ESL students need to ask for help in stores in English when they go shopping. Teaching this involves giving opportunities for practicing real-life language use.
Students often struggle with starting these conversations due to a lack of confidence or limited vocabulary.
How can teachers help students feel more confident asking for help in stores?
This post provides 15 conversations for practice. Students learn appropriate language and gain confidence by practicing these conversations. Teachers can use these dialogues to address challenges and reinforce communication skills.
Table of Contents
Asking for Help in Stores (Informal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: Two friends shopping together in a clothing store.
Emma: Excuse me, where are the jeans?
Salesperson: Over there, in the back corner.
Emma: Thank you. Do you have any in my size?
Salesperson: Yes, what size are you looking for?
Emma: Size small, please.
Salesperson: Sure, let me check for you.
Emma: Can I try them on?
Salesperson: Of course, fitting rooms are right there.
Emma: Great, thank you so much for your help.
Salesperson: You’re welcome, let me know if you need anything else.
Finding the Right Ingredients (Formal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: A customer in a grocery store asking for assistance.
Juan: Excuse me, where can I find tomatoes?
Store Clerk: Aisle 3, right next to the cucumbers.
Juan: Thank you. Are they fresh?
Store Clerk: Yes, they arrived this morning.
Juan: Perfect. Do you have any ripe ones?
Store Clerk: Let me check the stock for you.
Juan: I appreciate it.
Store Clerk: Here you go, these ones are ripe.
Juan: Great, thank you for your help.
Store Clerk: No problem, let me know if you need anything else.
Choosing a Gift (Informal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: Two friends browsing in a gift shop.
Sophia: Hey, where are the candles?
Shop Assistant: They’re on the shelves by the entrance.
Sophia: Thanks. Can you help me pick one?
Shop Assistant: Sure, what scent are you looking for?
Sophia: Something floral, maybe lavender?
Shop Assistant: We have a lavender-scented candle here.
Sophia: Perfect, I’ll take it.
Shop Assistant: Alright, let me wrap it up for you.
Sophia: Thanks a lot, you’ve been so helpful.
Shop Assistant: No problem, glad I could assist you.
Choosing a Pair of Shoes (Formal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: A customer in a shoe store seeking guidance.
Liam: Excuse me, where can I find men’s shoes?
Shop Attendant: They’re on the shelves along the back wall.
Liam: Thank you. Do you have any sneakers?
Shop Attendant: Yes, we have several styles available.
Liam: Can you show me some black ones, please?
Shop Attendant: Certainly, what size are you?
Liam: Size 9, please.
Shop Attendant: Here are a few options in your size.
Liam: These look good, I’ll try them on.
Shop Attendant: Let me know if they fit comfortably.
Liam: Thank you for your assistance.
Shop Attendant: You’re welcome, happy to help.
Picking Out a Book (Informal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: Two classmates in a bookstore looking for a particular book.
Emily: Hey, do you know where the fiction section is?
Bookstore Employee: Sure, it’s on the second floor.
Emily: Thanks. Can you help me find a mystery novel?
Bookstore Employee: Of course, any specific author in mind?
Emily: Not really, something popular maybe.
Bookstore Employee: How about this one by Agatha Christie?
Emily: Sounds good, I’ll give it a try.
Bookstore Employee: Enjoy your read!
Emily: Thanks for your help.
Bookstore Employee: No problem, happy reading!
Asking for Help in a Departmental Store (Informal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: Two friends shopping together in a department store.
Sophie: Excuse me, could you assist me in finding the electronics section?
Store Employee: Sure, it’s on the third floor, near the escalators.
Sophie: Thanks. Do you have any Bluetooth speakers in stock?
Store Employee: Yes, we have a variety of options. What’s your budget?
Sophie: Around $50. Can you show me what you have?
Store Employee: Follow me, I’ll show you our selection.
Sophie: This one looks nice. Does it come with a warranty?
Store Employee: Yes, it comes with a one-year warranty.
Sophie: Great, I’ll take it. Can I pay here?
