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Free everyday English listening practice for daily life: listen to Mel and Josh, read along with the transcript, learn the key words and check your understanding with a short quiz.
1. Before you listen: key words
Press 🔊 to hear each word or phrase. You'll hear all of them in the conversation.
- takeaway food you buy at a restaurant and eat somewhere else, usually at home
- pick-up you go to the restaurant and collect the food yourself
- delivery the restaurant brings the food to your home
- delivery fee extra money you pay for delivery
- allergic to your body reacts badly to a food, so you can't eat it
- read back say your order again to check it is right
- altogether in total, everything added together
2. Listen to the episode
Press Play. The line being spoken lights up so you can read along. Start with Slow if you're a beginner, then try Normal. For a challenge, hide the transcript the first time you listen.
Mel: Hi, welcome to the Listening Room. I'm Mel.
Josh: And I'm Josh. It's Friday night, I'm tired, and I don't want to cook. So today we're ordering takeaway on the phone.
Mel: Takeaway means food you buy at a restaurant and eat at home. When they answer, you can say, 'Hi, I'd like to order some takeaway, please.'
Josh: The first question is often, 'Is that for pick-up or delivery?'
Mel: Pick-up means you go to the restaurant and collect the food yourself. Delivery means they bring it to your home.
Josh: Delivery is easy, but sometimes there's a delivery fee, so it costs a bit more.
Mel: Then you order. Use 'Can I get...' or 'I'll have...': 'Can I get one chicken curry and two rice, please?'
Josh: If you're not sure, ask a question. 'Is the curry spicy?' or 'Does that come with rice?'
Mel: And if you have an allergy, say it clearly: 'I'm allergic to nuts. Does that dish have any nuts in it?'
Josh: Good tip. At the end, they might ask, 'Anything else?' If you're finished, just say, 'No, that's everything, thanks.'
Mel: Next they'll ask for your name and phone number. For delivery, they'll also need your address.
Josh: Say your address slowly, and spell the street name if it's difficult. 'That's Hill Street, H-I-L-L.'
Mel: They'll usually read your order back to you. Listen carefully and check it's right.
Josh: Then ask about the total: 'How much is that altogether?' And ask about payment: 'Can I pay by card?'
Mel: The last question is time. 'How long will it be?' They might say, 'About twenty minutes for pick-up' or 'Forty-five minutes for delivery.'
Josh: Twenty minutes. Perfect. I'll pick it up and save the delivery fee.
Mel: So: say pick-up or delivery, order clearly, mention any allergies, check the total, and ask how long it will be.
Josh: And then enjoy your dinner!
Mel: Thanks for listening, everyone. Enjoy your curry, Josh!
Josh: Thanks, Mel. See you next time!
3. Check your understanding
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4. Shadow the hosts
Shadowing means repeating a line straight after you hear it, copying the speed, stress and rhythm. Press 🔁 next to any line in the transcript, then press 🎤 and say it. Your browser shows what it heard. Try 3 to 5 lines a day.
5. Talk about it
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Keep learning: Everyday English lesson: ordering food and coffee.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a transcript for this English listening practice?
Yes. The full transcript is on this page and each line lights up as it's read. You can also print a worksheet with the transcript, questions and answers.
What English level is this episode?
Beginner (about A1–A2). Beginners can use the Slow speed and read along.
Which words will I learn in this episode?
takeaway, pick-up, delivery, delivery fee, allergic to, read back, altogether. Each one has audio and a simple meaning.
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