When you don’t have the right pair of shoes, just getting around can be a real pain. Join

Andrew and Morag as they share the essential vocabulary for shoe shopping. Because

when you need a new pair of shoes, you need them right away—even if you’re visiting an

English-speaking country!

Fun fact

Canada has a museum dedicated to shoes! The Bata Shoe Museum is located in Toronto, Ontario, and focuses on shoes over the past 4,500 years. In fact, the BSM has a collection of more than 13,000 shoes and shoe-related artefacts!

Expressions included in the learning materials

* like your shoes; did you get them in town?

* Where is your sale section?

* Can I try these on?

* Can you show me your [xyz]?

* I don’t know what shoe size I am. Could you help me?

Sample Dialogue

Sales clerk:

How are you doing? Can I help you find anything?

Customer:

Ah, it’s OK, I’m just looking around for now.

Sales clerk:

Sure. If you need anything, just let me know.

Customer:

Sure. Wait, um, actually, excuse me? Do you have anything like, this but in

black?

Sales clerk:

In black? I’ll take a look in the back. What size are you?

Customer

I’m an 8.

Sales clerk:

OK, I’ll be right back.

OK, I found something I think you’re gonna like.

Customer:

Oh, they’re cute!

Sales clerk:

Yeah, try ’em on, see how they feel.

Customer:

Hey, do you have a mirror anywhere?

Sales clerk:

 Yeah, just over there.

Customer:

OK, thank you.

Sales clerk:

So? What do you think?

Customer:

Well, I mean they look good, but they’re kind of uncomfortable. They’re sort

of narrow in the toe. I don’t think they’re going to work.

Sales clerk:

They just need to be broken in. They’ll be tight for the first day, but after

that, they’ll be the most comfortable shoes you’ve ever owned.

Customer:

OK, well, I think you’ve sold me because they are really cute so … OK, I’ll

take them.

Audio/Learning Materials: Culips English Learning Podcast