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Learning about markets in Asia

Source

To market

  

Learning area
Studies of society and environment

Level
Upper primary

Description
Students are read information about the importance and types of markets in Asia. They describe markets they have been to and discuss bargaining and the types of markets in Asia.

Purpose
To develop an understanding of the role of markets in Asian countries and in Australia.

Duration
One hour

Possible outcomes
In relation to Studies of society and environment — a curriculum profile for Australian schools, this lesson can contribute to outcomes in the following strands:

Materials required
A class set of Jandouts 1 and 2 (from below)

Procedure

1.   Introduction
Explain that the class is going read about markets in Asian countries and compare them with local Australian markets. Make a class display of scenes from markets. Ask students to describe markets they have been to or know about.

2.   Markets in Asia
Read Handout 1 to students or have a student read it aloud. Ask students on what occasions they can bargain in Australia. Make the point that in many Asian countries bargaining is more common than it is in Australia.

3.   Types of markets in Asia
Read Handout 2 to students or have a student read it aloud. Write the headings 'Village markets', 'City markets', 'Street markets' and 'Supermarkets' on the board and ask students to name local examples of each. Discuss which types of markets are most common and possible reasons for this.

4.   Expert groups
Organise students into small expert groups of about three to consider a market in their community. An excursion to a local market may be organised. Each group investigates one of the following questions:

Extension activity
Where does food come from?
Use To market or other resources to investigate where our food comes from and the importance of the import/export trade with Asia.

Acknowledgements
To market is part of the Access Asia series, funded by the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training through the Asia Education Foundation.

Related resources

Handout 1
The importance of markets in Asian countries
Markets are very important to people who live in Asian countries. They supply people with food, clothing, spare parts, second-hand goods, household equipment and furniture and many people visit them daily to buy the things they need or want. The markets provide fresh food close to where people live. This is important because some parts of Asia can become very hot and it is difficult to keep food fresh.

These markets are not just places where people buy things. They are busy, colourful, noisy places where people come to meet, talk, make plans and take care of things they need for their family and religious life. Often, the price of goods is worked out after a lot of talk about what is a fair price between the person who is buying and the person who is selling. This is called 'bargaining'.

Handout 2
Types of markets in Asian countries
Village markets are found throughout Asian countries. At these markets people usually sell products grown or made in and around their village. The organisation of the stalls, products and selling is usually done by family members.

City markets are held in areas of the city that are set aside for people to buy and sell things without the need for expensive buildings and fittings. These markets sometimes cover a huge area, including the streets around them. They may stock everything that the local people eat, wear or use.

Street markets are a part of people's daily lives. In the morning people come to buy fresh meat, fish, vegetables, eggs and fruit. Many street markets also have stalls that provide fresh or cooked food for people to eat as they pass by. Some food stalls stay open until late at night. Sometimes, street markets are set up for special festivals.

Supermarkets and other large department stores, very similar to those in Australia, are also found in Asian cities.