Store Employee: Yes, you can pay at the register.
Seeking Fashion Advice (Formal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: A customer in a high-end boutique asking for style recommendations.
Nathan: Hello, could you help me find a formal outfit for an event?
Shop Assistant: Certainly, what’s the dress code for the event?
Nathan: It’s semi-formal, but I want to look sharp.
Shop Assistant: Do you prefer suits or something more casual?
Nathan: A suit would be perfect. Can you show me some options?
Shop Assistant: Follow me, I’ll show you our latest arrivals.
Nathan: This navy suit looks nice. What do you think?
Shop Assistant: It suits you well and matches the occasion.
Nathan: Excellent, I’ll take it. Can you help me with sizes?
Shop Assistant: Of course, let’s find the right fit for you.
Inquiring About Food Allergens (Informal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: A customer in a bakery asking about allergens in pastries.
Elena: Hi there, I’m curious about allergens in your pastries.
Bakery Staff: Sure, what allergens are you concerned about?
Elena: I’m allergic to nuts and soy. Are any pastries safe?
Bakery Staff: Our fruit tarts are nut and soy-free. Would you like one?
Elena: Yes, please. Are they made in a nut-free environment?
Bakery Staff: Absolutely, we take allergies seriously here.
Elena: Thank you for being so accommodating.
Bakery Staff: No problem, we want everyone to enjoy our treats safely.
Choosing Paint Colors (Formal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: A customer in a home improvement store seeking advice on paint colors.
David: Good afternoon, could you help me choose paint colors?
Paint Specialist: Of course, what room are you painting?
David: It’s for my living room. I want a warm, inviting color.
Paint Specialist: How about a soft beige or a warm taupe?
David: Those sound nice. Can you show me some swatches?
Paint Specialist: Follow me to the paint section, and I’ll assist you.
David: These colors look great. Do you have samples I can take?
Paint Specialist: Yes, we have small paint samples you can purchase.
David: Excellent, I’ll take a few to try out.
Selecting a Laptop (Informal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: A customer in an electronics store seeking guidance on purchasing a laptop.
Emma: Hey, can you help me choose a laptop?
Sales Rep: Sure, what will you primarily use it for?
Emma: Mostly for school work and streaming videos.
Sales Rep: A mid-range laptop should suit your needs.
Emma: Any specific brands or models you recommend?
Sales Rep: The Dell Inspiron or HP Pavilion are good options.
Emma: Sounds good. Can you show me those?
Sales Rep: Follow me, and I’ll show you our selection.
Emma: Thanks for your help, I’ll take some time to decide.
Sales Rep: No problem, take your time. Let me know if you have questions.
Asking for Assistance in a Clothing Store (Informal)
Level: Advanced
Context: Emma is a fashion-conscious young woman who is browsing a boutique for a special occasion outfit. She needs assistance finding the perfect dress.
Emma: Hi there, could you help me find a blouse in size medium?
Sales Assistant: Sure thing, follow me. Did you have a particular style in mind?
Emma: I prefer something casual yet elegant, maybe with floral patterns.
Sales Assistant: Got it. How about this one? It’s new and fits your description.
Emma: Hmm, it’s lovely. Do you have it in other colors?
Sales Assistant: Yes, we do. Let me check the inventory in the back.
Emma: Great, I’ll wait here. Could you also suggest matching trousers?
Sales Assistant: Of course, I’ll be right back with some options.
Emma: Thank you so much for your help. I appreciate it.
Sales Assistant: No problem at all, happy to assist. Here are the trousers to go with the blouse.
Emma: Perfect, thank you. I’ll try them on and see how they look together.
Sales Assistant: Take your time. Just let me know if you need anything else.
Seeking Guidance in a Grocery Store (Formal)
Level: Advanced
Context: Michael is hosting a dinner party and wants to buy high-quality ingredients for the menu. He seeks guidance on choosing fresh produce.
Michael: Excuse me, could you direct me to the organic produce section, please?
