First of all, watch the video through, so that you get familiar with the conversation.
Now watch the video more carefully, paying attention to the following:
- Involving listeners in the conversation: How do you feel about...?
- Use of like to introduce examples
- Use of like as a filler
- Use of filler to gain thinking time: you know; like
- Use of really to emphasize the verb and the adjective
- Reacting to what you have just heard: Polka dots!; Oh, yes?; Oh, wow; Really?
- Showing agreement: Yes. Maybe, yes; That’s right; Yeah, that’s right; Exactly
- Use of vague language: and those kinds of places; all that
- Making suggestions: what about...?
Now it's over to you. If possible, get together with a friend or relative and discuss the topic the four Madrid teachers were talking about. Do you like the current fashions you see on the streets? Do you follow them? Where do you get the inspiration as to what to wear? Do you pay attention to friends, or colleagues/classmates and try to imitate the way they dress? Have you ever bought clothes in charity or second-hand shops? Are you creative fashion-wise?
In your conversation with your friend or relative, don't forget to use some of the features of spoken English we have revised today.
How do you feel about the current fashions on the street at the moment?
The eighties fashions?
Yeah, it’s a bit eighties at the moment.
Some things I like. Like, for example, leggings are comfortable at least. They’re quite a practical item of clothing. And some things I really, really dislike. Like . . .
Yeah.
Like what?
Like polka dots.
Polka dots!
Oh, I like them.
So, so you’re not really. . . You like them?
Yeah! I have a really nice black and white polka dot dress.
Sorry.
I think it depends on the size of the polka dots.
Yes. Maybe, yes. That’s right.
And are you going down, down the High Street to buy things from Top Shop and Zara and those kinds of places? Or you’re tending to avoid them?
Yeah, I think I would go to those shops.
Oh, yes?
But I think the best way to get, like, the new trends is just to go on the street and see what people wear and... because there are loads of different trends, and you can pick from everything.
Yes, but where do you find the clothes, then, to fit the trends? Where do you shop?
Yeah, High Street I guess, yeah. Zara, and for teenagers, Bershka, Stradivarius, all that.
Yes. And do you ever, do you ever buy things from charity shops or second-hand shops?
I have. Oh yeah. In, in the States they have, like, church bazaars, you know? And a lot of people, like, a lot of people, like from rich neighborhoods, like, donate clothes. And you can get real deals, like real bargains.
Yeah? What’s your best find?
Oh, wow. Oh, this leather dress.
Really?
Yeah, I once found a leather dress with a zipper going up the side. Yeah.
Sexy lady!
Yeah, that’s right. Yeah, it was really cool.
The thing is that, I don’t . . . Because in England there are lots of charity shops, aren’t there? But in Spain, not many.
It’s not that common, is it?
No. So, . . .
There’re a couple of shops, like around the Chueca area, Tribunal, there are a couple of shops, but it’s not...
Oh, yeah, there are quite a few, Retro City and a few others.
Yeah. There’re vintage, there’s vintage shops, I’ve found, but not charity shops.
Yeah.
That’s right.
It’s, there’s a bit of a difference because at the vintage shops, someone has found the great clothes somewhere else and then put them in the vintage shop and made them a bit more expensive, so… yeah, yeah.
Although you can donate clothes to the vintage shops, they just won’t ever give you money for them.
No.
Or give you par of exchange.
And what, what about adapting things that you buy from the High Street? You know, adding little bits and pieces that, that, that are creative.
That is good for the credit crunch, isn’t it? So you can “remodelate” everything.
Yeah.
Yeah, I, I don’t know.
You’re not creative that way?
I do it occasionally but, I do it occasionally but, I must admit I’m often lazy ‘cause often in my mind and I have great plans but the reality doesn’t materialise as often.
Well, what I have done maybe is do it like, a top, I wear as, as a skirt maybe…
Yeah.
Yeah.
Just to . . . so it looks different or something.
That’s a short skirt.
It would be, yeah.
But then you wear the leggings underneath.
Exactly!
That’s right.
