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Classroom slides
Show these on a projector or TV. Use the arrow keys, or tap the right side of a slide to go forward and the left side to go back. Press ▶ to play the recording, F for full screen and P to play the slide's audio.
Everyday English · Lesson 31 · Out and about · A1–A2
Booking a trip by phone
Call a travel agent or airline to book a flight, choose dates and check what's included.
Welcome, !
Warm-up · talk with a partner
When do you need English for booking a trip by phone? What words do you already know?
Key phrase 1 of 8
I'd like to book a flight to Brisbane, please.
Say what you want and where you're going.
Key phrase 2 of 8
I'm thinking of leaving on the 12th.
Give your travel date. 'The 12th' = the twelfth of the month.
Key phrase 3 of 8
Is that one way or return?
One way = you don't come back. Return = you go and come back.
Key phrase 4 of 8
Is there anything earlier in the day?
Ask for a different time.
Key phrase 5 of 8
Is it a direct flight?
Direct = no stops. If it isn't, you change planes on the way.
Key phrase 6 of 8
Does that include checked baggage?
Ask if a big bag is included in the ticket.
Key phrase 7 of 8
Can I change the date later?
Ask if the ticket is flexible.
Key phrase 8 of 8
Could you email me the booking details?
Ask for a written copy of your booking.
Conversation
Travel agent and Arjun
Listen to the whole conversation first. Then we go line by line.
Conversation · line 1 of 10
Travel agent
Good morning, Coastline Travel. How can I help?
Conversation · line 2 of 10
Travel agent: Good morning, Coastline Travel. How can I help?
Arjun
Hi, I'd like to book a flight from Melbourne to Brisbane, please.
Conversation · line 3 of 10
Arjun: Hi, I'd like to book a flight from Melbourne to Brisbane, please.
Travel agent
Sure. Is that one way or return?
Conversation · line 4 of 10
Travel agent: Sure. Is that one way or return?
Arjun
Return, please. I'm thinking of leaving on Friday the 12th and coming back on the 15th.
Conversation · line 5 of 10
Arjun: Return, please. I'm thinking of leaving on Friday the 12th and coming back on the 15th.
Travel agent
There's a direct flight at 6:40 in the evening on the 12th.
Conversation · line 6 of 10
Travel agent: There's a direct flight at 6:40 in the evening on the 12th.
Arjun
Is there anything earlier in the day?
Conversation · line 7 of 10
Arjun: Is there anything earlier in the day?
Travel agent
Yes, there's one at 11:15 in the morning. It's also direct.
Conversation · line 8 of 10
Travel agent: Yes, there's one at 11:15 in the morning. It's also direct.
Arjun
Great, I'll take that one. Does that include checked baggage?
Conversation · line 9 of 10
Arjun: Great, I'll take that one. Does that include checked baggage?
Travel agent
Yes, one bag up to 23 kilos. Can I have your full name as it appears on your ID?
Conversation · line 10 of 10
Travel agent: Yes, one bag up to 23 kilos. Can I have your full name as it appears on your ID?
Arjun
Arjun Mehta. Could you email me the booking details?
Your turn · role-play
Work with a partner
Student A is Travel agent. Student B is Arjun. Read the conversation together, then swap. Then try it again with your own details.
Your turn · say it 1 of 3
I'd like to book a flight to …, please.
Use your own details where you see “…”. Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Your turn · say it 2 of 3
Return, please. I'm leaving on the … and coming back on the …
Use your own details where you see “…”. Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Your turn · say it 3 of 3
Does that include checked baggage?
Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Quiz · question 1 of 5
You want to fly to Perth and come back a week later. What ticket do you need?
- A One way
- B Return
- C Direct
✓ B: A return ticket takes you there and back again.
Quiz · question 2 of 5
What is a 'direct flight'?
- A A flight with no stops
- B A cheap flight
- C A flight in the morning
✓ A: Direct = you don't stop or change planes on the way.
Quiz · question 3 of 5
Why does the agent ask for your name 'as it appears on your ID'?
- A To check your spelling at school
- B Because the name on the ticket must match your ID or passport
- C To send you a gift
✓ B: The name on your booking must match your ID, or you may have problems at the airport.
Quiz · question 4 of 5
Which question asks about a different time?
- A Is it a direct flight?
- B Can I change the date later?
- C Is there anything earlier in the day?
✓ C: 'Is there anything earlier / later?' asks for another time on the same day.
Quiz · question 5 of 5
Complete: 'I'm thinking ___ leaving on the 12th.'
- A to
- B of
- C for
✓ B: We say 'thinking of + -ing': I'm thinking of leaving / going / staying.
Culture talk
How does this work in your country? Tell your partner.
Well done, !
Practise at home
The same lesson, free, no sign-up:
englishcoaching.co/
Free lessons at englishcoaching.co
· englishcoaching.co
Teacher notes
Level: Out and about · A1–A2 · Time: about 60 minutes · You need: this page on a screen with sound, and one printed worksheet per learner.
Warm-up (5 minutes)
Show the warm-up slide and ask: "When do you need English for booking a trip by phone? What words do you already know?" Learners talk in pairs for two minutes, then a few share with the class.
Three steps
- Key phrases (15 minutes). Show each phrase, press ▶ and let learners listen once, then repeat together, then one by one. Check meaning with the note on the slide: "When would you say this?"
- The conversation (15 minutes). Play the whole conversation once with worksheets face down. Then go line by line while learners fill the gaps in part B of the worksheet. Check answers, then learners read it in pairs.
