This in-depth video shows you everything you need to know when you’re traveling and speaking English. We’ll cover vocabulary, linking, reductions and so much more.
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Video Transcript:
Study English travel phrases. Today we’ll study conversations about travel. From checking in for a flight.
Are you checking any bags?
Yes, just one.
To changing a train ticket.
Okay. Yeah, I do want to cancel my ticket and get that one.
To ordering room service at a hotel.
Hi! Um, I booked online.
Okay.
Uh, Rachel Smith.
Oh, and we’ll definitely cover missing your train.
This is the train to New York, right?
No, this train is going to DC.
Or boarding the plane and finding someone in your seat.
Hi, I think you’re in my seat.
I’m Rachel. I have a background in opera singing and I’ve been teaching the American accent to non-native speakers for over 20 years. Scan this QR code or go to rachelenglish.com/free to get my free course, The Top Three Ways to Master the American Accent. It will change the way you think about speaking American English.
Hi, I think you’re in my seat.
Oh, 30E?
You’re in 31E.
Oh, I’m so sorry.
It’s not a problem. I can just sit in 30E since you’re already settled in and I’m traveling alone.
The idiom ‘settled in’ means to become comfortable or accustomed to a new place, situation, or routine.
I can just sit in 30 e since you’re already settled in and I’m traveling alone.
Oh, are you sure?
Yeah, it’s all the same to me.
The expression “it’s all the same to me” means that someone has no preference between the available options.
Oh, are you sure?
Yeah, it’s all the same to me.
Okay, thank you. Sorry about that.
First, let’s take a look at the whole scene.
The machine didn’t recognize my passport.
I can help. Where are you flying to today?
We’re flying to Rio and then we have a connecting flight to Recife. What are you looking for?
My reading glasses.
They’re on your head.
I had a bottle of water.
I threw that away.
Why?
You can’t take liquids on the plane.
Oh.
Are you checking any bags?
Yes, just one.
Can you put it on the scale?
Sure.
Can you check our bag through to Recife?
No, I can’t. You’ll need to pick it up in Rio to go through customs.
How much time do we have? How long is our layover?
About 2 and half hours.
That’s plenty of time.
Here are your boarding passes.
Thank you.
Your flight leaves from gate 19 and boarding begins at 11:20.
11:20.
Have a great trip.
We will.
Now, let’s take a close look at what we’re hearing.
The machine didn’t recognize my passport.
Didn’t recognize.
Did you notice how Jay pronounced the N apostrophe T contraction, didn’t?
He didn’t release the T, didn’t, but rather ended this word with a nasal stop sound. Didn’t.
The machine didn’t recognize my passport.
Didn’t recognize my passport.
Didn’t recognize. This is how we pronounce all N apostrophe T contractions. Didn’t recognize.
I can help.
Did you notice how the word can was reduced? K schwa N sound. So, it sounds like there’s no vowel. Can, can.
I can help.
This is because can is a helping verb here. It’s not the main verb. The main verb is help. Can is usually a helping verb. And in these cases, we do reduce it.
I can help.
Where are you flying to today?
Where are. I reduced the word R to the schwa R sound. Where are. It linked up with the word before. Where are, where are, where are. And just sounds like an extra syllable at the end of where.
Where are you flying to today?
Where are. I pronounced a full oo vowel in the word to, but I reduced the vowel in the word today to the schwa, to, to, today. So this syllable was short and the syllable day was longer today. What do you notice about the intonation of that question?
Where are you flying to today?
Today. The pitch went down at the end, but it’s a question. Questions that can’t be answered with yes or no do go down in pitch at the end, just like phrases.
We’re flying to Rio and then we have a connecting flight to Recife.
Vicki has pronounced this beautifully in British English. As you know, this is an American English channel and that’s really where my expertise is. I’m not going to comment too much on what Vicki says except to point out a few differences between British English and American English.
What are you looking for?
My reading glasses.
The first major difference I’ll point out is how she pronounced the phrase ‘what are’. She made a true T here. And most Americans will make that a flap T. What are. What are you looking for? What are you looking for? I’ve noticed that people who speak British English tend to make many more true T’s than Americans. We like to make more stop T’s and flap T’s. What are. But Vicki says:
What are you looking for?
