Autor: wolfgang kugler

  • The perfect waitress,

    a speech in class

    Hello everyone, today I want to talk about someone special who makes our dining experiences wonderful – the perfect waitress. You know, the friendly person who takes our orders and makes
    sure we have everything we need during our meal. Even though we might not always notice, their job is really important. So, let’s take a moment to appreciate all they do for us.

    Firstly, let’s talk about what makes a waitress perfect. It’s things like being patient, paying attention to what customers need, and being friendly and helpful. A perfect waitress stays calm
    even when things get busy, and she always has a smile on her face.

    Now, let’s look at what a perfect waitress does during our meal. She starts by welcoming us warmlywhen we come in and makes sure our table is set up nicely. Then, she helps us choose what to eat by giving good suggestions. She’s always there when we need something, like refilling our drinks or bringing extra napkins. And if there’s ever a problem, she knows how to handle it politely and
    make things right.
    And you know what? A perfect waitress knows that teamwork is important too. She works well with her co-workers to make sure everything runs smoothly. Together, they make sure we have a great time eating out.

    So, let’s give a big round of applause to the perfect waitress! She might not wear a cape, but she’s definitely a superhero in her own way. Her hard work and kindness make our meals extra special.
    Next time you see a waitress, don’t forget to say thank you – they deserve all the appreciation we can give. Thank you for listening.


    Definitions

    1. Experiences: Things that happen to you or things you do that you remember.
    2. Appreciate: To understand the value or importance of something or someone.
    3. Patient: Being able to wait calmly and not get upset easily.
    4. Pay attention: To listen to or watch someone or something carefully.
    5. Customers: People who buy goods or services from a shop or business.
    6. Calm: Being peaceful and not getting upset or worried easily.
    7. Suggestions: Ideas or recommendations about what someone should do or try.
    8. Napkins: Pieces of cloth or paper used to wipe your hands or mouth while eating.
    9. Handle a problem: To deal with or solve a difficult situation.
    10. Politely: Behaving in a respectful and courteous manner towards others.
    11. Smoothly: When something happens without any problems or interruptions.
    12. Cape: A piece of clothing that hangs loosely from your shoulders, often worn as part of a
      costume or uniform.
    13. Kindness: Being friendly, generous, and considerate towards others.
    14. Deserve: To have earned or be worthy of something because of your actions or qualities.
    15. Appreciation: Showing gratitude or recognition for something or someone.


    Correct or incorrect?

    1. The text discusses the importance of appreciating the role of the perfect waitress.
    2. The perfect waitress is described as someone who takes orders but doesn’t pay attention to
      customers‘ needs.
    3. Being patient and attentive are mentioned as qualities of a perfect waitress.
    4. According to the text, a perfect waitress stays calm even in busy situations.
    5. The text emphasizes that a perfect waitress always has a frown on her face.
    6. It is mentioned in the text that the perfect waitress greets customers with a warm smile.
    7. The text suggests that a perfect waitress doesn’t help customers with choosing their meals.
    8. Bringing extra napkins and refilling drinks are tasks mentioned in the text as part of a perfect
      waitress’s job.
    9. The text implies that a perfect waitress may handle problems rudely instead of politely.
    10. Teamwork is highlighted as an important aspect of a perfect waitress’s job in the text.
    11. Saying thank you to a waitress is not mentioned as a way to show appreciation in the text.
    12. The text implies that a perfect waitress’s job is to make customers‘ meals miserable.
    13. The text states that the perfect waitress works alone and doesn’t cooperate with her colleagues.
    14. The text mentions that a perfect waitress brings joy to diners‘ experiences.
    15. The text emphasizes that a perfect waitress’s job is easy and requires no effort.
    16. According to the text, the perfect waitress works hard to ensure customers have a great time
      eating out.
    17. It is stated in the text that a perfect waitress’s job is unimportant.
    18. The text discusses the importance of tipping the perfect waitress generously.
    19. The text suggests that a perfect waitress always gets orders wrong.
    20. The text mentions that a perfect waitress wears a cape during work.

