Booking a Room: Hotel English

Purpose

The purpose of this lesson is to give false beginners the skills to enter a hotel and book a room. This lesson follows a simple format of an introductory activity and discussion, followed by a role-play activity. The class should take about an hour to finish.

Resources to Download

The teacher will need to print off and photocopy five sheets:

Introduction

Pass out the mixed-up conversation and have the students work in pairs (or groups). After they have finished, go over the conversation as a class.

Discussion

Now look at the conversation as a class and discuss a few of the patterns. I try to highlight the difference between asking for something politely and just simply grunting out needs. Have a few students try to book a room from you. Compare what they say with the original conversation.

Role-play Activity

Now, comes the real focus of the class: a role-play activity to practice booking a room in a hotel. Divide the class into two groups: hotel front desk clerks and hotel guests. The front desk clerks get hotel information cards and a front desk activity sheet, which they have to fill out. The guests get their role-play prompts and their activity sheets, which they have to fill out. The guests will go from hotel to hotel and book a room in each hotel. As the guests are going around, both guests and front desk clerks are recording information.

Target Language

Front Desk: Welcome to the Wyatt Hotel. How may I help you?
Traveler: I'd like a room please?
Front Desk: Would you like a single or a double?
Traveler: I'd like a double, please?
Front Desk: May I have your name, please?
Traveler: Timothy Findley.
Front Desk: Could you spell that please?
Traveler: F-I-N-D-L-E-Y.
Front Desk: How many are in your party?
Traveler: Just two.
Front Desk: How many nights would you like to stay?
Traveler: Just tonight.
Front Desk: How will you be paying?
Traveler: Is Visa OK?
Front Desk: That'll be fine. Would you like a wake-up call?
Traveler: Yes, I'd like a wake-up call for 6:30. Do you have a pool?
Front desk: Yes, we do. On the 2nd floor. Here's your key. That room 405 on the fourth floor.

Further Study and Related Resources