A2: International Transport: Get to the Right Place

Roleplay Practice

Maya is at her hotel. She needs to go to the airport. Before she gets in the taxi, she checks the destination. She says, "Excuse me. Can you take me to North City Airport, Terminal 2?" The driver says, "Yes, Terminal 2."

Maya does one more check. She opens her booking and points to the airport name. She says, "This airport, right?" The driver says, "Yes." This small check is important because some cities have more than one airport.

If you are nervous, use short English. Say the place name slowly. Show the address on your phone. Ask, "Is this okay?" You do not need long sentences.

At the airport, Maya already has a ticket on her phone. She looks at the screen, but she does not understand one part. It says "Gate B12." She goes to the help desk and asks, "Excuse me. Where is Gate B12?" The worker says, "Go straight, then turn right after security."

Maya repeats the important words: "Straight, then right?" The worker says, "Yes." Repeating is not rude. It shows that you are checking. It also gives the worker a chance to correct you.

Sometimes you need to buy a train or bus ticket. Useful questions are: "One ticket to Central Station, please," "How much is it?" , "Can I pay by card?" , and "Is this the right ticket for the airport train?"

After the flight, Maya arrives in another country. She needs a train from the airport to the city. She sees many signs: trains, buses, taxis, and exits. She stops and reads the signs slowly.

At the train ticket machine, she chooses English. She buys a ticket to Central Station. Then she asks a staff member, "Which platform for Central Station?" The staff member says, "Platform 3." Maya asks, "Does this train go to Central Station?" The staff member says, "Yes, it does."

This question is very useful: "Does this train go to ...?" You can also use it for buses: "Does this bus go to the city center?" If the answer is no, ask, "Which bus do I need?"

Maya waits on the platform. A message appears on the screen: "Delayed 15 minutes." She is not sure if she should stay there. She asks another passenger, "Excuse me. Is this train delayed?" The passenger says, "Yes, about fifteen minutes."

Maya asks a staff member, "Do I need to change trains?" The staff member says, "No. Stay here." Now she knows her next action. She does not need every word in the announcement. She only needs the answer to her practical question.

When there is a delay, ask direct questions: "How long is the delay?" , "Do I need another platform?" , "Is there another train?" , or "Can I use this ticket on the next bus?"

Maya gets to Central Station, but her hotel is not beside the station. She can take a bus or a taxi. First, she checks the bus map. She asks, "Does Bus 42 stop near River Hotel?" A staff member says, "Yes. Get off at Museum Street."

Maya repeats, "Museum Street?" The staff member says, "Yes, the third stop." On the bus, Maya watches the stops on the screen. If she is worried, she can ask the driver, "Can you tell me when we get to Museum Street?"

If the bus feels too difficult, a taxi is okay. Maya can say, "Please take me to River Hotel," and show the address. Before she gets in, she can ask, "About how much is it?" This helps her feel safer.

Airport help desk:

Traveler: Excuse me. Where is Gate B12?

Staff: Go straight, then turn right after security.

Traveler: Straight, then right?

Train station:

Traveler: Which platform for Central Station?

Staff: Platform 3.

Traveler: Does this train go to Central Station?

Bus stop:

Traveler: Does Bus 42 stop near River Hotel?

Staff: Yes. Get off at Museum Street.

Traveler: Museum Street, the third stop?