    FILL IN – CHECK YOURSELF:

    THE PERFECT WAITRESS

    Hello everyone, today I want to talk about someone special who makes our dining
    __________ wonderful – the perfect waitress. You know, the friendly
    person who takes our orders and makes sure we have everything we need during our
    _____. Even though we might not always notice, their job is really
    important. So, let’s take a moment to ______ all they do for us.

    Firstly, let’s talk about what makes a waitress perfect. It’s things like being
    ______, paying attention to what customers need, and being friendly
    and helpful. A perfect waitress stays calm even when things get _, and
    she always has a __
    on her face.
    Now, let’s look at what a perfect waitress does during our meal. She starts by
    ________ us warmly when we come in and makes sure our table is set

    up _______. Then, she helps us choose what to eat by giving good
    _________. She’s always there when we need something, like refilling
    our drinks or bringing extra napkins. And if there’s ever a problem, she knows how to
    handle it _____ and make things right.
    And you know what? A perfect waitress knows that ______ is
    important too. She works well with her co-workers to make sure everything runs
    smoothly. ____, they make sure we have a great time eating out.

    So, let’s give a big round of applause to the perfect waitress! She might not wear a
    ________, but she’s definitely a superhero in her own way. Her hard
    work and kindness make our meals extra ____. Next time you see a
    waitress, don’t forget to say thank you – they deserve all the _____ we
    can give. Thank you for listening.

    FILL IN:
    smile – teamwork – nicely – politely – patient – cape – meal – welcoming – suggestions – appreciate – experiences – special – busy – together

  • Working at the front desk


    A good front desk staff member in a hotel needs to have several important qualities to ensure guests have a positive experience. Firstly, they should be friendly and welcoming, greeting guests with a warm smile and making them feel at home. Being approachable and attentive to guests‘ needs is
    crucial.

    Secondly, communication skills are key. They should be able to listen carefully to guests‘ inquiries and concerns, and respond clearly and politely. Whether it’s checking guests in, providing
    information about the hotel’s amenities, or assisting with any issues that may arise during their stay, effective communication is essential.

    Organizational skills are also important. Front desk staff need to handle multiple tasks efficiently, such as managing check-ins and check-outs, handling reservations, and coordinating with other
    hotel departments. They should be able to prioritize tasks and work well under pressure duringbusy periods.

    Furthermore, problem-solving abilities are crucial. There will inevitably be situations where guest encounter issues or have special requests. A good front desk staff member should be able to think quickly on their feet to find solutions that satisfy guests and ensure their comfort.

    Additionally, attention to detail is vital. From ensuring accurate billing information to maintaining a tidy and welcoming lobby area, paying close attention to the little things can make a big
    difference in guests‘ overall satisfaction.

    Lastly, empathy and patience are essential qualities. Dealing with a diverse range of guests means encountering different personalities and preferences. Front desk staff should be empathetic towards guests‘ needs and concerns, and patient in handling any challenges that may arise.

    In summary, a good front desk staff member in a hotel is someone who is friendly, communicative, organized, problem-solving, detail-oriented, empathetic, and patient. These qualities combined contribute to creating a positive experience for guests and ensuring they have a memorable stay.

    1. Ensure: To make sure something happens or is certain.
    2. Approachable: Easy to talk to or friendly; people feel comfortable approaching you.
    3. Attentive: Paying close attention to something or someone.
    4. Crucial: Extremely important; something you really need.
    5. Inquiries: Questions or requests for information.
    6. Amenities: Things that make life easier or more comfortable, like TV or a swimming pool.
    7. Efficiently: Doing something well and quickly without wasting time.
    8. Coordinating: Making sure different things work well together.
    9. Prioritize: Decide which things are most important and deal with them first.
    10. Encounter: Meet or come across something, often unexpectedly.
    11. Vital: Absolutely necessary; really important.
    12. Billing: Keeping track of how much money people owe or have paid.
    13. Tidy: Neat and organized; everything in its right place.
    14. Satisfaction: Feeling happy or pleased because something went well or you got what you
      wanted.
    15. Empathy: Understanding how someone feels because you can imagine what it’s like to be in their situation.
    16. Patient: Able to wait calmly and without getting angry.
    17. Communicative: Good at sharing information and talking to people.
    18. Empathetic: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
    19. Contribute: To help make something happen or be part of it.


