NARRATOR: 'Summer weekends in Marseilles are a favourite time 'for selling things you don't want anymore. We call it "le vide-grenier": "Emptying the attic". It's a fun day for everyone, and it's not just grown-ups who can sell things.'
'Tom is off to the market with his family, and he's really keen to make some money.'
TOM: Je vends des jouets, plus des chapeaux que je n'aime plus. Un tricycle et des patins, parce qu'ils sont trop petits. Plus des vidéos, et des livres pour les petits enfants. Et j'espère gagner beaucoup d'argent pour remplir ma tirelire.
NARRATOR: 'Everyone else has the same idea, and there are all kinds of things for sale. De la vaisselle, des vêtements, des timbres, des CD…'
'Ah non! Le chien, il n'est pas à vendre!'
'At least, Tom's pitch is bright and colourful, and should attract the customer's eye. But price is everything.'
TOM: Alors, les chapeaux, trois euros. Les patins, 15 euros. Le tambourin, deux euros. Les palmes, cinq euros.
NARRATOR: 'Competition is fierce, though. Another seller has emptied her bedroom too.'
GIRL: Je vends des chaussures, trop petites pour moi. Des peluches. Mon objet le plus cher est un siège-auto pour bébé. Et mon objet le moins cher est une grenouille.
NARRATOR: 'Everyone is on the lookout for a bargain. Some customers for Tom, maybe?'
CHILDREN: Salut.
TOM: Salut.
BOY 1: Il coûte combien, le chapeau?
TOM: Trois euros.
BOY 1: Un, deux, Je l'achète.
TOM: Merci.
BOY 1: Il me va bien?
TOM: Oui.
BOY 2: C'est super.
BOY 1: Merci. Au revoir.
TOM: Au revoir.
CHILDREN: Au revoir.
NARRATOR: 'C'est formidable! Une première vente! Now, the market is really hotting up.'
SELLER: Et voilà.
CUSTOMER: Merci.
SELLER: Bonne journée, madame.
SELLER 2: C'est cinq euros.
CUSTOMER: Merci! Je vous en prie!
NARRATOR: 'Everyone seems to be making money, but what about Tom?'
TOM: C'est super, j'ai tout vendu! J'ai gagné 50 euros! Ouais!
Video summary
A boy called Tom sorts out his things and takes everything he doesn't want to the local second-hand market or vide-grenier to sell.
This video includes lots of vocabulary for toys and clothes.
This clip comes from BBC2 series, Being French.
Teacher Notes
- Pupils can discuss if they have been to a similar market in England. Is it the same as a car boot sale? What could be different in Marseilles?
- You could provide a list of items and pupils could tick the ones Tom wants to sell. The list could include items previously taught or a list of items the pupils have guessed from their knowledge of car boot sales.
- Pupils could discuss the use of 'un', 'de la' and 'des'. What do these words mean in English?
- Pupils could make a note of all the prices mentioned in the clip and work out their price in pounds. Do they think they are expensive?
- After watching the clip, pupils can practise and perform a simple role-play selling items on the market.
This video is relevant for teaching French at KS2 in England and Wales, KS2 in Northern Ireland and second level in Scotland.
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