Lesson 6 Student View

Travel, Schedules, and Everyday Office Life

This lesson uses the same shape as lessons 4 and 5: three short workplace texts, questions after each one, then vocabulary, skills practice, and homework. The topic is general English—trains, trips, and polite everyday requests—not finance. Use Show Teacher Answers only after your first written attempt.

Today 3 readings + comprehension
Also Vocabulary, practice, writing
After class Homework with its own reading
Support Spanish glosses for new words
All lessons Main menu Teacher notes Back to Lesson 5 Go to Lesson 7
How to use this lesson

If you are studying without the teacher

  1. Read each text once for general meaning, then again for times and names.
  2. Write answers in full sentences when the question asks for explanation.
  3. Reveal the answer key only after you try on your own.
  4. Complete the homework before the next session and bring your written work or a file.
Warm-Up

Before Reading A (optional notes)

  1. How do you usually tell your team when you will be late?
  2. What is one polite phrase you use when you need to change a meeting time?
Reading A

A delayed commute and a moved meeting

Marta works in an SSC near Barcelona. On Tuesday morning she takes the regional train to the office as usual. At 08:20 she receives a message on the rail app: her service has a 40-minute delay because of signalling work. She will not reach the building before 09:35, but the team stand-up is scheduled for 09:00.

Marta posts in the team channel:

Good morning — my train is delayed about 40 minutes. Could we reschedule stand-up to 09:45? I will confirm when I am on the platform. I can still send the slide pack before lunch.

Her colleague Elias replies within two minutes: “09:45 works for me.” The scrum master updates the calendar invite. Marta arrives at 09:38, joins the call from a small meeting room, and thanks the team for being flexible. She prefers one clear message early over five separate “I’m late” texts that confuse everyone.

Comprehension · Reading A

Answer in your own words

  1. What problem does Marta have with her train, and how long is the delay?
  2. What time was the original stand-up, and what new time does she suggest?
  3. What two things does Marta promise in her message (besides the new meeting time)?
  4. Who replies first, and what do they agree to?
  5. What time does Marta actually arrive at the building?
  6. What attitude does the text say Marta prefers when she is late?

Teacher answers · Reading A

  1. Regional train delayed; 40 minutes (signalling work).
  2. Original 09:00; suggests 09:45.
  3. Confirm when on the platform; send slide pack before lunch (accept paraphrases).
  4. Elias; 09:45 works for him.
  5. 09:38.
  6. One clear early message (not many confusing “I’m late” texts).
Reading B

Planning a short business trip

Jonas travels from Budapest to Warsaw for a two-day process workshop. He books a morning flight on Thursday at 07:15 and a return on Friday at 18:40. The travel desk reserves accommodation at a hotel ten minutes on foot from the Warsaw office. Jonas adds a note: vegetarian meal on the flight and a quiet room away from the lift.

He uploads a one-page itinerary to the team folder: flight numbers, hotel address, workshop room, and the mobile number of the local coordinator. His manager asks everyone going to the trip to confirm they read the file by Wednesday 17:00. Jonas clicks “acknowledged” and packs a small carry-on—his commute to the airport is only 35 minutes by metro, so he leaves home at 05:30.

Comprehension · Reading B

Answer in your own words

  1. Where is Jonas travelling, and for how many days?
  2. What are his outbound and return flight times (day and time)?
  3. What two personal preferences does Jonas add for the trip?
  4. List three items that appear on his itinerary page.
  5. By when must colleagues confirm they read the file?
  6. What time does Jonas leave home, and why?

Teacher answers · Reading B

  1. Budapest to Warsaw; two days (accept “two-day workshop”).
  2. Thursday 07:15 out; Friday 18:40 return.
  3. Vegetarian meal; quiet room away from the lift (accept close paraphrases).
  4. Any three of: flight numbers, hotel address, workshop room, coordinator mobile number.
  5. Wednesday 17:00.
  6. 05:30; short metro commute to airport (35 minutes).
Reading C

A polite request to the facilities team

Paula sits at the same desk most days. After several weeks her lower back feels uncomfortable, and the standard chair does not adjust high enough. She does not complain in the team chat; she writes a calm email to Facilities:

Hello — could someone review my desk setup? The current chair is uncomfortable after a full day. I am happy to try a different model or book a short ergonomic check. My availability is Tuesday 14:00–16:00 or Wednesday 10:00–12:00. Please let me know which slot works. Thanks in advance.

Facilities replies the same afternoon with a calendar link. Paula chooses Wednesday morning. A technician brings a trial chair and shows her how to adjust the height. Paula sends a short thank-you note and returns to her tasks. The text says polite, specific requests usually get faster help than vague complaints.

Comprehension · Reading C

Answer in your own words

  1. What physical problem does Paula describe?
  2. What two solutions is she open to?
  3. What two time windows does she offer?
  4. How quickly does Facilities reply, and what do they send?
  5. Which slot does Paula choose?
  6. According to the text, what kind of requests get faster help?

Teacher answers · Reading C

  1. Lower back uncomfortable; chair does not adjust high enough (accept paraphrases).
  2. Different chair model; short ergonomic check.
  3. Tuesday 14:00–16:00; Wednesday 10:00–12:00.
  4. Same afternoon; calendar link.
  5. Wednesday morning (10:00–12:00 window).
  6. Polite, specific requests (not vague complaints).
Vocabulary

New words (with Spanish)

Everyday workplace and travel English—useful in any office, not only finance.

reschedule

To change an event to a different date or time.

