Lesson 31 – Travelling for work
The topic for this lesson is travelling for work. I had changes to
- role play conversations making arrangements and asking for information
- learn ways to ask for and check travel information
- learn collocations related to travelling for work
- practise using intonation to check and clarify information.
[Give information]
- The last bus is around…
- You’ll need to pay on your own card first
[Asking for information]
- What’s the best way to get to … from… ?
- How can I …?
- Please tell me…
- Do you know …?
[Checking information – double check]
- I’d like to know/check …
- I can claim travel expenses and meals, can’t I?
- You’re staying 5 nights, right?
- May I confirm that …?
[Vocabulary]
Work trip (n.)
Claim (v.) = get back (e.g claim costs, expenses)
estimated costs, estimated expenses
ask for an advance, ask for the bill
cover costs, cover expeses
corporate credit card, personal credit card
charge to an account, charge expenses
out of money = out of pocket
Helen: So have you been to the Taipei office before?
ME: Yes, I go there quite often since my boss is based there. Have you been yet?
Helen: Well no, I haven’t, which is the reason why I’m calling you in fact! This is my first work trip so I just wanted to ask you a few questions to make sure I’m doing the right thing.
ME: OK, sure, go ahead.
Helen: Well first of all, what’s the best way to get to the downtown from the airport?
ME: Well there are a few ways. You can take a taxi directly from the airport, or you can take the sky train which involves a bit of a walk once you get into town. The last train into town is around midnight, I think.
Helen: I don’t mind walking …perhaps I’ll take the train.
ME: Why don’t you take a taxi? It’s really hot there at the moment so walking will be horrible and you can claim the taxi fare back.
Helen: Ah! (噢) That was going to be my next question actually. I can claim travel expenses and meals, can’t I?
ME: If I were you, I’d ask someone in the finance team in your office to sit down with you to explain the whole travel claim system. It’s a bit complicated and you don’t want to find yourself out of pocket.
Helen: That’s a good idea. I’ll do that, thanks. Sorry, how about the hotel? How do we pay for that?
ME: Have you got a corporate credit card yet?
Helen: Not yet, no.
ME: OK, so I think this time you’ll need to pay on your own card first then claim it back. Whatever you do, just remember to keep all receipts so that you won’t have any problems later with claiming. You’re staying four nights, right?
Helen: Yeah, that’s right. What time are you flying in by the way?
ME: I land around 4:30.
Helen: Me too! Hey, perhaps we can share a taxi?!