What do you notice about the intonation of this question? Looking for. It goes down in pitch at the end because it cannot be answered with yes or no.
My reading glasses.
No reductions in Jay’s short sentence, but listen to how the sounds and words all flow together.
My reading glasses.
My reading glasses. One thought with a swell over the stressed syllable. Read. My reading glasses. All one nice smooth phrase. My reading glasses.
They’re on your head.
I had a bottle of water.
Jay flapped the double T in bottle so that it sounded like an American D. Bottle. Bottle. Also, the word water. Vicki probably would have said this with true T’s. bottle and wat, tt, tt, tt. True T. Actually, water is an interesting word because it sounds totally different in British English than it does in American English. The vowel is different. The pronunciation of T is different. And the pronunciation of the last two letters is different. I actually have a video on how Americans pronounce the word water. Check it out.
I had a bottle of water.
I threw that away.
Why?
Another clear true T from Vicki where an American probably would have flapped that. I threw that away. That [flap]. I threw that away. But Vicki says:
I threw that away.
Why?
Why? Again, up but then down at the end. Why? This is the question that cannot be answered with yes or no.
Why?
You can’t take liquids on the plane.
Oh.
Are you checking any bags?
Here, I pronounce the word are more fully with a vowel. Are. Are. I wouldn’t have to. Even though it’s the beginning of a sentence, I could still reduce it to, are. Are you checking? But I said, are, are you checking?
Are you checking any bags?
Are you checking any bags? Smooth connection across the phrase with the stressed syllables check and bags. It’s a question. What do you notice about the intonation?
Are you checking any bags?
This is a yes no question. So, the pitch should go up at the end. But actually, I made it so the pitch goes down. Bags.
Are you checking any bags?
Okay, so the rules aren’t perfect. I also could have said this with intonation going up at the end. Are you checking any bags? And in general, it’s more polite to make your intonation go up at the end of a yes no question.
Are you checking any bags?
Yes, just one.
Can you put it on the scale?
Another can reduction. Can, can. Why is that? What’s the main verb here? The main verb is put. So, can is a helping verb. Reduce it.
Can you put it on the scale?
Scale. The intonation does go up at the end of this yes no question. Can you put it on the scale?
Can you put it on the scale?
And notice my flap T’s making this little three-word phrase very smooth. Put it on. Put it on. Put it on.
Can you put it on the scale?
Not true T’s, but just flapping the tongue against the roof of the mouth to make the connection between the words smoother. Put it on. Can you put it on the scale?
Can you put it on the scale?
Sure.
There are a couple different ways you can pronounce this word. I usually say sure. Jay said sure. Both are acceptable.
Sure. Can you check our bag through to Recife?
Notice Jay reduced can to kən. Can you check our bag? What’s the main verb here?
Can you check our bag through to Recife?
The main verb is check. So can is a helping verb and we want to reduce that. The word to Jay pronounced that with a flap T and the schwa. This is a common reduction. Through to. Through to. Through to.
Can you check our bag through to Recife?
through to Recife?
No, I can’t. You’ll need to pick it up in Rio to go through customs.
Can’t. I did pronounce a strong true tea there, didn’t I? I was being extra clear. What do you notice about the vowel in the word can’t?
No, I can’t.
It’s a full A vowel. A. Even though we reduce the vowel in the word can often, we do not reduce the vowel in the word can’t.
No, I can’t.
You’ll need to pick it up in Rio to go through customs.
I reduced the vowel in to the schwa. You’ll need to, you’ll need to.
You’ll need to pick it up in Rio.
Pick it up. What do you notice about the T here? Pick it up. It’s a flap T. It comes between two vowels. So, I made that sound like the American D sound. Pick it up. Pick it up.
You’ll need to pick it up in Rio.
You’ll need to pick it up in Rio to go through customs.
Again, a reduced vowel in to. Now, I could make this tea a flap T, but I didn’t. I made it a true T. In Rio to, but I could have said in Rio to.
You’ll need to pick it up in Rio to go through customs.
How much time do we have? How long is our layover? What do you notice about the intonation of these two questions? After the phrase peaks on the stress word time, do we have? The last three words are all pretty low in pitch heading down. How much time do we have? Layover. Both of these phrases, questions, but not yes no questions go down in pitch.