Spanish: reprogramar / cambiar la hora

delay

When something happens later than planned (train, flight, delivery).

Spanish: retraso / demora

itinerary

A plan that lists travel times, places, and contact details.

Spanish: itinerario

accommodation

A place to stay, such as a hotel or guest room.

Spanish: alojamiento

commute

The regular journey between home and work (or to the airport).

Spanish: trayecto al trabajo / desplazamiento

confirm

To say clearly that something is correct, agreed, or received.

Spanish: confirmar

availability

The times when someone is free to meet or help.

Spanish: disponibilidad

flexible

Willing to change plans when the situation requires it.

Spanish: flexible

Practice

Use the new language

Drag and drop the best word

Complete each sentence with the most natural word.

  1. Please Drop answer you received the travel file by Wednesday.
  2. There is a 25-minute Drop answer on the airport shuttle.
  3. Can we Drop answer our one-to-one to Thursday afternoon?
  4. The hotel Drop answer is five minutes from the office.
  5. Jonas uploaded his Drop answer to the shared folder.
  6. Her daily Drop answer takes about 50 minutes by train.

Answers: confirm, delay, reschedule, accommodation, itinerary, commute

Type the missing word

  1. What is your on Friday for a short call?
  2. Thanks for being about the meeting time.
  3. Please the hotel booking before you travel.
  4. My morning is shorter when I work from home.
  5. Send the full to the team channel.

Answers: availability, flexible, confirm, commute, itinerary

Rewrite the tone

Make each line sound professional and polite.

  1. You never answer. Fix my chair now.
  2. Your meeting time is stupid. I’m not coming.
  3. The hotel you booked is garbage.

Teacher idea: state the request, offer options or availability, and thank the other person—no insults or blame.

Speaking (pairs or self)

Say it aloud

Scenario A

You are Marta. Tell your team about the train delay, propose a new meeting time, and promise to send materials—use four to six sentences.

Scenario B

You are Paula. Explain your problem to Facilities and offer two time windows. Practise a calm, specific request.

Grammar

Prepositions of time (everyday schedules)

Choose the better option. Write it on paper if you are not typing here.

  1. See you in Tuesday. / See you on Tuesday.
  2. The workshop starts at 09:00. / The workshop starts on 09:00.
  3. We travel in June. / We travel on June.
  4. She arrives at the afternoon. / She arrives in the afternoon.

Teacher answers

  1. See you on Tuesday.
  2. The workshop starts at 09:00.
  3. We travel in June.
  4. She arrives in the afternoon.
Homework

Complete before the next class

Do this on paper or in a document. Try every task before you reveal the answer key.

Homework reading: airport pickup and a changed plan

Sam offers to pick up a visiting colleague, Aisha, from the airport on Sunday. Aisha’s flight lands at 16:10. Sam plans to leave home at 15:00 because Sunday traffic near the terminal is often slow.

On Sunday at 14:40 Aisha messages: her flight has a 90-minute delay and the new landing time is 17:40. Sam replies politely, says he can still do the pickup, and asks Aisha to confirm the new terminal exit when she lands. He reschedules dinner with friends from 19:00 to 20:30 and notes he is glad the delay was communicated early. Aisha thanks him and sends a photo of the arrival board when the plane lands. They reach the hotel by 18:25.

Part 1 · Questions on the homework reading

  1. What was the original landing time, and what is the new time after the delay?
  2. How long is the delay in minutes?
  3. What time did Sam originally plan to leave home?
  4. What does Sam ask Aisha to confirm after landing?
  5. How does Sam adjust his dinner plans?
  6. True or false? Sam refuses to pick up Aisha because of the delay. Explain with evidence from the text.

Teacher answers · Homework reading

  1. Original 16:10; new 17:40.
  2. 90 minutes.
  3. 15:00.
  4. The new terminal exit when she lands (accept paraphrases).
  5. Dinner moved from 19:00 to 20:30.
  6. False — he still offers pickup and reschedules dinner.

Part 2 · Writing

Write six to eight sentences: you are Aisha messaging Sam after you hear about the delay. Thank him, state the new landing time, confirm you will message at the terminal exit, and mention one thing you will do on the plane (e.g. send arrival board).

Teacher idea · Part 2

Look for: polite thanks, clear 17:40 time, confirm exit message, professional tone, no blame for the delay.

Part 3 · Vocabulary in context

Fill the gaps with one word from today’s lesson (English only).

  1. Please upload your travel __________ before the workshop week.
  2. There was a long __________ on the metro this morning.
  3. Could we __________ our call from Monday to Tuesday?

Teacher answers · Part 3

  1. itinerary
  2. delay
  3. reschedule

Part 4 · Vocabulary extension (Spanish)

Write the Spanish equivalent or short gloss for: reschedule, delay, itinerary, accommodation, commute, availability. Use the vocabulary cards above if needed.

Teacher answers · Part 4

reschedule → reprogramar / cambiar la hora · delay → retraso / demora · itinerary → itinerario · accommodation → alojamiento · commute → trayecto al trabajo / desplazamiento · availability → disponibilidad (accept close equivalents).

Lesson 6: general workplace English—travel, schedules, polite requests—with homework and Spanish vocabulary extension.