Everyday Echoes · Role Play · A2/B1 · 50 min

Planning a Holiday

It is grey and cold outside. You want some sun. You have a little money, not a lot. Time to walk into a travel shop and find a good holiday.

This is the easier version. Want the harder one? → Full B2/C1 version →

The Scene 🎬

It is winter. It is cold and grey, and it rains every day. You are tired of it. You want to go somewhere warm and sunny for one week.

You walk into a small travel shop. You do not know where you want to go yet. You want some sun and a little history — and it must not be too expensive. You have about a thousand pounds for two people.

Behind the desk is the travel agent. They are kind and they know a lot of places. They will help you find a good holiday. But first, you must say what you want, ask some questions, and think about the money.

Warm up — talk for one minute

  1. Do you like the beach, or do you like cities? What is your best kind of holiday?
  2. When you buy something big, do you ask a lot of questions first, or do you decide fast? Why?

Who's who

You
The Traveller 🧳

You want sun and a little history, and a good price. You are friendly. You ask questions before you say yes.

The other person
The Travel Agent 🌍

Kind and helpful. They know many places. They can give you two or three good holidays — and honest advice, if you ask.

Next: learn the phrases you need in the next tab. Then see them in a real conversation. Look at the easy questions: How much is it? What is the difference? Is breakfast included? These small questions help you a lot.

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 · Say what you want2 · Talk about money3 · Compare4 · Decide
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

☀ Say what you want
"We would like some sun and a little history, please."
"We are not sure yet. Can you help us?"
💰 Talk about money
"How much is it?"
"We can spend about a thousand pounds."
⚖ Compare
"What is the difference between them?"
"Is breakfast included?"
✅ Decide
"Can I think about it, please?"
"Yes, I would like to book it, please."

When you're the travel agent

"Where do you want to go?"
"Spain is warm in May."
"It is eight hundred pounds each."
"Shall I book it?"

When something changes

"How long do you want to stay?"
"Do you want a hotel by the sea?"
"Do you want to fly or go by 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 easy questions.

AgentHello! Come in. It is cold today! Do you want a holiday in the sun?
YouYes, please! We would like some sun and a little history. But not too expensive.
AgentNo problem. I can help you. How much can you spend?
YouWe can spend about a thousand pounds, for two people.
AgentGood. For that money, I have two nice holidays. Portugal, or the Greek islands. Both have sun and old buildings.
YouThey both sound nice. What is the difference?
AgentPortugal is cheaper, and the flight is short. Greece is very beautiful, but the food and the boats cost more.
YouI see. Can I ask — is breakfast included in the price?
AgentYes. Breakfast, the hotel, and the flights are all included. But lunch and dinner are not.
YouGood to know. And the room with a sea view — is it worth the extra money?
AgentBetween you and me — no. Save your money. Use it for a boat trip. That is a better memory.
YouThank you, that is very helpful. Can I think about it? I can come back this afternoon.
AgentOf course. No problem. I will keep this price for you until five o'clock.
YouThank you very much. Yes — I would like to book Portugal. You are very kind.

From memory — don't look up!

1. What two things does the traveller want on holiday? And what is the money problem?

2. What is the difference between Portugal and Greece?

3. Does the agent say "buy the sea view room"? What does the agent say to do with the money instead?

1. The traveller wants some sun and a little history. The problem: it must not be too expensive. They have about a thousand pounds for two people.
2. Portugal is cheaper and the flight is short. Greece is very beautiful, but the food and the boats cost more.
3. No — the agent says "save your money". Do not buy the sea view. Use the money for a boat trip, because that is a better memory.

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.

  1. Say what you want. We would like some ___, please.
  2. Talk about money. We can spend ___.
  3. Compare. What is the ___ between them?
  4. Decide. Can I ___?

2 · The scene 🎬

Pick a situation. Your partner plays the other person.

Your card
Where
The situation
You have
You want
Your ruleSay what you like and your budget.
Who you're talking to

🏆 Choose a holiday you can pay for.

⏱ 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 travel agency
Your goalFind the best holiday for the budget
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 🕰️

A very long time ago, Greek writers made a list of the seven most amazing things to see in the world. We call them the Seven Wonders. There was a huge pyramid, gardens that seemed to hang in the air, and a giant statue of a god.

In those days, there were no travel shops and no cheap flights. To see just one wonder, you travelled for months. It cost a lot of money, and it was not safe. But people still went, because some things were worth the whole trip.

Today, you just chose sun and a little history, and thought about the money. It is a small choice. But it is the same old feeling: people love to travel far, and pay a little more, just to see something wonderful.

🏛️ Want the full story of the Seven Wonders? (Easy version)Open →

Two questions to talk about

  1. What is one place in the world you really want to see? Why that place?
  2. Is it better to spend your money on things (clothes, a phone) or on holidays and trips? What do you think?