Aristotle
Hello everyone, I’m Aristotle. Today I’m hoping to learn about practical English for business travel to the United States. I’ve invited Marie to help explain these concepts to me.

Marie
I’m happy to be here, Aristotle. I’m Marie, and I’ve been studying a course overview for Mexican business travelers. This course focuses on practical English for various travel scenarios in the US, and I’ll try to explain the key takeaways in simple terms.

Aristotle
That sounds incredibly useful, Marie. My first area of focus is making reservations. What are some key vocabulary and phrases I should know?

Marie
Certainly, Aristotle. For reservations, important vocabulary includes ‘reservation’ itself, which is a booking, and ‘confirmation number,’ a unique code for your booking. You’ll also encounter ‘availability’ to see if something is bookable, and terms like ‘check-in’ and ‘check-out.’ A crucial one is ‘non-refundable,’ meaning you can’t get your money back if you cancel.

Aristotle
Okay, so ‘reservation’ and ‘confirmation number’ are key. And ‘non-refundable’ is important to understand the terms. What about grammar for making these requests professionally?

Marie
The course highlights polite requests using phrases like ‘Could you please…’ or ‘Would it be possible to…’. For example, ‘Could you please confirm my reservation?’ is a very professional way to ask. They also mention using the future tense, like ‘I will arrive on Monday at 3 PM,’ and conditional questions with ‘If,’ such as ‘If I need to change my booking, what is the process?’

Aristotle
That makes sense. So, polite requests and clear statements about plans. Are there any common idioms related to reservations?

Marie
Yes, there’s ‘hold a spot,’ which means to reserve a place. You might say, ‘Can you hold a spot for me?’ The guide also provides useful phrases like ‘Is there availability for a single room?’ and ‘I’d like to modify my booking.’ And importantly, ‘What’s the cancellation policy?’

Aristotle
That’s very helpful. Moving on to the airport, which can be quite daunting. What vocabulary is essential there?
Marie
At the airport, you’ll need to know ‘boarding pass,’ which is your ticket to get on the plane, and ‘gate,’ the waiting area. You might also have a ‘layover,’ a stop between flights. Then there’s the difference between ‘checked luggage,’ which goes in the cargo hold, and ‘carry-on,’ the bag you bring with you.

Aristotle
So, ‘boarding pass’ and ‘gate’ are crucial for getting on the plane. And the distinction between ‘checked luggage’ and ‘carry-on’ is important for packing. What grammar or phrases are useful here?

Marie
The course suggests using the present continuous for actions happening now, like ‘I’m checking in for my flight.’ Polite questions are also key, such as ‘Could you tell me where the gate is?’ And for urgent situations, imperatives like ‘Please hurry, my flight is boarding soon.’ An idiom to remember is ‘on time’ for punctuality.

Aristotle
That covers a lot for the airport. Now, customs and immigration. This is often a point of anxiety. What should I be prepared for?

Marie
For customs and immigration, you’ll encounter terms like ‘customs declaration,’ a form for items you bring in, and ‘visa,’ your entry document. You’ll need to state your ‘purpose of visit,’ whether it’s business or tourism. You’ll also hear about ‘duty-free’ goods and ‘prohibited items.’

Aristotle
So, knowing my ‘purpose of visit’ and understanding ‘prohibited items’ is key. What kind of grammar or responses are expected?

Marie
The simple present tense is used for stating facts, like ‘I am here for a business meeting.’ You’ll need to use polite responses like ‘Yes, sir/madam’ or ‘No, sir/madam.’ For example, if asked ‘Do you have anything to declare?’, a polite response is ‘No, sir.’ Phrases like ‘pass through customs’ and ‘clear immigration’ are also important.

Aristotle
And the phrase ‘I’m here on business’ is a direct way to state the purpose. What about transportation to the local destination after clearing immigration?

Marie
For transportation, you’ll need vocabulary like ‘rental car,’ ‘rideshare’ (like Uber or Lyft), and ‘hotel shuttle.’ You’ll also discuss the ‘fare,’ which is the cost, and the ‘drop-off’ point. Useful grammar includes modal verbs like ‘Can’ or ‘Could’ for requests, and imperatives for instructions. Idioms include ‘hail a taxi’ and ‘on my way.’

Aristotle
So, knowing how to ask ‘Can you take me to the Marriott Hotel?’ or ‘How much is the fare to the airport?’ is essential. And inquiring about a ‘hotel shuttle’ is also good. Finally, let’s talk about being at the hotel and restaurant.

Marie
At the hotel, you’ll use ‘check-in’ and ‘check-out.’ You might order ‘room service.’ For restaurants, you’ll need ‘reservation,’ ‘menu,’ and understand the concept of a ‘tip.’ Polite requests like ‘May I have the menu, please?’ are important. The present perfect, like ‘I have just checked in,’ is also useful, as are conditional sentences for situations like ‘If the room isn’t ready, could I store my luggage?’

Aristotle
And idioms like ‘on the house’ for free items and ‘run a tab’ for keeping a bill open. So, to summarize, for reservations, it’s about polite confirmation and understanding policies. At the airport, it’s about navigating to the gate with the right documents. Customs requires clear statements of purpose, and transportation involves asking about fares and destinations. Hotels and restaurants use polite requests and specific terms for services.

Marie
That’s an excellent summary, Aristotle! You’ve grasped the core concepts from each section. The course emphasizes using these phrases professionally and with cultural sensitivity to ensure a smooth business trip.

Aristotle
I feel much more prepared now. The breakdown of vocabulary, grammar, and idioms for each stage of travel is incredibly helpful. Thank you for making this so clear, Marie.

Marie
You’re very welcome, Aristotle. The key is practice, and the course provides resources like flashcards and quizzes for that. If you can explain these concepts clearly, you’re well on your way to mastering them.