Have you ever thought about living and studying in the UK? Which city would you choose? 

UK universities rank highest in global university ranking and have good reputations. That's probably the reason why so many international students want to study in the UK. 

Leah is currently a student in Newcastle. Read the conversation below to find out how she decided to study there, what she is studying and what she is planning to do in the future. 


Leah: I'm studying in the UK now. I got here in January this year. 
Reni: Oh, that's great. Which city are you staying in? 
Leah: I'm in Newcastle now, but a few months ago I went to Manchester to do a short course. Then, I went back home and applied for university in the UK. 
Reni: I see. What are you studying? 
Leah: My major is Cross-Cultural Communication, but now I'm taking the pre-master's courses. If I pass the exams, I'll progress to a master's degree. 
Reni: And how long is this programme? 
Leah: It's from January till September. It's not that long. We have three semesters in total. 
Reni: Sounds good. What do you think about your subjects? Do you like what you're studying? 
Leah: I'm taking the compulsory courses to prepare myself for studying at postgraduate level. We have five modules: International Business and Management, EAP (English for Academic Purposes), social and cultural studies, and a few more. It's really academic and the way we study here is totally different from China. I mean, I'm still getting used to everything. 
Reni: I see. What made you choose Newcastle? 
Leah: Well, even though I was accepted in other universities, I really wanted to study at Newcastle University. I checked their website to see what courses they offer, and came across Cross-Cultural Communication. 
Reni: What did you study before that? 
Leah: Well, I didn't major in this field. I studied Financial Management, but that major was chosen by my parents. I didn't like it, actually, and I don't feel like I have taken away much from it. 
Reni: Where in China are you from? 
Leah: I'm from a city called Ningbo. I'm not sure if you've heard it before. It's south of Shanghai. 
Reni: Yes, sounds familiar. Did you study there? 
Leah: Yeah, I studied in my city. I didn't go to college in another city. 
Reni: How old are you? 
Leah: I'm 24 years old now. 
Reni: Well, I think you have a lot of time to explore your interests and to decide what you want to do in the future. 
Leah: Yes, I think so. I feel like it's a really amazing experience for me to come here because it's a very different country and I'm still getting used to everything, especially the food, the transport and the teaching style as well. You know, culture shock. Anyway, I'm glad I can experience what living in the UK is like.
Reni: But you've already been there for about three weeks, so I think that's enough to get used to it. 
Leah: Yes. And I think the experience that I had in Manchester a few months ago helped me a lot as I've been to the UK before. To be honest, my situation was a bit complicated when I was applying for university. I arrived in Newcastle later than anyone else and I missed the orientation week. Basically, when I got here, it took me some time to catch up and I had to deal with everything by myself. That was a little bit frustrating. 
Reni: Was your visa delayed? Was that the reason? 
Leah: The main reason why I was late was because I got my graduate certificate later than others and I registered for my course later. 
Reni: Are there any other Chinese students in your university? 
Leah: Sure. Actually, there are a lot of international Chinese students nowadays. In fact, the UK is a very popular country for Chinese students who want to study abroad. 
Reni: I suppose so. And what are your goals after you finish your education? Are you planning to look for a job in the UK or go back to China? 
Leah: I will definitely go back to China because my friends and parents are there and I'm here just to study something different. I'm not planning on working here – at least not right now. 
Reni: Well, I think that's a great place to be where you can use English every day. 
Leah: Yes, and everybody is really friendly and polite in the UK. They always say 'Thank you', 'Excuse me', 'Sorry'. In my country, we don't say 'Sorry' all the time. We say 'Thank you', but we don't say 'Sorry' a lot unless you make a mistake or something, and you apologise.
Reni: What is your impression of Newcastle and if you compare it with Manchester, which city do you like most? 
Leah: Newcastle is smaller, I think, and it's convenient for me. When I was in Manchester, I lived in a homestay and it would normally take me about 20 minutes to go to university by bus and the transport fee there is quite high. It cost me like £15 per week. In Newcastle, I don't really have to pay for that because I'm living in the city centre and the school is in close proximity. There are also supermarkets around where I go and buy food.
Reni: Do you live on campus? 
Leah: Yes, it's a dormitory, I think. 
Reni: Yes, dormitories are located on campus. 
Leah: Well, the reason why I love living in Newcastle is because it's a very walkable city. I mean, you can get anywhere you want on foot. 
Reni: That's great because you can save money on transport. 
Leah: Yeah, definitely. Before coming here, I was worried about the transport cost but now I know that there's nothing to worry about as it takes me two minutes to get to university and there's no need to pay for transport. 
Reni: How about Ningbo? 
Leah: My city... Well, I mean, in China, the price of transport is not very high. I think, in comparison with the transport fee in the UK, it's much cheaper. And in my city the transport is actually really convenient, but China is really big, so if you travel somewhere, it takes a long time. It's much longer than here in the UK. Everything is in the neighbourhood, so it's convenient here. 
Reni: Yes, everything is withing walking distance. 
Leah: Exactly! 
Reni: How about food prices? 
Leah: The prices of eggs, milk, bread, or chicken are relatively low compared with prices in China, but fruit and vegetables are more expensive. 


