Week #5: Airports and Airlines - Getting to the Gate

Reading

Getting to the Gate

Take your passport, ticket, boarding pass and carry-on suitcase, when you leave the check-in counter. Go to the Security and Emigration and Customs Area of the airport. During high season there are long lines, you need to go early. You will first go through a security checkpoint. Here officers will take an X-ray of your belongings. You must put your things on the belt that goes to an X-ray machine. Some airports ask you to remove your shoes and belt as a security precaution. As your things move through the X-ray machine, you will walk through metal detector. This machine can tell if you have any metal items. If the scan finds anything suspicious, you will have to answer questions. You may be searched.

When you finish, get your belongings and go to an emigration kiosk. An official will ask to see, scan and stamp your passport. The officer will ask for your ticket and boarding pass. Scanning and stamping confirms your identity and records your departure. The officer will take your embarkation form. Fill out the form before you get there. You may have to answer questions about your itinerary, visa status and the reason of your travelling.

Get your papers and you can leave. Go to the gate on your boarding pass. You can also find your gate by looking on one of the television screens.

If you have time before your departure, go duty-free shopping. It’s a great opportunity to purchase items for less money. Common items, sold at duty-free stores are luxurious high-tech items like alcohol, clothing, jewelry, tobacco and various food items.

Dialogue 1.

- Please, step forward!
- I’m running a little late today.
- Please, put your belongings on the belt and go through the metal detector.
- Should I remove my shoes and belt?
- No, that’s OK. Please, empty your pockets, then come through again.
- Oh, sorry! I forgot about my keys.
- No problem. Can you open your bag?
- Sure.
- Everything looks OK.

Dialogue 2.

- Good afternoon! Boarding pass and passport, please. I also need your embarkation card.
- Oh, no! I’ve lost it!
- You’ll have to fill out another card.
- I’ll be right back.
- Hello again! Everything looks fine with your visa. Why are you in this country?
- I run a travel agency here.
- May I ask what is the purpose of your trip?
- It’s a business trip.
- I see. Have a nice time!
- Thank you.

Video

Notes: https://notepad.pw/Xq393j6X7SmAmOLL82Vn

Week #4: Review and retrospective

What went well:

• The conversation class has a useful structure
• Small Talk
• Article analysis (reading and questioning for each paragraph)
• VIDEO - Comprehension questions
• ROLE-PLAY
• I use ChatGPT to practice speaking English at least 3 times per week.

What could be improved

• Improve the list of activities for the week

Video Review

Links

• Learn About the Sprint Retrospective Event

Week #3: Airports and Airlines - Flight Check-In

Activities

Reading

Checking-in the Modern Way.

Check-in is the service that helps you to find a seat assignment, check your suitcase and get your boarding pass. There are many ways that you can check in. The most common way is the check-in counter at the terminal. Most airlines want you to check in at least 2 hours before your flight time. You will need to show your travel papers. Have your passport, visa and ticket or E-ticket ready. Also be sure to show your frequent-flier card. The attendant will ask you some security questions. Answer the questions honestly.

Ask for a seat that you like: aisle or window. Sitting in the bulkhead row or the emergency exit row will give you extra room. Bulkhead seats are recommended for passengers with children.

Most airlines offer online check-in services. You can print your boarding pass and choose your seat before you get to the airport. Online check-in is available 24 hours to 60 minutes before your departure.

You can also use an electronic check-in kiosk at the airport. This kiosk prints boarding passes and gives seat assignments. When using online check-in or kiosk, you must bring your suitcases to the airline counter before going through security.

With curbside check-in you don’t have to go to the ticket counter at all. This seems to be the fastest, because you go directly to your gate. Some airlines charge a fee for this process.

Whatever check-in method you use, the most important thing to remember is to check in early. Many airlines will cancel your reservation if you are not checked in 15 minutes before departure time.

Dialogue 1.

- Welcome to Ocean Air.
- Hi! I’d like to check in.
- Where are you travelling?
- Cairo, Egypt.
- Are you on the 10.35 a.m. flight?
- Yes.
- May I see your passport, please?
- Sure.
- Do you want the window or aisle?
- I’d like the aisle. Is there an emergency row seat available?
- Yes. Would you like that seat?
- Please.

Dialogue 2.

- Welcome to Asia Airlines! Do you have a reservation?
- I have an E-ticket, so I just need to check my baggage.
- May I see your boarding pass and passport, please? OK! You’re assigned to Seat 1-Z in first class.
- Great!
- I have to ask you some security questions. Did you pack the bags yourself?
- Yes.
- Have they left your side?
- No.
- Good. Here’s your passport and boarding pass. You may go to airport security.
- Thank you!

Video

Notes: https://notepad.pw/1CKVicZtTHzKSSzUA0BK

Week #2: Before Going Abroad - Reservations

1. Reading

Avoid stress. Reserve.

Making reservations can lower stress. Book hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions early. Plan flight 3 to 6 months before your departure. It’ll be busy in high season. High season is June, July or August. Also think about the popularity of your destination.

When reserving a flight, choose one way or round trip ticket. Also, choose first class or economy class. First class offers bigger seats, better service and luxurious food. Economy class is the most popular and cheapest, but it’s not as comfortable. Finally, if you need specific food because you’re a vegetarian, tell the airline before you leave.

You need to book hotel rooms. Tell the hotel what kind of room you want: standard, de luxe, single or double. You can get a suite if you need more than one room. Tell the hotel if you want a smoking or non-smoking room.

You may need to reserve a rental car or transportation tickets. There are many types of cars: you can choose small, midsize or full-size. Trains are popular for travelers. You have to make reservations.

Good restaurants are popular. If you want to eat somewhere famous, you’ll have to make a reservation.

It’s a good idea to book tourist attractions early. They often sell up quickly.

Reservations for your trip can be made at a travel agency. A travel agent will book you tickets and give you a paper ticket and itinerary. The Internet is an easy way to plan. It provides information, reservations and travel tips and advice. You can get discounts for booking online. To make reservation, fill in a reservation form and make your payment with a credit card. You’ll get an E-ticket, electronic ticket.

Dialogue 1.

- Good afternoon!

- Hi! I’d like to plan my honeymoon.

- Great! When do you want to go?

- July first.

- OK! That’s high season, so it will be expensive.

- Can you suggest a destination?

- How about Hawaii?

- It sounds great!

- All right, I’ll send your travel itinerary to you.

- Thanks!

- Have a good trip!

Dialogue 2.

- Let’s go to Europe for a vacation!

- Awesome!

- We can book it all on the Internet. Look! This website is perfect.

- There’re even photos and videos of the European countries.

- To book air tickets I only need to fill in our names and passport numbers, dates and destination.

- What about train reservations?

- If we book online, there’s a free upgrade from economy to first class.

- A luxurious train ride would be fantastic!

- The Internet is great!

2. Video

Notes: https://notepad.pw/o8Ky8B0NmsGHhk5lIM0U