Travelling for work puts you in a hotel, a conference hall and a restaurant with a client, all in one day. Here is the English for each of them.
1. Arranging the Trip
Marc: I'm in Lisbon on the ninth.
Rita: Have you booked the flight?
Marc: Not yet. Morning or evening?
Rita: Morning. The meeting's at two.
Marc: And two nights at the hotel?
Rita: One. You fly back Friday.
2. Checking In at the Hotel
Marc: I have a reservation under Duval.
Desk: Two nights, is that right?
Marc: One, I think.
Desk: Let me check. Yes, one night.
Marc: Is breakfast included?
Desk: It is. Seven until ten.
3. Arriving at a Conference
Marc: I'm here to register.
Staff: Name and company?
Marc: Marc Duval, Bright Logistics.
Staff: Here's your badge and the programme.
Marc: Where's the main hall?
Staff: Second floor, on your left.
4. Meeting Someone at an Event
Ana: Is this seat free?
Marc: Please, go ahead.
Ana: Ana Ruiz, Delta Freight.
Marc: Marc Duval. Bright Logistics.
Ana: What brings you here?
Marc: The panel at four. You?
5. Booking a Table for a Client
Marc: A table for four, Thursday at eight.
Restaurant: Under what name?
Marc: Duval. Somewhere quiet, if possible.
Restaurant: I'll put you at the back.
Marc: One guest doesn't eat fish.
Restaurant: I'll note it. See you Thursday.
6. Dinner with a Client
Ms. Chen: This is a lovely place.
Marc: I'm glad. Have you been to Lisbon before?
Ms. Chen: First time. It's warmer than I expected.
Marc: It usually is in May.
Ms. Chen: Shall we order?
Marc: Please. The fish here is excellent.
7. Paying and Claiming Expenses
Marc: Could I have the bill, please?
Server: Of course. Together or separate?
Marc: Together. And could I have a receipt?
Server: Certainly.
Marc: It's for expenses.
Server: I'll print a full one for you.
8. Saying Goodbye After the Trip
Ms. Chen: Thank you for a good two days.
Marc: It was a pleasure.
Ms. Chen: I'll send the notes on Monday.
Marc: And I'll send the revised quote.
Ms. Chen: Safe travels.
Marc: You too. Until next time.
Words to know
| book | to reserve in advance Have you booked the flight? |
| reservation | a booking held under your name I have a reservation under Duval. |
| included | already part of the price Is breakfast included? |
| register | to sign in at an event I'm here to register. |
| badge | a card with your name worn at an event Here's your badge. |
| panel | a group discussion in front of an audience The panel at four. |
| receipt | proof that you paid could I have a receipt? |
| expenses | work costs your company pays back It's for expenses. |
Quick practice
Complete each sentence with an expression from the lessons.
1. A: Have you ________ the flight?
B: Not yet. Morning or evening?
2. A: I have a ________ under Duval.
B: Two nights, is that right?
3. A: Is breakfast ________?
B: It is. Seven until ten.
4. A: I'm here to ________.
B: Name and company?
5. A: Is this seat ________?
B: Please, go ahead.
6. A: Could I have a ________?
B: Certainly.
Show the answers
1. booked 2. reservation 3. included 4. register 5. free 6. receipt
Common mistakes
Not: I will go to Lisbon the ninth.
Say: I'm in Lisbon on the ninth.
Use on with a date. And for fixed travel plans, English uses the present: I'm in Lisbon.
Not: Make me a table for four.
Say: A table for four, please.
In a restaurant, the short noun phrase with please is both natural and polite.
Not: Good travel!
Say: Safe travels.
The fixed phrase is safe travels, always plural.
Your turn
Imagine you are flying out for work next week. Say these five things aloud.
- Say when you arrive, when you fly back, and how many nights you need.
- Check in at a hotel and ask one question about the room or breakfast.
- Introduce yourself to a stranger at a conference in two sentences.
- Book a table for four with one special request.
- Say goodbye at the end of a trip and name what you will send afterwards.
Quick review
This is the last lesson of the course. Go back to Lesson 1 and read Meeting a New Client again — it should feel easy now. Then pick any three lessons and do their Your Turn tasks in one sitting. That is a full working day in English, from the first handshake to the last goodbye, built from everything you have practised.