Speaking Boost · A2 · Lesson 33 of 50
Speaking Boost A2 · Block 7: Travel

What is the oldest hotel in the world?

A hotel in Japan has welcomed guests since the year 705. Learn the words for hotels, say what there is in a room, and practise checking in and solving a problem at reception.

1

Warm-up

5 min
1.1

Hotels

Answer each question with 2–3 sentences.

  1. Do you like staying in hotels?
  2. What is the best hotel you know?
  3. Do you prefer a big or a small hotel?
  4. What is important in a hotel room for you?
  5. Do you read reviews before you book?
  6. What do you ask for at reception?
2

Words and phrases

12 min
2.1

New words

Read each word and the example. Then say a sentence about hotels.

2.2

Which word?

Choose the word that fits.

  1. I have a for two nights.
  2. We'd like a for the weekend.
  3. Please leave the key at .
  4. I lost my room .
  5. Could I have a clean ?
  6. Is there in the room?
  7. We have to by noon.
  8. The bed is very .
2.3

Opposites and pairs

Choose the right answer, then press Check answers.

  1. single room ↔
  2. noisy ↔
  3. to check in ↔ to
  4. A person who stays in a hotel is a
  5. You go up to the fifth floor in a
  6. From my window there is a lovely
2.4

Useful phrases

Use these phrases in a hotel.

  • I have a reservation.У мене є бронювання.I have a reservation for two nights.
  • I'd like to book a room.Я хотів(ла) б забронювати номер.I'd like to book a double room for three nights.
  • Is breakfast included?Сніданок включено?Is breakfast included in the price?
  • What time is check-out?О котрій виселення?What time is check-out? It's at noon.
  • Is there a lift / Wi-Fi?Чи є ліфт / вай-фай?Is there Wi-Fi in the rooms?
  • Could I have another towel?Можна ще один рушник?Could I have another towel, please?
  • The room is too noisy.У номері занадто шумно.The room is too noisy. Can I change it?
  • Can I pay by card?Можна заплатити карткою?Can I pay by card?
3

Read and react

8 min
3.1

A very old hotel

Read the text. Hover over the dotted words for help.

What is the oldest hotel in the world?

The oldest hotel in the world is in Japan. It is called Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan, and it opened in the year 705.

The hotel is in the mountains, next to natural hot springs, called onsen. Guests can swim in warm water and look at the trees.

The same family ran the hotel for more than 1,300 years, about 52 generations. Like in many traditional Japanese hotels, guests can sleep on soft mats on the floor.

Today, you can book a room online, just like in any other hotel.

What do you look for in a hotel?

3.2

True or false?

  1. The oldest hotel in the world is in Japan.
  2. It opened in the year 1705.
  3. The hotel is next to hot springs.
  4. Different families ran the hotel every ten years.
  5. The text says you can book a room online today.
3.3

What do you think?

  1. Would you like to stay in a very old hotel? Why or why not?
  2. What do you look for in a hotel?
  3. Do you prefer a modern or a traditional hotel?
  4. What is more important for you: a good bed or a good view?
4

Grammar for speaking

10 min
4.1

Grammar for speaking

There is / There are

There is + one thing. There are + many things. Questions: Is there...? Are there...?

There is a lift. There are two beds. Is there Wi-Fi? Are there any towels?

I'd like, some and any

I'd like + noun or to + verb. Use some in positive sentences and any in negatives and questions.

I'd like a room. I'd like to book a table. There aren't any towels. Do you have any rooms?

Block 7 review

Use the grammar from this block.

Past Simple, holidays (L31) · polite requests (L32)

Common mistakes: there is / there are and some / any. ✗ There have a lift → There is a lift. ✗ I don't have some towels → I don't have any towels.

4.2

Choose the right form

  1. There
    a lift in the hotel.
  2. There
    two beds in the room.
  3. there Wi-Fi?
  4. there any towels?
  5. I'd like
    double room.
  6. I'd like
    a table.
  7. There aren't
    towels.
  8. Do you have
    rooms?
4.3

Fix the mistake

Each sentence has one mistake. Type the correct words.

  1. There have a lift. →
  2. There is two beds. →
  3. I don't have some towels. →
  4. I'd like book a room. →
  5. Have there Wi-Fi? →
  6. Is there any towels? →
4.4

Talk about it

Answer in detail. Use There is / There are and I'd like.

