Week #9: Hotels - Guest Reception

Reading

Arrival at the Hotel.

You’ve arrived, and you’re weary from a day of travelling. Depending on a hotel you may be greeted by a bellhop. The bellhop greets you at the door, carries your luggage and escorts you to your room. If you are staying at a budget hotel, you will not have this service.

In the lobby go to the reception desk. First, give the agent your name. After confirming your reservation the agent may want to check the type of room that you want: smoking or non-smoking, and single or double. This is also the best time to ask for things you like. For example, you may want the same room as your last visit. Or a room far from the noisy hotel night club and swimming pool.

You should tell the agent if you have a corporate account. The agent will verify your corporate information. Hotels usually offer special things, like discounts, or better rooms. Hotels often have agreements with airline frequent-flier plans. Ask about this. See, if you can get more travel points when you stay at a hotel. Check for promotions, for booking online, or printable Internet coupons. It helps to look at your choices before paying too much.

To finish your check-in the agent will ask how you want to pay. Most hotels prefer credit cards. The agent will take your card and pre-authorize it for the price of the room. Since you may charge additional hotel items and services to your room, you’ll get the final bill when you leave. After that you will be given your room key.

Dialogue 1.

- Hello! I’m the hotel bellhop. How may I help you?
- I can’t find my room.
- I’ll put your bags on my cart. Now, may I see your key?
- I’m in Room 1008.
- We’ll take the elevator.
- How long have you been a bellhop?
- About eight years. It’s a great job, I enjoy helping people.
- What a great service!

Dialogue 2.

- Welcome to the Regency Grand Hotel.
- Thank you. Your hotel is beautiful! We didn’t know we’d be staying in such luxury!
- Do you have a reservation?
- Yes.
- OK. What type of room would you like?
- We’d like a suite with a Jacuzzi. Also the room must be non-smoking.
- How long will you be staying?
- Three nights.
- How will you be paying?
- By credit card.
- OK. Here’re your keys. Our bellhop will show you to your room.
- Thanks.

Video

Grammar

• First Conditional: If we BOOK a room at a noisy hotel, we WON´T SLEEP well (correct). If the present situation happens, the future certain result is not sleeping
• Second Conditional: If we BOOKED a room at a noisy hotel, we WOULDN´T SLEEP well (correct). The present, real situation is, you are not booking a room at a noisy hotel, it is just an imagined scenario about what would happen if you did that.
• Third Conditional: If we HAD BOOKED a room at a noisy hotel, we WOULDN´T HAVE SLEPT well (correct).  Expressing an unreal PAST situation. You DIDN´T BOOK a room at a noisy hotel.
• ZERO CONDITIONAL: Expresses something that is considered to be universally true: If I STAY in a noisy hotel, I DON´T SLEEP.

• If early check-in isn't available you can store your luggage and explore the city.
• If early check-in weren't available you could store your luggage and explore the city.
• If early check-in hadn't been available you could have stored your luggage and explored the city.

Week #8: Review and retrospective

What went well:

• The role-play exercise is awesome. It is a great complement to my English Conversation classes and helped me put into practice the vocabulary I learned in each class. View example.
• My conversation practice with ChatGPT (at least 3 times a week) is helping me to keep in touch with spoken English. If I don't practice conversational English, it makes conversation classes on Mondays more difficult.

What could be improved:

• I realized that short videos between 2 and 3 minutes are better for learning. Longer videos make learning more difficult because they have a lot of information.
• I found I have difficulties when I try to say in English "hubiera" and "habría". In general, I feel a little confused if I try to use a different tense to Present, Past, and Future. I need to find a way to apply new grammar to each lesson. Personally, I feel grammar is boring, but it's important to express my ideas with fluency. A small dose of grammar can be healthy.

Video Review

Links

• ¿Cómo se dice HABRÍA y HUBIERA en inglés?

Week #7: Airports and Airlines - Arrival at Your Destination

Reading

Making Sense of Airport Arrival Signs

When the plane lands, it will taxi to its gate. The attendant will let you leave. Take the Disembarkation or Arrival card and customs declaration forms you filled in. You’ll need them to enter the country. You can get these on the plane.