How much time do we have? How long is our layover?
About 2 and a half hours. That’s plenty of time.
Did you notice the very clear stop T in about? About 2 and a half hours. I made a true T for two, but I made a stop T for about. About. Stop the air. 2 and a half hours. This is how you want to pronounce this. When one word ends in a T and the next word begins in a T.
About 2 and a half hours.
Don’t make two T sounds. Just make a stop and then one true T. About 2 and a half hours.
About 2 and a half hours
How did I pronounce the word and? I reduced it to just the schwa N sound. Nn. Two and a half. Notice the L in half is silent.
About 2 and a half hours.
That’s plenty of time.
Vicki made a nice, clear, true tea here.
That’s plenty of time.
Americans will often drop the T completely when it comes after an N. Actually, we’ll see an example of this in just a minute.
Here are your boarding passes. Thank you.
Here are your boarding passes. I did make a full vowel in the word R, but it was still very fast, very quick. It’s a function word. It doesn’t need much time. Here are your. Here are your.
Here are your boarding passes.
Thank you.
Your flight leaves from gate 19 and boarding begins at 11:20.
Your flight leaves. The word your was very fast. I reduced it so that it had the schwa R ending. Your, your, your flight your flight leaves.
Your flight leaves—
from gate 19 and boarding begins at 11:20.
Flight leaves with a clear stop T, not released. Flight. Flight. Flight leaves.
Your flight leaves—
from gate 19 and boarding begins at 11:20.
11:20. Here’s the example I talked about earlier. Americans often drop the T when it comes after an N. 20 is a perfect example. I did it.
11:20
And so did J. Eleven twenty. Twenty.
11:20
Have a great trip.
Great trip. Again, I did not make two T’s. One word ended in a T. The next word began in a T. But I didn’t repeat the T. Great trip.
Have a great trip.
Trip. The TR consonant cluster can be and often is pronounced as a chr. Trip. Chrip instead of trip. trip. Have a great trip.
Have a great trip.
Let’s hear the whole dialogue again.
The machine didn’t recognize my passport.
I can help. Where are you flying to today?
We’re flying to Rio and then we have a connecting flight to Recife.
What are you looking for?
My reading glasses.
They’re on your head.
I had a bottle of water.
I threw that away.
Why?
You can’t take liquids on the plane.
Oh.
Are you checking any bags?
Yes, just one.
Can you put it on the scale?
Sure.
Can you check our bag through to Recife?
No, I can’t. You’ll need to pick it up in Rio to go through customs.
How much time do we have? How long is our layover?
About 2 and a half hours.
That’s plenty of time. Here are your boarding passes.
Thank you.
Your flight leaves from gate 19 and boarding begins at 11:20.
11:20.
Have a great trip.
We will.
Hoow, I made it! This is the train to New York, right?
No, this train is going to DC.
DC is short for Washington DC, the capital of the United States.
You’re kidding.
No, sorry.
Okay. What’s the next stop?
I think it’s Wilmington.
Okay. Well, at least it’s not an express.
An express train is one that makes fewer stops between major destinations.
Yeah,
I’ll get off there and regroup.
Regroup means to stop what you’re doing, get organized, and think through next steps if the situation you’re in isn’t going well or isn’t going as planned.
Good luck.
Hi, I have a ticket for the 615 train, but I was wondering if I could use it for the 505 train.
No, you can’t use that ticket for another train. But you can cancel that ticket and buy a new ticket for the 505, but the price might be different.
Okay, what’s the cost of the 505 train now?
It’s $45.
Okay. Yeah, I do want to cancel my ticket and get that one.
Okay. I’ll just need to see your ticket and a photo ID.
Thanks.
And the cost difference is going to be $17. Do you want to pay that with cash or card?
I’ll do card.
Okay. Insert it when you’re ready.
Great. Thanks.
First, let’s check in.
Hi, um, I booked online.
Okay.
Uh, Rachel Smith. And then about an hour after I booked, I booked an upgrade.
I’m using the verb here to book. I’m sure you’re very familiar with the noun version of this word book, but it’s also a verb, which means to reserve something. I booked a hotel room. You could also book a table at a restaurant. This means you’ve made a reservation. You could book a venue for your wedding or a concert venue could book an act or band. The bar around the corner booked my friend’s band for Friday. Here, oo makes the uh as in push vowel. book. Uh, book. So, both the noun book and the verb book are pronounced exactly the same.