      QUESTIONS
    20. What qualities should a good front desk staff member have?
    21. How should front desk staff greet guests?
    22. Why is it important for front desk staff to be good at communicating?
    23. What tasks might front desk staff need to handle?
    24. How can front desk staff help solve problems for guests?
    25. Why is paying attention to details important for front desk staff?
    26. What does it mean for front desk staff to be empathetic?
    27. What does it mean to prioritize tasks?
    28. What might guests encounter during their stay at a hotel?
    29. How can front desk staff make guests feel welcome?
    30. Why is it important for front desk staff to be patient?
    31. How can front desk staff make sure billing information is accurate?
    32. What does it mean to coordinate with other hotel departments?
    33. Why should front desk staff be organized?
    34. What can front desk staff do to ensure guests have a memorable stay?

    MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

    1. What is an essential quality for a good front desk staff member?
      a) Shyness
      b) Friendliness
      c) Arrogance
    2. How should front desk staff greet guests?
      a) With a frown
      b) With a warm smile
      c) With indifference
    3. Why is effective communication important for front desk staff?
      a) To confuse guests
      b) To make guests feel welcome and understood
      c) To ignore guests‘ needs
    4. What tasks might front desk staff need to handle?
      a) Only cleaning rooms
      b) Managing check-ins and check-outs, handling reservations
      c) Answering phone calls only
    5. How can front desk staff help solve problems for guests?
      a) By ignoring them
      b) By thinking quickly and finding solutions
      c) By creating more problems
    6. Why is paying attention to details important for front desk staff?
      a) It’s not important
      b) It ensures accurate information and a tidy environment
      c) It leads to confusion
    7. What does it mean for front desk staff to be empathetic?
      a) To ignore guests‘ feelings
      b) To understand and share guests‘ feelings
      c) To laugh at guests‘ problems
    8. What does it mean to prioritize tasks?
      a) To do tasks randomly
      b) To decide which tasks are more important and do them first
      c) To avoid doing tasks altogether
    9. What might guests encounter during their stay at a hotel?
      a) Perfect conditions only
      b) Various situations and issues
      c) No challenges at all
    10. How can front desk staff make guests feel welcome?
      a) By ignoring them
      b) By being friendly and welcoming
      c) By being rude
    11. Why is it important for front desk staff to be patient?
      a) It’s not important
      b) To handle guests‘ diverse personalities and needs calmly
      c) To get angry at guests‘ complaints
    12. How can front desk staff make sure billing information is accurate?
      a) By guessing
      b) By paying attention to details
      c) By making mistakes deliberately
    13. What does it mean to coordinate with other hotel departments?
      a) To work separately from other departments
      b) To work together with other departments smoothly
      c) To create conflicts with other departments
    14. Why should front desk staff be organized?
      a) It’s not important
      b) To handle multiple tasks efficiently
      c) To confuse guests
    15. What can front desk staff do to ensure guests have a memorable stay?
      a) Make guests feel unwelcome
      b) Provide excellent service and attention to detail
      c) Ignore guests‘ needs
  • Some useful vocabulary for working in a hotel


    Types of Accommodation

    When you travel, the place where you stay is essential. Understanding the various types ofaccommodation will help you choose the right place for your needs and budget. Let’s explore some common options you may encounter.

    • Hotel: a commercial establishment offering lodging; rooms typically rented per night.
    • Hostel: a budget-friendly option; often shared rooms with communal facilities.
    • Inn: a small hotel; usually in the countryside, provides meals and rooms.
    • Motel: a roadside hotel; designed for motorists, often with parking adjacent to rooms.
    • Resort: a vacation destination; offers recreational facilities like pools and restaurants.
    • Bed and Breakfast (B&B): a small lodging establishment; offers overnight accommodation
      and breakfast.
    • Villa: a luxurious house; often rented for vacations, may include private pools.
    • Guesthouse: a private home offering paid lodging; typically more affordable.
    • Apartment Hotel: offers apartment-style rooms; includes kitchen facilities.
    • Boutique Hotel: a small and stylish hotel; emphasizes unique design and personalized
      service.
    • Cabin: a small, rustic dwelling; often found in rural areas.
    • Timeshare: a property with a divided ownership; often used for vacation purposes.