- Your turn and the quiz (20 minutes). Learners say the "Your turn" sentences with their own details, do the role-play below, then answer the quiz slides in pairs before you press "Show answer". Finish with part D of the worksheet (their own sentences).
Pair work
Student A is Travel agent and student B is Arjun. Pairs read the conversation, swap roles, then turn the worksheet over and do it again from memory, changing the details (names, times, places, prices). Stronger pairs add two lines of their own; newer learners can keep the worksheet in front of them.
Using the audio
- Every phrase and conversation line is recorded with natural AI voices: Travel agent is read by Mel and Arjun by Josh. Press ▶ on a slide or press P.
- Play each phrase twice: once to listen, once for the class to repeat. On the conversation slides, pause after each line so learners can repeat it.
- Test the sound before class. If the internet is slow, open the slides a few minutes early and play the first phrase once.
Culture talk
End by asking learners how this works in their country. It's a natural way to practise the new phrases and to learn from each other.
After class
- Learners can do the full lesson at home, free and with no sign-up: Booking a trip by phone. The last slide has a QR code to it.
- Running a course? Print certificates of participation when your group finishes a level.
Printable worksheet
One A4 worksheet per learner: the key phrases and the conversation with gaps, the quiz, and space for their own sentences. The answer key prints on a separate page.
Name: Date:
Everyday English · Lesson 31: Booking a trip by phone
Call a travel agent or airline to book a flight, choose dates and check what's included.
A. Key phrases: fill the gaps
Word bank: anything · booking · change · direct · flight · include · return · thinking
- I'd like to book a to Brisbane, please. (Say what you want and where you're going)
- I'm of leaving on the 12th. (Give your travel date. 'The 12th' = the twelfth of the month)
- Is that one way or ? (One way = you don't come back. Return = you go and come back)
- Is there earlier in the day? (Ask for a different time)
- Is it a flight? (Direct = no stops. If it isn't, you change planes on the way)
- Does that checked baggage? (Ask if a big bag is included in the ticket)
- Can I the date later? (Ask if the ticket is flexible)
- Could you email me the details? (Ask for a written copy of your booking)
B. Listen to the conversation and fill the gaps
- Travel agent: Good , Coastline Travel. How can I help?
- Arjun: Hi, I'd like to book a flight from Melbourne to Brisbane, .
- Travel agent: Sure. Is one way or return?
- Arjun: Return, please. I'm thinking of on Friday the 12th and coming back on the 15th.
- Travel agent: There's a direct flight at 6:40 in the on the 12th.
- Arjun: Is there anything in the day?
- Travel agent: Yes, there's one at 11:15 in the . It's also direct.
- Arjun: Great, I'll take that one. Does that include baggage?
- Travel agent: Yes, one bag up to 23 kilos. Can I have your full name as it on your ID?
- Arjun: Arjun Mehta. Could you email me the booking ?
C. Quick quiz: circle the best answer
You want to fly to Perth and come back a week later. What ticket do you need?
a) One wayb) Returnc) Direct
What is a 'direct flight'?
a) A flight with no stopsb) A cheap flightc) A flight in the morning
Why does the agent ask for your name 'as it appears on your ID'?
a) To check your spelling at schoolb) Because the name on the ticket must match your ID or passportc) To send you a gift
Which question asks about a different time?
a) Is it a direct flight?b) Can I change the date later?c) Is there anything earlier in the day?
Complete: 'I'm thinking ___ leaving on the 12th.'
a) tob) ofc) for
D. My sentences
Finish these with your own details. Then write two more sentences you can use this week.
- I'd like to book a flight to , please.
- Return, please. I'm leaving on the and coming back on the
- Does that include checked baggage?
Free lesson with audio: englishcoaching.co/learn-english/everyday-english/booking-a-trip-by-phone/ · Free to use with your learners. Please keep the englishcoaching link on printed copies.
Answer key · Lesson 31: Booking a trip by phone
A. Key phrases
- I'd like to book a flight to Brisbane, please.
- I'm thinking of leaving on the 12th.
- Is that one way or return?
- Is there anything earlier in the day?
- Is it a direct flight?
- Does that include checked baggage?
- Can I change the date later?
- Could you email me the booking details?
B. Conversation gaps
- morning
- please
- that
- leaving
- evening
- earlier
- morning
- checked
- appears
- details
C. Quiz
- b) Return
- a) A flight with no stops
- b) Because the name on the ticket must match your ID or passport
- c) Is there anything earlier in the day?
- b) of
englishcoaching.co/learn-english/everyday-english/booking-a-trip-by-phone/
Free to use with your learners. Please keep the englishcoaching link on printed copies.
Frequently asked questions
How do I teach booking a trip by phone to adult English learners?
Start with a warm-up question, present the 8 key phrases with the recorded audio, play the conversation line by line, let learners role-play it with their own details, and finish with the quiz. The teacher notes on this page give timings for a 60-minute class.
What level is this lesson?
Out and about level, about CEFR A1–A2. It is lesson 31 of 42 in our free Everyday English course, so you can follow the course week by week or pick the topics your learners need.
Do learners need an account?
No. Learners can do the same lesson at home for free, with no sign-up, at /learn-english/everyday-english/booking-a-trip-by-phone/. Their progress is saved only on their own device.
Can I print the worksheet?
Yes. Press 'Print the worksheet' to print it or save it as a PDF on A4 paper. It has the key phrases and the conversation with gaps, the quiz, space for learners' own sentences and an answer key on a separate page.
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