Words to know
the counter in a hotel lobby where staff check you in and help guests
check a problem and try to fix it
a polite way to ask for something
Step 1 of 5
Listen first
No text yet. Listen for who, where and what goes wrong.
- ClerkText hidden. Listen first.
- ElifText hidden. Listen first.
- ClerkText hidden. Listen first.
- ElifText hidden. Listen first.
- ClerkText hidden. Listen first.
- ElifText hidden. Listen first.
- ClerkText hidden. Listen first.
- ElifText hidden. Listen first.
- ClerkText hidden. Listen first.
- ElifText hidden. Listen first.
- ClerkText hidden. Listen first.
- ElifText hidden. Listen first.
- ClerkText hidden. Listen first.
- ElifText hidden. Listen first.
- ClerkText hidden. Listen first.
- ElifText hidden. Listen first.
- ClerkText hidden. Listen first.
Practice · 3 min
Shadow Elif first. She's tired and a little frustrated, but she stays polite, and that's why the clerk helps her so quickly. Keep "Would it be possible" soft and slow. Then take the clerk's part. His lines are calm and sorry, never defensive; smile on "Fair enough."
- ClerkFront desk, good evening.
- ElifHi, this is Elif Kaya in room eight twelve. Sorry for calling this late.
- ClerkNo bother at all, Ms. Kaya. What seems to be the problem?
- ElifMy room is right next to the ice machine. It's been dropping ice every five minutes.
- ClerkOh, I'm sorry. That machine is loud, I know.
- ElifAnd the air conditioning isn't working. It's warm, and the window doesn't open.
- ClerkThat's two problems. Let me look into the air conditioning first.
- ElifHonestly, I'd rather move. I have a presentation at eight tomorrow, and I really need to sleep.
- ClerkI understand. Let me see what we have. We're very full tonight because of the conference.
- ElifWould it be possible to get any room away from the machine? Even a smaller one?
- ClerkI have one on the fifteenth floor, but it faces the avenue. There's some traffic noise.
- ElifTraffic I can handle. It's steady. The ice is what keeps waking me up.
- ClerkFair enough. And the air conditioning in that room was checked this morning.
- ElifPerfect. Do I need to come down for a new key?
- ClerkI'll send someone up with the key and a cart for your bags. About ten minutes.
- ElifThank you. That's very kind.
- ClerkAnd breakfast tomorrow is on us. Good luck with the presentation.
Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.