Hi, um I booked online.
Okay.
Uh, Rachel Smith. And then about an hour after I booked, I booked an upgrade.
I used the term upgrade. This means to improve on something, to get a higher quality. For example, if you’ve had your cell phone for a while and it’s a bit slow, you might want to get an upgrade. Here, I’m using it as a noun. On a flight you might be upgraded from an economy to a first class seat. Here I’m using it as a verb. Upgrade. In this case I booked a hotel room and then the system asked me if I wanted to upgrade. The offer seemed like a good deal to me. So I did upgrade. I paid a bit more money for a bigger better room.
And then about an hour after I booked, I booked an upgrade because it was sounded very enticing what was being offered.
Do you see how pregnant I am here? I’m 8 months pregnant. And this was the last weekend that my doctor said I could travel away from home. So, we took Stoney to my in-laws, that is David’s parents, and took this short trip. In the US, you might hear people call this a baby moon. That is a relaxing trip you take before it’s harder to travel because you have a baby. This is related to the term honeymoon, which is a trip you take alone with your partner right after you get married.
You booked for a water deluxe king, correct? Yes. South facing.
Here we’re using some terms that you might use when describing a room. We booked a king, which means it has a king-sized bed in it. King and California king are the two largest sized beds. She used the term water view. This simply means what you can see from your room. You might have city view, park view, water view, ocean view, garden view, street view. This hotel is close to the Hudson River. I used the term south facing. This means when you’re in your room looking out the window, which direction are you looking? I knew I wanted to be south facing because just north of the hotel are some taller buildings. I didn’t want to look directly at another building, so I upgraded to a south facing room. You might also see a room described as a corner room, which of course means you’re on the corner of the building and you might get views in two different directions.
So you booked for a water view deluxe cake, correct?
Yes. South facing.
Yep, I see that. If I could see a form of ID and a credit card for the reservation.
Sure.
When checking into a hotel, there’s a good chance that they’ll ask for a form of ID like she did. That would be something official with your picture and name on it, like a driver’s license or passport. ID is short for identification. They’ll also usually want a credit card from you so they can make charges to the room if you damage or take anything.
Yep, I’ll see that. If I could just see a form of ID and a credit card for the reservation.
Sure. So, I see that initially you put a deposit down for the room. So, we would just leave the card for incidentals.
Okay, no problem.
Incidentals. This is a word they use for anything in addition to the cost of the room. For example, if you eat or drink from the mini bar in your room, they’ll keep track of that and charge it to your card after you leave.
So, we would just leave the card for incidentals.
Okay. No problem.
And it doesn’t, it’s not ready yet by chance, is it?
It is.
Oh, perfect.
She asks, “Have you stayed here before?”
Oh, no, I’ve not. It’s been on my bucket list.
Bucket list. Have you heard this term before? It means something you want to do within your lifetime. For example, visiting Paris is on my bucket list.
Oh, no. I’ve not. It’s been on my bucket list, so I’m glad that it’s happening.
..cross it out.
Yes. Right.
Just initial here, here, and a signature there. And if you could just add this gentleman’s name, right?
Sure.
There might be something you have to initial or sign when checking into a hotel. Initial, of course, means you just put RS instead of your whole signature. Rachel Smith.
Just initial here, here, and a signature there. And if you could just add this gentleman’s name, right?
Sure.
We finish checking in and head up to our room. Room number 814. We have a card as a key. Very dark elevator.
See, this is why I didn’t want to be north facing is because then you’re just looking at a building.
North facing, south facing. It can be very handy to know the details of the room you want when booking a hotel. Let’s go find the room. There’s the river and there’s the city.
And there’s the Highline. How cool is that?
The Highline is a park in NYC that was built on top of an abandoned raised train line. I’ll also talk about the Whitney, which is an art museum.
That’s the Whitney right there. Have you ever been to the Whitney, David? The new one?
Yeah. And that’s their little rooftop spot there. Maybe we’ll, maybe we should go. They have um, pay as you wish entrance on Friday evenings. Alright. Well, let’s settle in.
