| Level: |
Topic: |
Speakers: |
Length: |
| easy |
travel |
man – woman |
00:51 |
Pre-Listening Exercise
Finding discount plane tickets and cheap tours is only the first step to traveling abroad. Once you arrive at your destination, what things would you expect to do when passing through immigration and customs in a foreign country?
Speak Up, Take a Stand! Instructions for Getting the Conversation Started
These statements are designed to get everyone thinking, moving, and talking! The goal is to explore ideas, share opinions, and get ready for the next part of the lesson.
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In a face-to-face classroom: Read each statement aloud. If you agree, move to one side of the room; if you disagree, move to the other. Talk with your group—why do you feel that way? Then, pair students with members of the other group and have students explain their reasons. Rotate partners for more practice.
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In an online classroom: Use polls, emojis, or the chat box in your online platform to show your opinion. Then, join the conversation as a group or in breakout rooms. What do others think? Do you agree or disagree with them?
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For independent learners: Read each statement and think about your opinion. Then say your answer out loud and explain your reason, as if you’re talking to a classmate. This helps you get ready to speak and join real conversations in English. Consider recording your ideas and self-assess your progress.
- Everyone should carry a passport when traveling to another country.
- Immigration checks should be quick and easy for tourists.
- People should always declare everything they bring into a country at customs.
- Customs officers should speak multiple languages to help travelers.
- It’s important to follow all the rules when entering a new country.
- Tourists should not have to go through customs if they are only staying for a short time.
- Immigration rules are too strict in some countries.
- You should never lie to customs officers.
- Immigration checks help keep countries safe from dangerous items or people.
- It’s better to arrive at the airport early to avoid problems with customs.
Idioms
“roll with the punches” = adjust to difficult situations
“Living in a new country can be hard, but sometimes you just have to roll with the punches.”
“go to pieces” = lose emotional control
“She went to pieces at the airport when couldn’t understand what the immigration officer was saying.”
Listening Exercise
A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.
Vocabulary Practice
Do the vocabulary quizzes with the words from the conversation for more practice:
Post-Listening Exercise
What advice do you give a friend before he or she passes through an airport in your country (e.g. What documents should you have ready? Can you buy souvenirs at the airport? Where do you need to go to find public transportation into the city?, etc.)? What things can you carry on the airplane and what are the size requirements of your luggage?
Online Investigation
Many airlines have rules or restrictions on the size of luggage or bags you can take on the plane. Use the Internet to search for two companies that sell bags specifically for airline travel. Compare the bags based on price, quality, durability, and style.