Chapter 6: Ordering Food and Making Reservations
1.
Ordering Food in a Restaurant
- Understanding the Menu:
- Common Terms: “Appetizer,” “Main course,” “Dessert,”
“Beverage,” “Specials.”
- Example Phrases:
- “What are today’s specials?”
- “Can you recommend a dish?”
- “What does this dish
include?”
- Asking Questions:
- Example Phrases:
- “What ingredients are in this
dish?”
- “How is this dish prepared?”
- “Is this dish spicy?”
- Making Requests:
- Example Phrases:
- “I’d like to order the
grilled chicken, please.”
- “Could I have a side of
vegetables with that?”
- “Can you make this dish
gluten-free?”
Practice Activity:
- Practice ordering food from a sample menu with a
partner, taking turns as the customer and the waiter. Use the phrases for
understanding the menu, asking questions, and making requests.
2.
Making Reservations at Hotels, Restaurants, or Other Establishments
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Content:
- Making Reservations:
- Example Phrases:
- “I’d like to make a
reservation for two at 7 PM, please.”
- “Can I book a table for four
on Friday evening?”
- “I need to reserve a room for
three nights starting next Monday.”
- Providing Details:
- Example Phrases:
- “The reservation is under the
name of John Smith.”
- “Can you confirm the
reservation details?”
- “Do you have any special packages
or discounts?”
Practice Activity:
- Role-play making a reservation at a restaurant or hotel
with a partner. One person will be the customer, and the other will be the
receptionist or host. Use the phrases for making reservations and
providing details.
3.
Dealing with Dietary Restrictions and Allergies
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Objective: Learn how to communicate dietary restrictions and allergies
effectively in a restaurant setting.
Content:
- Communicating Restrictions:
- Example Phrases:
- “I have a gluten allergy. Can
you recommend a suitable dish?”
- “I’m lactose intolerant. Can
you make this dish without dairy?”
- “I’m a vegetarian. What are
my options?”
- Ensuring Safety:
- Example Phrases:
- “Can you ensure that there
are no nuts in this dish?”
- “Is this dish prepared in a
nut-free kitchen?”
- “Can you guarantee that this
dish is free from shellfish?”
Practice Activity:
- Practice discussing dietary restrictions with a
partner, taking turns as the customer and the waiter. Use the phrases for
communicating restrictions and ensuring safety.
4.
Role-Playing Exercises for Ordering Food and Making Reservations
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Objective: Practice ordering food and making reservations through
role-playing exercises to build confidence and fluency.
Content:
- Role-Playing Scenario 1: Ordering Food in a Restaurant
- Person A:
A customer with dietary restrictions.
- Person B:
A waiter taking the order.
- Example Dialogue:
- Person A: “Excuse me, I have a gluten
allergy. Can you recommend something from the menu that’s gluten-free?”
- Person B: “Sure, our grilled salmon
and garden salad are both gluten-free.”
- Role-Playing Scenario 2: Making a Reservation at a
Restaurant
- Person A:
A customer making a reservation.
- Person B:
A restaurant host taking the reservation.
- Example Dialogue:
- Person A: “Hi, I’d like to make a
reservation for two at 7 PM this Saturday.”
- Person B: “Of course. Can I have your
name, please?”
- Person A: “It’s Sarah Thompson.”
- Role-Playing Scenario 3: Making a Hotel Reservation
- Person A:
A customer reserving a room.
- Person B:
A hotel receptionist.
- Example Dialogue:
- Person A: “I’d like to book a room for
three nights starting next Monday.”
- Person B: “Certainly. Could I have
your name and contact information?”
Practice Activity:
- Role-play each scenario with a partner, switching roles
to practice being both the customer and the service provider. Focus on
using the appropriate phrases and ensuring clear communication.
Summary
In this chapter, you learned how to
order food in a restaurant, make reservations at various establishments, and
handle dietary restrictions and allergies. You also practiced these skills
through role-playing exercises to build confidence and improve your spoken
English.
Homework
Activity: Write a dialogue between a customer and a waiter where the
customer has a dietary restriction and makes specific requests. Practice the
dialogue with a partner.
Additional Resource
Books:
- “English for Restaurant Workers” by Renee Talalla
- “Everyday English for Hospitality Professionals” by
Lawrence J. Zwier
By regularly practicing these
skills, you will become more proficient in ordering food and making
reservations, which are essential for effective communication in everyday
situations.