
Learn the basic vocabulary needed to talk with a grocery cashier
FOLLOW ESL DIRECTIONS ON
THIS WEEK’S FEATURED POST
Week of Dec. 15/25
Teach your beginner ESL students about preparing for a traditional Canadian Christmas and encourage them to share their own cultural traditions.
The lesson includes interactive vocabulary activities, a short video, and reflection questions to…
Keep readingLesson plan overview
| Task | To learn the basic vocabulary needed to speak with a grocery cashier when buying your groceries. |
| CLB level | CLB Stage I (CLB 1-3) |
| Delivery method | Online |
| Class size | 10-15 students (vary the number of activities according to your class size) |
| Estimated time | 1.5 hours (depending on class size) |
| CLB Skills and Competencies | Speaking: Interacting with others Getting things done Sharing information Listening: Interacting with others Comprehending instructions Getting things done Comprehending information Reading: Comprehending information |
| Language focus | Learn the vocabulary needed to understand this topic. Use the appropriate grammar structures and vocabulary to respond personally to the reflection questions. (Encourage students to respond in full sentences.) |
| Cultural focus | Students understand the questions and answers and politeness formulas expected when buying your groceries in Canada. |
| Specific task learning objectives | Students will learn and practice vocabulary related to speaking with a grocery cashier. Students will listen to a short dialogue and will practice an open-ended role play. |
| ESL Directions original video (🎥) and audio (🔊) activities? | This lesson includes original video (🎥) and audio (🔊) activities. |
| Resource attribution | ESL Directions original resources are marked below with an asterisk (*). Feel free to use these, but please give credit to ESL Directions. |
Lesson plan
Warm-up: Introducing the topic and defining our terms
- Today, we’re going to learn about speaking with a grocery cashier.
- What are groceries?
- What is a grocery cashier?
- What is a customer?
- What are some words you might say to a grocery cashier?
Skill-building activities
FEATURED CONTENT
- Vocabulary flashcards*
- Let’s review the vocabulary* (Ask your students to pay attention to how to say the words and what they mean.) 🔊
- Talking with the grocery cashier at the checkout* 🎥
Skill-using tasks
- Video quiz* 🎥
- Audio and role play* (Listen to the dialogue again and ask students to do the role play.) 🔊
- Who says what?* (Move the tiles under the correct speakers.)
Assessment/review tasks
Reflection questions
- Where do you go grocery shopping? Why do you shop there?
- What are some other things a cashier might ask you?
- Do you go shopping on your own or with someone else?
- Do you speak English with the cashiers? How does that go for you?
- Are the cashiers friendly at your grocery store?
- Do you make a shopping list before you go shopping?
- Do you like to save money when you go grocery shopping? How are some ways you save money?
- What are some good ways to not waste groceries after you buy them?
RELATED PAGES
Groceries and grocery departments
The lesson plan teaches your beginner ESL students the basic vocabulary for some common grocery items and where to find them…
Keep readingAsking for help in a grocery store
This lesson plan teaches your beginner ESL students basic words and phrases needed for asking for help in a grocery store.…
Keep readingFOOD AND RESTAURANTS YOUTUBE PLAYLIST
Click on the small right arrow at the top of this video to play the videos or go to the YouTube Food and Restaurants Playlist.

COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBOURS WORDWALL ACTIVITIES
Wordwall is a very useful interactive lesson-creation site. If you sign up for a free Wordwall account, you will be able to see our “Community and neighbours” folder, which includes ESL Directions activities that you can add to your lessons.
SHARE THIS PAGE:

ABOUT ESL DIRECTIONS
ESL teacher, movie buff, constant reader, and former editor and communications pro. Now a graduate of the Teaching English as a Second Language program at the University of Manitoba and a TESL Canada certified ESL teacher in Edmonton, Alberta, I specialize in teaching online classes of beginner ESL students.
FOLLOW ESL DIRECTIONS ON
CONTACT US










