Business travel: planning your first trip

A2
90 min
Free
1

Think about these questions before reading. Share your ideas with a partner.

  1. What do you think is good about traveling for work? What is bad?
  2. If you go on a business trip to a new city, what do you want to do in your free time?
  3. What is important to pack in your bag for a business trip?
2

Checking Into a Hotel

Listen to the dialogue. Notice how the vocabulary and grammar from the lesson are used.

3

Answer these questions about the dialogue.

01What is the first thing Marco says when he arrives at the hotel?
Sample answerHe says, 'Hello, I'd like to check in, please.'
02What will Marco do after he unpacks his suitcase?
Sample answerHe will look at his travel itinerary for tomorrow.
03What time is Marco's meeting?
Sample answerHis meeting is at 9 AM.
04What does Marco ask for so he can use the internet?
Sample answerHe asks for the Wi-Fi password.
4

Key vocabulary for your trip

Vocabulary
These expressions will help you talk about business travel.
Examples
Make a reservation — to book a room, a flight, or a table for a future time.
This is a common and polite phrase. You can say: 'I will make a reservation at the hotel.'
Boarding pass — the special ticket you need to get on a plane.
You get your boarding pass at the airport when you check in. You must show it to get on the flight.
Attend a meeting — to go to a business event to talk with colleagues or clients.
This is a very common reason for a business trip. For example: 'She will fly to Paris to attend a meeting.'
Pack a suitcase — to put your clothes and other items into a bag for travel.
Before a trip, you need to pack a suitcase. You can say: 'I will pack light for this trip,' which means you will not take many things.
Travel itinerary — a plan of your journey, including your flight times and hotel details.
Your company will usually send you your travel itinerary before your trip. It helps you know your schedule.
5

Vocabulary for your trip

Learn some new words about business travel.

Match the words with their definitions.

Drag or click to match
Definitions
6

Grammar: Future simple with 'will'

Grammar
We use 'will' to talk about future events and schedules. It's very useful for discussing travel plans and itineraries for a business trip.
Examples
The taxi will arrive at 6 AM to take us to the airport.
We use 'will' + the base form of the verb (e.g., will arrive, will go, will meet).
She will not have time for lunch. She won't have time for lunch.
The negative form is 'will not'. We often use the short form 'won't' when speaking.
Will the presentation be in the morning?
To make a question, we put 'will' before the subject.
Key points
  • Use 'will' + base verb for all subjects (I, you, he, she, we, they).
  • The short form for 'will not' is 'won't'.
  • This tense is great for talking about a schedule or itinerary.
7

Complete the sentences with words from the box. One word is extra.

Word bank
01Before my trip to London, I need to my suitcase with warm clothes.
02I will call the hotel tomorrow to make a for a single room.
03My boss will fly to Berlin next week to attend an important with our German clients.
04You can't get on the plane without showing your at the gate.
05The travel agent sent me my ; it has all my flight times and hotel details.
8

Planning a business trip

Read the text about getting ready for a work trip.

Fill in each blank with the correct word from the word bank.

Word bank
Next week, I will go on my first business trip. My boss gave me the so I know my flight times. First, I need to call the hotel to for three nights. After that, I will with my business clothes. The main reason for my trip is to with our new clients in London. At the airport, I will need to show my before I get on the plane.
9

Discuss these questions with a partner. Try to use vocabulary from the lesson.

  1. If you plan a business trip for next week, what is the first thing you will do: make a reservation for a flight, book a hotel, or schedule your meetings?
  2. What is more important for a good business trip: a comfortable hotel or a good travel itinerary? Why?
  3. In your country, is it common to add a short vacation to a business trip? Do you think this is a good idea?