VOCABULARY 

• have a good / bad reputation (collocations) 
• ​apply for university (collocation) 
• pre-master's courses - Preparation courses designed for international students which help them prepare academically and make the transition to the British education system, improve their English skills, and progress to their chosen degree. 
• compulsory courses - courses within your programme that you must pass in order to meet the regulations to be eligible to graduate 
• postgraduate level - studying for a master's degree 
• totally different | completely different (collocations) 
• come across (phrasal verb) - discover something by chance 
• take something away from something (phrasal verb) - to learn something from an experience or activity 
• catch up (phrasal verb) - to find out about things that have happened 
• live in a homestay - live with a host family 
• in close proximity - near something 
• campus - the buildings of a university or college and the land around them 
• on campus - Most students live on campus. 
• dormitory - a building for university or college students to live in 
• save on something - to use less money 
• nothing to worry about (spoken) - used to tell someone that something is not as serious or difficult as they think 
• pay for something - I'll pay for the tickets. 
• within walking distance (phrase) - near enough to walk to easily 
• food prices (collocation) 
• compared to/with something - When you consider the size, quality, or amount of something in relation to something similar. 

Other lessons:
Story Time: Travelling in Spain 
Story Time: Travelling in France 
Travel Tips: How to Ask for Information and Make Recommendations 
English Lesson: How to talk about your higher education 

English conversation lessons: 
English Conversation: Travel opinions 
English Conversation: Travel experience 
English Conversation: Travelling in Europe and Asia 
English Conversation: Buying sunscreen products at a store 
English Conversation: Socialising with people and working in coffee shops 


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In this lesson, you will learn how to respond to what people say. When we have conversations, we usually show interest in what has been said or we want to agree with the other person. 

Let's look at how you can do that in conversational English and how you can actually use very short responses to convey the information. 

ADJECTIVES 
You can make short sentences by using adjectives. 

Great 
It is used in spoken English to express pleasure or agreement. 

Examples: 

• 'Let's go to the movies then.' — 'Yeah, great, why not.'  (the movies = the cinema) 
• 'We can have dinner before the film'. — 'Great. I'll pick you up at six, then.' 

That's interesting. 

Examples: 

• I met my boyfriend in Spain.' — 'In Spain? That's interesting.' 
• 'I'm a doctor and I've been working for about eight years now.' — 'Oh, that's interesting.' 
• A: Where exactly are you from, Kim? 
  B: Well, I'm Vietnamese. I was born in Hanoi, but I've been working in Australia for the last couple of years. 
  A: That's interesting. And what are you doing in Berlin? 
  ​B: I'm here for a conference. 

Wow! That's amazing! | How amazing! 

Examples: 

• 'I got a new job.' — 'That's amazing!' 
• 'I'm going to study in the UK for one year.' — 'Wow! That's amazing!' 
• A: Do you work in a public or private hospital?
  B: Before I worked in a public hospital, because the best hospitals in China are the public ones. Recently I moved to another hospital because the work is really hard and the salary is not equal to my efforts. I got an offer from an international hospital in Shanghai. 
  A: Wow, that's a great opportunity. How amazing! 

Note: 'Wow!' is an exclamation. We use it to express that we are very surprise or impressed by something. 
​

ADVERBS 
​When we want to show that we agree with someone or something, we use adverbs like absolutely, definitely and certainly. You can add 'Yes/Yeah, ...' if you wish. 

Absolutely 
In spoken English, we use 'absolutely' to show that we completely agree with someone. 

Examples: 

• 'Do you think she'll like the present?' — 'Absolutely.' 
• 'It's expensive, isn't it?' — 'Absolutely.' 
• 'Did you enjoy the workshop?' — 'Absolutely.' 

Definitely 
You can use it in informal conversations to emphasise that there is no doubt about something. 

Examples: 

• 'Was the party what you expected?' — 'Yes, definitely.' 
• 'Do you like living here?' — 'Yeah, definitely. Living here is great for many reasons. I like the fact that there are plenty of green spaces and outdoor activities. I never get bored.' 

Certainly 
In spoken English, we use 'certainly' to agree or to give permission to someone. 

Examples: 

• 'May I see your passport, please?' — 'Certainly.' 
• 'Could you lend me some money?' — 'Certainly.' 
• 'Can I come over at five o'clock?' — 'Certainly, see you then!' [come over (to...) - to come to a place, especially somebody’s house, to visit for a short time] 

Note: In everyday English, people usually say of course or sure rather than certainly when they agree or give permission. 