Follow the signs that say “Arrivals”. You’ll go to the Baggage Claim area if your travel is complete. You will go to the Domestic or International Transfer areas to make a connection. If your trip is complete, find the correct baggage carousel. Wait for your suitcase there. If your baggage is lost, make a claim at the Baggage Claim desk. The airline will have it delivered when it is found.

If your trip is not complete, you may connect to another flight on the same airline. You will need the boarding pass for this leg. You won’t need to check in again. Simply look on the boarding pass for your new flight number. Your luggage will be moved to your new plane.

Arriving on an International flight has extra steps. You first have to clear Emigration and Customs as you did before departure. The officials will scan and stamp your passport and ask you the purpose of your visit. It is important to stay relaxed. Any suspicious behavior is taken seriously. Then get your suitcase, give your customs declaration form to the customs official and proceed to the exit or transfers area. After finishing you won’t have to check in again if you’re connecting to another flight on the same airline. You have to take your luggage to the transfers area. Then go through the security checkpoint and find your new gate.

Dialogue 1.

- Good evening.

- Hello! I just arrived on Flight ACO 6-3.

- What’s the problem?

- My bag is missing.

- Are you at the correct carousel?

- Yes.

- What does your bag look like?

- It’s red with the black stripe down the sides.

- I’ll have your bag delivered.

- My name is Vivian Anderson. My local address is 569 39th Street West.

Dialogue 2.

- Good morning. Customs Declaration form, please.

- OK.

- We have a few questions.

- I hope it won’t take long. I have to get to Bangkok.

- Sir, there’s a problem with your Declaration form. You’ve been to a farm?

- Yes, I was at my uncle’s farm in England.

- Well, there’re restrictions on importing farm soil, plants or meat products.

- I haven’t imported anything.

- True. Your shoes are soil free and there are no band items in your bag. Thank you.

- No problem.

Video

Notes: https://notepad.pw/nZkAMblemmwJ6lq0Jx5H

Week #6: Airports and Airlines - In Flight

TODO List

Reading

Get Comfortable and Stay Safe 

After getting on the aircraft, find your seat. Each seat is given a letter and number. Match your boarding pass to your seat. Put your carry-on luggage in an overhead bin. If it’s heavy, put it under the seat in front of you.

Your safety and comfort are important. Once you’re seated, fasten your seat belt and leave it on whenever you are seated. You may ask for extra pillows or blankets from the flight attendant. You may adjust the air coming from your overhead vent. Many airplanes have head rests and foot rests. First and business class passengers may get personal amenities to use. The flight crew will give an overview of the aircraft safety features, using a safety video or a demonstration. Pay attention. Look for the closest emergency exit. Electronic devices must be turned off when the airplane is taking off and landing. You must put away your tray table and keep your seat upright.

Once the aircraft reaches its cruising altitude, the flight attendants will begin in-flight service. You’ll get a set of headphones for the entertainment, movies, TV programs, news or music. Newspapers are also available. Food and drinks are part of in-flight service. On most international flights meals and drinks are free. First and business class passengers enjoy personalized menus with gourmet food. All passengers can enjoy in-flight duty-free shopping by looking in a catalogue.

You should watch your health. It’s recommended that you not drink caffeine or alcohol. Drink a lot of water. Stretch or walk five or ten minutes each hour. Airplanes are smoke free. The wash rooms have smoke detectors. If you ever need help, push the overhead call button.

Dialogue 1

- We’ll be landing soon. Please, turn off your laptop.
- All right.
- Also store your tray table, please.
- OK. What is the local time?
- It’s 7.40 p.m. in London. We’re due to land at 8 o’clock p.m.
- Thanks. Where do I pick up my duty-free items?
- I’ll bring them to you now. What is your name?
- Jonathan James.
- Just a moment.

Dialogue 2

- Excuse me. We will start dinner service in about ten minutes. Would you like a drink while you’re waiting?
- Red wine, please.
- Here you are. What would you like for dinner?
- What do you recommend?
- I recommend the fresh Atlantic salmon with lemon sauce and steamed asparagus.
- Wow! That’s a gourmet meal! I’ll try that.
- And for dessert?
- I’d like the fresh fruit plate, please.
- Your dinner will be served soon.

Video

Notes: https://notepad.pw/gs1aLK9iLffHUa8Xjfzo