The News Stand

Skill: Listening, Speaking, Vocabulary 

Topic: Daily Transactions 

Mode: Interpersonal,  

Level: Intermediate  

Can-Do/Competency:  Students can deal with simple situations (e.g., apply for a credit card, buy a SIM card, find an apartment/house to rent, update passport/documents status, etc.) 

Excerpt: Students will role play as a newspaper stand employee and a customer.  

Activity components:  

  • Supplies to stock a pretend news stand 
  • Price list for supplies 
  • Note cards with item written on them 

[Additional materials needed: if necessary] 

Additional materials could include a newspaper, magazine, bus tickets, train tickets, city map, etc.  

Instructions to the teacher:  

TwoStudents will role play as a news stand employee and customer. The customer draws a card with an item written on the card. He then begins a basic conversation with the employee. They should ask questions / give answers such as, ‘do you have X?’, ‘how much does it cost?’, ‘how many would you like’, etc.  

Instructions to students: 

Two students will play the roles of a news stand employee and customer. The customer draws a card with an item from the news stand on it. He then engages in a conversation with the employee in which he buys the item. The employee should answer questions and initiaite return questions. It could look something like this: 

‘Hello. Do you have today’s New York Times?’ 

‘Yes. Its here on the shelf.’  

‘Could I get a copy?’ 

‘Of course. Is there anything else you would like?’ 

‘No. How much is it?’ 

‘Its $3.00’ 

‘Here you go. Thanks.’ 

After practicing in one role, the students switch roles.