Example: 

• 'Can I call you later?' — 'Of course.' 

​
​​
QUESTIONS 
Using echo and reply questions is a good way of showing interest in conversations. We sometimes add oh and really. 

ECHO QUESTIONS 
In conversations people show interest and surprise by using echo questions. They repeat the surprising information in the statement with rising intonation. 

Examples: 

• A: I've heard she has a new boyfriend.
  B: A new boyfriend? 
  A: Yes. She met him in Spain. 
  B: In Spain? 
• A: I bought my suitcase for $100.  
  B: $100? Why so much? 
  A: I actually thought there was a discount. 

REPLY QUESTIONS 
Reply questions can also be used to express interest and surprise. They consist of auxiliary verbs and pronouns with rising intonation. 

Examples: 

• 'We had a terrible holiday.' — 'Did you?' [You need to ask a question with the same tense of the verb that is used in the statement. In this case it is Past Simple.] 
• ​'I've got a headache.' — 'Have you? I'll get you something for it.' 
• 'I try to keep fit, so I usually go to the gym three times a week.' — 'Do you?' 
• 'I don't like spicy food.' — 'Oh, don't you?' 
• 'I'm going to Italy in September.' — 'Are you?' 
• 'I can't swim.' — 'Can't you? Well, it's never too late to learn.' 

​

Other lessons:
English Lesson: 5 Types of Lifestyle 
English Lesson: Describing a Friend 
Commonly Used Phrases in Spoken English 

English conversation lessons: 
English Conversation: Travel opinions 
English Conversation: Travel experience 
English Conversation: Travelling in Europe and Asia 
English Conversation: Buying sunscreen products at a store 
English Conversation: Socialising with people and working in coffee shops 

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(You don't have to, but if you do, that would be very nice of you.) 

The way we say 'goodbye' is different depending on the place where we live, who we say it to, if we see the person every day or if we won't see each other for a long time. 

In this lesson, you will read short dialogues between people saying 'goodbye'. Pay attention to each scenario and the words used. 
​
Do the task at the end of the lesson to practise what you have learned. 

Let's focus on some GOODBYE SCENARIOS. 

INFORMAL CONVERSATIONS 

(1) You are old friends. You haven't seen each other for years now. One of you is travelling to the other person's country and has been staying with him/her for a few days. You are at the airport. Thank your friend for putting you up. (= letting you stay at their home) 

Kevin: It was great seeing you again after so long. Thanks so much for having me to stay. 
Rachel: Don't mention it. You can come back any time. 
Kevin: I'd love to. But next time you must come and visit me. 
Rachel: Oh, that'd be great! Well, I've got some vacation coming up. I might come for a week. 
Kevin: Fantastic! 
Rachel: Your flight's being called. You should really make a move. 
Kevin: Oh, yeah. Thanks for having me and showing me around. 
Rachel: It was nothing, really. Don't forget to let me know you got there OK. 
Kevin: I will do. I'll text. 
Rachel: Now get going before you miss your flight. Take care and see you again soon. Bye! 
Kevin: Thanks. Bye, Rachel. 

Ways to say 'You're welcome': 

• No worries. 
• No problem. 
• My pleasure. 
• Don't mention it. 
• It was nothing. 

(2) You are best friends from school. One of you is going to Japan for a year. The other is staying at home to finish their studies. Promise each other to keep in touch. 

Karen: We haven't been apart for so long. I'll miss you. 
Emily: Yeah, I'll miss you, too. It's only a year. I promise we'll keep in touch. We can make video calls every week. I'll send you pictures, too. I can't wait to go there already. 
Karen: I'm so happy and excited for you! 
Emily: Maybe you can come and visit me while I'm there. 
Karen: I wish I could, but you know I need to finish my studies. 
Emily: Yeah, right. 
Karen: We'll be in touch for sure. 
Emily: Definitely! Well, I have to go now. I need to pack my bags and get ready. 
Karen: Sure. It will be a long flight. Text me when you get there. 
Emily: Will do. 
Karen: Take care. Bye for now. 
Emily: Bye, Karen. 

(3) You are ending a Skype call with a language exchange friend. 

Hana: Nice talking to you. 
Linh: Yeah. Maybe we can chat again sometime soon? 
Hana: I'll be online at the weekend, probably. 
Linh: OK, I'll check around this time to see if you're online. 
Hana: OK, great. 
Linh: Bye for now. 

Common ways to say "Nice talking to you": 

• It was great chatting with you. 
• Good to chat with you. 
• It was great to talk to you. 
• Nice to talk to you again. 
• Nice talking to you. 

Note: We say "chat with" and "talk to". 


​FORMAL CONVERSATIONS 

(4) You meet a colleague at a company event. You have a small talk but then one of you leaves. 

