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The good news is, traveling to a foreign country (in this case the United States) is an excellent
way to practice your American English. Over the course of a vacation, you will have the
chance to interact and speak with flight attendants, taxi drivers, hotel clerks, waiters, asking
strangers for directions, bartenders and your friends and family traveling with you. If
you don’t have the chance to speak English on a regular basis, a week-long trip to the
United States will immerse you in the culture and everyday life.
In today’s lesson, we will cover some words, questions and phrases that you will find very
useful on your next trip. Navigating the Airport
How do I get to Gate C? | ‘gay + t’ | This is an important questions to ask if you are
short on time and need to catch your plane soon!
Where is baggage claim? | ‘ bag+edge clay+m’ | If you are traveling with a lot of luggage,
you will need to go straight to baggage claim after getting off the plane.
What time can we begin boarding the plane? | ‘bored+ing the play+n’ | I’m always
impatient and want to get on the plane as soon as possible.
Can you give me directions to the restroom? | ‘die+reck+shuns rest+room’ | Most
airports are huge and have bathrooms everywhere, but you may be in a hurry!
On the Plane How much longer until we land? | ‘un+till
wee land’ | Worried about catching a connecting flight? This question is helpful if you’re
anxious to get on the ground. Excuse me, I need to get up to use the restroom.
| ‘ecks+kuse mee I need to geht up’ | One of the most important phrases to know
when traveling. We all need the get up at some point during a long flight.
Taking a Taxi Please take us to the Ritz Carlton. | ‘pleeze
tay+k uss’ | When first getting in a cab, say ‘please take us to..’ then say whichever
hotel, restaurant or museum you want to visit. How much for a ride to the airport? | ‘how
muhch for a ride’ | If you are considering another form of transportation, check with
the cab driver on the price. Can you wait here for 20 minutes? | ‘way+t
heer’ | Sometimes it helps having your cab driver wait for you if you need to run into
the store or a late night drive at one of the local bars.
Do you accept credit cards? But your policy says that you do. | ‘ack+sept kred+it kards’
| If you are out of cash, check with the driver to see if he will take your credit card. Be
aware: many will say NO even though they should. Hotels
What floor is my room on? | ‘whut floor’ | Helpful information to get from the concierge
if you are just checking into the hotel. How late is the pool open? | ‘pool op+enn’
‘If you’re interested in a late-night swim, find out what time the pool closes.
Can you recommend any good restaurants nearby? | ‘reck+o+mend rest+o+raunts neer+bye’
| Looking for a bite to eat? The hotel’s concierge can point you in the direction of
some excellent nearby restaurants The people in the room next door are being
loud! | ‘necks+t door, loud’ | Hopefully you don’t have this problem. But, every
once in a while you may have a hotel neighbor who is can’t stop partying! Time to call
the front desk and complain.