Settle in is a phrase that means to unpack, to get comfortable, to arrange your things in a new place. After a big move, it can take some time to settle in. Whenever we stay somewhere, even if it’s just for a night or two, I like to spend some time settling in when we first arrive to make the stay more comfortable.
Alright. Well, let’s settle in.
That night, our friend Rene dropped by and we ordered room service. Generally, you can reach the front desk by pressing zero. The front desk is there in the lobby where we checked in. You can call them with your needs and questions. Room service is for the restaurant in the hotel that can make and bring food to your room.
Good evening. Guest services.
Hi, um, is this where I call to place a room service order?
Uh, please hold transfer to them.
Thank you.
It was the front desk, not room service.
Thank you for calling room service. This is Julie. How can I help you?
Hi, I’m in room 814.
Mhm.
And I’d like to order two orders of fries.
Okay.
And does that come with ketchup?
Yeah.
Okay. And also two orders of a good pickle.
Okay.
Okay. Uh did you want anything to drink with that?
Um, anyone thirsty?
No, I think we’re good.
If you ask someone if they want something or offer them something and they say I’m good or we’re good, that’s like saying no thank you. That person does not want it.
Anyone thirsty?
No, I think we’re good.
They told me it would be a 30-minute wait.
Okay, I am eight months pregnant if that helps boost me forward.
Okay, not a problem.
Okay, I’m just kidding. Thank you.
See you soon.
Bye. I mean, I’m not kidding. I am eight months pregnant if that makes a difference.
Luckily, the food came quickly.
Wow, that’s a lot of fries. That is a lot of fries.
Oo, I didn’t expect them to be so little.
I think we could have gotten by with one order.
Nope.
No.
No. So glad we have two.
Mini mayonnaise.
All the best to go with the mini ketchup.
Mini ketchup.
And then two good pickles. Okay. What did you think of yours?
I gave it an eight out of 10.
I think I’m going to give it a six or seven.
Oh, so low.
Do you do this, too? We rated how much we liked the pickle on a scale of 1 to 10. One is always the lowest and 10 the highest. The very best of the best, so I didn’t love the pickle. Still, there’s something very luxurious about eating French fries in your hotel room at 10:30 at night. Many hotels have an ice machine. This one was labeled an ice dispenser. So, almost every hotel room in America has an ice bucket that you can take to the machine to fill up. This one also had tongs to serve ice into glasses. David and I had such a relaxing stay here enjoying slow days.
Before we leave, let’s go over a few more words and phrases that might be useful to you as you travel, as you stay in hotels.
First, when you check into a hotel, you’ll find the front desk in the lobby, and you can probably find a luggage cart there to help you get all your luggage to your room. The opposite of checking in is checking out. Check out, of course, is when you leave the hotel room and you give back your key. Two phrasal verbs for your travel vocabulary. Check in, check out. Here, I called the front desk to ask what time checkout was. I also had to report an issue about the room.
Good. Guest services, this is Freddy.
Hi, Freddy. Um, I am wondering what time checkout is tomorrow morning.
It’s at 12:00 p.m.
Okay, perfect.
Uh, my other question is I’m in room 814 and the drain to the bathtub doesn’t seem to close all the way.
Okay, my apologies. Let me send someone. Is that okay?
That’s great. We’re actually going to head out in a minute. Is it okay if we’re not here?
That That’s great, guys.
Okay. Thank you so much.
Welcome.
I used the phrasal verb head out. This means to leave. We were just getting ready to leave our room for a walk. Head out.
That’s great. We’re actually going to head out in a minute. Is it okay if we’re not here?
That’s great, yeah.
Okay. Thank you so much.
Welcome.
We don’t even need to try to get a late checkout because checkout’s noon. That’s perfect.
This particular hotel does have a mini bar. So, that is a place where they’re going to have some food and snacks for you. They have some glasses for us. Nice. And there’s also a refrigerator. Mini bar usually refers to a refrigerator. Refrigerator. And this one is fully stocked. That means it came with all sorts of goodies ready for us. Now, usually if you eat or drink what comes here in the hotel, it’s quite expensive. Much more expensive than just running out and buying it yourself. Another neat thing that this particular hotel room has is a shower bath room. So, it’s this whole room, floor to ceiling. Doesn’t matter if you get the whole thing wet. A big bathtub. And then there’s some slats that look out into the room so you can still see the view as you take your shower.
