Can you tell me how to get to...?

Richard is driving toward Stamford, Connecticut, but he's not familiar with the city and he decides to stop on his way to buy a map. He stops at a convenience store to see if they can help him. The conversation is below:

Richard: Do you sell maps?
Salesperson: No, I'm sorry, we don't.
Richard: Just my luck.
Salesperson: Maybe I can help you.
Richard: Well, can you tell me how to get to Stamford?
Salesperson: Sure, follow the highway south for about ten miles, and get off at Exit 30. At the end of the ramp, make a left on to Park Street.
Richard: Left at the end of the ramp?
Salesperson: Yes. Then, at the traffic light, turn right on to Maple Lane. At the next intersection, turn left and you'll be in the center of Stamford.
Richard: Thanks a lot.
Salesperson: You're welcome.

P.S: This conversation was taken from the book English for the Real World - Level Intermediate. The publisher is Living Language and the authors are Penruddocke, Andrea and Warnasch, Christopher. I highly recommend it!

Important Vocabulary

-go down this street / avenue / (one) block
-go up this street / avenue / (one) block
-take a left / right
-make a left / right
-turn left / right
-turn on the corner of...
-on your left / right (used to indicate the position of the place)
-go past the gas station / the supermarket (it means that on the way you will see these places) 
-go straight

To practice use a map of your city or a city you would like to visit and pretend to give directions to someone or have somebody give you directions. Here is a link to a map of New York.
http://www.hot-map.com/nyc
I also suggest you watch this video below. It's probably the best one I have ever watched for this topic. They use real street language, but it is still easy to understand. Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tRvWNld_t4

Checking into a hotel

Did you have a nice flight? Now that you are at your destination it's time to check into the hotel. Below you will see a possible conversation at a hotel:

- Good. evening. My name is Swanson, Peter Swanson. I made a reservation on your website.

- Good evening, Mr Swanson. A double room, right?

- Yes, overlooking the sea, if possible.

- We have some nice rooms on the fifth floor, if it suits you.

- Well, yes, if there is an elevator.

- Of course, there is. Are you going to spend the whole week here?

- Yes, we'll leave on Sunday.

- Very good, sir. Would you fill in this form, please?

- Here you are. Is breakfast included in the price?

- Oh yes, English or continental, as you choose.

- Is there a fitness room in the hotel?

- Yes, and a swimming pool, sauna, tennis courts...

- Do you have wireless internet?

- Sure, this is your access code and instructions on how to use it.

- Great, thanks!

- Here is your key. Room 215, second floor to the left

For some practice click on this link. It's a listening activity and the level is difficult:

http://www.esl-lab.com/checkin/checkinrd1.htm

You can also take a look at this video that also has a difficult level:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyqfYJX23lg

An easier video for the beginners:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZJPOd1sGqM&NR=1&feature=endscreen

If you have any questions, write them in the comments. I will gladly answer them!

English for traveling

Are you planning to travel? You can learn some basic tips to help you on your trip.

Common questions asked at the Immigration and Customs

1. What is the purpose of your visit?
2. How long are you planning to stay?
3. Where will you be staying?
4. Is this your first time to ... (name of the country)?
5. Are you carrying any meat or dairy products with you?
6. Do you have anything to declare? 

Example Conversation 

A: Welcome to Canada. May I see your passport please?

B: Sure. Here it is.

A: Where are you coming from?

B: I'm coming from Seoul, Korea.

A: What is the purpose of your visit?

B: I'm here on business.

A: How long are you planning to stay?

B: I'll be staying for three weeks.

A: Where will you be staying?

B: I'll be staying at a hotel.

A: Have you ever been to Canada before?

B: No, this is my first time.

A: Do you have anything to declare?

B: No, nothing.

A: Enjoy your stay.

B: Thank you.

Removed from the website:

http://bogglesworldesl.com/survival_travel_english/airport_english.htm

If you want to practice more go to:

http://www.esl-lab.com/customs/customrd1.htm 

There you can listen to a dialogue, answer questions of comprehension, correct your exercise and much more.

I also suggest this video. It's very clear, but I'm quite sure the people who work at the immigration don't speak like this woman. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1EX-yLB0HE&feature=related 

I hope this can be helpful.Please leave your comments!

How it all started

First of all I think I should comment that I've been an english teacher as a second language for about 11 years, worked at schools and had a small school of my own at home, I think I can call it a school! Anyways, it all started with a student of my little school who always traveled and missed many classes. I suggested her to connect on skype and participate the classes of her group wherever she was. It went great, she interacted with her classmates and could keep up with the class.

About six months after this experience I decided to take a sabbatical semester studying a new language, spanish. For that I had to quit my jobs, but how would I survive? I informed my students about my decision and told them that from that moment on I would be teaching through Skype and if they were interested they could have a try out class for free. Some of them were sad and disappointed because they didn't like the idea of using eletronic devices. Others decided to give it a try! I was very happy with the results, but I worried about the internet connection at my new home, a students' house. It wasn't a problem after all. I mean, when you work with technology you have to be aware that it sometimes fails, but most of the time it works.

Finally, I discovered that this kind of service is very convenient. Once I was talking to a student of mine who lives in my hometown and I told her that I would be there for a month, so I asked her if she wanted to have "non virtual classes". She answered that she'd rather not, because it was better to be at home in her pajamas than to face the cruel traffic jam. Another advantage of those classes is the flexibility of hours, you decide when you want to study, but one tip: you can't forget the discipline that is required to learn a new language!

The classes are 1-on-1 and specific for the need and the level of each student. Got curious? Wanna give it a try? Schedule your try out class for free!

For translation, try this link, it won't be perfect, but you can get the idea.
http://translate.google.com.br/