Prepositions of Place (in, on, under, next to, between)

Start here. Knowing how to describe where things are is essential for navigating new places, following directions, and understanding conversations about locations. You will use these prepositions throughout the path.

Train Tickets

Listen to a tourist ask a local for help buying a train ticket, including cost, platform, frequency, and where to get off. A short, practical conversation with useful vocabulary like “platform” and “not make heads or tails of.”

Hotel Reservations

Listen to a man call a hotel to book a room, asking about availability, room types, and cost. A natural customer service conversation with useful vocabulary like “suite,” “kitchenette,” and “book.” The lesson includes two idioms: “roll out the red carpet” and “24/7.”

A Fish Out of Water

This medium-to-high frequency idiom means to feel uncomfortable or out of place in a new situation. A natural fit for travelers adjusting to unfamiliar cultures and environments. Sample sentences, conversation questions, and a grammar activity help you use it correctly.

Sightseeing Tours Around Town

Listen to two people plan a day of sightseeing, weighing up museums, restaurants, a zoo, and the beach. A practical conversation full of place prepositions and useful travel expressions like “recommend,” “pick up,” and “souvenir.”

Travel Accommodations

Randall discusses what to look for when choosing a place to stay, covering the three key factors of location, price, and amenities. Filmed at an Airbnb in San Diego just a few blocks from the beach, this short video gives practical vocabulary and real-world context for booking accommodation.

Simple Past Tense (regular and irregular verbs)

Learn how to talk about completed trips, past experiences, and travel memories. The simple past is the essential tense for recounting what happened on a journey, and you will use it in every travel story you tell.

Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover

A medium-to-high frequency idiom meaning you cannot judge someone or something by appearances alone. Particularly relevant to cross-cultural travel, where first impressions of people and places can be misleading. Sample sentences, a conversation question, and a grammar activity are included.

Superlatives (the tallest, the most beautiful, the best, the worst)

Learn how to describe extremes and standout experiences. Superlatives are everywhere in travel conversations: “the most amazing view,” “the best restaurant,” “the longest flight.” The listening passage follows four international students, each outstanding in a different way.

New York Travel

Listen to a tour guide walk a group through their New York City itinerary, covering the flight, transportation from the airport, the hotel, sightseeing around Times Square, a ferry ride, and catching a musical. Useful vocabulary includes “itinerary,” “depart,” “ferry,” and “fortunate,” plus two idioms: “hit the road” and “be in the same boat.”

Car Rental

Listen to a man rent a car for an out-of-the-way road trip, navigating insurance options, fuel costs, and vehicle choices. A practical, fast-paced conversation with useful vocabulary like “hassle,” “lemon,” and “incidental,” plus two idioms: “catch one’s eye” and “pay through the nose.”

Plane Travel

Randall shares three practical tips for a smooth airport experience: checking in online and getting your boarding pass ready, understanding baggage limits and weight restrictions, and arriving at the airport early. Key vocabulary includes “boarding pass,” “domestic,” and “transition.”

Travel on Sky Airlines

Listen to a flight attendant announce key flight information including the flight number, duration, local arrival time, weather at the destination, and gate information. A short, practical listening activity with useful vocabulary like “bound,” “altitude,” “destination,” and “connecting flight.”

Summer Vacations

Listen to a man and woman compare vacation preferences and plan a summer trip. A natural, wide-ranging conversation that pulls together past tense, superlatives, and travel vocabulary, with two idioms: “hit the road” and “drive someone up the wall.”