A1 · Beginner · Services
Ask for help in a shop
4 short A1 English scripts to practise how to ask for help in a shop. Read one out loud, record yourself, listen back and try again.
Key phrase Do you have this in…?
No thanks, I'm just looking
Oh, hi! No, thank you, I'm just looking. Sorry, are you the shop assistant? You're wearing the same T-shirt.
Actually, do you have this jacket in blue? Is it in stock? Out of stock? Oh, what a shame. OK, I'm just looking again. Nice T-shirt, by the way.
American English
Oh, hi! No, thank you, I'm just looking. Sorry, are you the sales associate? You're wearing the same T-shirt.
Actually, do you have this jacket in blue? Is it in stock? Out of stock? Oh, what a bummer. Okay, I'm just looking again. Nice T-shirt, by the way.
Too big, too tight, too orange
Excuse me, where's the changing room? Thanks. Hmm, these trousers are too big. And this shirt is too tight. I can't breathe!
Does it come in a smaller size? And do you have it in a different colour? This orange is too orange. I look like a traffic cone.
American English
Excuse me, where's the fitting room? Thanks. Hmm, these pants are too big. And this shirt is too tight. I can't breathe!
Does it come in a smaller size? And do you have it in a different color? This orange is too orange. I look like a traffic cone.
Unexpected item at the till
The self-checkout is not happy with me. "Unexpected item in the bagging area." It's just my carrier bag! Excuse me, can you help? Oh, you're busy.
Okay, I'll use the till. Is the sale on today? Is there a discount on this? Great. Can I pay by card? Yes. Wonderful. Goodbye, robot.
American English
The self-checkout is not happy with me. "Unexpected item in the bagging area." It's just my plastic bag! Excuse me, can you help? Oh, you're busy.
Okay, I'll use the register. Is the sale on today? Is there a discount on this? Great. Can I pay by card? Yes. Wonderful. Goodbye, robot.
A gift for Grandad
Hi, I'd like to find a gift for my grandad. Where can I find scarves? Aisle five? Thanks. I'll look around first.
Hmm, could you show me the blue one? It's lovely. How much is it? That's cheap! OK, I'll take it. Can you put it in a gift bag? He's difficult to please.
American English
Hi, I'd like to find a gift for my grandpa. Where can I find scarves? Aisle five? Thanks. I'll look around first.
Hmm, could you show me the blue one? It's lovely. How much is it? That's cheap! Okay, I'll take it. Can you put it in a gift bag? He's hard to please.
Key words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| shop assistant / sales associate (US) noun | a person who works in a shop and helps you |
| I'm just looking phrase | what you say when you don't need help yet |
| do you have phrase | a question to ask if a shop sells something |
| in stock phrase | the shop has it |
| out of stock phrase | the shop doesn't have it now |