Manuals > General English > Rosetta Stone Advantage > Elementary - Book 2 > Lesson 22
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By the end of the lesson, the student should be able to buy a train ticket.
Communication strategies:
The student should be able to buy a train ticket using the following strategy:
1) state where you want to go
2) state how many tickets you want, and what kind of ticket you want
3) ask about the train's timetable
4) ask about directions
5) pay for the ticket
e.g.
A) Next, please.
B) Excuse me. How much is a ticket to Union Station?
A) Would you like a business class ticket or a coach ticket?
B) Coach is fine.
A) And is that one way or round trip?
B) One way please.
A) OK. That comes to $55.00
B) Which line do I need to take?
A) The Coastal line.
B) What times does the train leave?
A) At 7:00
B) What times does the train get in?
A) At 8:10
B) How long does it take to get there?
A) Just over one hour.
B) How many stops are there?
A) 5.
B) Do I need to transfer?
A) No. It’s a direct train.
B) How often does the train run?
A) Every 30 mins
B) What platform does the train leave from?
A) Number 9.
B) Does the train have Wi-Fi?
A) Yes. it has Wi-fi and a snack car.
B) Great. Thanks.
Words and rules:
- The student should be able to explain how to purchase a train ticket
- The student should be able to use the present tense to ask about the future e.g. When does the train get in?
- The student should be able to name some different types of train tickets e.g. one-way
Appropriateness:
Non-verbal behaviour: You can use your fingers to indicate how many tickets you want to buy.
Register: We usually use a polite register when talking with staff.
Social rules: NA
Cultural references: In the US most people usually say "One-way" and "round-trip" but in the UK and Australia, it's more common to say "single" and "return".
Track #56
I’m really excited about my trip tomorrow! I have purchased a ticket
to Boston. I will leave from New York after breakfast. I’ll depart from
Penn Station at 8 am. I will arrive at my destination around 11:30 am.
I think it will be a comfortable and pleasant journey. I don’t need
to take luggage or anything else - just my wallet. And the ticket, of
course! I’m even travelling first class! The ticket was $260.50. It’s a little
expensive, but it includes lunch on the buffet carriage. I reserved a
window seat - I hope the view from the train is nice.
Because the lesson touches on the topic of trains, you are welcome to introduce some of the following vocabulary if you like.
1) a carriage (n)
2) a compartment (n)
3) a sleeper train (n)
4) a turnstile (n)
5) a timetable (n)
6) a ticket inspector (n)
7) a platform (n)
8) a luggage rack (n)
9) a terminal (n)
10) a track
(n)
Option 1:
Difficulty ★★
Type:
Let's start - Warm-up discussion
Purpose: Steering the student into the goal of the lesson before opening the book / Introducing vocabulary.
Method:
Play word tennis. The teacher names a type of ticket, then the student needs to name a types of ticket. See how many different types of tickets you can name.
a single ticket
a return ticket
a one way ticket
a return trip ticket
a round trip ticket
a full fare ticket
a concession ticket
a senior’s ticket
a children’s ticket
an infant ticket
a student ticket
a reserved seat
a first class ticket
a business class ticket
an economy class ticket
a coach ticket
Option 2:
Difficulty ★★
Type:
Let's practice - Phrase introduction
Purpose: To teach the student additional phrases they can use when buying a ticket
Method:
Check out the website below, or even use it in the lesson. It has a great selection of expressions you can use at a train station.
https://www.speaklanguages.com/english/phrases/travelling-by-bus-and-train
Option 3:
Difficulty ★★
Type:
Let's practice - Less controlled practice: Realia
Purpose: To teach the student how to use an authentic English timetable
Method:
Use the real timetables to practice asking questions.
UK
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
US
http://www.amtrak.com/home
Option 4:
Difficulty ★★
Type:
Let's practice - Controlled practice - sentence transformation
Purpose:
Practicing creating WH and YN questions
Method: Give the student an answer and have them work out what the question was
e.g. The train leaves at 10:00
= When does the train leave?
Extra questions you might like to ask in the lesson
- When does the next train for … depart?
- When does the next train bound for … leave?
- How long does it take?
- How many times an hour does the train run?
- When does the train arrive at…?
- When does the train get in to…?
- Which platform does the train leave from?
- How many stops is it?
- Where do I get off?
- Do I need to transfer?
Let’s start
Use the words in the box to explain how to use the ticket machine.
Look at the map, find your station then select your ticket and press the button. Insert your money, then take your ticket and your change.
Discussion questions:
1) How do you usually buy a train ticket?
I usually use my Suica.
2) What different types of tickets can you buy?
In Japan you can usually buy adult or child one way tickets.
3) Are all the tickets the same price?
No, child tickets are cheaper.
4) Do you prefer buying a ticket from a person or a machine?
I prefer buying a ticket from a machine because it’s faster.
5) What do you think of the price of train tickets in Japan?
I think they are a little expensive.
Let’s try
1) When is she leaving?
She is leaving tomorrow at 8am
2) Where is she going?
She is going to Boston.
3) What station is she leaving from?
She’s leaving from Penn station
4) Does she need to take her luggage?
No, she doesn’t.
5) Did she reserve a window seat?
Yes, she did.
6) How much did the ticket cost?
It cost $260.50.
Let’s practice
A) Next.
B) Excuse me. How much is a ticket to Union Station?
A) Would you like a business class ticket or a coach ticket?
B) Coach is fine.
A) And is that one way or round trip?
B) One way please.
A) OK. That comes to $55.00
B) Which line do I need to take?
A) The Coastal line.
B) What times does the train leave?
A) At 7:00
B) What times does the train get in?
A) At 8:10
B) How long does it take to get there?
A) Just over one hour.
B) How many stops are there?
A) 5.
B) Do I need to transfer?
A) No. It’s a direct train.
B) How often does the train run?
A) Every 30 mins
B) What platform does the train leave from?
A) Number 9.
B) Does the train have Wi-Fi?
A) Yes. It has Wi-fi and a snack car.
B) Great. Thanks.
Let’s speak
Buying a train ticket at the airport
A) Hello.
B) Hi. Can I help you?
A) Yeah, I need to get to my hotel. I’m staying at the Ritz.
B) OK. The best way to get there it to take a shuttle.
A) OK. Great. When does the next shuttle leave?
B) In about 10 minutes.
A) And how long does it take to get there?
B) Around 40 minutes.
A) I see. And where does it leave from?
B) Just over there.
A) And, how much is a ticket?
B) It’s free.
A) Great. Thanks. One adult, please.