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Lesson 2: Japanese stores always take big bills.

I can talk about shopping.

INTRODUCE

Shopping can be a little different from country to country, so it’s good to be able to talk about it.

PRESENT

STEP A VOCABULARY

I. Read the vocabulary.

have a great selection of [things]

take credit cards

take big bills

have a big sale

II. Which of the things above describe your favorite store?

III. Practice reading the words.

/b/

/p/

big

pig

bill

pill

STEP B GRAMMAR TIP

Use always, normally, and hardly ever to talk about how often something happens.

always

100% of the time

normally

80% of the time

hardly ever

5% of the time

  • I always go shopping with my friend.
  • I normally pay cash.
  • This store hardly ever has a big sale.

UNDERSTAND

SPEAKING

Yutaka and Cindy are talking.

Cindy:

I’m excited to go shopping this weekend! So, where are you going to take me?

Yutaka:

We’re going to Ginza.

Cindy:

Oh, cool! I heard it’s one of the best places to shop in Tokyo. Is that true?

Yutaka:

I think so. A lot of people shop there, but I normally don’t go there.

Cindy:

Why not?

Yutaka:

It’s expensive, and most stores there hardly ever have a big sale.

Cindy:

Well, I saved money for this trip, so I’m okay. Oh, I only have 10,000-yen bills in my wallet! Is that okay, or should I use a credit card?

Yutaka:

Japanese stores always take big bills. But if you want, you can use a credit card. Department stores normally take credit cards.

Cindy:

Oh, good. I really want to buy a new purse.

Yutaka:

Then Ginza is the place for you! The stores there always have a great selection of purses.

Cindy:

Yay!

TRIVIA

Did you know that many stores in the US don’t take big bills? It can be difficult to give change for big bills, and many storeowners are afraid that they’re fake. Some stores don’t even accept anything larger than $20 bills (approximately 2,000 yen)!

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Match the sentences on the left with the words on the right.

1. The mall has a great selection of shoes 100% of the time.

a. always

2. The store has a big sale 5% of the time.

b. normally

3. I try on clothes before I buy them 80% of the time.

c. hardly ever

STEP B EXERCISE

Complete the conversations using the words in the box and the clues in parentheses.

always
normally
hardly ever

1.

Tutor: Can I pay with a credit card there?

Student: Probably not. Little stores like that (5% of the time) _____ take credit cards.

 

 

2.

Tutor: I only have a 10,000-yen bill. Is that going to be a problem?

Student: No, you’re fine. Japanese stores (100% of the time) _____ take big bills.

 

 

3.

Tutor: Do you shop at the mall a lot?

Student: No, not really. I (80% of the time) _____ shop online.

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

You have a new foreign coworker. He/She is planning to go shopping this weekend.


Recommend where to shop in your city and answer his/her questions about shopping in Japan.

Today's grammar tip

  • always
  • normally
  • hardly ever

Discuss your ideas.

1

JAPANESE STORES

2

SHOPPING AREAS

3

SHOPPING HABITS

1

JAPANESE STORES

  1. What’s your favorite store in Japan?
  2. What Japanese stores are popular with foreign tourists?
  3. How long are Japanese stores usually open?
  4. How often do Japanese stores have a big sale?

2SHOPPING AREAS

  1. What’s the best place to shop for traditional Japanese souvenirs?
  2. What’s the best place to shop for designer brands?
  3. What’s the best place to buy electronics?
  4. What’s the best place to buy food from other countries?

3SHOPPING HABITS

  1. What things do you normally shop for (ex. clothes, electronics)?
  2. Which do you prefer, shopping at stores or shopping online?
  3. Do you like to pay with cash or credit cards?
  4. When do you usually go shopping?

FEEDBACK

I can talk about shopping.

LESSON GOAL ACHIEVEMENT

  • 4
    Very Good

    Could complete the task with ease

  • 3
    Good

    Could complete the task with some clarifications

  • 2
    Fair

    Could complete the task with additional instructions

  • 1
    Poor

    Could somehow complete the task with difficulty

PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK