Speaking Skills: Buying trainers
Speaking Skills: Buying trainers
In this week's Premier Skills English Podcast, Jack and Rich talk about the language you need to describe trainers and Jack goes shopping for a new pair of trainers. The language focus is on the phrases you need when you go shopping for trainers and this week's task is to describe your favourite pair of trainers. Don't forget to listen to the end of the podcast because we have a new football phrase for you to guess, too. Enjoy!
Transcript
Speaking Skills - Buying Trainers
Rich: Look at the state of them.
Jack: What?
Rich: Your trainers!
Jack: It’s raining. They’re just a bit dirty.
Rich: Dirty? They’re falling apart. Look at the sole; all the grip’s come off.
Jack: Yeah, they are a bit slippy sometimes. They’re just a bit worn down.
Rich: Worn down? More like worn out. And they haven’t got any laces to tie them up. What’s that all about?
Jack: Erm... fashion?
Rich: Shut up!
Jack: Alright, alright. I’ll take them off.
Rich: No! Keep them on!
Jack: What’s the matter?
Rich: They stink.
Jack: The trainers?
Rich: No, your feet and when you buy some new trainers get some new socks too. Look at those holes!
Welcome - Buying trainers
Rich: Hello my name’s Rich.
Jack: and I’m Jack
Rich: and welcome to this week’s Premier Skills English podcast
Jack: Where we talk about football and help you with your English.
Jack: What’s happening this week, Rich?
Rich: In this week’s podcast, Jack is going to buy some new trainers.
Jack: But, more importantly, we’re going to help you with the language you need to buy trainers or sports shoes in a sports shop.
Rich: Listen to the podcast and, if you are listening on the Premier Skills English website, you can also read the transcript, do the activities, test your understanding with a quiz and discuss this week’s task in the comments section with Premier League fans from around the world.
Jack: And don’t forget to listen to the end of the podcast because we have a new football phrase for you to guess, too.
Rich: So, in a minute, Jack is going to go shopping for new trainers, but before we do that let’s look at the word trainers.
Jack: In the UK, we call the shoes that we use for running and sport in general, trainers, but people use different words in different parts of the world.
Rich: So, I’ve got a quiz for you, Jack. I’m going to give you a word for trainers and you have to tell me the country it’s used in. Alright?
Jack: Trainers! The UK!
Rich: Very good, but you can’t have a point for that. I’m going to give you five more.
Rich: Number one: Where in the world do they use the word ‘sneakers’?
Jack: Easy. The USA.
Rich: That’s right. Trainers in the UK but sneakers in the US. Number two: Where in the world do they use the word ‘tackies’?
Jack: Never heard of it. Australia?
Rich: Nope. Trainers in the UK but in South Africa ‘tackies’. Number three: Where in the world do they use the word ‘runners’?
Jack: That makes sense but I don’t know where it is used. New Zealand?
Rich: Nope. Trainers in the UK but in Canada ‘runners’. Number four: Where in the world do they use the word ‘kicks’?
Jack: Oh, I’ve heard this used. I think it’s the US again.
Rich: You’re right, kicks is an informal word for trainers or sneakers in the United States. Number five: Where in the world do they use the word ‘joggers’?
Jack: Runners? Joggers? Again it makes sense. Is that Canada too?
Rich: Nope. Trainers in the UK but in Austrailia ‘joggers’. That’s two out of five.
Jack: That was difficult. In the next section, I’m going to buy some new trainers or ‘tackies’ as they say in South Africa and afterwards we’ll look at some of the language you need to go shopping for trainers.
Rich: While you are listening, we have two questions for you. Question 1: What’s the problem with the first pair of trainers that Jack tries on? And question 2: Does he find a pair he likes?
Roleplay
Rich: Hello there. How are you doing? How can I help you this morning?
Jack: Just looking, thanks.
Rich: No problem. Just give me a shout if you need anything.
...
Jack: Excuse me. Could I try these in a size 10, please?
Rich: Sure, I’ll be back in one minute.
…
Rich: Here. you go.
Jack: These are a bit small. They pinch a bit at the toes. Can I try the next size up?
Rich: I’ve got the size eleven here.
Jack: Great …
Rich: You need to have a thumb's width at the front of the shoe to get a proper fit.
Jack: They fit really well, but I’m not sure about the colour. I don’t really like bright green. Have you got them in ... er... blue?
Rich: I’ll just go and check … here we go.
Jack: Let’s have a try. Hmmm... They’ve got really good grip. I wouldn’t be slipping about in these.
Rich: They really suit you. (a bit of a squeeze)
Jack: Actually, they’re a bit loose here around the heel. Do you do half sizes?
Rich: Yes, but I think we’ve only got the green in a ten and a half.
Jack: OK, can I try them on, please.
Rich: Yep, back in two tics.
-----
Jack: Right, OK. They fit well and I don’t really mind the green to be honest. The fit is more important than the colour. How much are they?
Rich: They’re 49.99. Actually, the blue pair are ten pounds more so the green ones are a bit of a bargain.
Jack: Great. I'll take them.
Language Focus
Rich: In this section, we’re going to look at some of the phrases Jack used when buying his new trainers.
Jack: You can see these phrases on the Premier Skills English podcast page with an activity to help you learn them.
Rich: When Jack went into the shop, I was the shop assistant and asked if I could help. I hate this. When I go into a shop the first thing I want to do is to look around.
Jack: Me too. So the phrase you need to use is ‘Just looking, thanks.’ or ‘I’m just browsing, thanks’. This tells the assistant to give you some space.
Rich: Once you’ve had a good look around and chosen some trainers that’s when you want to talk to the shop assistant.
Jack: The most important questions here are Could I try these on, please? Or Could I try these in a size 9 or 10, please?
Rich: To try on is a phrasal verb which means to put on, which is another phrasal verb. To try on is to put on some clothes to see if you like them or not.
Jack: Saying ‘Could I try these on is good but then the assistant will ask for your size, so it’s better to say ‘ Could I try these in a size 9, please?’
Rich: Sizes in the UK are a bit complicated, though. I’m a size 9 in the UK but a 43 in Spain where they use European sizes.
Jack: So, if you’re buying shoes in the UK, you may need to try on a few different sizes.
Rich: A useful phrase that Jack used was ‘Can I try the next size up?’ because the trainers were too small. If they are too big you can say ‘ Can I try a size down?’ or ‘Have you got a smaller size?’
Jack: You might also want to describe why you need the next size up or down. The key words here are tight and loose.
Rich: If the trainers are too small they will be tight. Jack said the first pair of trainers pinched at the toes. This means that they were too tight.
Jack: The second pair I tried were too loose. I said that they were a bit loose around the heel - which is the back of your foot.
Jack: I also asked for a different colour. To do this I said; ‘Have you got these in green?’
Rich: Two more useful words for trainers and clothes generally, which we used in the roleplay, are fit and suit.
Jack: Fit is used to describe the shape and size of something and how well it ‘fits’ to your feet or body. Are they too big or too small? Are the trainers the right size?
Rich: Suit is used to describe the style and how good something looks on you. Does it make you look attractive? Do your trainers match the colour of your eyes? That kind of thing.
Jack: So, there are some of the keywords and phrases you need to go and buy some trainers in the UK. On the Podcast page, we have some more vocabulary connected to trainers and some activities to help you understand this podcast.
Task
Rich: Your task this week is to tell us about your trainers. How many pairs of trainers do you have? What do you use them for? Sports or general use?
Jack: Do you wear your trainers all the time? How often do you buy a new pair? Is there a pair of trainers you want to buy?
Rich: Describe your favourite pair of trainers. Are they like Jack’s old pair that he loves but are falling apart or do you prefer to wear a nice new pair of sneakers?
Jack: Write your comments about trainers in the comments section at the bottom of the page on the Premier Skills English website.
Football Phrase
Rich: Have you got a football phrase for us this week?
Jack: Yes, I have, but first, our last football phrase. It was to leave everything on the pitch. It means to give your all and to try your best. It means to give 100% and you have nothing left at the end of the match.
Rich: It was a really difficult phrase last week and only Lakerwang from China got it right, after a few clues in the comments section. Well done to you, Lakerwang!
Jack: I’m going to make this week’s football phrase easier but only a little bit! This week’s football phrase is * ***-**. This football phrase describes a goal that is very easy. For example, when a player crosses the ball, it goes past the goalkeeper and the striker can put the ball into the empty net from one metre. It was so easy, even Rich could have scored it, it was * ***-**.
Rich: I would probably miss! Let’s see who can get it. Right, that’s all we have time for this week. Don’t forget to write your answers to the task and football phrase in the comments section below.
Jack: If you’re listening on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, you could leave your answers in the review section. We do read all the reviews and would love to hear from you.
Rich: Bye for now and enjoy your football!
Vocabulary
How much did you understand?
In the podcast, Rich and Jack used some words and phrases that might be new for you. Do you know the words in bold?
Dirty? They’re falling apart. Look at the sole; all the grip’s come off.
And they haven’t got any laces to tie them up. What’s that all about?
There were a few more tricky words and phrases in the podcast. Do you know what they all mean? Try the activity below, then, listen to the podcast again to hear how we used the words. This can really help your understanding.
Activity 1
Language
Phrases you need when buying trainers
In this week's podcast, Jack went to a sports shop to buy a new pair of trainers. Here are probably the most useful phrases when you first go into a sports shop:
Rich: How can I help you this morning?
Jack: Just looking, thanks.
Jack: Excuse me. Could I try these in a size 10, please?
Rich: Sure, I’ll be back in one minute.
Rich: I think we’ve only got the green pair in a ten and a half.
Jack: OK, can I try them on, please.
Size
One of the most important things when buying new trainers is the size. Let's look at some phrases from the podcast that will help you get the right trainer for you!
Too small:
The size is connected to how big or how small something is. It's important to get the right size of trainer for you. If the trainer you try on is too small these are some phrases you can use:
These are a bit small.
Can I try the next size up, please.
They pinch a bit at the toes.
Too big:
If the trainer you try on is too small, these are some phrases you can use:
These are a bit too big.
Have you got a smaller size?
These are a bit loose around the heel. Can I try a size down?
Just right:
The difference between suit and fit is important; fit is connected to the size and suit is connected to style. When you are happy with your trainers, you might say or hear these phrases:
They fit really well.
They really suit you.
I'll take them.
In the activity below, read the dialogue at a sports shop and write the correct word in each gap.
Vocabulary
Describing Trainers
In the podcast, Rich and Jack used a lot of language to describe the parts of a trainer. Look at these sentences:
Let’s have a try. The grip is really good. I won't ever slip over wearing these.
They’re a bit loose here around the heel at the back of the foot.
Your shoes haven’t got any laces. How do you tie them up?
I don't think those will be good for playing football. You need some football boots with studs to play on grass.
Quiz
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Task
Describing Trainers
This week’s task is to describe some trainers; trainers you wear now, a favourite pair of trainers you had in the past or a pair of trainers you would like to buy. Use these questions to help you write your answer:
- How many pairs of trainers do you have? What do you use them for? Sports or general use?
- Do you wear your trainers all the time? How often do you buy a new pair? Is there a pair of trainers you want to buy?
- Describe your favourite pair of trainers. Are they like Jack’s old pair that he loves but are falling apart or do you prefer to wear a nice new pair of sneakers?
Write your answers in the comments section below and don't forget to make a guess at our football phrase.
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Comments
23/02/2024
points
I have two pairs of trainers. I use them in general or sport.
I use my trainer all the time. I only buy a new trainer when the old one wear out.
My favourite pair of trainers is Nike air dump. It is in red and stylish. I feel confident when I wear it.
23/02/2024 11:20
Manchester United
179
I have two pairs of trainers. I use them in general or sport.
I use my trainer all the time. I only buy a new trainer when the old one wear out.
My favourite pair of trainers is Nike air dump. It is in red and stylish. I feel confident when I wear it.
01/11/2021
points
Task
• I’ve two pairs of trainers,only used for walking or jogging.
Apart these also have two pairs for general use.
• In working hours I wear shoe not trainers. Average time of using trainers is three years. I don’t need to buy them at the moment. I prefer clean and fit sneakers.
Phrases
• My team is falling apart nowadays, they are even losing at home matches as well.
