Selling bizarre objects

 

Shared by Alberto Barrigón:

This activity is specially designed for students in their late teens and early twenties taking an advanced vocational training course on International Commerce. 

As a warm-up I use the "linked words" activity, using words related to the world of commerce, selling and buying stuff.

I begin with a word like "trinkeT" or "barteR". Then, students have to come up with a word beginning with the last letter of the given word: e.g.: Retail. and so on. If they get stuck, they can simply give a word suggested to them by the previous word. This warm-up activity gets them thinking about this specialised terminology and if we put these words down on the board, we can compile a nice bunch of vocabulary students can later use in the activity.

As regards the activity proper, their mission is to sell bizarre objects, and by that I mean really freaky ones, such as a motorbike helmet made from the shell of a watermelon or a purse made with some dentures. (There are lots of such weird items on the web, and I present the students with a nice variety they can choose from). 

Then I split the students into groups of 4 and make them prepare an advertising presentation for their freak item. I give them some important facts to mention, such as the price, target customers, accessories, general and special uses, market availability, special offers attached, etc. After that, they discuss these details, first in pairs and then as a whole four-member group.

When ready, they make their presentation to the class, and they come under fire from the other groups, as they are subjected to really inquisitive questions about their product. Bear in mind that, at this stage NO PUNCHES ARE PULLED, and students making the presentation are supposed to back up their product to the best of their habilities. (I guess this could be a nice opportunity to teach them the "Thank you" instead of "Please" technique if the discussion gets too noisy).

Finally, a vote is taken, and the best product chosen for purchase by the class.

A small debate is then made on the advantages, disadvantages and general appeal of the item. The winners are then given a big, loud round of applause.