This hotel room also has a safe. Many, many hotel rooms do. So you can put passports or money, valuables, whatever in the safe when you leave.
One thing that people are often interested in when choosing a hotel is the list of amenities. Amenities would be things like a gym or a pool or room service, other things that you get in addition to your room or special things that you might get in your room.
Many hotels come with a little card like this. This one says, “Privacy, please.” And you hang this on your doorknob to let them know, I don’t want anyone to come in and work on my room. Or on the other side, I do want someone to come in, change out my towels for clean towels, maybe vacuum. So, this card says, “Privacy, please.” But you might also see, do not disturb.
You’re going to see and hear a phrase and I’ve written the shape of the melody like this.
I’m looking for the Delta counter.
You’ll see a little curve up and down. That’s a stressed syllable. And you’ll also see that in general the trend for a statement in American English or a question that’s not a yes no question. Is that the pitch, volume, and vocal energy go down across the statement. Focus on that as you’re listening, not the black and white of the words.
I’m looking for the Delta counter.
When you hear it in slow motion, it helps you focus even more on that linking and smoothness on the melody on the red line. I want you to repeat in slow motion, feeling that too, that sloppiness.
I’m looking for the Delta counter.
I’ll also show you the phonetic symbols on screen to help you notice things like reductions or when the T sound is dropped in counter.
I’m looking for the Delta counter.
A training video like this isn’t really about learning a concept. It’s about asking your body to practice a new language, a new way of speaking. Leave your ideas about English behind and respond to the visual of what you see on screen, that smooth red line. Get your body to relax and have fun with this. And as always, if you like this video or you learned something new, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe with notifications. I’d love you to study with me.
We’re giving you lots to train with, over 40 phrases, and you may even learn new ways to say things or to use a word. Let’s get started. You’ll hear each phrase once at regular pace, twice in slow motion, and once at regular pace. Each time after you hear it, there will be a pause for you to repeat. Let your body relax and feel that red line. All words are linked and connected.
I’m looking for the Delta counter.
For the first time in a video, I’ll be using this symbol, which you’ll see in the next sentence. That’s the symbol for an unreleased stop consonant like T, D, or P. In the next slide, you’ll see it in the name JetBlue. There’s no tt, T released on that phrase. It’s just Jeblue with that stop of air, the unreleased T. Very quick lift in the line. Jet-blue. Jet blue.
So when you see this symbol, you know you won’t hear t, d or p. You won’t hear the release. The mouth goes into position, stops the air, and then moves on to the next sound.
I’m flying JetBlue.
We’re booked on Air Canada.
I’d like a window seat, please.
I’ll take an aisle seat if possible.
I’d like to check one bag.
I only have a carry-on.
Am I allowed a personal item?
How do I get to security?
Do I need to take off my shoes?
Do you need to see my passport?
Here’s my boarding pass and ID.
I do have a small bottle of lotion in my bag. Is that okay?
Does my computer need its own bin?
Where can I recycle this water bottle?
Are there food options past this point?
Where can I get a cup of coffee?
Could you let me know how to find terminal D25?
Could you help me find our gate?
Where’s the nearest bathroom?
Will there be meal service on this flight?
Will there be a meal during the flight?
Could I have a pillow, please?
I’d like an extra blanket, please.
My headphones aren’t working.
My screen is broken.
How do you adjust the volume?
Would you like some help putting your luggage up?
Could you help me put this bag in the compartment, please?
Do you take credit card for alcoholic drinks?
Could I have some water, please?
I’d like a ginger ale.
I love hot tea.
Could I have a Coke with no ice, please?
Is it possible to get two bags of pretzels, please?
How do I get to baggage claim?
Which baggage carousel is for flight 4516 out of Denver?
Where can I get a taxi?
I’m looking for the shuttle to Hertz car rental.
Where’s the shuttle bus for the Marriott Hotel?
Don’t forget to head over to rachelenglish.com/free to get my free course, The Top Three Ways to Master the American Accent. Keep your learning going now with this video and don’t forget to subscribe with notifications on. I love being your English teacher. That’s it and thanks so much for using Rachel’s English.
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