• Unless wear out the trainers should be used even when they wear down .
• When you can't bend your body to tie up laces of your trainers, it's time to start exercises-:)
• Trainers must be orthopedic then they don't pinch your toes and provide comfortableness. To be fit is better than to be suit .
01/11/2021 17:13
Tottenham Hotspur
5527
Task
• I’ve two pairs of trainers,only used for walking or jogging.
Apart these also have two pairs for general use.
• In working hours I wear shoe not trainers. Average time of using trainers is three years. I don’t need to buy them at the moment. I prefer clean and fit sneakers.
Phrases
• My team is falling apart nowadays, they are even losing at home matches as well.
• Unless wear out the trainers should be used even when they wear down .
• When you can't bend your body to tie up laces of your trainers, it's time to start exercises-:)
• Trainers must be orthopedic then they don't pinch your toes and provide comfortableness. To be fit is better than to be suit .
01/06/2020
points
I think this week's football phrase is ( a sitter )
01/06/2020 12:05
Manchester United
6510
I think this week's football phrase is ( a sitter )
01/06/2020
points
Well , I have 5 pairs of trainers , 3 of them are football boots for my matches with my local team and two for jogging or running by the seaside before games. All of them are adidas because I like this brand and it makes me feel comfortable wearing them.
I like to go out with my trainers on too because they are comfy
I often buy trainers once a year when there's an online sale or a big sale on our local adidas store.
I'd like to buy the new predator boots but they are quite expensive nowadays maybe after sale when the season is off , I will buy them
My favourite pair are quite old back in 2006 but they are not falling apart like Jack's although they have some scratches on the sides but they are so precious to me because I won a top scorer in a big tournament in Egypt back in 2007
They are burgundy adidas predator Traxion hard ground like the ones Beckham used to wear in his third season with Real Madrid
01/06/2020 11:51
Manchester United
6510
Well , I have 5 pairs of trainers , 3 of them are football boots for my matches with my local team and two for jogging or running by the seaside before games. All of them are adidas because I like this brand and it makes me feel comfortable wearing them.
I like to go out with my trainers on too because they are comfy
I often buy trainers once a year when there's an online sale or a big sale on our local adidas store.
I'd like to buy the new predator boots but they are quite expensive nowadays maybe after sale when the season is off , I will buy them
My favourite pair are quite old back in 2006 but they are not falling apart like Jack's although they have some scratches on the sides but they are so precious to me because I won a top scorer in a big tournament in Egypt back in 2007
They are burgundy adidas predator Traxion hard ground like the ones Beckham used to wear in his third season with Real Madrid
06/12/2018
points
Recently I have bought adidas trainers .It is adidas goretex kanadia 7 and it have gtx membrane(I don t know what is it)but I know that it It is fairly breathable despite the water proofing feature.It can also use like running trainers.It is black with some orange colour in the hell,and has good grip.It has a relatively high stack height and heel offset.
It has been discounted for alomost 15 pounds.
Football phrase sitter.
The goal is so easy to score that you can almost do it when you sit on the ground.
06/12/2018 06:08
Manchester United
2663
Recently I have bought adidas trainers .It is adidas goretex kanadia 7 and it have gtx membrane(I don t know what is it)but I know that it It is fairly breathable despite the water proofing feature.It can also use like running trainers.It is black with some orange colour in the hell,and has good grip.It has a relatively high stack height and heel offset.
It has been discounted for alomost 15 pounds.
Football phrase sitter.
The goal is so easy to score that you can almost do it when you sit on the ground.
04/12/2018
points
I have two pairs of trainers one with Adidas brand and another unbranded pair from China. I use both of them for sports and general use. I do not wear the trainers all the time. I buy a new pair of trainer when one is falling apart.
Out of the two pairs i prefer the Adidas brand due to its soft texture from inside which makes my feet comfortable during walking or exercising.
04/12/2018 20:53
Chelsea
35
I have two pairs of trainers one with Adidas brand and another unbranded pair from China. I use both of them for sports and general use. I do not wear the trainers all the time. I buy a new pair of trainer when one is falling apart.
Out of the two pairs i prefer the Adidas brand due to its soft texture from inside which makes my feet comfortable during walking or exercising.
04/12/2018
points
I have two pairs one for jogging and the other to walk with when I do manage to make long distance on foot.
They are brand shoes that why I bought them second hand, heu..or second foot if I could say. The shoes we find in new markets are very bad and cheap. They are from China and bottom quality. You can afford them but they fall apart in few time.
Football phrase, a sitter.
04/12/2018 17:09
Manchester City
3988
I have two pairs one for jogging and the other to walk with when I do manage to make long distance on foot.
They are brand shoes that why I bought them second hand, heu..or second foot if I could say. The shoes we find in new markets are very bad and cheap. They are from China and bottom quality. You can afford them but they fall apart in few time.
Football phrase, a sitter.
04/12/2018
points
I have several pairs of trainers,most of them are for special use.If my trainers still fit well,I won't often buy new pairs regularly.I agree with what Jack said in podcast,that the fit is more important than the colour.I have tow favourite pairs of trainers which are often used on the pitch now,one pair is adidas's classic COPA,the other is ASICS's DESTAQUE, both in black.I love the classic ones.
04/12/2018 01:45
Manchester United
80
I have several pairs of trainers,most of them are for special use.If my trainers still fit well,I won't often buy new pairs regularly.I agree with what Jack said in podcast,that the fit is more important than the colour.I have tow favourite pairs of trainers which are often used on the pitch now,one pair is adidas's classic COPA,the other is ASICS's DESTAQUE, both in black.I love the classic ones.
03/12/2018
points
I have 5 pair of trainers beacaus I have a special par of them to practise diferent sport.
The oldest trainers is the basketball kicks, I wear when I play basketball with my team.
I have 2 trainers to train running, I have one of them to run in the city and I have another to run in the mountain.
I have another trainers to hikking in the high mountanins because I need a special watherproof shoes.
I have one only to wear when I come out in a informal dinner.
I regard is important have a specific trainers to practise diferents sports. If you don't buy a specific trainers, you'll got older faster and you'll got injured easier.
03/12/2018 17:06
Manchester City
92
I have 5 pair of trainers beacaus I have a special par of them to practise diferent sport.
The oldest trainers is the basketball kicks, I wear when I play basketball with my team.
I have 2 trainers to train running, I have one of them to run in the city and I have another to run in the mountain.
I have another trainers to hikking in the high mountanins because I need a special watherproof shoes.
I have one only to wear when I come out in a informal dinner.
I regard is important have a specific trainers to practise diferents sports. If you don't buy a specific trainers, you'll got older faster and you'll got injured easier.
02/12/2018
points
I have three pairs of trainers: the newest is brown and it's my favourite. I use it for walkings or on trails (I think it's not actually a trainer). The other two are a white and a blue one, the oldest and whose grips are coming off.
I wear my trainers just outside home. Like lakerwang I use them until they get really old.
I think the football phrase is * *** **.
Could anyone tell me if it is possible to say 'sitter' when the goal is scored, or just when the player miss it ?
02/12/2018 22:38
Tottenham Hotspur
615
I have three pairs of trainers: the newest is brown and it's my favourite. I use it for walkings or on trails (I think it's not actually a trainer). The other two are a white and a blue one, the oldest and whose grips are coming off.
I wear my trainers just outside home. Like lakerwang I use them until they get really old.
I think the football phrase is * *** **.
Could anyone tell me if it is possible to say 'sitter' when the goal is scored, or just when the player miss it ?
01/12/2018
points
I have two pairs of trainers, one of which are football boots, and the other one are for exercise. The football boots are yellow with small studs on the sole which are fit for artificial grass. The trainers for exercise are orange.
Only when the pair of trainers I'm using are broken will I buy a new one. I'm economical in all areas of my life.
The football phrase is "* *** **".
01/12/2018 14:35
Chelsea
337
I have two pairs of trainers, one of which are football boots, and the other one are for exercise. The football boots are yellow with small studs on the sole which are fit for artificial grass. The trainers for exercise are orange.
Only when the pair of trainers I'm using are broken will I buy a new one. I'm economical in all areas of my life.
The football phrase is "* *** **".