  1. What do you look for in a hotel?
  2. Describe a hotel you know.
  3. What is in your perfect hotel room?
  4. Do you prefer a hotel, a flat or a campsite?
  5. What do you ask for at reception?
  6. What would you like to change in a hotel you know?
5

Choose a hotel and a short talk

8 min
5.1

Choose a hotel

Three guests need a hotel. Say what each guest needs and what kind of hotel is best. Which room would you choose for yourself?

Person 1

Mark, 30

  • Has a business meeting
  • Needs Wi-Fi
  • Wants to be in the centre
  • Has little time
Person 2

Mr and Mrs Berg

  • Are 70 years old
  • Want a quiet place
  • Need a lift
  • Love nature
Person 3

The Ivanenko family

  • Two adults and two children
  • Want a swimming pool
  • Don't want to spend too much
  • Travel by car
5.2

Mini-talk: my perfect hotel

Your teacher will time you.

  1. Plan for one minute, then speak for one or two minutes.
  2. Part 1: where the hotel is and what it looks like.
  3. Part 2: what there is in the room and in the hotel (there is / there are).
  4. Part 3: what you would like to do there.
2:00
6

Personal questions

10 min
6.1

Part I: Me

  1. Do you like staying in hotels?
  2. What is the best hotel you know?
  3. Do you prefer a big or a small hotel?
  4. What is important in a room for you?
  5. Do you eat breakfast at the hotel?
  6. Do you read reviews before you book?
  7. What do you always take to a hotel?
  8. Do you use hotel Wi-Fi?
6.2

Part II: Other people

  1. Where do your parents stay on holiday?
  2. Who in your family works in a hotel?
  3. Who do you travel with?
  4. Who chooses the hotel in your family?
  5. Where do your friends stay in other cities?
  6. Who complained about a hotel?
6.3

Part III: A bit deeper

  1. Is a hotel better than a flat for a holiday?
  2. Is a cheap hotel enough for you?
  3. Are online reviews always honest?
  4. Should hotels be all-inclusive?
  5. What makes a hotel special?
7

Roleplay

12 min
7.1

At reception

You

Guest

You arrive at a hotel (your teacher is the receptionist). Check in:
  • say you have a reservation
  • ask about breakfast time
  • ask if there is Wi-Fi and a lift
  • ask what time check-out is
Speak for at least 2 minutes in total. Use There is / There are and I'd like.
Your teacher

Receptionist

Says things like:
  1. Good evening. Your name, please?
  2. Breakfast is from 7 to 10.
  3. Yes, there is Wi-Fi and a lift.
  4. Check-out is at 12.
7.2

Changing a room

You

Guest

There is a problem in your room. Call reception (your teacher):
  • say your room number
  • explain the problem (too noisy, no towels)
  • ask for another room or for help
  • say thank you
You do most of the talking. Use: There is... · There aren't any... · Could I...?
Your teacher

Receptionist

Says things like:
  1. How can I help you?
  2. What is the problem?
  3. I can give you another room.
  4. I'm sorry about that.
8

Homework

at home

Your homework score

Do all four exercises, then press Check all homework. Correct answers will appear next to your mistakes.

– / 30
H1

Complete with a word

reservationdouble roomreceptionkeytowelWi-Ficheck outcomfortable
  1. I have a for two nights.
  2. We'd like a for the weekend.
  3. Please leave the key at .
  4. I lost my room .
  5. Could I have a clean ?
  6. Is there in the room?
  7. We have to by noon.
  8. The bed is very .
H2

Block 7 review: choose the correct form

  1. There a lift.
  2. There two beds.
  3. there Wi-Fi?
  4. I'd like a room.
  5. We in a small hotel.
  6. Could you me?
  7. I don't have towels.
  8. What time the train leave?
H3

Correct or incorrect? (Block 7 review)

Decide if each sentence is grammatically correct.

  1. There is a lift in the hotel.
  2. There have a swimming pool.
  3. Are there any towels?
  4. I'd like book a room.
  5. We booked a double room.
  6. There is two beds.
  7. Is breakfast included?
H4

Match the two halves

  1. I have a reservation
  2. I'd like to book
  3. Is breakfast
  4. What time
  5. Is there
  6. Could I have another
  7. Can I

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© Yevheniia Kolesnykova, Academy of Languages. All rights reserved. No copying or reuse without written permission.