English, baby!

Confessions of a Shopaholic

Date: Apr 08 2009

Themes: Fashion, Hobbies

Grammar: Contractions and Abbreviations

Go Super!

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

OK, so maybe you don’t need that cute new pair of jeans. And maybe you can’t afford them. But they look so good on you! And they’re on sale! You can cut back on other expenses, right? Who really needs to eat lunch?

Many of us have conversations like this with ourselves all the time. When someone’s spending is really out of control, we say they’re a shopaholic.

Confessions of a Shopaholic is a new romantic comedy about a woman who’s addicted to shopping. Devan hopes the movie will give her some advice on how to control her own spending habits. Listen to her and Ella talk about the movie and shopping.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Ella

Devan

Ella: So I’m not gonna lie. I’m a total shopaholic. And when Confessions of a Shopaholic came out I was completely excited.

Devan: Did you go see it?

Ella: I haven’t seen it yet. But I’ve seen a lot of the previews and stuff. So it looks great, and I love Isla Fisher.

Devan: Yeah, I saw a preview for that too and I don’t know if I’ll be jealous of all the clothes she buys in the movies or if it’ll be helpful ‘cause I have a shopping problem too. I’m drowning in debt from all of my credit cards. I’m just a total compulsive shopper. So maybe I can get some tips from that movie about what to do.

Ella: Yeah totally. So in the movie it looks like she just shops all the time for no reason. Some people use it for therapy but it seems like she just does it to do it.

Devan: Yeah. I’m more of a shopper when I’m sad or after I get dumped, you know? And I just go crazy spending money.

Ella: I’m more of a window-shopper if I don’t have the money, but I like to do it if I need to get something.

Devan: I definitely need to learn how to prioritize. I’m much more likely to go buy a new shirt than to, you know, buy trash bags.

Grammar Point

Go Super to learn "Contractions and Abbreviations" from this lesson

Quizzes

Go Super to take Quiz

Lesson MP3

Go Super to download full lesson MP3

Go Super to Ask Ebaby! teachers your questions!

The iTEP^® test

Sponsored by

Schedule an iTEP^® test and take the official English Practice Test.
Take Now >

Discussion

Ella loves to shop and is excited to see Confessions of a Shopaholic. Devan is worried that if she sees the movie it will just make her want to shop more. She is in debt from being a compulsive shopper.

People shop for different reasons. Devan shops when she’s feeling depressed. It’s like therapy for her. Ella only shops when she can afford it or when she needs something.

Are you a shopaholic or do you know anyone who is? Why do you think people love to shop so much?

Comments

1 through 20 of 71
Next >
1 2 3 4

aj2000

Indonesia

I look like a shopaholic but I’m actually not. I bargain hunt and re-sell most of what I buy for some side income.

ola33

Japan

I used to be a compulsive shopper. Didn’t bring that threrapy when I get smth done with my own hands. It can be cleaning, cooking, knitting. You manufacture a product and it makes you happier, more creative, more independent, confident and money saver.

hectic

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

Well i`m not shopaholic and i don`t like to be.It`s just wast of time. I go shopping when i have to go.

sara1998

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

I’m a shopaholic and when ever i go shpping i have a smashing feeling specially when i buy dresses!

Cris2011

Brazil

I’m a workaholic, but a shopaholic too. I go to when I’m in good or bad mood, but I usually buy more things when I’m in good mood. Shoes and dresses are the most things I usually buy. Sometimes I find something that I have bought, and I have forgotten.

dina spears

Monaco

I think i am a shopaholic. I am compulsive shopper, and i can't stop buying things until i don't buy everything i need. But, at the end of the day, when I realize that I spent money on unnecessary things, I have regrets, but no matter what, next time i do the same. And i'm not proud of that. I definitely need to learn how to prioritize.

lorilyn_r@yahoo.com

Philippines

Well, I'm not a shopaholic I buy something that I think it is important and useful, I don't buy something that I don't need much. I have seen that movie twice, and I love it very much I love the story and the character as well, so touchy and you can relate for that movie.

Noor-alhalabi

Jordan

Yes.. I am a shopaholic … the human would always to be unique and tidy :]

Mengmeng2009

China

i don’t like shopping. because i don’t know much about the price of things.it often makes me feel depressed.how can i get rid of my worry?

ins

Georgia

good job Mr. Shopaholic!

zoebaby

China

i don't addict to go shopping,but i'd like to hit and dig some clothes and stuffs in some shops, that do me right….

maggiewangdandan

China

i am one shopakolic,sometimes,i only buy one thing just because i want to buy and when i feel so hollow,i think it can alleviate life pressure.ironically,i don't use it afterward. we should learn to control the allure,because of economic crisis.window-shopping is the best way to mitigate it. I think

mocahu

Indonesia

i think its not bad. This habits related with the economic growth. If the country have economic low, so we can not find it.

maximum...

Russian Federation

I guess it`s a problome of civilization ,when people haven`t so big problemes to exist. Karl Marx wasn`t right ,tnat economic is one importent thing for developing countris.shopomania is by-product of civilization.

dhsq

China

it's really perfect web

i wanna make friend with you
i come frome china

egyptophile

Egypt

From my point of view being a shopaholic or addicted to window-shopping is a fatal dilemma. It is wise to buy what you need and can afford.

Gerry Chen

China

I do wanna be a shopaholic of the brands or the edgy stuff.But I can't afford all of them.

So in my opion,to be a shopaholic,money is the key.And I have to say these Weitzman, Vivienne，Gucci, Fendi, Prada, Valentino, Armani,Louis, Dolce Gabbana, Alexander McQueen，

are really what I want when I can afford them easily.

It's too Lady Gaga I guess.Anyway,I just fall for them

tiagon85

Brazil

I think you can buy if you have the whole money to do it, if not you can´t. Credit card can be a big problem for those are shopaholic, because it is like a money you don´t have, in fact, the bank own that credit.