Harry: Happy to see you here, Anna. Back for another company event? 
Anna: Oh, Harry, lovely to see you here. 
Harry: How are things? 
Anna: I've been quite busy with work lately. And you? 
Harry: Well, I just came back from holiday. I was away for two weeks and now I'm falling behind on tasks. I'm trying to get myself organised again. 
Anna: Yeah, that must be tough. 
Harry: So, Anna, um, would you like a drink? 
Anna: No, I'm fine thanks. 
Harry: Well, it's been nice talking to you, Anna. You don't mind if I go and get myself a coffee? See you later. 
Anna: Sure. See you. 

Ways to end a conversation: 

• See you later. 
• Look, I have to go. Catch you later. 
• It's been nice talking to you. 
• You don't mind if I go and get myself (a coffee)? 

​(5) You are workmates saying goodbye on Friday, at the end of the week. One of you is celebrating your promotion with a drink after work. The other has to stay to finish some work. 

John: OK, I'm off now. 
Mark: Have a nice weekend. See you on Monday. 
John: Oh, Mark. I almost forgot. I'm taking colleagues out for drinks to celebrate my promotion. We're going to a bar in about an hour.
Mark: That's great news. Congratulations! 
John: Thanks. Will you join us? 
Mark: That'd be great, but I have a deadline to meet and I need to work overtime to finish the task. 
John: It's OK. Well, see you next week then. Bye now! 
Mark: Bye. 

(6) The last moments with your boss on your last day at work. 

Chris: We're sorry to see you go. Thank you for all your hard work. 
Kevin: It was great working with all of you. 
Chris: Oh, this is for you, Kevin - just a little something from us. 
Kevin: Oh, that's very thoughtful of you. You needn't have done that. 
Chris: It's nothing really. Best of luck in your future endeavours. 
Kevin: Thank you. 


TASK: 
Write two dialogues in full using the goodbye scenarios below. The first one needs to be an informal conversation and the second one formal. 

1. You are flatmates. One of you is going out for an hour or two to do some shopping. The person going out asks whether their flatmate wants anything from the shops. 
2. You are colleagues at a dinner party. One of you is the host. The other decides to leave even though it is still early. The early leaver needs to make a decent excuse. 

Other lessons:
10 Ways to Say that Something is Good  
10 Ways to Say that Something is Bad 
English Lesson: 5 Types of Lifestyle 

English conversation lessons: 
English Conversation: Travel opinions 
English Conversation: Travel experience 
English Conversation: Travelling in Europe and Asia 
English Conversation: Buying sunscreen products at a store 

Business English lessons: 
English Lesson: Jobs and Skills 
Business English: Working in an office 
Business English: How to Talk about Your Job Responsibilities 


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How do people in your country usually socialise? Do you like socialising or do you prefer to spend time alone? What do you normally do to socialise? What do you think about working in coffee shops? 

Read the conversation below to learn about socialising in Vietnam. 

Pay close attention to word combinations. You can also take notes in your notebook. 

Kate: How do people in your country socialise? 
Liem: In Vietnam, it's really common to invite your colleagues for dinner after work. It's all about getting together to relax. I need to mention, though, that people drink a lot... I would say at least three bottles of beer per person. Usually they drink more until they're drunk. I don't like it because it's really unhealthy. That is the most common way to socialise in Vietnam. With your co-workers, it's always about eating and drinking, but with your friends, you can ask them to have a coffee at the weekend. In Vietnam, it's common to go to a coffee shop, and order a coffee or juice. You can sit there chatting for hours and hours. There are plenty of coffee shops you can choose from or you may have a favourite one. Personally, I don't drink coffee and I tend to stay at home. I would go only if someone invited me. I'm not very active in asking people to hang out, but my girlfriend likes staying in a coffee shop and working there, whereas I don't. 
Kate: I was going to ask you if people work in coffee shops as well, because I see this is becoming a trend nowadays and they seem to be the new workplace. 
Liem: Yeah, there are a lot of people working in coffee shops, however, I don't feel they're working because for me it isn't a workplace. If someone brings a laptop, put it on a table, order a drink, and stay there, I would think they're surfing Facebook, watching movies or doing something else rather than working. You know, how to work in a coffee shop when a lot of people are talking, moving around and there are a lot of distractions on your laptop? 
Kate: And also music... Music playing in the background in the coffee shop. 
Liem: And I also think a coffee shop is a place where people show off their latest gear, like their laptops. They usually bring their best laptop, for instance Macbook, and they put it on the table along with their phone. This is what I think when I see them using a Macbook in public. 
Kate: Yes, and actually I can't imagine myself taking my laptop, going to a coffee shop and using it there. I mean, to me, this feels really uncomfortable and it's not typical for me. 
Liem: Yeah, I could never do it! 
Kate: Yes, me neither. And do you know what? I've seen a lot of images of Japanese people who go to coffee shops to study English, and they pile their textbooks on the table, they take pictures of their drinks, food and they study there. I'm not sure if this can help you study anything, though. 
Liem: The only thing I think I can do in a coffee shop is brainstorming some ideas. I would choose a garden themed café because that would inspire me. I would never study in a coffee shop, especially studying English, because I can't speak out loud. It's really important to me. I'd rather stay at home and watch movies on TV. 
Kate: In English? 
Liem: Yes, in English, and turn off the subtitles. In Vietnam, we have garden cafés which are a popular café style. They are usually huge and may accommodate up to 500 people. There are lots of tables and a garden in the middle. I'm looking for an image to show you what it looks like. 
Kate: Oh, wow! And this is in Vietnam? Oh, I've never seen this type of coffee shops. I've watched videos with coffee shops in South Korea, but I've never seen anything like that, not even close. 
Liem: I think it's really specific to Vietnam. And yeah, it's worth a visit if you go to Vietnam. 
​Kate: I think there are a lot of coffee shops that I could visit, especially if they all look like that. 
Liem: Yeah. But I would say their coffee is terrible. Horrible. They usually charge high prices and what you get tastes like instant coffee, but it's not. And if you order an orange juice, you will get a little bit of orange juice with a lot of water and sugar. 
Kate: So they don't give you a normal orange juice and add water instead to make it seem more? That's not very fair. 
Liem: Yeah, but you see, they need to spend a lot of money on rent and maintaining the place. So, that's why. Drinks are a little bit expensive, but when you go there, you want to enjoy the refreshing and greenery surroundings, not the drink itself.  
​
​
​TASK:
Answer the questions below. Leave us a comment! 

