in the language you are learning.
• Do you know what types of stores sell these items in your host country (grocery stores, pharmacies, small corner stores)? If not, prepare to ask your host family about this.
• Plan ahead for conversations you may need to have in the store(s). How will you greet the shopkeeper(s) or employee(s)? Will you go and find the items you need in the store, or will you need to ask the shopkeeper who will get the items for you? How can you ask about prices?

Practice in Conversation Session

• Be prepared to role play a conversation with your host family. Your conversation partner will play the role of your host parent. Tell them what items you need to purchase, and ask where you can find them.
  • If you are not sure of the word for a particular item, try to describe it to your host parent and ask what it is called.
• Next you will role play purchasing the items. Your conversation partner will play the role of the shopkeeper or employee. Remember to use culturally appropriate greetings and expressions.