Get to grips with Business travel in English!

There is some vocabulary that remains the same for any business trip, thankfully! Namely, the words you’ll need to book travel and get around. Let’s take a look at some key phrases and terms below.

Booking / reserving

• I’d like to book/reserve…
• A single, a return (UK)
• One-way, round-trip (USA)
• A ticket to Birmingham, please.
• A single room for three nights from the 2nd June, please.

The airport

• airlines - companies that offer travel via flying
• direct flight - a flight that does not stop before the destination
• stop-over - also “layover”, a stop you sometimes make in a city before your final destination
• meals - breakfast (morning), lunch (midday), dinner (evening), snacks, tea, etc.
• terminal - a departure and arrival building for air passengers at an airport
• to board - to get on the airplane
• airport - a center for transportation by air

The plane

• Where do I check in for my flight to Paris?
• I’d prefer a window / middle / aisle seat.
• The flight / train has been cancelled.
• What time is boarding?
• What gate does the plane leave from?
• First class, business class, premium economy, economy class (for a plan)

The train

• What platform/track does the train leave from?
• First class, standard class.

At passport control

• Here is my passport / identity card.
• I’m here for two days of meetings / for a trade show at the international exhibition centre.
• I’ll be attending a seminar / a conference.

At the car hire desk

• I’d like to pick up the keys to the car I’ve reserved online. Here is my reference number.
• I don’t need any other extras, thank you.
• Can you confirm unlimited mileage is included? (Concerning mileage, don’t forget a mile is 1.6km!)
• Where do I drop off the keys if the desk is closed?

Taking a taxi

• suitcases - bags, pieces of luggage, etc. for transporting possessions while traveling
• straight - directly, without stopping
• fares - prices, fees for services

Hotel

• double - a hotel room with two beds
• single - a hotel room with one bed
• deluxe suite - a hotel room with extra amenities
• view - what can be seen from a window
• room service - food and drink brought directly to a guest’s room by the hotel staff
• breakfast - the meal eaten in the morning
• to swipe - to pass a bank or credit card through an electronic machine to process payment
• To check in to / out of a hotel
• What time is checkout / breakfast?
• Could you arrange for a taxi to take me back to the airport?
• My key card doesn’t seem to be working.
• Can you recommend any good restaurants around the hotel?

General

• Can I have the receipt please?
• I should be able to claim expenses for it.
• Did you have a good trip?
• Yes, very good thanks.
• The flight was a little late / bumpy but fine apart from that.

If you’re not sure about the best way to English vocabulary quickly, and this list of business trip terms feels a little scary, we’re here to help. Learning vocabulary is a part of any good language learning method, whether you choose to learn with a textbook, through classes, or using an online learning platform, but we’ve got two key suggestions for making your lexicon a priority.

Use post it notes

When you’re learning English, especially vocabulary, one of the best tips we can suggest is to integrate new terms into every corner of your life – by which we mean sticking new words on the door, the microwave, and your laptop. One of the simplest and cheapest tips we can think of to learn vocabulary in English quickly is to buy some post its and use them to surround yourself with useful words. By doing this, every time you prepare a meal or have a wash, you’ll be confronted with new English terms without the need to carve out time in your schedule and sit down at a desk.

Use an app

While using an app as your only method of learning English probably isn’t advisable, it’s a great way to boost one or more other methods. Language apps are usually fun and allow you to squeeze in a few minutes of revision at a time, meaning you can fit language learning into your commute or waiting in a queue.

Expand your vocabulary from words you already know

An important part of speaking a language fluidly is having lexical choice. You probably already have a good foundation in English vocabulary, so start from what you have and build out. Brainstorm the vocabulary you have for a business trip, find two new synonyms for each term, and watch your lexicon grow.

Find out more and learn top 10 tips to stay motivated when learning English online.

There are lots of ways to learn English these days, but as technology evolves and we become more accustomed to distance learning and working, online language learning platforms are becoming better and better. There are a few serious advantages to taking your English learning online. Let’s look at some of them.

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Online learning is also flexible. Instead of fitting your English learning around someone else’s schedule, this method allows you to decide where, when, and how you learn. Learning online is also available on a budget.

However you choose to learn English, consolidating and expanding your vocabulary should be a priority. If you choose to learn English on GlobalExam’s online platform, that’s exactly what you’ll get.

An extra advantage of taking your English learning online and entrusting your progress to GlobalExam is the benefit of virtual lessons. We’ve added virtual lessons to our e-learning platform to help you to enrich your learning in two types of settings:

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Our virtual lessons are taught by TESOL-qualified English teachers and group lessons are kept to a maximum of six learners to ensure close guidance and advice for everyone. Our English teachers are all native speakers with experience in Business. If you’re not convinced yet, here are some of the other benefits of this method of learning:

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If independent learning online feels a little scary, virtual lessons are the best way to strike a compromise between forging your own path on the e-learning platform, and regularly touching base with a qualified guide to keep on track to achieve your goals.

Can’t decide whether to go for individual or group lessons? Individual lessons give you total flexibility over the schedule, as well as the content of your lesson, with the advantage of one-on-one tutoring. Our group lessons are available according to a fixed schedule and tackle specific topics, like making a phone call, giving a presentation, and participating in meetings.

If your goal is to become an expert in English vocabulary for business trips, why not book yourself an individual session with one of our virtual teachers and find the answer together?

Whether English is important for you when travelling or for other reasons, GlobalExam is an online platform that can help you improve your language skills and boost your career. GlobalExam can also help you:

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