      Room Types
      Selecting the right room type is key to a comfortable stay. Whether you’re traveling alone, with a partner, or with family, knowing the words from hotels related to room types will guide you in making the right choice. Here’s a look at some common room types.
    • Single Room: a room with one single bed; suitable for one person.
    • Double Room: a room with one double bed; suitable for two people.
    • Twin Room: a room with two single beds; suitable for two people.
    • Suite: a luxurious room; often includes living space and additional amenities.
    • Connecting Rooms: rooms with a connecting door; suitable for families.
    • Family Room: a room designed for families; typically more spacious.
    • Accessible Room: a room designed for disabled guests; includes accessibility features.
    • Penthouse: a luxurious apartment or suite; typically on the top floor of a hotel.
    • Balcony Room: a room with an outdoor balcony; offers additional outdoor space.
    • Ocean View Room: a room with a view of the ocean; it may come at a premium.
    • Smoking Room: a room where smoking is allowed; usually designated in specific areas.
    • Non-Smoking Room: a room where smoking is not allowed; common in many hotels.

    Booking and Check-in/Check-out
    Booking a hotel involves more than just selecting a room. Understanding the words used in the hotel industry related to reservations, check-in, and check-out is vital for a smooth experience. Here are some essential terms to help you navigate this process.

    • Reservation: booking a room in advance; ensures room availability.
    • Check-in: the process of registering upon arrival; usually requires identification.
    • Check-out: the process of leaving and paying; typically by a specific time.
    • Deposit: an upfront payment; secures the reservation.
    • Cancellation: terminating a reservation; may result in a fee.
    • Early Check-in: checking into the hotel before the regular time; may incur a fee.
    • Late Check-out: checking out of the hotel after the regular time; may incur a fee.
    • Confirmation Number: a number that confirms your reservation; provided by the hotel.
    • No-Show: failing to arrive without canceling; often results in a fee.
    • Occupancy Rate: the percentage of available rooms that are occupied; used in hotel
      management.
    • Waitlist: a list of people waiting for a room; used when the hotel is fully booked.
    • Upgrade: moving to a better room category; may be complimentary or for a fee.
      General Services
      In a hotel, there are many services provided to make your stay as pleasant as possible. These
      services range from assistance with your luggage to transportation and spa treatments. Let’s explore
      the words in English for the hotel industry related to these general services so you can take full
      advantage of what your hotel has to offer.
    • Concierge: hotel staff that assists guests; helps with directions, reservations, etc.
    • Wi-Fi: wireless internet connection; usually free or at a cost.
    • Room Service: meals or other services delivered to the room; available at specific hours.
    • Laundry: washing, drying, and ironing of clothes; usually for an additional fee.
    • Bellman: a staff member who helps with the luggage; offers assistance upon arrival or
      departure.
    • Shuttle Service: transportation provided by the hotel; usually to nearby attractions or the
      airport.
    • Spa: a facility offering health and beauty treatments; includes massages, facials, etc.
    • Gym: an area with exercise equipment; available for guests.
    • Valet Parking: a service where staff park and retrieve your car; usually for a fee.
    • Lost and Found: a place where lost items are kept; can be inquired at the front desk.
    • Business Center: a place with computers, printers, and other office facilities; for guest use.


      Food and Beverage

      When staying at a hotel, you’ll likely enjoy some meals and refreshments on-site. Understanding the hotel words related to food and beverage services will enhance your dining experience, whether you’re having breakfast in your room or enjoying happy hour at the bar. Let’s examine these terms
      to make your culinary experience at the hotel more delightful.
    • Restaurant: on-site dining option; serves meals at specific times.
    • Bar: a place to purchase alcoholic drinks; may also serve light snacks.
    • Buffet: a self-service meal option; a variety of foods displayed for selection.
    • Breakfast Included: breakfast provided with room booking; usually a buffet or set menu.
    • Café: a casual dining option; serves coffee, tea, and light meals.
    • Minibar: a small refrigerator in the room; stocked with drinks and snacks for purchase.
    • Happy Hour: a period with discounts on drinks; usually in the hotel bar.
    • Room Charge: adding purchases to your room bill; payable at check-out.
    • All-Inclusive: a package including all meals and drinks; usually at a resort.
    • Vending Machine: a machine offering snacks and drinks; operates with coins or cards.
    • Special Diet Menu: a menu catering to specific dietary needs; e.g. vegetarian, gluten-free.


