It is a busy morning at a big train station. There are a lot of people. You need to go to a town called Durham. A friend is waiting for you there.
First, you need three things: a ticket, the right platform, and the right time. That sounds easy. You go to the ticket desk and you wait in the queue.
But there is a small problem coming. Your train is cancelled — it will not go today. Do not worry! You can stay calm, ask for help, and still get to Durham. The person at the desk is kind and wants to help you.
Warm up — talk for one minute
Do you like trains? Do you take the train, the bus, or the car? Why?
When a train or bus is late, how do you feel? Do you stay calm, or do you get angry?
Who's who
You
The Traveller 🎒
You want to go to Durham today. You are polite and friendly. When there is a problem, you stay calm and ask for help.
The other person
The Ticket Clerk 🎫
They work at the ticket desk. They know the trains, the platforms and the prices — and they help nice, polite people the most.
Next: learn the phrases you need in the next tab. Then see them in a real conversation. Look at the polite words: please, thank you, can I. And watch how the traveller stays calm when the train is cancelled. That is the important part.
Useful Phrases 🧰
Here are the phrases for this conversation. Read each one and say it out loud once. Choose the ones you like. Keep this page open when you practise.
The shape of this conversation
1 · Buy a ticket2 · Find the platform3 · A problem4 · Sort it out
It's a map, not a script. Real talk can skip steps or go back.
Cover it later, when you want to test yourself.
When you're the traveller
🎫 Buy a ticket
"Can I have a ticket to Durham, please?"
"A single to Durham, please."
🚉 Find the platform
"Which platform is it, please?"
"Is the train on time?"
🌧 A problem
"What can I do now?"
"Is there another train to Durham?"
💛 Sort it out
"So I change at York?"
"Thank you very much for your help. You are very kind."
When you're the ticket clerk
"Single or return?"
"That is twenty pounds."
"The train is cancelled."
"The next train is at ten."
When something changes
"Which platform?"
"Do I need to change?"
"Is it a fast train?"
When you need help
"Sorry, can you say that again, please?"
"Can you speak more slowly, please?"
"Do you mean…?"
"How do you say … in English?"
Speed round 🎯
Draw a card. Say what you would say, out loud. Then look at one answer.
Press the button to start.
Try a few more rounds with the toolkit covered. When it feels easy, you are ready.
The Conversation 💬
Read it out loud, one person each, then change. Find the phrases from your toolkit. Listen for the polite words, and for the calm voice when the news is bad.
ClerkGood morning! Where do you want to go today?
YouGood morning. Can I have a ticket to Durham, please?
ClerkA single or a return?
YouA single, please. How much is it, and which platform?
ClerkForty-two pounds. It goes from platform four, at 10:15. You have twenty minutes.
YouThank you. Here is my card. Is the train on time?
ClerkLet me see… Oh, I am so sorry. The train is cancelled. There is a problem on the line.
YouOh no. What can I do now? Is there another train to Durham?
ClerkYes, there is. Take the 10:40 to York. Then change trains, and the next train goes to Durham.
YouSo I change at York? And is my ticket OK for this?
ClerkYes, your ticket is fine. You do not pay more money.
YouGood. But the train is late now — can I get my money back?
ClerkYes, you can. Fill in this form for a refund. Here you are.
YouThank you very much for your help. You are very kind.
From memory — don't look up!
1. What is the problem? Why is the train cancelled?
2. The first train is cancelled. How can the traveller still get to Durham today?
3. The train is late now. What can the traveller get, and how?
1. The train is cancelled because there is a problem on the line. 2. The traveller takes a different train (the 10:40) to York, then changes trains. The next train goes to Durham. The ticket is fine — no extra money. 3. The traveller can get some money back (a refund). They fill in a form to get it.
Your Turn 🎭
No script this time. You have a real talk with a real person. You have a goal.
1 · Warm up your voice 🎤
Say each sentence out loud. Use your own words in the gaps.
Buy a ticket. Can I have a ticket to ___, please?
Find the platform. Which ___ is it?
A problem. What can I ___?
Sort it out. So I ___ at York?
2 · The scene 🎬
Pick a situation. Your partner plays the other person.
Your card
Where
The situation
You have
You want
Your ruleAsk "So I…?" to check.
Who you're talking to
🏆 Know your ticket, platform and plan.
⏱ 3:00
Twist deck
🎲 Something changes
Start the scene. After a minute, draw a card. What it says just happened.
Nothing has changed yet.
3 · Swap seats 🔁
Now you are the other person. Your partner takes your old part.
Your card
WhereThe train station desk
Your goalSell the ticket and give clear information
Your partnerPlays the traveller now
Draw another twist if you like.
4 · Afterwards ✅
Tick what you did, in either seat.
Phrases I want to use next time
Go again
⚡ Same situation, one more time
Do it again. Draw a twist before you start. Try to do it faster this time.
The Echo 🕰️
In 1914, there was a big war. Many young soldiers took trains to go and fight. Everyone said, "It will be a short war. You will be home for Christmas."
But the war was not short. At Christmas, the soldiers were cold and far from home. Then something amazing happened. On Christmas Day, the guns stopped. Soldiers from both sides came out and said hello. They shared food. They even played football together.
A cancelled train is a small problem. You wait, you talk to people, and you find another way. In 1914, for one day, enemies waited together too — and they found that they liked each other.