1. How do people in your country socialise? 
2. Do you have unique coffee shops in your country? Can you describe them? 
3. Do you think coffee shops are the next workplace? Why / Why not? Is this common in your country? 
4. Do you think working in coffee shops is annoying? 

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What do you usually take with you when you go travelling? Do you change money before visiting another country? What is the longest journey you've ever made? How do you usually spend your time? What is the best and worst thing about travelling? 
​
Read the conversation between a European person (Emily) and a Chinese person (Irene). It may give you some travel ideas as well as inspiration. 

Pay close attention to word combinations. You can also take notes in your notebook. 

Emily: What do you usually take with you when you go travelling? 
Irene: I always take my camera as well as make-up and clothes. I love taking photos when I travel.
As far as shopping, I prefer paying by card. I know that some people prefer changing money before visiting another country which is quite a good idea. I like buying local souvenirs because they remind me of the places I've been to. Having a guidebook is also essential for me. It helps me during my trips and I make sure I don't miss anything. Sometimes I bring my laptop with me because I can find information online and Internet access is really important when travelling. You can check hotels and book tickets as well. Electronic devices are definitely a must. 
Emily: Do you usually travel with your family or your friends? 
Irene: Most of the time I travel with my family, but sometimes I travel with friends. 
Emily: What is the longest journey you've ever made? 
Irene: I usually travel for about two weeks, sometimes even one. I've been to Canada, France and Spain and I spent two weeks in each country. 
Emily: What's the best place you've been to? 
Irene: Definitely Europe. I love France and Spain. I hope to have the opportunity to visit other European countries in the future. 
Emily: Chinese people love Europe so much. What do you like most? 
Irene: The architecture, the food and the people are amazing. 
Emily: What is the best and worst thing about travelling to a new country? 
Irene: The best things about travelling are experiencing a different culture and trying local food. The thing I worry the most is safety. I always consider that before travelling and when I choose what countries and cities to visit. I also think about the language. When I went to France and Spain, for instance, I couldn't communicate with local people because of the language barrier. We rented a car but when we went to a petrol station, we didn't know how to fill up the tank ourselves. It was a self-service petrol station. Everyone knew how to do it but because we didn't know how to ask them in their language, we just waited there. This happened in a small town in France and people there didn't speak English. Some people didn't know how to ask us, but finally a couple who spoke English helped us fill up our car. I still remember them and the way the helped us. 
Emily: Oh, that's really kind of them. Well, it's always challenging to do something for the first time, isn't it?
Irene: Yes, that's true. 
Emily: When you travel, how do you spend your time? 
Irene: My husband and I have different interests. I prefer going to cities with long history, magnificent architecture, and I also enjoy visiting museums, whereas my husband and my son prefer places with natural beauty. Or they go to beaches with beautiful sea views. They can lie on the beach all day long. They never go anywhere else. Sometimes we go to beaches in Thailand. For me, it's a terrible thing. Why would someone stay at the seaside all day long? It's so boring. You can go to other places, communicate with local people and try delicious food. I like to explore the city I go to whereas my husband and my son only want to relax. They like sunbathing and sitting around doing nothing. 
Emily: I see. I also do quite a lot of sightseeing. The most important thing is that you all have a good time. Let me ask you something. Who in your family travels the most? 
Irene: I like travelling the most, but maybe my parents. After their retirement, they travel several times a year. Sometimes they travel within China and sometimes they go abroad. They have a lot of free time. 
Emily: This reminds me of a question regarding pensions. When Chinese people retire, do they get enough money? 
Irene: Not all elderly people, but if those living in the cities had a stable job before retirement, after that they have enough money for travelling. Most of them have savings and they can afford it. My parents seldom go shopping. They don't buy anything special. They travel for the experience and they don't spend much when travelling. 
Emily: What was the last place your parents visited? 
Irene: They went to Egypt several months ago. Last month they went to a city in China with beautiful natural scenery. Recently they went to a valley nearby Shanghai. I encourage my parents to travel as much as they can. They usually travel in a group. It's more convenient for them. 
Emily: Do you sometimes travel all together? I mean, your family and your parents. 
Irene: Several years ago we travelled together, but recently my parents started travelling in a group. They think it's better for them. If they travel with us, we sometimes go to places they don't like. Another thing is that when we travel abroad, we do it during the summer holiday. At this time of the year, the airfare is higher. My parents don't necessarily travel in the summer because they have plenty of free time and they can choose another time of the year. They can travel on working days when the airfare is cheaper. 
Emily: Where would you like to go on vacation? 
Irene: I always feel excited before I go on vacation. I think that if you choose the right person to travel with, it doesn't matter where you go. 