      https://promova.com/english-vocabulary/hotels-vocabulary-terms#common_hotel_terms
    https://promova.com/english-vocabulary/hotels-vocabulary-terms#common_hotel_terms
  • Tim and a typical morning

    (Present Simple)

    Every morning, Tim wakes up at 7 o’clock. He rubs his eyes and stretches his arms. Then, he jumps out of bed and gets dressed quickly. Tim puts on his favorite t-shirt and jeans. Next, he goes to the kitchen for breakfast. Tim’s mom makes him toast and pours him a glass of orange juice.

    After breakfast, Tim brushes his teeth and combs his hair. He checks his backpack to make sure he has everything he needs for school. Then, he grabs his lunchbox and heads out the door. Tim walks to the bus stop and waits with his friends.

    When the bus arrives, Tim hops on and finds a seat. He chats with his friends during the ride to school. When they arrive, Tim says goodbye to his friends and goes to his classroom. He’s ready for another day of learning and fun!

    0. Wake up: To stop sleeping .

    1. Rub: To move one’s hand or an object back and forth against a surface.
    2. Favorite: Something that is preferred above all others of the same kind.
    3. Pour: To cause a liquid to flow from a container in a steady stream.
    4. Brush teeth: To clean teeth using a toothbrush and toothpaste.
    5. Comb hair: To arrange hair neatly using a comb.
    6. Backpack: A bag with shoulder straps that is carried on the back and used to carry belongings.
    7. Grab: To take hold of something suddenly and roughly.
    8. Head out of: To leave or exit a place.
    9. Hop on a bus: To get onto a bus, usually quickly
    10. Chat: To engage in conversation with someone.


    ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS

    (don’t forget the 3rd person s (!), Tim get_s_……

    1. What time does Tim wake up in the morning?
    2. What does Tim do after waking up?
    3. What does Tim put on after getting dressed?
    4. What does Tim have for breakfast?
    5. Who makes Tim’s breakfast?
    6. What does Tim do after eating breakfast?
    7. What does Tim do to his teeth after breakfast?
    8. How does Tim tidy his hair?
    9. What does Tim check before leaving the house?
    10. Where does Tim go after leaving the house?
    11. How does Tim get to school?
    12. Who does Tim wait with at the bus stop?
    13. What does Tim do when the bus arrives?
    14. Where does Tim sit on the bus?
    15. What does Tim do when he arrives at school?

  • Form questions in present simple

    READ THE FOLLOWING STORY:

    Kiko lives with his family in the countryside.

    He has 2 brothers and 1 sister.

    Kiko is 8 years old. His brothers are twins, they are 10 years old.

    And his sister is 14 years old.

    Kiko’s father works in a hotel. His father gets up at 6am every day. At 7am he rides his bike to the hotel.

    Kiko’s mother works in her own store. She sells fruits and vegetables. She grows these in her garden.

    Kiko and his sibblings go to school. They like school a lot.


    NOW FORM QUESTIONS TO WHICH THE FOLLOWING WORDS ARE THE ANSWER:

    example:

    (1) in the countryside

    YOU WRITE:

    (1) Where does Kiko live with his family?


    NOW YOU TRY:
    (2) 2

    (3) 1

    (4) 10 years

    (5) 14 years

    (6) in a hotel

    (7) at 6am

    (8 ) gets up

    (9) his bike

    (10) when

    (11) in her own store

    (12) fruits and vegetables

    (13) these

    (14) in her garden

    (15) to school

    (16) a lot


    Some help on how to form questions in present simple:
    https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/english-grammar-reference/present-simple

    PS: if you’ve done the exercise, send your text to me via SMFrockZ(at)gmx(dot)at, I’ll have a look at it, if necessary correct it, and send it back with information on mistakes.