CAPE English

CAPE English is a compilation of some basic "Survival English" to help you review before traveling abroad.

Click on Lessons to select a topic.

At the Airport
At the Hotel
At the Restaurant
At the Movies
Getting Around

Try the Exercises to practice what you’ve learned.

At the Airport:

When travelling to any foreign country, your first encounter with language will probably be at the airport. Getting through customs can be a little less scary and nerve-racking if you are familiar with the process. Here are some target phrases and questions to keep in mind.

Sample Dialogue: Here’s an example of a conversation that you might encounter.

Customs Officer: Welcome to America. May I see your passport please?
Traveler: Sure. Here you are.
Customs Officer: Where are you coming from?
Traveler: I'm coming from Seoul, Korea.
Customs Officer: What’s the purpose of your visit?
Traveler: I'm here on business.
Customs Officer: How long are you planning to stay?
Traveler: I'll be staying for three weeks.
Customs Officer: Where will you be staying?
Traveler: I'll be staying at a hotel.
Customs Officer: Have you ever been to America before?
Traveler: No, this is my first time.
Customs Officer: Do you have anything to declare?
Traveler: No, nothing.
Customs Officer: Ok, enjoy your stay.
Traveler: Thank you.

At the Hotel:

Whether staying at a hotel or dormitory, it is always helpful to have a good command of the language for checking in, inquiring about services, and/or handling unexpected problems. Below are useful basic vocabulary and phrases to keep in mind.

Sample Dialogue:Here’s an example of a conversation that you might encounter. Remember, there’s a difference in language between asking for something politely and just simply spilling out your needs.

Front Desk: Welcome to the Wyatt Hotel. How may I help you?
Guest: I’d like a room please.
Front Desk: Would you like a single or a double?
Guest: I’d like a double, please.
Front Desk: May I have your name, please?
Guest: Timothy Findley.
Front Desk: Could you spell that please?
Guest: F-I-N-D-L-E-Y.
Front Desk: How many are in your party?
Guest: Just two.
Front Desk: How many nights would you like to stay?
Guest: Just tonight.
Front Desk: How will you be paying?
Guest: Is Visa OK?
Front Desk: That’ll be fine. Would you like a wake-up call?
Guest: Yes, I’d like a wake-up call for 6:30, please. Do you have a pool?
Front Desk: Yes, we do. It’s on the 2nd floor. Here’s your key. Your room number is 405. It’s on the fourth floor. Enjoy your stay.
Guest: Thank you.

At the Restaurant:

Ordering Food: When dining anywhere, it’s helpful to have the basic skills and language needed to order the food that you want. Here are some phrases to keep in mind.

Sample Dialogue: Here’s an example of a conversation that you might encounter. Remember, just barking out orders can be perceived as being rude and may have real consequences to your food. Keep in mind the polite ways to order food: I'll have a hamburger, please. I'd like the seafood spaghetti, please…

Waiter: Welcome to Antico's. Here are your menus. Today's special is grilled salmon. I'll be right back to take your order...
Waiter: Are you ready to order?
Customer 1: I'd like the seafood spaghetti.
Waiter: And you?
Customer 2: I'll have a hamburger and fries.
Waiter: Would you like anything to drink?
Customer 1: I'll have a coke, please. Waiter: And for you?
Customer 2: Just water, please.
Waiter: OK. So that's one seafood spaghetti, one hamburger and fries, one coke, and one water. I'll take your menus.
Waiter: Here's your food. Enjoy your meal.
Waiter: How was everything?
Customer 2: Delicious, thanks.
Waiter: Would you like anything for dessert?
Customer: No, just the bill please. top Other Situations: Depending on what you are buying, when heading for checkout or in the process of ordering, you might find yourself hearing the following questions being asked.

(Pay by) Cash or Check? (At the supermarket)
Cashier: How are you today, sir?
Customer: Good, and you?
Cashier: Not bad……That'll be $58.00.Cash or check?
Customer: (handing $60 over to the cashier) Cash. (bags) Plastic or Paper? (After checkout)
Cashier: Here's your receipt. And 2 dollars is your change. Thank you very much. Would you like plastic or paper?
Customer: Plastic, please. Oh, and could you double-bag mine?

For Here or To Go? (At Burger King)
Cashier: Hello! Can I help you?
Customer: I'll have a cheeseburger with curly fries and a large coke.
Cashier: For here or to go?
Customer: To go, please.

Cup or Cone? (At Baskin Robins 31 Ice Cream)
Cashier: Hello! Can I help you?
Customer: Uh…I’d like a double scoop of chocolate mint and rocky road.
Cashier: Ok, would that be cup or cone?
Customer: Cup, please.
Cashier: What kind of toppings do you want?
Customer: I'll have some chocolate sprinkles.

Getting Around

Asking for Directions: The ability to communicate and ask for help is crucial when in a foreign setting. Here are some useful tips to help you get around.

Traffic Lights & Cross-Walks: "Jaywalking" or "not using a cross-walk" when crossing the street is breaking the law. If caught and given a ticket, the punishment can be a heavy fine. Most cross-walks at traffic lights are equipped with a "cross-walk" or "walk" button for pedestrian convenience and efficiency. To cross the street, push these buttons and wait for the signal. When the cross-walk indicator shows "WALK", it’s safe to proceed.

Going for a Bite / Directions to a Restaurant: If you’re looking for a place to eat, a good grasp of directions based on street names and other buildings in the area will be of a great help when it comes time to ask someone for suggestions and how to get there (e.g., It's on Pine Street next to the post office).

Below are some useful direction phrases for asking and suggesting where to go. Remember, if directions are given for the use of Trains and Buses, it is important to have a place of reference as the starting point.