​
TASK:
Answer the questions below.

1. Do you usually change money before going abroad? 
2. What is your favourite type of holiday? 
3. How do you spend your time? 

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​Are you interested in travelling abroad? Where would you like to go?
Do you have experience organising a trip yourself? Who do you usually travel with? 

Read the conversation between a European person (Jane) and a Chinese person (Kaylin). It may give you some travel ideas as well as inspiration. 

Pay close attention to word combinations. You can also take notes in your notebook. 

Jane: Do you have any plans for the summer? 
Kaylin: No, I don't have plans for the summer, but I'm going to Italy in October. I find Europe really beautiful and people there are so nice and friendly. The air quality is much better compared to China. I always travel with my husband, daughter and sometimes with my parents-in-law. The only thing I usually worry about before travelling abroad is safety. I've heard that Europe is currently not that safe and I'm a little bit worried. But I think this is not a major problem because we organised the trip with a local travel agency. We booked the flight tickets and we applied for tourist visas ourselves. After we arrive in Rome, an employee from the travel agency will pick us up at the airport. We are going to spend 7 days in Italy and 4 days in France. 
Jane: Which cities are you going to visit in Italy? 
Kaylin: We're going to visit Rome, Milan and Florence. 
Jane: So it's an organised trip, isn't it? 
Kaylin: Yes, it's organised in Italy. We've been to France before so we don't need an organised trip there and we can travel ourselves. In France, we're going to Paris and Nice. 
Jane: So you said you had already booked your tickets. Who are you travelling with? 
Kaylin: I'm going with my husband, daughter and some friends. We're five adults and one kid. 
Jane: I see. Is there any reason for choosing Italy? 
Kaylin: Yes, because Italy is my ideal country. I searched for information about these cities on the Internet. Some friends of mine told me about Italy and how beautiful it is. I'm interested in the country's history as well. Unfortunately, it's a traditional Chinese holiday in October and the ticket prices are a bit too high at that time of the year. 
Jane: How much does it cost per adult? 
Kaylin: I bought round-trip tickets and it was about 7,500 RMB per person. That's over $1,000. 
Jane: Isn't it cheaper for children? 
Kaylin: It's not cheap, actually. There's only a 10% discount. 
Jane: Well, that's not much. 

... 

Kaylin: Do you have any plans to visit Shanghai? 
Jane: I'd love to but I think it would be expensive. 
Kaylin: What do you think would be expensive? 
Jane: I think the flight tickets and also hotels. 
Kaylin: I think you should take advantage of the low-season airfares. For example, you can visit China from March till June or in November and December. Do you like cold weather? 
Jane: Not really. (both laughing) 
Kaylin: Then, I suggest you come to Shanghai in May or June. 
Jane: Apart from Shanghai, what other places would you recommend? 
Kaylin: Beijing, it's a historic city. 
Jane: I would like to visit the Forbidden City. To be honest, I don't really know many tourist attractions in Beijing. 

... 

Jane: I know that a lot of tourists visit China every year. Do you think they need to be careful when travelling in your country? 
Kaylin: I think Chinese people should change their mindset. For instance, cars won't stop for people to cross the street. I've been to other countries and drivers would always stop for us. It's terrible when people don't obey the rules in a country. 
Jane: What other advice would you give to tourists? What do you think would be useful for them to know? 
Kaylin: Probably food... Let me think. I guess, that's not a big problem. There are plenty of restaurants people can choose from. I think foreigners need to take the weather into account. Temperatures vary a great deal depending on the area. I think spring is the best time to visit China. 
Jane: Yes, it's a huge country, so I'm sure the weather can be quite different when you travel within the country. 

