t ere a

Talking about the h

weather e
n nearby?
Language practice
e Is this the
(What a)
a way t o
lovely/rotten/miserable day.
r
or (What) e ?
s I’m trying to get t o
lovely/rotten/miserable
weather. Yes, isn’t it? t .
i
The forecast’s bad/good, or s Giving
The forecast said its going to get
worse/better.
?
Excuse
directions
me,
where’s Language
Asking for help the
nearest practice
or information ? It’s on the left/right.
E I
Language practice t
x
Excuse me. Could you help me? or ’
Do you think you could give me a c
s
hand? Could/can you lend me a/your u
s o
e p
or Could/can I borrow a/your p
Do you know where m o
Do you know how to e s
Do you know what to do? , i
t
Asking for directions i e

Language practice s
t
Excuse me, can you tell me the way t o h
t
e
Excuse me, can you tell me where h
 It sounds
next to interesting.
There are
It’s beside good
Turn right at the junction/crossroads. career years. I was
prospects. responsible fo r
I want to M
specialise i y
n
d
Booking a holiday .
u
Language practice What do t
Can I take some brochures for Spain/Italy
you know i
etc? or
Do you have any brochures for Germany? about this e
I’d like to book a single/double/twin/family company/fir s
room in the m?
___________ for nights/from the___________
what w
to the
How much would work
have you e
that be? Do you
done r
need a deposit?
before? e
When do I pay the balance?
Could you suggest an alternative hotel in the
.
same area? In the same price range? I
I’d like to book a flight/holiday t o
(
. w i
a n
Improving your job s c
interview skills a
l
u
Language practice d
Note - These are questions you might be asked e
f
by the interviewer. Possible answers are o a
suggested, although you should answer as you r n
feel suitable. / y
Why did you apply fo r this job? a
t v
oluntary that might
work) D affect your
o ability to do the
What can you tell me about yourself? job?
I went to y
school/college i n o No. None that I am
studied u aware of
I’m single/married w ith
h Opening a
child/children. I worked a s a bank account
v Language
(see previous question) e practice
I lik e (hobbies I’d like to open a current
and interests - See chapter 1) I’m account/joint
a
account/deposit
outgoing, punctual, reliable.
n account.
I’m well qualified I’d like to apply for a
y
I have considerable mortgage/overdraft/loan.
experience o f
h Making
. I can drive/have my own e deposits,
car etc. a w ithdraw
l als and
What are your strengths and weaknesses? t transfers
I’m (very) good at . h
I’m weak/not so good a t .
Language
p practice
What can you offer us? Is that a . . . (to
r offer a choice o f
options)
(see the answers to the last two questions) o
b
What do ou do in your spare time? (see chapter l
1) e
I like/play . m
I’m a s
member o f
 At the
Bank
and
Study tips Post
Office

81
 Is that a current or a deposit account? Is that a diet or a regular coke?
Is that a small, medium or large pizza?

I’d like to withdraw , please. I’d like to pay this

into my account, please.
I’d like to transfer money from m y account to m y account,
please.
In fives/tens/twenties, please.

How wouldyou like . . . ( used to offer a choice o f options)

How would you like the cash?

How would you like your eggs? Fried or boiled?
How would you like your steak? Rare, medium or well done?

Helping you learn

Progress questions
Q How many different kinds of bank account can you name?

□ What are the advantages and disadvantages of the different

kinds?

El Which bills or accounts can you pay at the post office or bank?

Discussion points
a Do you prefer to make payments using cheque, debit/credit
cards or cash? Why?

B Do you think cash will become redundant in the future? 1 1 What do

you think of banking by telephone, by computer,
or on the internet?
 Practical assignment
Ask at the bank or post office for a few withdrawal and deposit slips and
practise filling them in.

Making a 999 call

Language practice

• N o te - in an emergency dial 999. Calls are free. You can also dial
112.

Fire/police/ambulance/coastguard/mountain rescue, please. My

house is on fire. There are people trapped inside.
There has been an accident. Somebody is
drowning.
Somebody is badly injured. Someone is
unconscious.
Someone has fallen from a ladder/from a tree/from a roof. I
think he/she has broken his/her arm/leg/neck.
He/she has lost a lot of blood.
My husband is having/has had a fit/heart attack etc My wife
has swallowed some poison/medicine/tablets
I’m a t . The telephone number i s .
Regional accents
Language practice
I don’t recognise your accent. What part of Britain are you
from?
I’m not familiar with that word/phrase/expression. I’m sorry, could you
repeat that?
I didn’t catch what you said.
I’m afraid I still don’t understand. Could you explain to me?
I’m really interested in what you’re telling me, but I’m having difficulty with
your accent.
Could you speak a little more slowly?
 I’ve never heard that word/phrase/expression before. What does it mean?

Having difficulty with...unable to understand or make sense o f

I’m having difficulty with your accent.

I’m having difficulty with literacy, (reading, writing)

I ta ke it I understand, I see, I assume

I take it you’re Scottish.

Note. Sometimes used ironically or to express mild sarcasm.

I take it you’re coming with us. (used when someone appears to have invited themselves)