Store Employee: Certainly, sir. It’s aisle six, towards the back of the store.
Michael: Thank you. Also, do you have any locally sourced fruits available?
Store Employee: Yes, we do. Our display near the entrance showcases locally sourced items.
Michael: Excellent. Could you recommend which fruits are currently in season?
Store Employee: Certainly. Right now, our strawberries and peaches are in peak season.
Michael: Wonderful. I’ll head over to aisle six and check them out. Appreciate your help.
Store Employee: You’re welcome. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to ask.
Michael: Thank you, I’ll keep that in mind. Have a great day.
Store Employee: You too, sir. Enjoy your shopping experience with us.
Seeking Assistance in the Electronics Section (Formal)
Level: Advanced
Context: A customer, Sarah, approaches a store employee, Mark, in the electronics section.
Sarah: Excuse me, sir. Could I possibly get some assistance, please?
Mark: Certainly, ma’am. Happy to help. Are you looking for a specific product today?
Sarah: Yes, I’m interested in comparing noise-cancelling headphone options. I’d like something that prioritizes sound quality but also offers a comfortable fit.
Mark: Absolutely. We have a great selection that caters to those needs. Would you prefer over-ear or in-ear headphones?
Sarah: I’m open to trying both, if possible. Perhaps you could demonstrate a couple of different models?
Mark: Certainly! We have the Sony WH-1000XM5 for over-ear, known for excellent audio quality. For in-ear, the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds are highly rated for their comfort and noise cancellation.
Sarah: Those sound perfect. Would it be alright if I tried them both on for a few minutes?
Mark: Absolutely! Here you go. And feel free to play some music on our demo displays to test them out thoroughly.
Sarah: Thank you so much for your help. This has been very informative.
Mark: No problem at all, ma’am. Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any further questions.
Size Dilemma at the Clothing Store (Informal)
Level: Advanced
Context: David is browsing the men’s section at a clothing store. He picks up a shirt and needs help with sizing. He approaches a nearby salesperson, Jessica.
David: Hey there, excuse me. Could you mind helping me with this shirt?
Jessica: Sure, no problem! What seems to be the issue?
David: I’m interested in trying it on, but I’m not sure which size would fit best. This is a medium, but it looks a little snug on the hanger.
Jessica: Hmm, you’re right. Medium might be a bit tight. How about you try a large as well, and we can see which one feels more comfortable?
David: Great, thanks! That would be perfect.
Jessica: Absolutely! Our fitting rooms are right over here. Would you like me to grab you a large as well?
David: Sure, that would be great. I appreciate the help.
Jessica: No problem at all! Just let me know if you need anything else in there.
David: Thanks again, Jessica. I’ll be out in a few minutes.
Jessica: Sounds good, David. Take your time!
Finding a Specific Item at the Grocery Store (Informal)
Level: Advanced
Context: Maria is looking for a specific type of cheese at the grocery store. She can’t find it and asks a store employee, Alex, for help.
Maria: Excuse me, do you happen to know where I might find the Gruyère cheese? I can’t seem to locate it in the usual cheese section.
Alex: No problem at all! Gruyère is actually kept with the specialty cheeses, over by the deli counter. Would you like me to walk you over there?
Maria: Oh, that would be fantastic! Thank you so much, I completely missed that.
Alex: No worries, it happens! It’s right next to the fancy imported cheeses. Do you need any help choosing one?
Maria: Actually, yes! I’m planning on making a quiche, so I’m looking for a Gruyère that’s good for melting.
Alex: Excellent! We have a pre-shredded Gruyère specifically for baking that would be perfect for a quiche.
Maria: Pre-shredded? That sounds even better! Where can I find that?
Alex: It’s right here, next to the shredded mozzarella. Would you like to grab a bag?
Maria: Yes, please! This is a lifesaver. Thank you so much.
Conclusion
In conclusion, practicing asking for help in stores through these conversations will greatly benefit ESL learners, helping them gain confidence and improve their communication skills in real-life situations.
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