... 

Jane: There are a lot of people nowadays who organise their trips by themselves and they are solo travellers. Have you ever travelled alone? 
Kaylin: No, I haven't. I don't like travelling alone. Even when I'm on business trips, I always travel with a colleague. I'm scared to travel only by myself. 

... 

Jane: Have you ever had any bad hotel experience? 
Kaylin: Yes, I have. 
Jane: Where did it happen? 
Kaylin: In Thailand. The room was not very clean and their room service was not that satisfying. 
Jane: Do you remember the star rating? 
Kaylin: I'm not completely sure if it was 3 or 4 stars. Thailand is a popular tourist destination and I actually thought the quality of their service would be better. 
Jane: And how many times have you been to Thailand? 
Kaylin: I've been there twice. 
Jane: Which cities did you go to? 
Kaylin: I went to Phuket and Chiang Mai. 
Jane: Yeah, I know these places. Would you visit Thailand in the future? 
Kaylin: So far I have no plans to visit it again. 
Jane: What Asian countries would you like to visit and you haven't visited yet? 
Kaylin: I haven't been to Taiwan and Vietnam yet. 


TASK:
Leave a comment below and tell us about your recent travel experience or anything you like to share about travelling in your country or abroad. 

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When you are talking to people, it is really important to start a conversation as well as keep it going. Here's a very good example how you can have an informative and engaging conversation with someone. 

This is a real conversation between a European person (Jane) and a Chinese person (Kaylin). 

Jane: Where did you go on your last holiday? 
Kaylin: I went to Hokkaido. It is in the north part of Japan. 
Jane: Wow, that's great. I've never been to Japan. Who did you go with? 
Kaylin: I went there with my husband last month. We wanted to relax, and also go shopping. 
Jane: Sounds good! How long did you stay? 
Kaylin: We stayed there for almost six days. We booked a hotel online in advance. 
Jane: Isn't it expensive there? I've heard it's really expensive in Japan. 
Kaylin: It depends on which city you go to. In the north part of Japan, it's not that expensive compared to Tokyo, for example. Tokyo is an expensive city. But I think that if you choose Airbnb, it's not that pricey. It's around 200 or 300 RMB per night. Airbnb is way cheaper than a hotel. 
Jane: Who makes travel decisions in your family? 
Kaylin: Sometimes it's me, sometimes it's my husband who makes travel decisions. Actually, my friends suggested to go to Japan and we decided to join them. 
Jane: Was that your first time in Japan? 
Kaylin: Well, we go to Japan twice a year. 
Jane: Twice a year? Wow, that's quite often, actually. And why do you prefer going to Japan that often? 
Kaylin: I like going to Japan because of the culture and the distance. It only takes us two hours to get there by plane. 
Jane: I see. Do you prefer visiting other countries or travelling in China? 
Kaylin: I prefer both. I think there are really beautiful places in China. For instance, Xinjiang and Xizang provinces are more beautiful than foreign countries. 
Jane: Are these places far from Shanghai? 
Kaylin: If you want to go to Xinjiang, it's a 5-hour flight, and to Xizang, it's a 3-hour flight. Yes, it's far from Shanghai. 
Jane: Actually, Japan is closer to Shanghai. 
Kaylin: Yeah, Japan and South Korea are closer to Shanghai. 
Jane: Have you been to South Korea? 
Kaylin: Yes, I went there in October last year. We have a long holiday in China at that time of the year because it's a national holiday. 
Jane: Which city did you visit? 
Kaylin: We went to Seoul, but I think it's not very tourist-friendly. Personally, I prefer going to Japan. 
Jane: If you compare Japanese and Korean cuisine, which one do you like more? 
Kaylin: Of course, Japanese food. 
Jane: Really? I've actually heard that a lot of people prefer Korean food more. 
Kaylin: Korean food is spicy to me. I think Japanese food is more delicious. 
Jane: What countries would you like to visit in the future? 
Kaylin: I want to go to Italy next year. I'm not planning to go anywhere this year. I would also like to visit Spain and the UK. In 2015, I went to Germany, the Netherlands and France. 

... 

