Talking About Online Shopping - Spoken English Lesson

Summary

This lesson from Oxford Online English teaches how to talk about online shopping, focusing on sharing experiences, comparing websites, and using the correct prepositions and vocabulary. The dialogue explores topics such as the convenience of online shopping, different platforms like Asos, Zara, and AliExpress, and how to describe your shopping experiences. It also covers useful phrases like 'a huge range', 'reasonable', 'clunky', and 'hassle', helping learners improve their language skills while discussing both good and bad online shopping encounters. The lesson encourages learners to reflect on their own experiences with online shopping.

Takeaways

• 😀 Online shopping often involves comparing different websites to find the best deals and products.
• 😀 The preposition ‘on’ is typically used when talking about online shopping (e.g., 'I bought it on Amazon').
• 😀 The phrase ‘a huge range’ refers to having a wide variety of products to choose from.
• 😀 'Reasonable' means fair pricing, indicating good value for money, not necessarily cheap.
• 😀 'A nightmare' can be used metaphorically to describe a bad or frustrating experience, such as poor customer service.
• 😀 The phrase ‘going downhill’ means that something has been worsening or declining over time, such as product quality.
• 😀 Websites like Asos and Zara are mentioned as examples of online clothing stores with different customer experiences.
• 😀 Some websites, like AliExpress, may offer cheaper products, but customer service and delivery times could vary.
• 😀 Terms like ‘get hold of’ mean to find something, and ‘without a doubt’ emphasizes certainty or agreement.
• 😀 'Intuitive' refers to something being easy to understand or use, such as a user-friendly website.
• 😀 Negative online shopping experiences, such as receiving the wrong item or poor customer service, are also discussed, with terms like 'clunky' and 'hassle' describing frustrating situations.

Q & A

What is the main topic of this lesson?

The main topic of the lesson is how to talk about online shopping, including discussing personal experiences, different websites, and relevant vocabulary.

What prepositions should be used when talking about online shopping?

When talking about physical shops, the preposition 'at' is used, like 'I bought it at Walmart'. For online shops, 'on' is typically used, such as 'I bought it on Amazon'.

What does the phrase 'a huge range' mean?

'A huge range' means a large variety or many different options. For example, in the context of clothing, it refers to having many styles, sizes, and colors available.

What is the meaning of 'reasonable' in the context of online shopping?

'Reasonable' means fair or not too expensive. If prices are reasonable, they are considered to offer good value for money, though not necessarily cheap.

How would you explain the expression 'the quality has been going downhill'?

'The quality has been going downhill' means that the quality of a product or service has been deteriorating or getting worse over time.

How does AliExpress compare to Amazon for buying electronics?

AliExpress is often cheaper than Amazon and can offer products that are hard to find elsewhere, though its delivery times can be slower. Amazon is known for fast shipping and a wider range of products, especially well-known brands.

What does the expression 'without a doubt' mean?

'Without a doubt' is used to emphasize that something is certain or unquestionable. It means 'definitely' or 'for sure'.

What does the phrase 'get the hang of it' mean?

'Get the hang of it' means to become familiar with or learn how to do something. For example, 'It’s easy when you get the hang of it' means you will understand it after trying it a few times.

What is the importance of using a website that is 'intuitive'?

An intuitive website is easy to understand and navigate. You can find what you need without difficulty, which is essential for a good shopping experience.

What does 'clunky' mean in relation to websites?

'Clunky' means that something is poorly designed and difficult to use. It often refers to websites that are outdated or not user-friendly.