Jane: What do you need before you travel to another country? What do you need to prepare? 
Kaylin: It depends where I'm going to. If I choose Europe or the USA, I usually take some Chinese food with me. I don't like Western food. I'm Chinese, and I like rice and noodles. I went to the USA in 2016 and I didn't like their food. Even though there are Chinese restaurants in Europe and the USA, the food there is very expensive. 
Jane: So you went to the US last year? Which cities did you go to? 
Kaylin: I went to San Francisco, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. To be honest, I like Europe more. 
Jane: What's the best way to find travel deals? How do you usually organise your trips? 
Kaylin: We always travel with my friends. One of us books the tickets, someone else books hotels, and another person finds information about food and local dishes. 
​Jane: That's a great idea. I think I should do the same next time I decide to travel. Do you prefer going on a package tour or a tour you organise and book yourself? 
Kaylin: I prefer to organise everything myself. If you choose a travel agency, it is more expensive than doing it yourself, and it is not that flexible. 
Jane: Yes, you're right. Do you usually travel with a lot of luggage or do you like to travel light? 
Kaylin: It depends on which country I'm going to. When I went to Japan, I bought some Japanese cosmetics. 
Jane: Great. So was it expensive? 
Kaylin: It depends on the brand. Local brands are not very expensive. 

... 

Jane: What kind of holidays do you like? Do you like warm or cold weather? 
Kaylin: I like summer holidays. Holidays for me are just for relaxing, spending time with my family, and shopping as well. 
Jane: Have you had any bad experience when travelling? 
Kaylin: Well, I think Korean people are not very nice and friendly, and I find their food a bit expensive. In Thailand, for instance, people are friendly, but I don't like their tipping culture. You always need to leave a tip. It's the same in the USA. 
Jane: In China, you don't leave a tip, right? 
Kaylin: Yes, there are no tips. 


TASK:
Leave a comment below and tell us about your recent travel experience or anything you like to share about travelling in your country or abroad. 


Other lessons:
City Life – Going out 
Cities – Talk about your area 
Story Time: Travelling in Spain 
Story Time: Travelling in France 
Confusing words in English: Famous vs. Popular 
Confusing words in English: Crowded vs. Congested 

English conversation lessons: 
English Conversation: Travel opinions 
English Conversation: Travelling in Europe and Asia 
English Conversation: Buying sunscreen products at a store 
English Conversation: Socialising with people and working in coffee shops 


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Kate and Lisa are going on summer holiday in August. They need to buy sunscreen products so they decide to go to a store. 

Kate: We definitely need to buy sunscreens before we leave next week. 
Lisa: Yeah, you're right. Let's go to Lilly. I looked through their monthly brochure online. They have really great discounts on all sunscreen products. 
Kate: Oh, really? We shouldn't miss that. 
​
Later in the store... 

Lisa: Kate, come and have a look at these here. 
Kate: I'm not sure whether to get a spray or a lotion. 
Lisa: It's up to you. I personally prefer using a lotion. 
Kate: Do you know what SPF number offers better sun protection? 
Lisa: I would recommend using an SPF 30 or higher. I'm thinking of SPF 50+. My skin is quite fair and I don't want to get sunburned. 
Kate: What is the difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50+? 
Lisa: Well, you'll get a higher level of protection with SPF 50+. 
Kate: I see. I'm also going to get the same factor as you. 
Lisa: Oh, look at this lip balm. It has SPF 30 and sun flower extracts in it. It must be good. Hmm, I'll take it. 
Kate: Yeah, I'll get one too. 
Lisa: I'm really excited about the holiday. I can't wait to lie on the beach, have a swim, and relax. 
Kate: Oh, yes. Just what I need. 

* SPF tells how well a sunscreen protects you from sunburn. 


​VOCABULARY 

• be / get sunburned (also sunburnt) (verb) - to suffer from sunburn 
• sunburned (also sunburnt) (as an adjective) - tanned; brown from exposure to the sun 
• sunburn (noun) - having painful red skin because you have spent too much time in the sun 

Examples: 

• Since it was only three in the afternoon, the sun was still shining at its peak and I really didn't want to get sunburnt, so I kept my head down and tried to walk in the shade here and there. 
• I think my shoulders are a bit sunburned. 
• Enjoy your holiday and take care not to get sunburned. 
• a handsome sunburned face (an adjective) 
• You should buy a lotion to protect your skin from sunburn. (a noun) 

English Collocations with SWIM 

VERB + SWIM 

• go for a swim 
• have a swim 
• take a swim 

SWIM + NOUN 

• swimsuit / swimwear 
• swim trunks (North American English) | swimming trunks (British English) 
• swim coach 

Prepositions with BEACH 

• along a/the beach 
• at a/the beach 
• on a/the beach 

Examples: 

• Let's go for a swim. 
• Let's have a swim in the afternoon. 
• We walked along the beach. It was such a beautiful scenery. 
• I love to lie on a beach and read a book. 
• They met at the beach. 
• There are so many tourists sunbathing on the beach. 

​
Other lessons:
English Conversation: Travel opinions 
English Conversation: Travel experience 
English Conversation: Travelling in Europe and Asia 
Story Time: Running out of petrol on the highway 
English Conversation: Socialising with people and working in coffee shops 


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